Hatchimals

Hatchimals

Hatchimals are 2017’s MUST HAVE Christmas toy from Spinmaster. They’ve been selling out in toy stores and leaving many parents panicking and spending $70 per toy.
The trend for these loveable creatures has been around for two years now and does not seem to be going out of style any time soon. Especially with “Hatchimals CollEGGtibles” that came out at the beginning of this year.
Hatchimals come in eleven different species. They are called “Pengualas”, “Draggles”, “Owlicorns”, “Burtles”, “Bearakeets”, “Puppadees”, “Ligulls”, “Deerioles”, “Giravens”, “Peacats”, and “Zuffins”. On the Hatchimals website, they have descriptions about each species’ personalities and colors they come in. However, each set does not say what Hatchimal species it is. It’s supposed to be a mystery and you find out once the egg hatches.
Hatchimals can’t hatch on their own. They need to be nurtured and loved so they feel encouraged to peck their way out of their egg. You can care for it by rubbing, tilting, and petting the egg. It’s eyes can light up multiple different colors and they make cute sounds to tell you how it is feeling. Nine-year-old Janelle Perakis of Watertown says,
“They are so cute and have so many emotions. But waiting for them to hatch is the longest thing in the world.” The process of the egg hatching can range from twenty five to forty minutes.
Once your Hatchimal has pecked its way out, the child gets to play games and raise it. Janelle Perakis explains the process,
“They have 5 steps. First they’re an egg, then they hatch, then they’re a baby, then a toddler, and then they’re a kid. Mine’s eyes lit up rainbow when she was ready to hatch and they light up when she reaches a new stage.”
Hatchimals are not only fun, fluffy toys to play with but they teach children how to nurture and care for things. It is a good thing to have before getting your child their first pet to show them how much love and care animals really need.
Janelle Perakis says, “They all have very realistic features. Like when I shake her (the Hatchimal), she gets sick sometimes. I have to pat the bottom of her and then she feels better. It is cool because I can cure her emotions.”
The Hatchimal is interactive, you can talk to it and it will talk back. The more you play with it, the more it will learn.
Hatchimals CollEGGtibles are different than the original Hatchimals. They are small creature figures that pop out of a speckled egg when you press on it. Four eggs come in one set along with a hatched Hatchimal CollEGGtible figure.
Triton’s Theresa Karol says, “They’re like Littlest Pet Shop toys. But they are ridiculously expensive because it’s exciting since you don’t know what’s inside of it.”

“Janelle is really enjoying getting to know him. I was a little concerned that she would pay no attention to it at all after it hatched, but I have actually been proven wrong. She plays with it every day and loves it when it moves and sings,” said Perakis’ mother, Jess Perakis. Ranging from $50-$70, “I do feel this is quite a high price for something that she (Janelle Perakis) may not play with for a substantial period of time,” said Jess Perakis.
That said, the Hatchimal is a learning toy. The more a child interacts with it, the more happy and entertaining it will become.
Overall, it is really fun toy. It is better to save for a special birthday gift or main present at Christmas rather than a everyday purchase.
Other toys that are similar to Hatchimal toys are “Cabbage Patch” dolls, or a “Snuggles My Dream Puppy” which range from $50-$70 as well. Although, a cabbage patch doll isn’t shaped like a furry penguin, it still requires a child’s care and attention. You can tickle the bottom of her feet to hear her giggle and talk, just like a Hatchimal. Her cheeks glow red when she needs medicine, she’ll say things like “yummy!” once you feed her, and even burp after you pat her back. She’ll also play peek-a-boo, and if you connect to the “Baby So Real” app on your phone, there are many more games to activate.
A “Snuggles My Dream Puppy” is an adorable blue-eyed, fluffy, hypoallergenic puppy. It comes with adoption papers so you can “truly” adopt him and name him whatever your heart desires. This toy is great for kids who want a pet. He requires all the care of a real puppy. You can rub his belly or pat his head and he’ll make satisfied sounds. When you give him a kiss, he’ll kiss back. When it’s time for bed, place him on his back and his stomach actually rises and falls.