Take the Spot The Scam Quiz and see if you can outsmart the scammers before they outsmart you.

A bold graphic featuring the phrase "DO SOMETHING" in large, white letters on a black background, encouraging action and engagement. This visual promotes volunteer opportunities and community service initiatives.

“Bring These Back!”: Gen Z Gets Loud About the Stuff We Want Back

We need Big Time Rush, the Disney Channel Games, and ZhuZhu Pets in 2019.

Colorful hands displaying playful rubber shapes are featured alongside a Nintendo DS displaying a fun message. A pack of GRIPZ cookies and a graphic of the Disney Channel Games Arena Challenge logo highlight engaging community activities and volunteer opportunities.

Listen, if Crocs and the Jonas Brothers can make a comeback this year, then truly anything is possible. With the decade coming to an end, we need a revival the neon-clad era of the late-2000s and early-2010s. So get ready to reach into the depths of your memory with this list of the stuff Gen Z wants to bring back.

Know what we definitely don’t need to bring back? Nicotine addictions. Through DoSomething’s The Hit We’ll Take campaign, powered by CVS Health Foundation, share our #TBT anti-vaping guide to show that e-cigs are just a bad remake of regular cigarettes.

1. Silly Bandz

A collection of colorful Silly Bandz rubber bands in various shapes held in two hands, with a yellow softball in the background. The image captures a nostalgic moment related to popular trends among youth, emphasizing community and shared experiences.

In retrospect, it doesn’t make a lot of sense that these were so popular since you couldn’t even see the shapes while you were actually wearing them. But we’re not here for practicality -- we’re here for FUN.

2. The Disney Channel Games

Collage of images related to the Disney Channel Games, featuring a logo, colorful teams in coordinated outfits, and various competitions. The setting showcases a lively atmosphere with tents and activities, emphasizing community engagement and teamwork.

We’d dare to say that the Disney Channel Games are right up there with the Olympics as far as competitions go. Maybe even better since you can’t find Mitchel Musso and Ashley Tisdale dueling it out on an inflatable obstacle course at the Olympics.

3. Webkinz + ZhuZhu Pets

A plush sheep toy with fluffy white wool and a cute face is shown alongside various colorful toy vehicles and a playset. The image represents nostalgic childhood toys that foster creativity and play.

In the 2010s, we liked our pets both virtual and robotic (and it made us feel like we were on the ~cutting edge~). Plants are pretty popular nowadays for people who want to keep something alive without the commitment of a real pet, but maybe Webkinz and ZhuZhu Pets are the real answers here.

4. Pictochat

An open Nintendo DS handheld game console displaying a chat message on its dual screens. The message humorously asks about practice time and shows illustrations, promoting interaction and community engagement.

Forget texting. Forget Snapchat. Forget every other form of communication because Pictochat did it all better 10 years ago. (And if anyone needs to get in touch with us, we’ll be in chat room B.)

The Hit We'll Take

Share the tobacco industry’s tactics we don’t want to bring back -- and the throwbacks we do.

5. Crossover Episodes

A group of four individuals on stage, joyfully singing together, showcasing a moment of camaraderie. This image captures a nostalgic moment from a popular Nickelodeon crossover event, reminiscent of childhood memories and entertainment.

Before Avengers: Endgame was even on our radar, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel were mastering the art of the ambitious crossover. They gave us gems like That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana and The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour -- because nothing blew our minds quite like watching characters from different shows just...hang out with each other.

6. Total Drama Island

A colorful collage featuring characters from the animated show 'Total Drama Island' and 'Total Dramarama.' The image highlights a boat scene with multiple characters, alongside character design changes and a title banner displaying the show's name.

Whoever had the idea to make a cartoon reality show was an absolute genius, and we blame them for our current reality TV addictions. Let’s not forget how Duncan voted to eliminate his own girlfriend, or when Heather went through with the head shaving challenge (the Kardashian fam could never).

7. Wii Sports

A person approaches a bowling lane while holding a bowling ball, preparing to roll it down the lane. The background features vibrant blue decorations and a viewer's perspective of a bowling alley.

Some of you never had to flail a Wiimote wildly at the TV screen to hit a tennis ball, and it shows. Things were a lot simpler in the days of Wii Sports, and maybe we just need to go back to our roots. (In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for dedicated Wii Sports streamers on Twitch.)

8. Poptropica

A colorful illustration featuring two playful characters from the online game Poptropica, one wearing a gray shark costume and the other in sunglasses and a rockstar outfit. The background is bright blue with a stylized logo for Poptropica, representing a fun and engaging environment for creative exploration.

The best part of having class in the computer lab was logging onto Poptropica .05 seconds after finishing your work. Flash games really thrived in the early 2010s, and it’s about time they made their way back into our lives.

9. Gripz

A package of Keebler Gripz Chips Deluxe cookies featuring the brand name in bold letters and a vibrant blue background. The box highlights that it contains nine individually wrapped packs of tiny chocolate chip cookies, appealing to snack lovers.

Eating miniature versions of your fav snacks just hits different, don’t ask us why. In 2019, we want to capture the energy of having a pack of Gripz in your lunchbox and knowing you were the coolest kid in the cafeteria.

10. Big Time Rush

A group of four individuals pose together in front of a red brick wall, displaying friendly expressions. They represent themes of community and teamwork, ideal for promoting volunteer and civic engagement opportunities.

We experienced a lot of losses in the 2010s boy band space (RIP One Direction), and Big Time Rush had its own unfortunate expiration date. Let’s bring back classics like “Boyfriend,” which we TOTALLY forgot had a Snoop Dogg feature (???).

GET INVOLVED

Make a difference in your community and add your vision to the future of our democracy