Hatchimals are the most popular toy of the 2016 holiday season. The furry creatures may enter the annals alongside Tickle Me Elmo, Furbies and Beanie Babies as the must-have toy that turned parents into line-jumping crazies.
Related: The 20 Hottest Toys of the Holiday Season
Already, there are the reports of parents standing in line overnight to buy these electronic toys, which are nestled inside speckled eggs that hatch. There also have been reports of parents getting scammed trying to buy the elusive toy for hundreds more than its suggested retail price of $59.99.
One New Jersey resident posted a four-minute rant on YouTube titled “Freakin Hatchimals!!” that has racked up almost 25,000 views since it was published on Nov. 11. She blames “that guy” who lives in his mother’s basement hoarding Hatchimals and selling them for double or triple their recommended price. Her efforts paid off: She secured two Hatchimals for her daughters at a fair price from a woman who saw the video.
Related: 15 Luxe Gifts for Your Pet
In Philadelphia, one woman ran into a problem unloading the 156 Hatchimals she bought on Black Friday — spending almost $24,000 — because of strict rules imposed by eBay and Amazon that limit how many Hatchimals she can sell at a time. A best-selling author, she plans to use the money from the sales to fund the legal defense of a man serving a life sentence.
She has since set up a storefront on Shopify and so far has a handful of Hatchimals listed on the site for $189 each.
Related: Holiday Gift Guide: 27 Smart Toys Under $50
For those looking for the hot toy at a more reasonable price, Target has some good news. The retailer expects to restock the toy on Sunday, Dec. 11, and will sell it at the suggested retail price. Customers will be limited to two critters, while supplies last.
If you can’t get your hands on a Hatchimal in time, here are 19 other hot toys this holiday season, plus 27 smart toys under $50 for your kids. And here are the toys to avoid.
