Little is still big this year. Collectibles are everywhere, and while they were a major trend in 2016, this year may just outdo the last. The Toy Insider team and I came across hundreds of new collectibles at the 114th North American International Toy Fair this year, and I’ve narrowed it down to my favorites below. Who’s going to join me in collecting them all?
Shopkins Cutie Cars (Moose Toys)
Shopkins fans, rev up those engines! Sometimes it really makes me wonder how the wizards over at Moose Toys are still coming out with Shopkins collectibles that are going to be more popular than their predecessors. These vehicle-shaped Shopkins characters are definitely ready to hit the road this year, especially with their various adorable themes. There was even a life-sized Cutie Car on the main floor of the convention center, and it took all of the power in me to not jump in and take it for a ride! Of course, each Cutie Car has a mini character to go along for the ride, and I’m pretty jealous that they all probably got their driver’s licenses before me.
Hatchimals CollEGGtibles (Spin Master)
I need to take this moment to #humblebrag that during our Toy Fair round ups last year, we 100-percent (hundo p) predicted that Hatchimals was going to be one of the biggest toy crazes of the 2016 holiday season. In the short four months that Hatchimals were flying off store shelves, more than a million magical creatures have hatched themselves out of their eggs. But this year, something new is hatching! In addition to fan faves Pengualas and Draggles being available with sparkly, shiny fur, and in new colors this spring, Spin Master is answering the question that many kids have been asking: Where do Hatchimals come from? Well, this year, kids can hatch tiny creatures—more than 70 to be exact—out of a tiny purple egg with Hatchimals CollEGGtibles. Kids crack open the eggs on their own, which feature the same proprietary egg shell material as the original Hatchimals do. Each egg features different colored speckles, indicating where they are from, including a forest, farm, savannah, and more. Kids can rub the heart on the egg until it is pink, and then pinch the egg open to reveal their bird-creature hybrid with fabulous glittery wings. Warning: The hatching is pretty addictive, I write as I stare at the five hatched CollEGGtibles on my desk. Read our full review here.
Rock Candy: Harry Potter (Funko)
I believe there are few things more pure in this world than the Harry Potter series, so you can imagine the look on my face when I saw these collectibles for the first time. This is Funko’s second year of making Rock Candy figures, and while they have a different look than their iconic Pop! Vinyls, these guys are a must-have in any fans’ collection. These figures are nothing short of perfection: Hedwig is perched on Harry’s arm, Ron is holding Scabbers while his other hand clutches his broken wand, Hermione is casting a spell, Luna is in her own little world, and Bellatrix looks as mischievous as ever. *aggressively sips Butterbeer until their May release date*
Little Sprouts (Wicked Cool Toys)
This year, everyone’s favorite Cabbage Patch cuties are coming in mini collectible forms. Kids can collect more than 20 kids, babies, and pets straight from the Cabbage Patch. Each 4- or 8-packs will be sold with a mix of characters, and they will also be available in blind boxes. The line will also include three play sets, so kids can take their adorable Little Sprouts kids to an academy, the pets to the vet, and let them hang in their very own version of Babyland General Hospital.
tokidoki Mermicorno Blind Bags (Aurora World)
Aurora is introducing plush blind bag keychains from the whimsical world of tokidoki. Perhaps my favorite fantasy creature of all time, the Mermicorno is a unicorn mermaid. (“I’ma let you finish, but the Mermicorno is one of the best mashups of all time! One of the best mashups of all time!” said Kanye West, probably.) Donutella and Her Sweet Friends plush blind bags will also be available, which are characters dressed as doughnuts and other sweet treats. If kids won’t be able to get enough of the Series 1 blind bags, Aurora will also offer Unicorno (unicorn minus the mermaid features) and Donutella plush in bigger sizes.
Disney Tsum Tsums (Jakks Pacific)
Guys. You aren’t even ready for all of the Tsum Tsum madness this year! This year, we are #blessed enough to get Waves 5 through 8, including a special Wave 5SE. Yes, that’s five waves! Wave 5 and 5SE three-packs feature a large, a hidden medium, and a small Tsum Tsum figure. Kids can track their collections using the included Collector Guide, and try to find common, lucky, and super lucky characters. Wave 5 will include characters from Monsters Inc., Finding Dory, and The Jungle Book. Wave 5SE is a limited-edition run of pastel three-packs. Wave 6 features characters from Beauty and the Beast and Disney villains. Disney Tsum Tsum Wave 7 and 8 three-packs include two medium and one to three small Tsum Tsum figures hidden in a new Tsumprise. Kids won’t know if they will receive one, two, or three small figures until they open the package. Wave 7 features characters from Moana, The Muppets, and Finding Nemo, while Wave 8 features characters from A Bug’s Life and Wall-E. Kids will be able to collect, stack, and display their Tsum Tsums with the Tsweet Boutique Display set and the Marvel Comic Box Display coming out later this year.
