Hatchimals Surprise

Hatchimals Surprise Review

Hatchimals Surprise took the 2017 Christmas season by storm, evolving the original Hatchimals idea with a brilliant twist: one egg, two hatchlings. Made by Spin Master Toys UK Ltd, this sequel doubled the excitement and raised the stakes for the year’s most talked-about unboxing experience. It earned its place on the official Top 10 Christmas Toys 2017 list and became a centrepiece of festive wish lists across the country.

What’s Inside the Egg?

Hatchimals Surprise arrived as a large, speckled egg hiding a pair of interactive twins. Kids nurtured the egg with gentle taps, cuddles, and chatter until it came to life. When the heartbeat pulsed and the eyes glowed through the shell, children knew the big moment was close. The gradual build-up created genuine anticipation that felt theatrical and memorable—exactly the kind of family moment people hope for at Christmas.

The Twin Twist (and Why It Works)

The twin hatchlings introduced natural co-play. Each sibling had complementary behaviours—one might sing while the other danced, or one responded to claps while the other engaged with tickles. In practice, this design nudged children toward sharing: siblings, cousins, or friends could each “adopt” a twin and still play together with a shared toy. That simple change solved a common festive headache where one blockbuster gift leaves everyone else spectating.

From Hatching to Raising

After hatching, the twins moved through developmental “life stages.” Children taught them to talk, play games, and perform little routines. Because the post-hatch play loop remained lively, the toy avoided the dip that sometimes follows a big unbox. Moreover, those mini-milestones gave parents clear prompts for follow-up sessions, keeping the toy in rotation long after the tree came down.

Parents especially appreciated that the twins had different personalities. One might be cheeky and noisy, while the other was quieter and more curious. That contrast not only encouraged variety but also gave kids opportunities to role-play sibling dynamics they recognised in real life.

Who Will Love It?

Recommended for ages 5+, Hatchimals Surprise suits children who enjoy role-play and caretaking. Kids who loved the original Hatchimals found this version more social and more surprising, while newcomers discovered a ready-made “big moment” toy. If you’re weighing up broader festive choices, our guide to Must-Have Christmas Toys shows how reveal-based toys sit alongside creative sets and plush interactivity.

Hype, Demand, and Stock Reality

The first Hatchimals release in 2016 famously sparked queues and resale spikes. In 2017, retailers were better prepared—yet the Surprise edition still saw surges around late November. Families reported phoning multiple branches or using in-store stock finders to track the exact colourway they wanted. That hunt became part of the story, and when the egg finally made it home, the reward felt even bigger.

Major retailers like Argos and Smyths advertised Hatchimals Surprise in catalogues and online banners, often highlighting the “twin” feature. Parents noted that stock updates spread quickly on social media, turning Facebook groups and Twitter feeds into informal tracking systems. For families, this chase was stressful, but it also added a layer of triumph once the toy was secured.

How It Compares in 2017

Compared with Fingerlings, Hatchimals Surprise trades ultra-portable, pocket-money charm for a theatre-style centrepiece. Against plush interactives like FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, it emphasises reveal and ritual over cuddly companionship. In short: if your child loves anticipation, lights, and music-driven moments, Hatchimals Surprise is the headline act; if they cherish cosy, repeatable nurture play, a plush interactive might be a better daily companion.

Parents making side-by-side comparisons often said Tyler felt like the “steady pet” while Hatchimals provided the “Christmas morning fireworks.” Many households ended up with both, using Hatchimals as the big reveal and Tyler as the everyday buddy.

Set-Up, Batteries & Practicalities

Parents appreciated that the egg needed little prep—pop in fresh batteries, scan the quick steps, and the toy takes the lead. The hatching segment benefits from a calm environment so kids can hear cues and spot the light signals. After the reveal, table-top play works well; the twins respond clearly to claps, taps, and cuddles without requiring extra accessories. That simplicity reduces “missing bits” drama later in the year.

Battery usage was a talking point. Because the hatch sequence runs only once, most parents reported long battery life afterwards. However, households with particularly enthusiastic children sometimes swapped batteries sooner, especially if the twins were kept in constant “performance mode.” Fortunately, replacements were easy and the compartments were parent-friendly.

Educational & Social Upside

Hatchimals won’t replace a coding kit, but it supports patience, turn-taking, and gentle handling—skills that matter in early primary. Twins encourage cooperative problem-solving (“you clap, I tickle”), and the responsive feedback loop helps children understand cause and effect. As a result, parents often describe the toy as a confidence booster for shyer kids who warm to performing when the twins “cheer them on.”

Teachers even commented that toys like Hatchimals Surprise could ease group play in classrooms. Children who owned them outside of school used the toy as a common talking point, helping build social bridges. That wider community effect demonstrated how a clever product can influence more than just living room play.

Retail Signals & Authority View

Season after season, major toy shops highlight a small cohort of “must-have” picks that blend novelty with replay value. For a helpful big-store perspective on what rises to the top each Christmas, see The Entertainer’s Christmas must-have toys. It’s a useful bellwether for parents comparing headline gifts with budget-friendly alternatives.

Value, Longevity & When to Buy

Because the surprise moment is the hook, timing your purchase to avoid last-minute scarcity is smart. Our Christmas Toy Deals page is a good first stop for promos and bundle offers. Moreover, if you’re mapping out the rest of your list, a quick scan of Top Christmas Toys 2024 shows how “big moment” toys cycle alongside creative builds and plush companions year after year.

Long-term, many parents were pleasantly surprised that their kids returned to the twins weeks later. Games, singing, and movement kept the novelty alive longer than expected. For some families, the toy even gained sentimental value as the “Christmas we had twins,” becoming part of their festive story.

Support & How We Test

We update legacy pages for clarity, safety notes, and link hygiene while preserving each toy’s original context. Curious about our method? Visit How We Review Toys for the criteria we apply to interactivity, durability, age fit, and value.

Final Thoughts

Hatchimals Surprise earns its headline status by delivering a theatrical reveal and then sustaining interest with twin-based play. It’s social, it’s dramatic, and it turns Christmas morning into a shared event rather than a solo unbox. If your child lights up for countdowns, flashing eyes, and musical cues, this is a standout 2017 pick that still feels magical today.

Want a deeper dive into day-to-day play and durability? Read our full Hatchimals Surprise Review. When you’re ready to explore this year’s standouts, start with Top Christmas Toys 2024, then browse Best Christmas Toys 2025, Toys Every Kid Wants 2025, and our Christmas Toy Predictions 2025. For brand highlights, check out our Top Spin Master Toys page.

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