Tales from the Cabbage Patch Riots of 1983 | Toysplosion 

The way your mother described her experience was like she came out of Vietnam.

Dan's mom talking about crazy Cabbage Patch riots. Later, Dan's mom rioting to get young Dan a Mosquitor for Christmas.

My mom couldn’t find one anywhere Christmas ‘83. She looked for months and was always a day late in finding shipments. One day we went to JC Penney and entered through their catalog pick up department. We were walking along when suddenly my mom stopped dead in her tracks. She spotted two little boys CPKs sitting on a shelf in the customer service department. She asked the associate about them and was told they had been orders but no one picked them up and they were available for sell. My mom asked me which one I wanted and bought it on the spot. We were so excited we left JC Penney without buying our intended purchases and returned home. I still have that CPK in his original clothes with the baby powder scent.

I was there when it happend in my town. Mother, brother, and I were at BEST (department store chain). We were looking for Voltron toys in late 84 (3rd grade). Two mothers were arguing over a single cabbage Patch Kid and they fought violently kicking and punching and bloody faces and the police were called. IAM NOT MAKING THIS UP!!!!!! Mother made us put down the Voltron figures and left. We returned at night and YES we got our Voltron metal figures by Matchbox!

I was in 3rd grade and my school had a fall festival every year and we sold fall festival tickets for $.10. Each and I sold $2,300 worth at $.10 each lol! I got 3rd place and my prize was a cabbage patch doll. I already knew the prize as they announced the prizes for top sellers when ticket sales began a month before the festival. The doll was kept in a safe in the principals office. When I was presented the doll I had to have police carry my doll and walk with me and my mom to our car so we didn't get attacked. I was the first in my school to have one I felt like a movie star😁

I was 11 when this happened. What I remember most is the number of knock offs that started showing up at the flea markets. “Step right up and get your very own Pabbage Catch kid!”

I am close to 50yrs old and I remember my aunt had to beg a store owner to give her the last cabbage patch kid they had because I was at home crying because I wanted one. I still have it with the original clothes except for the hat. No one understood why I wanted one.🤶🎅🎄

I remember the Cabbage Patch madness. It was crazy.

"I DONT like em, I dont like their faces!... but I want one!" LOL

Little did we know that 37 years later it would be toilet paper.

Pixel Mom seems like a very sweet gal! Please thank her for sharing her survivor story with us. 😊 Did she bring you home a Cabbage Patch Kid that year?

I was six and I remember the cabbage patch as “cabbage patch, cabbage patch yum yum yum. Cabbage patch cabbage patch gimme some”. I wanted no part of that.

I luv the New Jersey grandma: “ they uglay, but I woont won” !

My wife's parents got into a fist fight in the toy store with another couple because they grabbed two CPks, they won and my wife and sister-in-law both got their dolls for Christmas. goddamn I miss the 80s.

This is why I firmly believe that the icon from Garbage Pail Kids Blasted Billy/Adam Bomb should be in a museum. It's a social commentary on the fact that in the 80s there was an underlying fear of nuclear war contrasted with grown adults fighting over dolls. The artwork basically begging the question of "what's more important?"

This phenomena is so funny to hear about. Because where we lived in Texas, there were no such supply issues. Yes, the dolls were a huge hit. Nearly every kid had one. But there were plenty to go around. I remember a friend’s mom collecting them. She had a room-full of the things. What I DO remember was not whether you could get one, but how many you could get (afford) for different occasions. How customized to your child’s hobbies and activities you could find a doll. And also that older teens had them. Not just toddlers.

I remember seeing this on the news when I was a kid. We thought people were insane. It was the adults that wanted them more than the kids I remember. It was the frenzy that everyone responded to. Just like now, with those cheap tvs being sold on Black Friday. Makes you wonder how many tvs people actually own?

Loved seeing your mom's perspective as a survivor of the CPK riots of 83. It was big news back then and I knew that I wasn't going to get one the Christmas and was a big girl and accepted it. Summer of 84 rolls around and my brother and I were with grandma since mom was at work and when we were brought home my mom said that there was a surprise for me in the living room. This was out of the blue since it wasn't my birthday and things like this didn't usually happen but of course I go to the living room and see a big JCPenney bag. Mom told me that I could open it up and inside was my very own Kid. Mom was at the store to return an item and she was behind a customer who was returning the Kid since she was missing a shoe. My mom asked if she could buy it and got a discount due to the missing shoe. I still have Heddi Kolatta to this very day. :)

If you found this interesting, there is a 16-minute documentary on Vice that talks about how Xavier Roberts stole the idea after coming across Nelson Thomas's dolls at a fair, and eventually turned them into a $2 billion franchise. I felt bad for Nelson Thomas, sad.