Splashlings (TPF Toys)
Dive into Splashlings, an Ocean Full of Friends! This ahhh-dorable mermaid-themed collectibles line just came out with Wave 2, and the first two waves have been such a Splashlings success that TPF Toys is coming out with Wave 3this summer! The third wave has a bounty of mermaid madness and introduces six underwater worlds for kids to explore, including Treasuretopia, Coral Canyon, Heartstone Hideaway, Icicle Island, Sunlantis and Fintopia. (Side note: When can I move to one of these places?!) New Shell Time Playsets (pictured above) will also be new this year, which are pocket-sized seashell homes. These are great for kids on the go because all they have to do is close the shell—which holds an exclusive mermaid, two exclusive Splashlings, and room accessories—and then be on their way. The themes are Snack Time, Dream Time, Bubble Time, and Glam Time. Two new play sets, Splash ‘n Fun Spa Playset and Splish Splash Reef Resort, will also be available this year! With the third wave, kids can collect more than 300 mermaids, ocean friends, gems, shells, and other treasures this year—talk about making a splash!
Littlest Pet Shop Rainbow Special Collection (Hasbro)
Fact: The only thing better than Littlest Pet Shop collectibles are rainbow Littlest Pet Shop collectibles. Kid can collect more than 50 pets in a rainbow of vibrant colors, each complete with a glamorous splash of glitter. The Rainbow Pet Pack features 13 Teensie pets with their own cozy habitat; the Rainbow Friends Pack features seven mini scale pets; and the Rainbow BFFs Assortment includes two adorable best bids that share an ombre deco. Make sure to keep an eye out for mystery pets hidden in select pet packs!
D-Lectables (Imperial Toy)
D-Lectables are the newest collectible figures based on Disney characters as miniature sweet treats, such as ice cream, milkshakes, and cupcakes. Each separates into four interchangeable elements that snap together, creating hundreds of configurations for kids to mix, match, build, trade, and collect! They will be packaged in mystery easter eggs and will be available in April.  Look out for a new collectors case to display, such as an ice cream stand, which comes with two full delectables and one mystery, and a cupcake cart with wheels and a sign to display the collectibles. YUM!
Lil’ Dreamers (JC Toys)
JC Toys, best known for their extremely detailed and lifelike baby dolls, is venturing into the world of collectibles with Lil’ Dreamers. Although smaller, these tiny baby dolls feature as much detail as the larger dolls. You’ll notice that each doll is wearing some sort of wacky hat, which was meant to express that even babies have the wildest of dreams when they are sleeping. I dare you to not fall in love with this charming concept!
Slither.io Blind Bags (Bonkers Toys)
Now officially one of my top four “Siri Suggestions” on my iPhone, Slither.io is the latest in addicting games (read more about the game here). Now, kids can collect their own slithers IRL with blind bags coming out next month from Bonkers Toys. The poseable slithers are available in a whole bunch of different skins, just like in the game. The whole line will also feature blind box keychains, vinyl figures, and plush. If you find a rainbow slither, you know where to find me!
Disney Crossy Road (Moose Toys)
Straight from the popular Disney Crossy Road app, kids can now collect the different figures outside of the game just like they do in the app. Just like it sounds, Disney Crossy Road is an app where players navigate 8-bit versions of classic Disney characters to cross challenging roads without splatting. Series 1 features a whole bunch of characters from The Lion King, Big Hero 6, Toy Story, and Mickey and his pals. With more than 400 Disney and Pixar figures to collect in the game, you better stay tuned for more characters coming in the first series!
BrickHeadz (Lego)
BYOC: Build Your Own Collectible. New for this spring, Lego introduces BrickHeadz, a new way for fans to collect, build, and display characters from their favorite movies, TV series, games, and comics. Each set features everything kids need to recreate and build their BrickHead. For easy display purposes, each figure comes with its own buildable collector’s baseplate, featuring a series number and BrickHeadz icon—you fancy, huh? These figures stand a little more than 2 inches tall, and in classic Lego fashion, can be rebuilt and combined with other BrickHeadz sets for kids to make their own characters and creations. I would probably put Belle in Jack Sparrow’s pirate outfit.
Mash’ems Hatch’ems (Tech4Kids)
We all know and love the squishy Mash’ems, and now kids can hatch their own.  Kids remove the lid and bop the top, to reveal a surprise baby bird or dinosaur. Crack and hatch a squishy surprise!
Cupcake Surprise (Sunny Days Entertainment)
Right out of the box, these collectibles just look like cupcakes with the sweetest of scents. But, with when you take the top off and flip the cupcake over, kids can reveal a beautiful doll. Then, the icing of the cupcake turns into their hat! Each doll has her own unique fashions, filled with glitter, sparkles, and flare. Get more delicious deets about these dolls here!
