What Is a Hatchimal and Why Do Kids Everywhere Want One?

self insemination kit

Each holiday season seems to bring an outrageous new toy trend—think of Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies, and the infamous Talking Elmo. This year, the spotlight is on a delightful creation known as a Hatchimal. If you’re not yet familiar with this latest craze, no worries—I’m here to explain.

The Today Show recently featured Hatchimals, which might be your first encounter with these intriguing toys that resemble modern-day Furbies. Essentially, Hatchimals are plush creatures nestled inside eggs that children must nurture until they finally hatch. The process can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, after which the real fun begins as kids get to raise their new friend.

For those indulgent parents who have been on the hunt for the perfect gift, there’s a variety of Hatchimals to choose from, but you’d better have started shopping early! Produced by Spin Master, these trendy toys retail for around $69, but they’re selling out quickly. Some savvy sellers are even listing them on eBay for as much as $200. What a time to be alive!

The company aims for these toys to provide entertainment well beyond the holiday season, equipping them with interactive features. As the Hatchimal “grows up,” it reacts to touch, repeats phrases, and even moves when you clap your hands.

Kudos to Spin Master for crafting such a popular item, and hats off to those parents willing to brave the chaos of holiday shopping and pay inflated prices for these adorable creatures. However, I think I’ll sit this one out. The Today Show segment illustrated just how challenging it can be to get a Hatchimal to hatch—it can take a while, and the last time my kid waited that long, it was for my wife’s epidural!

If your children are anything like mine, the likelihood of them keeping interest in this toy after the New Year is slim. We all know that trendy toys often have a fleeting appeal, and paying exorbitant prices just doesn’t make sense to me. I’d rather endure some tearful moments than watch a Hatchimal sit on the shelf for years, mocking me for spending hundreds on what ultimately becomes a decoration.

Fortunately, we’ve cut the cord on cable, so unless my son comes across a Hatchimal at school, he’s unlikely to even hear about it, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the absence of commercials!

This article was originally published on November 20, 2016.

For more insights on home insemination and parenting, check out this informative post on privacy policies. If you’re curious about at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom offers a fantastic selection. Also, for anyone considering donor insemination, American Pregnancy is an excellent resource.

Summary

Hatchimals are the latest must-have holiday toy, capturing the hearts of children everywhere. These interactive plush creatures come inside eggs that kids must nurture until they hatch. While the toy’s popularity is soaring, parents are faced with the challenge of finding them at reasonable prices, as they often sell out quickly. Despite the hype, many parents might question the long-term appeal of such trendy toys, opting instead for more sustainable gifts.