"what are we supposed to say to our kids? Santa ran short" Well... Yes.

It's Turbo TIME!!! & Who told you, you could eat my cookies?

What am I supposed to tell my kid on Christmas morning? ....I love you, merry Christmas?

My mother and grandmother were in a department store looking for place settings, when over the PA system there was an announcement; "Attention all interested shoppers. At 12:30 at the front of the store there will be a shipment of Cabbage Patch Dolls wheeled out. Please make your way to the front as supplies are limited." My mom was interested, and said to my Grandmother, that maybe they should check out what all the fuss is about, and made their way up to the front where a crowd of people were waiting impatiently. A u-boat cart was pushed out with shipping cases jammed onto it, 12-16 of them according to her. It was clear that they had too few supply for a sea of frenzied customers. As soon as that cart was rolled out, parents stormed it like zombies grabbing at a victim in the elevator scene of Dawn of the Dead, and the store manager on an attempt to save himself and his associates from harm, began throwing the dolls into the crowd to change their direction. My mother grabbed one, and another hit my grandmother on the head. There were people being trampled, lucky shoppers grabbing onto these dolls for dear life, boxes ripped apart as other unlucky parents began fighting with others for control. Somehow my mother and grandmother were not harmed and were able to leave with one doll each. Funny thing, my mother hates redheads and her first doll was a read headed boy, well another mother loved redheads, and asked her to trade. She happily accepted. My grandmother gifted her doll to my cousin for Christmas that year, and my mother kept hers in the box, hoping to give it to her daughter one day, but that day never came as my cousin was also given the doll by my grandmother to play with while at her house. My mom was upset, of course. She often jokes about it as the Cabbage Patch Massacre of 1983 and every Christmas she will retell this story. She would then recount the Operation TMNT Underground of 1990 and the Strategic Power Rangers Offensive of 1994 as her other successful but bloody Christmas missions. She has the war wounds as well.

My mom made my sister and I cloth headed ones herself they were very close likeness with prettier faces. When our friends saw them everyone wanted her to make them one. My best friend tried to trade me her real cabbage patch kid.

So happy to hear your mom lived to tell her story. Lol 😆 I still have my 1984 redhead cabbage patch kid . I love her. It’s the only thing I cherished after getting her. I remember being in complete chaos in consumers store in Canada with my parents. I remember a little girl threw her down because her mom called her as she already got one and I quickly picked her up and just loved her. 😅

I was 8 in 1983 but did not get one til I was 11. I was still overjoyed when I opened it on Christmas 1986. Thanks Mom

Was 12 around this time. Shocked a lot of kids too. Sad that Coleco couldn't keep replicating their success. I live in Ga so I've known about Babyland most of my life.

Dan: "Just like every other time, supply eventually met demand..." NECA/Target: *laughs in turtle*

Your mom’s so cute, this was a great story to listen to. Merry Christmas to you and yours Dan.

As a kid, my Aunt used to work at Best store in Garland, Texas. She was smart when she hid two CPK for me and my cousin! Just in time for the Holidays in 1983.

I remember being 8 years old in 1983 at a TG&Y store, I was looking at a Star Wars display. It was right after the store open, all the sudden the employees brought out around maybe 30-40 GPK out in the the big aisle that split the boys and girls toys. I see a couple of women come up and grab one or two. Not even five minutes later, it was pure chaos. Fighting, screaming and a lot of torn up boxes of GPK. It was like a pack of wolves attacking some sheep.

I was 3 and still remember the stories growing up of the mayhem. What I'm trying to realize at this particular moment is if these crazed people are causing a mob scene anyway, why wouldn't they just bum rush all they could carry and run out of the store...??

It was nice to see your mom in a video! I'd love to see her tell stories about you as a kid at christmas or on your birthday.

