‘Just as I remember as a kid’: This $18 Kmart throwback is bringing the ’90s back
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Not all childhood memories fade with time—some resurface in the most unexpected places.
Shoppers have recently stumbled across a surprising item on Australian shelves that’s bringing back a wave of nostalgia.
It’s a quirky blast from the past that’s capturing attention all over again—this time from a whole new generation.
Some nostalgic shoppers were in for a surprise recently when they stumbled upon a childhood favourite quietly sitting on Kmart shelves—an iconic toy that many thought had vanished with the '90s.
Although Kmart had been stocking the item for some time, it wasn’t until recently that eagle-eyed customers began noticing the kits again in-store, sparking a fresh wave of excitement.
A perfect mix of novelty and science experiment, these tiny creatures once fascinated a generation…and they appeared to be making a comeback.
Sea-Monkeys, first introduced in 1960, enjoyed their heyday in the 1990s, when pouring powdered eggs into water and watching tiny creatures spring to life was the height of entertainment for many kids.
They weren’t your average pet—these low-maintenance aquarium dwellers were actually a hybrid breed of brine shrimp.
The concept was simple yet oddly captivating: hatch them, feed them, and watch as your miniature ecosystem thrived in a plastic tank.
Kmart offered several versions of the kits, with the basic Ocean Zoo Playset retailing for $18. It came complete with a tank, feeding spoon, three sachets and instructions. For those looking to dial up the fun, fancier sets allowed fans to grow their Sea-Monkeys in themed environments like a ‘magic castle’ or even ‘on Mars’.
A more deluxe $22 version included not just the basics, but a bonus water pump and magnifying lid—perfect for those wanting a closer look at their aquatic pets.
These quirky critters earned glowing reviews from customers, averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars, with many sharing that the experience felt like stepping back in time.
‘Just as I remember as a kid,’ one customer wrote.
Another added: ‘These are fantastic gifts for all ages. Reminds me of my childhood.’
One enthusiastic user said: ‘Perfect! Only had for a little while and they've hatched, grown and now having babies. Literally so entertaining.’
‘Waited for these to come in stock and was so happy when I got them. My Sea-Monkeys are thriving,’ another review read.
Source: Instagram/theoriginalseamonkeys
Parents also jumped at the chance to introduce the toy to a new generation. One mum explained: ‘My daughter saw this on TikTok and really wanted one. Easy to set up and the monkeys grew faster than expected. Happy child, happy mum.’
Another parent cautioned: ‘Such a cute way to introduce pets to kids. They are not easy to keep alive though. I suggest not using all the eggs in one go.’
‘It’s a science project for the kids. Kids are loving the job of feeding the growing Sea-Monkeys,’ someone else chimed in.
What many didn’t realise was that the origin of Sea-Monkeys dated back to a chance discovery in 1957.
Harold von Braunhut, an American inventor, had spotted tanks of overlooked brine shrimp—typically sold as fish food—at a pet store. He saw potential in marketing them as ‘instant pets’ and began tinkering with ways to preserve and reanimate them.
By 1960, his experiments had led to the birth of Sea-Monkeys, first introduced as Instant Life.
A company website explained: ‘And Sea-Monkeys indeed exhibit. How they come to life, however, is a highly guarded, patented secret interplay of osmosis, controlled pH fluctuation and chemical formulations. The "Original" formula is kept under lock and key, and still made in the USA to this day.’
Initially, the concept flopped—retailers weren’t sold on the idea. So von Braunhut turned directly to children, placing advertisements in comic books and selling the kits via mail order.
‘Overnight, orders were flying in and the Sea-Monkeys began their long career striking the imaginations of millions of children,’ the website explained.
Decades later, they were back—quietly crawling their way into Australian homes once more, just as bizarre and beloved as ever.
Curious what these quirky little critters actually are? This quick video takes you right back to the basics—perfect if you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to see how it all works.
Watch now and take a trip down memory lane.
Source: Youtube/Picocosmos
Did you ever have a tank of Sea-Monkeys bubbling away on your kitchen bench or tucked beside your grandkids’ school books? Let us know your memories in the comments.
In a previous story, we took a look at Kmart’s early release of its latest homewares range—proving once again that timing really is everything when it comes to a good bargain.
For seniors who enjoy refreshing their space without overspending, keeping an eye on these surprise drops can be a smart move.
If you're already heading in-store for a nostalgic find like Sea-Monkeys, their homewares might just be worth a look too.
