The Rise of a Toy Empire: The Future of L.O.L. Surprise Dolls in the Unboxing Era

As the world of L.O.L Surprise continues to expand, will its dedicated fan base continue to follow.

The L.O.L Surprise® toy line, a global phenomenon that has captured the hearts of children and collectors alike, has had an extraordinary journey since its inception in 2016. With the toy industry witnessing a resurgence in recent years, the future of these dolls looks just as promising as their past.

The L.O.L Surprise dolls, created by MGA Entertainment®, have captivated the world with their unique blend of unboxing, collecting, and play. These small, round orbs come with plastic dolls and accessories and have evolved into a variety of styles and sizes. Their packaging is designed to keep the contents a secret until the child removes the outer wrapping to reveal a variety of wrapped dolls and accessories. The excitement of unwrapping each layer to reveal different accessories and ultimately, the doll itself, has led to a massive following among children and collectors.

MGA Entertainment, the company behind the Bratz dolls, launched the L.O.L Surprise line in December 2016. The concept was inspired by the growing popularity of unboxing videos on YouTube, where people would record themselves opening packages to reveal the contents inside. MGA Entertainment saw an opportunity to create a toy that capitalized on this trend and provided a unique experience for children.

The toy line began with a handful of dolls, but their instant success paved the way for more series and expansion into other product categories. To date, there have been numerous series released, with each series introducing new themes and characters such as All-Star B.B.s, Confetti Pop, Holiday, Sooo Mini!, FIFA World Cup, Fashion Show and many more. The L.O.L Surprise line has expanded to include playsets, pets, and even a fashion-forward spin-off called L.O.L Surprise O.M.G. The L.O.L. Surprise O.M.G. line features larger fashionable dolls, including guys.

The L.O.L Surprise dolls have become a global sensation, with sales reaching over 800 million units worldwide by 2021. The toy line has been lauded for its diversity and inclusivity, as the dolls represent various ethnicities, interests, and styles. The dolls and their accessories are colorful from vibrant to pastels, glittery and thematic and there are even L.O.L. guy dolls. This wide appeal has made them a hit among children of different backgrounds and fueled their popularity worldwide.

In 2020, the L.O.L Surprise brand was named the Toy of the Year by the Toy Association, solidifying its place among the top toys in the industry. The brand’s presence has also been felt in the digital realm, with a massive following on social media and the launch of the L.O.L Surprise Official Party, a gaming app available on iOS and Android.

With the continued success of the L.O.L Surprise brand, MGA Entertainment is poised to explore new avenues for growth. Fans can expect new series, collaborations, and product categories in the coming years. There is also potential for expansion into other forms of entertainment, such as animated series or movies, as well as licensing deals for apparel and merchandise, including games and electronics.

As the world of L.O.L Surprise continues to expand, will its dedicated fan base continue to follow. Will L.O.L. meet the same fate as Shopkins and Beanie Babies? The unboxing experience, coupled with the brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, ensures that L.O.L Surprise dolls will remain a beloved part of children’s toy collections today, but children and collectors can be fickle. So, for the time being, L.O.L. will continue to enchant children with surprises, until the unboxing craze eventually subsides.

The Unfair Practice of Toy Blind Bags: How Mystery Packaging Manipulates Children and Parents

“…the element of surprise and the thrill of unboxing a mystery toy taps into children’s innate curiosity and sense of discovery…”

Toy blind bags, mystery boxes, and surprise packaging have become increasingly popular among toy manufacturers, and while they might create a sense of excitement and anticipation for children, they also bring disappointment and frustration for both kids and their parents. This article explores the problematic nature of these marketing tactics and the ways in which they manipulate young consumers, parents, and collectors.

The Issue with Blind Bags and Surprise Packaging:
As the trend of releasing toys in concealed packaging has grown, so have the prices of these products. Inflation has made it difficult for parents and collectors to continue supporting this habit, especially when the risk of receiving duplicate items is high. Popular toy lines like LEGO® minifigures, Roblox® mystery figures, Minecraft® mini-figures, Spidey and His Amazing Friends® mini figures, Imaginext Slammers®, Disney Doorables®, LOL®, Toy MINI Brands®, Funko® mystery minis, and many others all use this tactic to boost sales and profits.

The Psychology Behind the Packaging:
Neuromarketing and psychological strategies are often employed in the design of these surprise packages to entice children and increase sales. The use of bright colors, bold fonts, and eye-catching images make the packaging more attractive and harder for kids to resist. Furthermore, the element of surprise and the thrill of unboxing a mystery toy taps into children’s innate curiosity and sense of discovery, making them more inclined to ask their parents to buy these products.

A Potential Gateway to Gambling Problems:
The concept of blind bags and mystery packaging is reminiscent of gambling, as children and parents invest money into a product without knowing the exact item they will receive. This can be especially problematic for impressionable young minds, potentially fostering addictive behavior and normalizing gambling-like practices.

Some Progress, But Not Enough:
While certain toy lines, such as Mega Construx®, have started to incorporate identifier numbers on their packaging, it still requires research to match the numbers with the toy inside. This is a step in the right direction, but more can be done to make identification easier and more accessible.

The Benefits of Transparent Packaging:
Other toy lines who once championed the blind bag trend such as Thomas & Friends MINIS® and Imaginext mini figures are going the transparent packaging route. Requiring all toy manufacturers to use transparent packaging or provide an easy way to identify the actual contents of a package would not only reduce disappointment for children and frustration for parents, but it could also cut down on store losses and returns. Retailers often deal with in-store opening of packages and returned items due to dissatisfaction with the contents.

It’s time for toy manufacturers to take responsibility for this unfair sales practice and reconsider their approach to packaging and marketing. While surprise packaging may temporarily boost sales, the long-term consequences of disappointed children, frustrated parents, and wasted money should not be ignored. Transparent packaging or clearer identification methods can create a fairer marketplace for consumers and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Available for Amazon Prime