Hatchimals Holiday Toy Craze: Can You Still Buy One? Should You?
It’s like a 1980’s Cabbage Patch flashback. But this year, it’s Hatchimals.
What is a Hatchimal and why do all the kids want one?
These interactive fuzzy animals (which actually hatch out of a shell!) are this year’s holiday must have. The toy which normally retails for $50 or $60 is currently being sold by third party retailers at very escalated prices because retailers can’t keep them in stock. Try $250 and up on Amazon, as of this publication date.
Even the Hatchimals website has warned customers about the lack of stock, admitting that the demand took the company by surprise. It promises additional little creatures in November but say those Hatchimals are likely to sell out quickly. But take heart, it says, more are coming!
“We have increased production and a whole new batch of Hatchimals will be ready to hatch in early 2017. This is a special season and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed, nor do we support inflated prices from non-authorized resellers. We are working on creative solutions to help kids and their parents withstand the wait. In the interim, some retailers are developing pre-sale and/or rain-check programs for redemption in January. We will continue to update with program details as they become available.”
We got our hands on a Hatchimal to play with
I really get the allure of this toy. Your child tilts, taps and touches the egg until the Hatchimal is ready to hatch. And it is so amazing the way the animal starts pecking his or her way out.  We got the chance to experience one and my children were really enthralled. There are tons of different commands and fun things this animal can do (walk, talk, dance, play games) as well.
This toy is not worth hundreds of dollars; even the retail price is pushing it.
But this Furby-esque toy is not worth hundreds of dollars. Even the retail price ($50 or $60) is really pushing it. Yes, the hatching is definitely a “wow” moment. But then my kids kind of lost interest. They didn’t want to pore through the directions to figure out how to make it walk, talk, dance, etc and it really got abandoned in the toy bin.
What to buy your kid instead
My 6 year old still likes to cuddle with it. But she also likes to cuddle with those super cute TY stuffed animals that cost under $10.
If your child is really begging for a Hatchimal this holiday and you can’t find one affordably priced, I really recommend an IOU for January. Because you know the stores will be stocked with them then. And who couldn’t use a a fun pick me up in the cold, dreary days of January?!