Buying guide for best unicorn toys
Unicorns are beautiful mythical beasts whose flowing manes and sparkling personalities appeal to virtually everyone. That’s why you should add a touch of whimsy to your toy collection with a unicorn toy.
Whether you’re looking for a cuddly companion or one whose mane is ready for fancy styling, the sky’s the limit when it comes to unicorn toys. These charming creatures are also available as interactive toys, plush backpacks, and even miniature figures with playsets. One thing is for sure: no matter which unicorn to you choose, you’re destined for a magical playdate every time.
Not sure where to embark on your mystical journey of choosing a unicorn toy? We’re here to make your decision easier with this buying guide.
Considerations
Popular unicorn toys
Plushies: Perhaps the most popular type of unicorn toy is the plush pet. These cuddly toys have soft features, and some produce music when squeezed. Some of these unicorns have rhinestone or sequin details, which may not be ideal for younger kids. Your best bet is to refer to the recommended ages on the packaging
Hairstyling: Unicorns designed for hairstyling play have flowing manes and tails, with hair similar to that seen on dolls. Kids can style, braid, and sometimes curl the hair with the toy’s brushes and other styling tool accessories. These unicorn toys usually have hard plastic bodies, though there are some plushies in this category.
Interactive pets: Interactive unicorn toys probably have the most diverse age range, including infants through age 12. Unicorn toys for babies typically feature buttons with flashing lights and songs. Interactive unicorns intended for older kids can have well-developed vocabularies and respond to a broad range of voice-activated commands.
Art-inspired toys: For budding artists, there are unicorn toys that revolve around coloring, drawing, or arts and crafts. These usually come with dedicated art supplies, which eventually need to be replaced. As a result, you’ll need to purchase additional kits from the same manufacturer or use your own supplies.
Figurines: Unicorn figurines are either sold individually or come in larger sets that include playhouses, stables, and even treehouses. The figurines are typically on the smaller side, less than 6 inches tall, especially when they’re intended for use with playsets. Some playsets can be folded away when not in use, while others remain full size and take up considerable space.
Did you know?
Some interactive unicorn toys come with access to online platforms or apps for extended play.
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Features
Sparkles and pizazz
Yes, sparkles and pizazz are a stand-alone category when it comes to unicorn toys. No matter which unicorn toy you end up with, it will have at least some shiny details. This can be in the form of rainbow hair, iridescent horns, rhinestones or sequins, jewel-encrusted crowns, or fabulous outfits.
Colorful manes and tails
The signature features of unicorn toys, besides horns, are their colorful manes and tails. Some toys have simple manes, either molded plastic or plush. Others have flowing, doll-like hair in a rainbow of colors.
Did you know?
Many popular toys, like Barbies and FurReal Pets, have dedicated lines of unicorn toys. Unicorns are also commonly seen as accessory or companion pets to other dolls and characters.
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Equine bodies
Unicorn toys adopt many of their design features from horse toys. They can feature moveable and poseable parts, or in the case of interactive unicorn toys, walk on their own. Many feature saddles and other horseback riding accessories.
Unicorn-inspired toys
There are also charming unicorn-inspired toys available. These consist of regular toys and stuffed animals that transform into mythical beasts by donning a horn and other unicorn features. You’ll find quite a magical kingdom out there, including raccoonicorns, corgi-corns, and even Unikitty.
FAQ about unicorn toys
Q. How should I clean unicorn hair?
A. Unicorn toys with flowing manes and tails are usually made of synthetic fibers. These can be washed with a gentle soap and water and left to air-dry. If you’re unsure whether it will work, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer for recommended cleaning instructions.
Q. Why do some unicorn toys have wings and others don’t?
A. It boils down to the manufacturer’s toy design. Traditional unicorns only have a horn and flowing mane, though when they have wings, they’re actually a hybrid between Pegasus and a unicorn. More often than not, wings add functionality and interactive features to the unicorn.
Q. What are the best unicorn toys for kids who want to play with their friends?
A. Kids can enjoy open-ended play with several unicorn plushies or playsets. Another option is a unicorn-inspired board game in which several kids can play together at one time. There are also LEGO and Playmobil sets that include unicorns, which are fun to build with fellow unicorn lovers.
