Surprise packs and blind bags: The latest collectible toy trend
Walk into any toy store and you'll notice sections -- sometimes aisles -- dedicated to the latest collectible trend: Blind bags and surprise packs.
Since the mid 2000s, YouTube's "unboxing" videos have captivated kids all over the country, as they watch someone remove the packaging of their favorite toys. The awe, anticipation and suspence catipulted the popularity of surprise toys. According to the NPD Group, collectibles represent 11 percent of all U.S. toy sales, with blind packs, a subset of collectibles, growing 60 percent since January 2017. Collectibles continue to grow, with sales at $1.4 billion this year.
“The collectibles category has grown tremendously over the past two years, and is one of the most popular toy sectors at the moment," said Laurie Schacht of The Toy Insider. "The growth of the category can largely be attributed to the popularity of blind bags and surprise packs, which kids absolutely love and shows no sign of slowing down. This is one of the biggest trends we are seeing in the toy industry overall. Blind bags are affordable and an easy impulse purchase."
Kids love to be surprised -- and there is nothing more exciting than opening a blind bag and finding a toy that's missing from their collection. Check out some of the hottest blind packs you'll find in retail stores and online.
Star Wars Micro Force
Credit: Hasbro
Kids can bring "Star Wars" scenes to life with Micro Force blind bags. Surprise character figures include Rey, Finn, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Yoda, R2-D2 and more. Each surprise pack contains two figures and a collector card. $2.99. More information: hasbrotoyshop.com.
Hatchimals Colleggtibles
Credit: Spin Master
The masterminds behind the Hatchimal, the hottest toy of the 2016 holiday season, came out with smaller, collectible versions. These CollEGGtibles come inside small, speckled eggs that need a child''s touch to hatch. Kids rub the egg's heart, and when it changes from purple to pink, they can gently crack the egg. Inside is a CollEGGtibles. More than 70 Hatchimals are in the season one line, including an "ultra-rare species." Prices start at $2.99. More information: hatchimals.com.
Pikmi Pops
Credit: Moose Toys
Pikmi Pops are lollipop vessels, which contain two scented Pikmi plush, three mystery items, two secret messages and a collector’s guide. $10.99. More information: moosetoys.com.
Crate Creatures Surprise
Credit: MGA Entertainment
Crate Creatures Surprise is a funny monster who snores and makes chomping noises. Say something to the him and he'll say it back to you in a monster voice. Pull his tongue and you'll hear more than 45 sounds and gross noises. There are two characters to collect: Blizz and Sizzle. $39.99. More information: cratecreaturessurprise.mgae.com.
L.O.L. Surprise Pets
Credit: MGA Entertainment
L.O.L. Surprise is introducing a new family member -- L.O.L. Surprise Pets. Kids can collect puppies, kittens, bunnies and ultra-rare hamsters. Each pack includes seven surprise, which include a secret message, sticker, bottle, scooper, shoes, accessory and the L.O.L. Surprise Pet. There are more than 35 pets to collect. $9.99. More information: lolsurprise.mgae.com.
Shopkins Squish-Dee-Lish
Credit: Jakks Pacific
The collection of Shopkins Squish-Dee-Lish Series 2 contains 40 slow-rising food characters, such as Popsicle, Taco adn Doughnuts and more. $5.99. More information: jakks.com.
Lego Mini Figures Series 17
Credit: Lego
Lego Mini Figures Series 17 blind packs include different characters such as a Hot Dog Vendor, Elf Maiden, Butterfly Girl, Circus Strongman, Veterinarian, Dance Instructor, Gourmet Chef, Roman Gladiator and more. Each minifigure comes with one or more accessories, collectors guide and a display plate. $3.99. More information: shop.lego.com.
K’Nex Super Mario Series 10
Credit: K'Nex
Kids can build their own Super Mario characters with the KNex Series 10 blind bags. Each set contains one buildable figure, including Mario, Red Yoshi, Purple Toad, Cannon Box Luigi, Cat Princess Peach, Maker Mario and Luigi with Poltergust 3000. $3.99. More information: knex.com.