Dude this interview of your mom is so sweet. I'm happy you did this together . I was only 2 years old when this happened so I am very aware of the craze but never witnessed it first hand. Awesome video, thank you

I never knew this even happened. Which I was three at the time. Pretty interesting video. Riots over cabbage patch kids. Who would’ve thought?!

It was the smell! We were crazy about their baby powder scent!

Thanks for sharing and your momma is awesome! Merry Christmas to you and all the family and to all your fans!!

This was my fav episode so far 😁😁😁 such an interesting piece of history! Merry Christmas to you and your family Dan!

Merry Christmas, Dan and Happy New Year to you and yours, Buddy. Thank you for this, that commercial brought it ALL back, and fast.

I love your channel, ever since like 2009. But, i think the best part of your channel is your toysplosion series. Good luck in 2020!

Thanks for sharing man, that was pretty cool.

Venture holy crap that brings back memories Thanks Dan!

Outstanding video, Dan! I had heard about the Cabbage Patch craze but hadn't heard the full story so this completes that question that was buried in my head lol. Glad riots don't happen over toys anymore! I can't imagine fighting someone over a Deadpool or Lol Doll!

Love your new ToySplosion series! You’ve come a long way over the 7 years I’ve been watching. Great video!

This reminds me of Jingle All The Way lol It's just a doll! No that's Action Figure lol

Great episode bro! I was 8 when tjis madness took place and heard all the stories from friends and family.

"Cabbage Patch Riot Survivor" :D This was a very interesting and entertaining video Dan, i enjoyed it. Hope you have had a great and satisfying Christmas and holiday.

My grandmother had a hundred of these things , when she died she still had about 40 to 50 of them .

Thanks Pixel Dan for sharing your mom and her story with us.

Pixel Mom is awesome, Pixel Dan! She's a very, very good storyteller. I'm glad that she survived the riots. Awesome story!!

Very nice video! I enjoyed very much the interview!

My mother named my brother Xavier Robert 😏 I have 3 sisters and we had so many of these dolls. My daughter now has a few and the scent is exactly what I remember as a child. I also forgot they were cloth like and the hair was yarn🤣

Oh, I'd argue that the Tickle Me Elmo fiasco comes close.

I remember hearing and reading stories about these things being delivered by armored cars.

You left one very important part out. Xavier had stolen the idea and business model from a mom making the dolls and selling them at craft fairs. They eventually settled out of court, but the "original creator" Xavier was really a snake.

Really cool video, well documented, nice job

Awww, your mom is awesome! Happy New Year, Dan.

I really loved hearing your Mom's stories. Just crazy that it got that crazy. LOL!

I wanted one of these dolls so bad when I was a kid, but my mom would be damned if she was going to deal with that BS so we couldn't get one until the crazw started to cool down. I remember there were neighbors that were selling them for $300 because they were sold out and we knew some people that bought one. Even at 8 years old I thought it was ridiculous to pay $300 for one. When we did eventually get one I was so excited. I brought my doll everywhere I went. I still have that doll and I will never get rid of it. I have 6 cabbage patch dolls now. I'm not a crazy nut for these dolls, but they definitely have a special place in my heart.

I will consider this new episode a personal Christmas gift from you to all of us! Thanks Dan!

My mom loved the Cabbage Patch Kids and she had some. Nice video, Merry Christmas Dan.

Amazing episode!!! Loved hearing the story

Great video man!

yoooooo love the video and it was nice to meet your mom! merry Christmas to all you guys!!!!!

I had a Cabbage Patch Kid "Kosa" Pet cat bought at Gold Circle named "Sammy".

My grandmother always told the story that she and my grandfather drove, in a rainstorm, from Ohio to Pennsylvania to buy get a doll for my older cousin for Christmas. She had one of the ladies she went to nursing school with get one if she could. She found one, got it, and called my grandmother. She couldn't drive, never could. My Gramps was less than thrilled to be driving around OH looking for this doll. He was P.O.'d when my Grandmother announced they would be crossing state lines the next morning for Shannon's doll.

Very interesting story and your mom is adorable, awesome video Dan.

I will choke someone out for neca beebop and rocksteady.

I got one for Christmas in 1983, still have it today.

LOL at that little girl crying cuz some lady snatched her doll 😆

Awesome. Please more stories like these

Wow!! Venture! Theres another blast from the past!

