What Are Squinkies?

As the holidays approach, no doubt you’ve asked your young children, nieces or nephews what they want to find wrapped in presents under the tree or in their stockings. You might expect to hear familiar names like Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants, but don’t be surprised to discover a new toy mentioned more than once. Squinkies are the latest playtime sensation, and their durability and endless potential for fun is certain to make them a best-selling gift this year.

What are Squinkies?

In the tradition of other miniature collectible toys like Littlest Pet Shop, Polly Pocket, and Pokemon, 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 Pokemon figures, Squinkies dolls are packaged in spherical containers – only these are opaque so you do have an idea of what to expect when you open them. The actual Squinkies themselves are not sold as new individually. Blister packages of sixteen per set may be available in toy and department stores…if you can find them! The popularity of Squinkies since their debut in the summer of 2010 have resulted in many empty toy shelves around the country, with a rising demand for the little figurines for Christmas.

Like similar figure toys, play sets and accessories for the Squinkies are also available. Your children can interact through their toys in three popular play sets: the Gumball Playhouse (shaped like an old fashioned gumball machine), the Cupcake Surprise Bake Shop and the Squinkies Tea Time Surprise. The actual Squinkies toys are so small that people have even used them as jewelry, turning the delightful little puppies and kittens into ring charms and baubles for necklaces.

One Squinkies Bubble Pack, which contains sixteen balls and figures, averages around fifteen dollars, with larger play set prices anywhere from $35 to $40 depending on where you shop. If you’re unable to find the toys at your favorite stores, you can search the Internet for sites like Amazon that sell toys.

Whatever you do, however, don’t wait to buy them! With their expressive eyes and cherubic smiles, Squinkies are irresistible to children and toy collectors, and are sure to be the big hit this Christmas!