Disney Tsum Tsums
Credit: Jakks Pacific
Wave 7 of the Disney Tsum Tsums blind packs include two medium and one to three small figures hidden in a new Tsumprise. The amount of figures received is revealed upon opening. Kids can track their collections with the collector guide to discover their lucky find. Characters from Moana, The Muppets and Finding Nemo are included in the 12 different sets available. $4.99. More information: jakks.com.
DreamWorks Trolls
Credit: Hasbro
The DreamWorks Trolls surprise pack contains one of 24 Trolls character minifigures with brushable plush hair. $2.99. More information: hasbrotoyshop.com.
L.O.L. Surprise! Tots
Credit: MGA Entertainment
Collectible L.O.L. Surprise! Tots have seven layers of surprises that reveal a hint of what doll is inside. Surprises include a secret message, stickers, a baby bottle, shoes, an outfit, a fashionable accessory and the L.O.L Surprise doll. $9.99. More information: lolsurprise.mgae.com.
Cabbage Patch Kids Little Sprouts
Credit: Wicked Cool Toys
Kids can collect all 120 Cabbage Patch Kids Little Sprouts babies and pets, which are compatible with the Little Sprouts playsets. Prices start at $2.99. More information: wickedcooltoys.com.
SpacePOP Series 1
Credit: Commonwealth Toys
Series 1 of SpacePOP features figures from the YouTube SpacePOP girls series. There are eight possible characters to find, including Rockstar princesses Luna, Athena, Rhea, Juno or Hera and Evil Empresses Geela. $5.99. More information: toysrus.com.
Slither.io
Credit: Bonkers Toys
Slither.io blind bags contain one of 15 different bendable slither figures. $6.99. More information: bonkertoys.com.
Shopkins Season 8
Credit: Moose Toys
Shopkins Season 8 lets kids travel the world by collecting little rooms and houses to build a city skyline for their Shopkins from all over the world. Each blind pack contains two Shopkins, one double block that holds two Shopkins and one collector’s guide. Prices start at $2.99. More information: target.com.
Horse Club
Credit: Schleich
There are 27 horses from the Horse Club to collect in this surprise pack series. Each bag contains two surprise horses. $9.99. More information: scheich-s.com.
Smooshy Mushy
Credit: Redwood Ventures
Each Smooshy Mushy series includes one of eight randomly assorted pets. The sets also come with a “what’s your smooshy name?” game, a nametag, mini container, stickers and a collectible poster. $9.99. More information: redwood-ventures.com.
Littlest Pet Shop
Credit: Hasbro
Each Littlest Pet Shop surprise pack contains one Teensie-scale pet and its habitat, which features a hook loop and flat base to make them compatible with Littlest Pet Shop playsets. Kids can wear their pet as a ring as they try to collect all 72 pets. $2.99. More information: hasbrotoyshop.com.
Squish-Dee-Lish series 1
Credit: Jakks Pacific
Squish-Dee-Lish series 1 contains collectible slow-rise squishies in 24 styles of animals and dee-lish foods. Each blind bag includes one squishy. $4.99. More information: jakks.com.
Grossery Gang Season 3
Credit: Moose Toys
There are 150 new characters to collect, swap and squish in Season 3's Putrid Power, to help fight off the Grossery Gang. $2.99. More information: grosserygang.com.
Animal Crossings Figural Backpack Buddies Clips
Credit: Nintendo
Nintendos hit game, Animal Crossing, has backpack clips so kids can add a little something extra to their backpack. There are eight different figures that can be found in the blind bags. $7.99. More information: toysrus.com.
Animal Jam
Credit: Jazwares
Series 3 of the Animal Jam blind packs features cupcakes with surprise pets, new facts and a game code that's redeemable on animaljam.com or in the Play Wild! app. There are 108 pets to collect, including extra rare ones. Prices start at $3.49. More information: toys.animaljam.com.
