Squinkies and Calico Critters - Two Hot Toys, Two Choking Hazards

Every Christmas, there are a couple of toys that every child wants and no parent can find. Prices go through the roof and eBay profits from overpriced exchanges. This year, those two toys are the Squinkies and Calico Critters. Both pose health problems to small children, yet they are marketed to a much younger crowd.

Take one look at the official websites for Squinkies and Calico Critters and a parent could have an instant migraine. These tiny toys are the hottest toys for Christmas 2010 and eBay is already seeing profits from Squinkies and Calico Critters. Bidders are paying more than $150.00 US for Calico Critters Manor House and a first series lot of 96 Squinkies sells for more than $65.00 US, as of early October 2010.

In support of sites like eBay and Amazon.com, current prices on money saving and auction websites are lower than retail price at this point. The Calico Critters Manor House, for instance, is selling on the official website for $219.99 with a limited supply only. That limited supply could be the market changer for Squinkies and Calico Critters.

The Laws of Supply and Demand and Hot Christmas Toys 2010

As manufacturers use up the small inventory of houses, environments, accessories, Squinkies and Calico Critters, the price will jump through the roof. This is a careful tactic put into play by major manufacturers who want to make more money by driving demand. The laws of supply and demand say if fewer products are available and more products is desired, prices will not be held at suggested retail. In previous Christmas seasons, like Christmas 2009, Zhu-zhu pets and Tickle Me Elmo were the hottest Christmas toys. Those toys were both rather large and safe for most children. That cannot be said for Squinkies and Calico Critters.

The Two Hottest Toys of Christmas 2010 could be the Most Dangerous

Parents can often judge what age group a set of toys is targeting by the official website. Squinkies and Calico Critters offer simple, interactive games that are easily understand by children as young as five - in some cases younger. On the official website for Squinkies, for instance, with one click of the mouse a bubble passes through some tubes before being polished and captured. The words, "Got it!" are displayed. The Calico Critters website is no different. There are links to coloring pages, stories and interactive games. One interactive game allows the user to place stickers on a Calico Critter home. Both websites offer games aimed at a very young consumer, but the toys are tiny and not suitable for the age group being targeted.

The Dangers of Two Hottest Toys of Christmas 2010

On Amazon.com, Calico Critters is listed as a choking hazard and unsuitable for children under the age of 3. Then the manufacturer lists the suggested age group as being 36 months to 7 years. The Calico Critters themselves are small enough to choke a child of 36 months and the accessories with some of the toys are even smaller. Amazon.com also lists Squinkies as a choking hazard for both the main toy and balls included in some bubbles. In this case, the manufacturer suggests Squinkies for children ages 4 and up. Choking hazards for Squinkies and Calico Critters is not easily found on the official websites.

The trouble facing parents is marketing verses the manufacturer's suggestions. Marketing is clearly aimed for the youngest crowd, but the toys are too small for the age group who will be most pulled into the hottest toys of Christmas 2010 craze. Parents need to leave the hottest toys of Christmas 2010 to older children this year. Marketing to the masses is a money making business with potentially harmful risks.