Best Mickey Mouse Toys

Buying guide for Best Mickey Mouse toys

When you play with a toy that brings to life an iconic cartoon, it just makes playtime more fun. One of the most recognizable characters in the world is Disney's famed Mickey Mouse. In fact, he was the first animated character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In some ways, purchasing that initial Mickey Mouse toy for your child or special young friend is a rite of passage.

How do you know which Mickey Mouse toy is best? At first, that question may seem overwhelming, but by the time you finish reading this article, you'll be able to choose with confidence. Throughout the next few paragraphs, we'll help you quickly and logically narrow down your options so you can easily find the ideal Mickey Mouse toy.

Walt Disney originally named his famous mouse Mortimer. It was his wife, Lillian, who came up with Mickey and convinced Walt that it was a much better name.

Your first priority

There are all types of Mickey Mouse toys, from plushies to playsets. Your first priority should be to choose a Mickey Mouse toy that is age-appropriate for your child. This is the best way to protect younger kids from potential hazards they might encounter from playing with a toy that is designed for an older child. The easiest way to do this is to simply check the ages on the packaging to make sure your child falls within the designated parameters.

Types of Mickey Mouse toys

The second step to help you quickly narrow down your options is to decide which type of toy would interest your child the most. Following is a short list of three general age groups that we are labeling "youngest," "toddlers," and "older kids." Remember, this is just a general list to help you narrow down your options. You will still need to verify that the particular toy you choose is age-appropriate and safe for your child.

Youngest

Babies that are under the age of one will get the most joy when playing with soft stuffed animals that have no strings or small parts that could pose a choking hazard. A Mickey Mouse toy that makes some kind of noise when shaken or squeezed can add a great deal of laughter to playtime. If you can find a Mickey Mouse toy designed for use in the bathtub or one that helps with teething, either of these would be a good choice for this age group, as well.

Toddlers

A toddler is interested in exploring the world and learning how things work. A good Mickey Mouse toy for someone in this age group might be a picture book or a puzzle. A playset that features a variety of shapes and colors as well as a simple building set would also be suitable. A Mickey Mouse toy that can make music would be an excellent option, as well.

Older kids

If you have a kid who is over the age of four, he or she can start playing basic board games and might enjoy collecting figurines. Additionally, your child may enjoy engaging her imagination with dolls that have movable limbs and fun accessories. Mickey Mouse toys that feature trains, planes, cars, and trucks are a great choice for this age, as are more complex playsets, musical instruments, and toys that help develop fine motor skills. Educational toys that teach basic math, time telling, and reading skills can be introduced at this age, as well.

Mickey Mouse toy prices

Because there is such a wide range of Mickey Mouse toys, the price can vary drastically.

You could purchase a tiny figurine for about $5, for instance, or a plush toy for around $20.

Playsets and furniture can range from $20 to $60 or more.

Authentic collectibles can cost thousands of dollars, but these aren’t likely to be toys you’d encourage a child to play with.

Disney-branded products are manufactured in approximately 5,500 facilities in nearly 70 countries around the world.

FAQ

Q. Can anyone make and sell Mickey Mouse toys?

A. No — at least not legally. A company (or an individual) can't even sell a product with a similar shape to Mickey Mouse's ears without a license.

Q. How do I spot a counterfeit Mickey Mouse toy?

A. The counterfeiting of Mickey Mouse toys, unfortunately, is big business, something that Disney must battle every day. It can be tough to identify toys that aren't authentic. Not only is this practice illegal, but it can also be dangerous, as inferior products may be hazardous to children. Some common red flags are misspellings, likenesses that don't quite look right, toys with inferior build quality, strange odors, tags in a foreign language, and exceptionally low prices.

Q. How old is Mickey Mouse?

A. Steamboat Willie premiered on November 18 at the Colony Theatre in New York City way back in 1928. That means Mickey Mouse turned an impressive 90 years old on Sunday, November 18 in 2018. For trivia buffs, however, May 15, 1928 is the date That Mickey Mouse appeared in a test screening called Plane Crazy.