Nostalgia is the bittersweet emotion sometimes experienced when remembering one’s past. Research shows feelings of nostalgia can induce behavioural change. In a mixed design, with repeated measures (N = 403 adults) we examined the effect of recalling childhood and adulthood play memories, with shopping memories as a comparison condition. Participants rated nostalgia of each memory, and completed measures of play attitudes, and intent to purchase toys and games (pre- and post- recall). Childhood play memories were more nostalgic than adulthood shopping memories, but there were no other differences in nostalgia. Mixed repeated-measures ANOVA showed attitudes towards play were more favorable after recall, regardless of condition. This effect did not hold after controlling for nostalgia, emotional valence, and intensity. Purchase intent increased from pre to post only when recalling play memories, regardless of lifetime period. This effect held after controlling for nostalgia, emotional valence and emotional intensity.