Can you guess these British childhood snacks from their close-ups?
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How many can you recognise?
Whether you preferred grazing on savoury nibbles or couldn’t get enough of anything sweet, we all had a handful of snacks we loved as kids. But how many would you recognise from a close-up or a detail on the packaging? From forgotten favourites to treats still loved today, take our quiz and find out just how well you know your British childhood snacks.
Click or scroll through our quiz to see how many of these nostalgic childhood snacks you really remember.
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These savoury snacks came onto the market in the late 1970s, and can often be found lining the shelves of your local newsagents and supermarkets. They've become renowned for their unusual flavours, airy texture and distinctive shape. The product is still a popular snacking option over four decades later.
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Monster Munch
Did you recognise Monster Munch’s signature shape? Smiths originally created the baked corn snack, which is now manufactured by Walkers. They were initially released as ‘The Prime Monster’, before being rebranded to Monster Munch in 1978. These days, they're best known for their distinctive flavours, from Roast Beef to Pickled Onion.
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Part of the Mars Incorporated family, this chocolate treat has been a staple since the late 1960s, and is still widely loved. The bars come layered with a chocolate coating and tasty centre of biscuit and caramel. You’ll usually find them in pairs. New flavours have popped up through the years, though the original is still what you’ll typically find at the petrol station or corner shop.
Twix
Did you guess correctly? The humble Twix is still a firm favourite all of these years later. It features biscuit topped with a layer of caramel, all coated with milk chocolate. You’ll usually find two fingers in a pack. Nowadays, you can enjoy the original alongside Twix White and Salted Caramel variations.
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First introduced in the 1960s, these fruity treats have been enjoyed for generations – and, as their iconic ad proclaimed, they were 'made to make your mouth water'. A notable name change hasn't stopped them being a go-to chewy treat, all these years later.
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Opal Fruits / Starbursts
That’s right – those little cubed sweets were Opal Fruits, renamed and rebranded as Starburst in 1998. (To many, though, they'll always be Opal Fruits.) The original flavours were strawberry, lemon, lime and orange, before the brand made way for a blackcurrant flavour and combined the lemon and lime. These days there are a host of fruity flavours and styles, from Sours to All Pink packs.
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You no doubt had this quintessentially British dessert growing up, possibly at a birthday party or an extra-special treat. It first landed in the supermarket in the 1970s, and became a regular pudding dished up after Sunday lunch or as a sweet treat. You’ll typically find it in the frozen section of the supermarket.
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Arctic Roll
It was, in fact, a Birds Eye Arctic Roll: a Swiss roll–like cylinder of vanilla ice cream layered with raspberry jam and surrounded by golden sponge cake. A slightly unusual pudding, it was invented by Ernest Velden in the 1950s and was rolled out by Birds Eye in the 1970s. Its popularity has decreased over the years, with Birds Eye discontinuing and relaunching the product multiple times, so it’s not the easiest to get your hands on.
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You’ll probably either love these or hate these, but there’s no denying they're an iconic British snack. They date back to the late 1920s and often appears on a Christmas buffet table (and in lunchboxes). There have been some other flavours produced since the launch, but the distinctive original style is by far the most famous.
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Twiglets
Similar to Marmite’s flavour, these crunchy sticks have a unique yeasty taste that's either adored or despised, depending on your taste buds. Twiglets have long been a popular choice for parties and gatherings, and remain a controversial snack around a century after landing on supermarket shelves. The recipe has changed over the years, with the product now containing 60% less salt and being baked rather than fried.
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Made by Nestlé, you’ll find this one located in the freezer section of the supermarket. It’s fruity and packed with flavour, and has been a national favourite for more than 50 years. Nestlé introduced a limited-edition flavour to celebrate the product’s 50th anniversary.
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Fab
It is, of course, a close-up of a Fab ice lolly. Launched in 1967, it was sold alongside the Zoom, a rocket-shaped lolly, on the back of popular TV series Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds. Each Fab features three layers including strawberry, milk and a chocolate section that’s covered with hundreds and thousands.
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These are fruity and chewy, with a hard sugar shell. The product's colourful ad campaign is one of the longest running in history. Despite launching in the 1970s, these are still some of the UK’s most loved treats, and now come in a host of different flavours and colours.
Skittles
Skittles first launched in the UK in 1974 and became an instant hit with both children and adults. The tagline, 'Taste the Rainbow', has been synonymous with the brand since the ad campaign started in 1994. The Original pack includes flavours such as blackcurrant, lemon, lime, orange and strawberry. Nowadays you can enjoy different styles, from Skittles Giants to Wild Berry and Crazy Sours flavours.
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Is it a mousse? Is it an ice cream? This creamy, chocolatey treat first launched in 1982, and became an instant dinner party classic. It has several layers to it and continues to be a family favourite all these years later, with several flavours now available.
