As the holidays approach, you’ve probably asked your young children, nieces or nephews what they want to find wrapped in gifts under the tree or in their stockings. You might expect to hear familiar names like Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob, but don’t be surprised if you discover a new toy mentioned more than once. Squinkies are the latest playtime sensation, and their durability and endless potential for fun are sure to make them the best-selling gift this year.
What are Squinkies?
In the tradition of other collectible miniature toys like Littlest Pet Shop, Polly Pocket, and Pokémon, Squinkies are expressive figurines of babies and adorable animals like cats, dogs, and ponies. The “Squinkies” names may be derived from the fact that the actual dolls are soft and squishy to the touch. Like the Pokemon figures, the Squinkies dolls are packaged in spherical containers, only these are opaque so you have an idea of what to expect when you open them. Real Squinkies are not sold individually as new. Blister packs of sixteen per set may be available at toy stores and department stores…if you can find them! The popularity of Squinkies since their debut in the summer of 2010 has resulted in many empty toy shelves across the country, with increasing demand for holiday figurines.
Like similar figure toys, games and accessories for the Squinkies are also available. Your kids can interact through their toys in three popular games: Gumball Playhouse (shaped like an old-fashioned gumball machine), Cupcake Surprise Bake Shop, and Squinkies Tea Time Surprise. Real Squinkies toys are so small that people have even used them as jewelry, turning the adorable little puppies and kittens into ring charms and necklace decorations.
A Squinkies Bubble Pack, containing sixteen balls and figures, averages around fifteen dollars, with larger sets priced between $35 and $40, depending on where you shop. If you can’t find the toys in your favorite stores, you can search the Internet for sites like Amazon that sell toys.
However, whatever you do, don’t wait to buy them! With their expressive eyes and angelic smiles, Squinkies are irresistible to children and toy collectors and are sure to be the big hit this Christmas!