I was in my teen years when these plush toys came out, so I was way too old to be playing with them. However, I certainly remember seeing them in the TV adverts and in toy shops. The Glo Worm toy was first made available in 1982 by Hasbro, and whenever you squeezed its body, it would emit a comforting, soft glow which was powered by batteries.
The line was highly successful and was quickly followed by a range of other merchandise including night lights, story books and videos, and this was marketed into the early 1990s. A range of Glo Friends toys was also launched along with The Glo Friends TV cartoon series in 1986 which aired as part of My Little Pony and Friends. Glo Friends books by Ladybird also became popular.
A Glo Worm range is now produced by Playskool.
Original 1980s Glo Worm toy
Glo Worm toys from the 80s had a distinctive look, and they all wore a night cap, had short arms, a ringed body, and those loveable big doe eyes. They did, however, come in many sizes, shapes and colours, and they certainly helped many children feel more secure at night.
A range of Glo Friends toys was also launched in 1986, along with The Glo Friends TV cartoon series in the same year, which aired as part of My Little Pony and Friends. Glo Friends books by Ladybird also became popular.
Wendy's, the American fast food chain also released 13 soft toys to promote their business.
A Glo Worm range is now produced by Playskool, but the most popular version in 2021 appears to be the Funko Pop Vinyl Glo Worm by Hasbro, as shown above.
Glo Friends Bug puppet toy from 1985 by Hasbro
Original Thermos pink lunch box from 1986