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Viennetta
Viennetta was once the height of sophistication. Produced by Wall’s, this fancy ice cream dessert can still be found gracing the frozen sections at supermarkets. Packed with velvety layers of ice cream and wafer-thin chocolate, it's always a good day when a box of this comes out – whether you prefer Classic Vanilla, Mint or Birthday Cake.
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You’ll probably remember this one for being super chewy (and often getting stuck in your teeth), but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. It first launched in 1970 and remains a nostalgic favourite, packed with a light milk chocolate coating and produced by one of the UK’s most famous chocolate companies.
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Curly Wurly
A Cadbury favourite, the Curly Wurly features a rich caramel that’s encased in milk chocolate. It was created by David John Parfitt, who experimented with excess toffee at the Cadbury factory. There have been a few products from other companies who have tried to rival this choccy, but the Curly Wurly remains a popular choice.
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This circular snack was invented in 1948, and features a fluffy centre and is encased with a biscuity chocolate coating. While thousands of rival brands have since launched, this product remains a treat that's guaranteed to remind you of childhood. You might remember its slogan, 'A taste for adventure'.
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Wagon Wheels
Made up of a soft marshmallow filling swaddled between two biscuits and a chocolate casing, Wagon Wheels remain hugely popular. In fact, around 125 million of the sweet treats are consumed every year in the UK. Fun fact: they were originally called 'Weston Wagon Wheels', inspired by Wild West movies and TV shows popular in the 1940s.
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This breakfast cereal has been around since the 1950s, and has had the same stripy mascot all these years. You might remember the catchy commercials from your childhood, though the sugar-coated flakes are popular among adults, too.
Kellogg’s Frosties
The crunchy, sugar-coated cereal championed by Tony the Tiger is, of course, Frosties. Owned by Kellogg’s, the saccharine breakfast choice remains one of the most-loved brands on sale in the cereal aisle today. Alongside the cereal, you can now get Kellogg’s Frosties Cereal Milk Bars, perfect for lunchboxes and snacks.
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Curved in shape, this crunchy snack has been around since the 1990s and continues to be a popular choice for birthday parties, celebrations and gatherings. It also makes regular appearances at picnics, on long car journeys and in front of the TV. The brand is now sold in more than 140 countries, with an unimaginable array of flavours on offer. Can you guess what it is?
Pringles
As you may have guessed from the saddle-shaped structure, this is a close-up of classic Pringles. The popular potato snack originated in the US in the 1960s, landing in the UK in 1991. The classic flavours include Original, Salt and Vinegar, Sour Cream and Onion and Barbecue, but the brand regularly launches limited-edition and regional flavours including Ketchup, Cajun and Prawn Cocktail.
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Kids from the 1990s will remember these pink ridges. It’s not a snack as such (you can't swallow it, for a start) but it is something you chew. At first, it was full of flavour – but, after a couple of minutes, that faded, and the remains tasted of nothing at all, really. You might remember other colourful flavours from the brand.
Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape
After Hubba Bubba initially launched in 1979, Wrigley’s popularity increased thanks to the launch of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape in the late 1980s. It's pocket-sized, easy to dispense and stretches out to around six feet in length. Its original flavour was Bubble Gum, though it’s now popular in a sugary Sour Blue Raspberry flavour.
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This confectionery product is only available for a few months each year, yet more than 400 million are sold annually in the UK alone. It was first introduced to the public in 1963. With a thick chocolate casing and fondant filling, it's designed to replicate another food you'd typically find in your kitchen.
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Cadbury Creme Egg
It is, of course, a close-up of a Cadbury Creme Egg. This classic British chocolate is shaped like an egg and features a white and yellow filling encased in a rich milk chocolate. They're only sold from January to Easter, and no egg hunt or bank holiday chocolate fest is complete without them.
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Can you remember this popular pudding? It was an instant hit when it first appeared on supermarket shelves in the late 1960s. Sold in powdered form, it's easy to make up into a creamy, crowd-pleasing dessert, so has always been a favourite for kids 'cooking' with their parents. Varieties have come and gone, though there are four signature flavours available today.
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Angel Delight
This childhood favourite is, in fact, Angel Delight. It typically comes in a sachet and can easily be made up and enjoyed within minutes. First launched by Bird’s, it's now owned by Premier Foods, and remains a great retro dessert. The core flavours are Strawberry, Butterscotch, Chocolate and Banana flavours, with others – from Lime to Popcorn – failing the test of time.
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You may have made your own version of these treats, but the launch from the leading cereal brand in 1995 helped to increase its popularity and appeal. They are super soft, sugary, crunchy and chewy – all at the same time. You might have enjoyed them in your lunchbox or as an after-school snack.
Rice Krispies Squares
The close-up shows the sticky surface of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Squares, long-time lunchbox favourites. The original flavour features a vanilla marshmallow, but there's now a host of flavours available, from Chocolate to Cookies and Cream. They’re very easy to make yourself – stir Rice Krispies cereal into a saucepan of melted marshmallows and butter, then set in a lined tray.