Read more: Kmart drops stunning new homewares early before official August launch
Shoppers have recently stumbled across a surprising item on Australian shelves that’s bringing back a wave of nostalgia.
It’s a quirky blast from the past that’s capturing attention all over again—this time from a whole new generation.
Some nostalgic shoppers were in for a surprise recently when they stumbled upon a childhood favourite quietly sitting on Kmart shelves—an iconic toy that many thought had vanished with the '90s.
Although Kmart had been stocking the item for some time, it wasn’t until recently that eagle-eyed customers began noticing the kits again in-store, sparking a fresh wave of excitement.
A perfect mix of novelty and science experiment, these tiny creatures once fascinated a generation…and they appeared to be making a comeback.
'90s toy makes a surprising comeback. Image source: Official Sea-Monkey
Sea-Monkeys, first introduced in 1960, enjoyed their heyday in the 1990s, when pouring powdered eggs into water and watching tiny creatures spring to life was the height of entertainment for many kids.
They weren’t your average pet—these low-maintenance aquarium dwellers were actually a hybrid breed of brine shrimp.
The concept was simple yet oddly captivating: hatch them, feed them, and watch as your miniature ecosystem thrived in a plastic tank.
Kmart offered several versions of the kits, with the basic Ocean Zoo Playset retailing for $18. It came complete with a tank, feeding spoon, three sachets and instructions. For those looking to dial up the fun, fancier sets allowed fans to grow their Sea-Monkeys in themed environments like a ‘magic castle’ or even ‘on Mars’.
A more deluxe $22 version included not just the basics, but a bonus water pump and magnifying lid—perfect for those wanting a closer look at their aquatic pets.
These quirky critters earned glowing reviews from customers, averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars, with many sharing that the experience felt like stepping back in time.
‘Just as I remember as a kid,’ one customer wrote.
Another added: ‘These are fantastic gifts for all ages. Reminds me of my childhood.’
One enthusiastic user said: ‘Perfect! Only had for a little while and they've hatched, grown and now having babies. Literally so entertaining.’
‘Waited for these to come in stock and was so happy when I got them. My Sea-Monkeys are thriving,’ another review read.
Source: Instagram/theoriginalseamonkeys
Parents also jumped at the chance to introduce the toy to a new generation. One mum explained: ‘My daughter saw this on TikTok and really wanted one. Easy to set up and the monkeys grew faster than expected. Happy child, happy mum.’
Another parent cautioned: ‘Such a cute way to introduce pets to kids. They are not easy to keep alive though. I suggest not using all the eggs in one go.’
‘It’s a science project for the kids. Kids are loving the job of feeding the growing Sea-Monkeys,’ someone else chimed in.
What many didn’t realise was that the origin of Sea-Monkeys dated back to a chance discovery in 1957.
Harold von Braunhut, an American inventor, had spotted tanks of overlooked brine shrimp—typically sold as fish food—at a pet store. He saw potential in marketing them as ‘instant pets’ and began tinkering with ways to preserve and reanimate them.
By 1960, his experiments had led to the birth of Sea-Monkeys, first introduced as Instant Life.
A company website explained: ‘And Sea-Monkeys indeed exhibit. How they come to life, however, is a highly guarded, patented secret interplay of osmosis, controlled pH fluctuation and chemical formulations. The "Original" formula is kept under lock and key, and still made in the USA to this day.’
Initially, the concept flopped—retailers weren’t sold on the idea. So von Braunhut turned directly to children, placing advertisements in comic books and selling the kits via mail order.
‘Overnight, orders were flying in and the Sea-Monkeys began their long career striking the imaginations of millions of children,’ the website explained.
Decades later, they were back—quietly crawling their way into Australian homes once more, just as bizarre and beloved as ever.
Curious what these quirky little critters actually are? This quick video takes you right back to the basics—perfect if you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to see how it all works.
Watch now and take a trip down memory lane.
Source: Youtube/Picocosmos
Did you ever have a tank of Sea-Monkeys bubbling away on your kitchen bench or tucked beside your grandkids’ school books? Let us know your memories in the comments.
In a previous story, we took a look at Kmart’s early release of its latest homewares range—proving once again that timing really is everything when it comes to a good bargain.
For seniors who enjoy refreshing their space without overspending, keeping an eye on these surprise drops can be a smart move.
If you're already heading in-store for a nostalgic find like Sea-Monkeys, their homewares might just be worth a look too.
Read more: Kmart drops stunning new homewares early before official August launch
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died during a six month battle over a strip of land only a few centimetres wide. That’s a lot of little coffins 
hey.
believe it or not.
