Grandma's Candy vs. Today's Kids: A Decade-by-Decade Taste Test That Got Loud

Every family has that one candy story. Grandpa swears by Necco Wafers. Mom lived on Pop Rocks. And today's kids think anything without sour dust is "basically a vegetable."

So we settled it the only way we know how: a full-blown family taste test. We assembled one candy per decade, from the 1930s to the 2000s, blindfolded three kids (ages 7–12), and recorded every reaction. Spoiler: there were tears. There was also a shocking upset at the end.

Here's the decade-by-decade rundown — plus how to turn this into the easiest party theme you'll ever throw.

The Rules of the Rumble

Each candy got rated on three things: taste, "would you eat this again," and vibes. Kids rated on a scale of 1 to 10. Parents provided historical context and, occasionally, defense of their childhood favorites.

1930s: Necco Wafers

The OG candy roll. Seven flavors, one chalky texture, nearly a century of history.

Kid verdicts: 4/10 average. "It tastes like the floor of an old church." One parent disagreed loudly.

The story: Neccos were famously included in soldiers' rations during World War II, which means your great-grandpa probably ate these in a foxhole. Respect the wafer.

1950s: Candy Necklace

Edible jewelry. A candy that doubles as an accessory and, eventually, a saliva-soaked wrist situation.

Kid verdicts: 7/10. "I'm wearing dessert. This is the future." One kid ate the entire necklace in 40 seconds flat.

The story: Pure 1950s Americana — when kids' candy was expected to also do a job, apparently.

1970s: Pop Rocks

The candy that allegedly combined with soda to make your stomach explode, which every kid in 1976 believed with their whole heart.

Kid verdicts: 9/10. "IT'S SPARKLING IN MY HEAD." Instant favorite. One kid demanded we "buy a lifetime supply."

The story: Invented in the 1950s but exploded (sorry) in popularity in the '70s, aided entirely by terrifying playground rumors.

1980s: Nerds

Two flavors, one box, one tiny door that never pours right.

Kid verdicts: 8/10. "Tiny, crunchy, perfect." The dual-chamber box blew their minds more than the candy itself.

The story: The packaging was arguably more iconic than the candy, which is saying something.

1990s: Airheads

Stretchy, tangy, suspiciously colorful.

Kid verdicts: 7/10. "It's like gum and candy had a baby, and the baby is confused." Fair.

The story: The '90s were the decade of extreme candy — sour, stretchy, and marketed with total chaos energy.

2000s: Kit Kat (but also, the rise of the candy phone-up)

Okay, Kit Kats are older, but the 2000s were when candy became content — giant versions, weird flavors, and candy you photograph before eating.

Kid verdicts: 9/10. Unanimous. "Crispy chocolate always wins."

The upset: The humble Kit Kat beat everything, including Pop Rocks. The kids have spoken.

Throw a Decade Candy Party

Here's the genius part: this taste test is a ready-made party theme. Here's your plan:

1. Set up decade stations. One table per era, each with its candy and a printed "history card."
2. Print scorecards. Taste, vibes, and "eat again" columns. Bragging rights for the winner.
3. Add a costume element. Kids dress from their assigned decade. The 1980s station will be unbearable and perfect.
4. Crown a champion. Bracket-style, taste-test finals, confetti optional but encouraged.

The best part? It works for birthdays, family reunions, or a rainy Saturday when everyone's bored and the pantry is dangerously stocked.

One generation's chalky wafer is another's treasure. Try it in your own kitchen — and if your kid says Neccos taste like church floors, tell them Great-Grandpa earned that opinion.