Toys · 2020
Playtime at Home and Viral Toy Crazes
In 2020, global stay-at-home orders shifted play habits toward cozy plushies, immersive board games, and screen-free interactive building sets. Viral social media trends propelled retro fidget toys and trading card collecting into record-breaking mainstream surges.
- Kellytoy | Plush Toy Craze
Squishmallows
Fueled by TikTok trends and stay-at-home comfort, these ultra-soft plushies became a massive global collecting phenomenon throughout 2020.
- LEGO | Interactive Building Set
LEGO Super Mario Starter Course
Combining classic brick-building with an electronic Mario figure that reacts to action bricks, this set revolutionized interactive play upon its August 2020 launch.
- Hasbro | Action Figure
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition
Capitalizing on the viral success of The Mandalorian, Hasbro’s animatronic version of The Child topped global holiday wish lists with realistic motorized movements.
- MGA Entertainment | Fashion Dolls
Rainbow High Fashion Dolls
Debuting in July 2020, this colorful fashion doll line captured kids' imaginations with vibrant hair, detailed runway outfits, and an accompanying animated web series.
- The Pokémon Company | Trading Cards
Pokémon TCG: Vivid Voltage
Released in late 2020, this expansion fueled a massive resurgence in Pokémon card collecting driven by the iconic Rainbow Rare Pikachu.
- Cephalofair Games | Board Game
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Designed as an accessible entry point to epic fantasy combat, this standalone cooperative board game became a runaway hit for families staying indoors.
- FoxMind | Fidget Toy Craze
Pop It! Bubble Fidget Toy
Originally invented decades earlier, these silicone bubble-popping sensory gadgets exploded into the year's biggest viral fidget obsession.
- MGA Entertainment | Fashion Dolls
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix
Blending music-themed unboxing surprises with working mini vinyl record players, this line dominated the 2020 holiday retail season.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?