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You probably enjoyed shovelling a few of these down at birthday parties, or as a special treat at snack time. The product first landed on supermarket shelves in the 1980s and the biscuits are still popular as children’s treats today. Nowadays, you can get these in bite-sized packets perfect for lunchboxes.
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Party Rings
Did you guess correctly? Created by Fox’s Biscuits, Party Rings have been synonymous with children’s parties for more than 40 years. Each circular biscuit, with a hole stamped through the middle, is topped with pastel-hued icing. In 2023, Fox’s brought out a chocolate version of the popular snack in mini form, which proved hugely popular.
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These snacks have been household staples for over nine decades, and the brand is still going strong. You’ve no doubt enjoyed these on their own or topped with a little cream cheese. You can also smash them up to make a great base for a cheesecake or dessert.
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Ritz Crackers
These circular, salty crackers have been a top-selling snack since 1934 because, according to the slogan, 'Everything tastes better when it sits on a Ritz'. They're great on the go or jazzed up with your choice of toppings and served as canapés. They're also available in a rich cheese flavour.
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This famous biscuit was first produced in Manhattan in 1912 but became popular in the UK during the 1990s. Nowadays, you can get this treat in a huge variety of different flavours, though the original keeps customers come back for more. Enjoy yours dunked into a glass of milk or on its own.
Oreo
The close-up showed the textured surface of an Oreo cookie. When it first came to the UK, it was exclusively sold at Sainsbury's for years, rolling out across the country in 2008. Many of the products happen to be dairy-free, and they've become a popular choice in the vegan community. There's a host of styles and flavours available now, from Double Creamed biscuits to Vanilla and Raspberry flavours.
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Dating back over a century, these snacks will remind you of days gone by. They were hugely popular, largely because of the novelty factor that made them stand out from other crisps, and different flavours joined the classic in the 1980s – thrilling young fans of the snack. Now, though, they've largely fallen out of fashion.
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Salt & Shake
Does this packaging bring back memories from your childhood? Launched by Smiths as Salt 'n' Shake, each bag of Salt & Shake is filled with plain potato crisps and a small salt packet. They were designed so you add your salt and shake the crisps around to your liking, while the flavoured versions had little sachets of powder. Now manufactured by Walkers, you can still buy them, though their popularity has waned.
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These sugary treats come in a box and taste much nicer if they’re warmed up before eaten. You may have grown up watching characters eat these on US TV shows and films, before they eventually launched in the UK. Rectangular in shape, they're usually filled with a fruit jam and topped with a frosted sugar finish.
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Pop-Tarts
Did you recognise the frosting and multi-coloured sprinkles of this Strawberry Pop-Tart? This snack dates back to the 1960s but didn’t launch in the UK until the 1990s. They're best enjoyed warm after being popped into the toaster but can be eaten cold, too, and come in a range of flavours including Hot Fudge Sundae and Chocotastic.
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It always felt like a good day when you opened up your lunchbox to find this stuffed inside. The snack allowed you to build and make your own meal, featuring a mix of protein, dairy and carbs. They come in a couple of varieties nowadays, though it's the original that’s guaranteed to make you feel most nostalgic.
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Lunchables
Produced by Dairylea, Lunchables are guaranteed to spark nostalgia. Now known as Dairylea Lunchers, they consist of the same ingredients, with the classic pack including stackable slices of ham, cheese and crackers. You used to be able to get a few variations of the product, including build-your-own wraps and mini pizzas.
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Knocking around since 1920, this family favourite is best enjoyed on its own or placed on top of another (rather cold) sweet treat. It’s very crumbly – in fact, it's been described as 'the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate' – and is likely to leave crumbs everywhere. But its rich, milky flavour means it's worth it. Do you know what it is?
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Flake
Yep, it's a classic Flake chocolate bar. Manufactured by Cadbury, the Flake has been cherished by the British public for over a century and remains a beloved product. As the name suggests, each bar is super flaky yet delicious. You’ve probably enjoyed these slotted into the top of a 99 ice cream cone.
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These multicoloured treats had a signature shape and look. They were a popular product after initially launching in the mid-1950s, and were enjoyed by many until they were discontinued in 2023. There are similar style products still available by the same brand (including an all-time classic). Can you guess what they are?
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Polo Fruits
The close-up showed a stack of Polo Fruits. Following the success of their minty counterpart, these hard-boiled sweets came out in 1954 and had a long life before sadly being discontinued, along with the softer Polo Gummies. They featured a mix of flavours in one pack, including Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Orange, Lemon and Lime.
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Dating back to the late 1950s, this product reached peak popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. You can still find them in the frozen section of the supermarket, with a few newer flavours now available. Each has a crisp outer coating and, if you dug in too soon after cooking, a filling that could burn the roof of your mouth.
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Findus Crispy Pancakes
Can you remember these? Findus Crispy Pancakes are essentially frozen pancakes filled, folded and coated with crunchy breadcrumbs. The product came in a few flavours, including Chicken and Mushroom, Ham and Cheese and Minced Beef – and it was always worth checking the temperature before taking a big bite.
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