Fascinating story. My mum worked in a toy shop for many years in the 90s and 2000s; not sure if she ever had to put up with anything as crazy as this though. I worked in PC World and had some craziness when we had a limited edition cheap laptop in the sale one Boxing Day, but thankfully no fighting. Seems like the power of advertising (and pester power!) really worked for these dolls.

Cool video :-) Loved listening to your mom :-)People fighting and rioting over a doll , unbelievable. Imagine what could happen when something serious happens.

I remember tickle me Elmo was a big thing as well!

Thanks, Dan! 🎄

Very cool story, Dan. I know you're very busy so it must have been nice to be able to sit and talk with your mom about that crazy year. I think I'm going to ask my mom if she remembers this.

I live in Cleveland Georgia (US) they have Babyland General. You can come and see Cabbage patch kids being born from the great tree and buy them!

In ‘83 Mom couldn’t find me one so I got the next best thing ,a Doll Baby. But my kid brother did get one,the last doll in the store that day,a black boy premie. The following year I finally got a real CPK and then again for my birthday

Genius piece of marketing with the adoption certificate.

I was 10 when the Cabbage Patch Kids came out and I remember the insanity. I didn't understand the appeal; they were ugly, they were stupid looking, they didn't transform...WTH *shrug*

What an interesting study in human nature... The first hand account from Dan’s mom was fascinating! Cool stuff.

My mom grew up in Missouri and she remembers Venture!

I'm proud to say I was 9 years old sitting in one of those lines with my Mum and little sister outside of a Zayer in Weymouth Mass. We got there at 7am... The dolls were all lined up inside all of the glass windows... When they opened the doors - Pandemonium!! it was just like your mom said....the perfect storm of 80's adult insanity. To this day it's the reason why I will never go to a day after thanksgiving sale. My Mum got one 😁 without having to hurt anyone, my sister's doll's name was April Gay 😆😆

I love this so much 😍. Thank you.

Thanks for having your mom come on and explain a story we all know in the most boring way possible

Merry Christmas Pixel Dan

This. Was. Amazing! Dans mom rocks! I can see where dan gets is personality. Perfect holiday story. I should ask my mom about the power ranger xmas, she found me a black ranger somehow...wait you should ask your mom Dan! My mom was just a customer, maybe your mom was working there and has the inside scoop. She so good at telling the tale!

My cousin had one. It was a brown doll but it had blue eyes. It had a cloth face. That was the creepiest doll. Something about the eyes. One time it looked like the eyes were following us around the room and my cousin threw it out. 😂 I saw a picture of one the other day and I got so creeped out.

I remember this. At my TRU, one guy showed up with a truck full of them and sold them like hot cakes. People were pushing and shoving. TRU came out and asked him to movie after he sold like most of them.

Dan merry Christmas, the best present u got this xmass is ur family and a big surprise for me was seeing ur mom , mine past away 3 years ago and let me tell you because of her I had most of my toys and happyness , take care of her and spend the most time u can with her ,also u are the reason why many channels started the retro toy reviews I'm one of the first susbcribers to ur channel also the channel following ur steps like the retroblasting and madhunter,s , anyway keep up the work and want to thank you for showing ur mom on this video that was in a way my xmass present thanks again.

I'm more of a Garbage Pail Kid myself

I was 7 when they came out and my mom was lucky enough to know the manager of the local Bradless department store so they let her in and she got first pick of whatever one she wanted. She picked one that looked like me (Dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, jeans) and I had one that Christmas. I still have that doll too, sitting on my bookcase as a memento of my childhood.

This is a fantastic video

Man, the was the first Toy Riots. This was super influential to pop culture and modern mentality

That was a very cool personal story from your mom revolving aroung the Cabbage Patch histeria.

Merry Christmas Pixel Dan 🎄🎁🎅

Those dumb people being interviewed who thought the dolls were ugly made me laugh. Like, just because the dolls didn't look perfectly cute meant they held no value LOL People are so shallow. I think the fact that the dolls were kind of ugly is what made them so awesome! Children still wanted something that wasn't cosmetically perfect and that was not bad thing.

Great topic! My mom told Santa that "We were willing to wait until the next Christmas"

My mom was very grateful that I didn't want a Cabbage Patch Kid in Xmas '83 (I was too old anyway). But I know Mom would never go through hell trying to buy anything.