What’s one of the hottest toys to hit stores this year?

Its Squinkies! Even though they are only approximately one inch in size they are making a huge presence on toy shelves this holiday season.

Squinkies are soft and squishy and come in packs of 16 different pieces enclosed in protective bubbles including kitties, babies, puppies, ponies and much more. There are a total of 6 different packs available, each distinguishable by the color of the bubbles. Each pack has 12 pieces that you can see but also inside are four more, which are wrapped in frosted bubbles to conceal their identity. You don’t know what you’re getting until you open these surprise containers!

But Squinkies are much, much more than just the characters. You can also collect the other accessories that go along with them. And in early in 2011, the Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop was voted Toy of the Year for girls of any age, an award won by combining votes from the general public (25%), mass and specialty retailer(40%), news writers and blogging professionals (20%). Out of the thousands of toys in the market, what was it about this one that put it above the rest? Here are three observations:

#1. Activities: The Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop is not just a cupcake…the sides open up to reveal the baking kitchen, with pies and cakes for a little girls Squinkie friends to enjoy.

#2. Friends: This set comes complete with four, count them, four squishy Squinkies people and two squeaky Squinkie pets. There’s plenty of interaction here.

#3. Dispenses: When it’s time to put the little Squinkies to bed, you simple put them back in their bubbles and place them in the Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop until it’s time to let them out…by placing a coin in the slot and turning the knob. Squinkies just roll right out.

The awesome colors on the Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop just make it look like fun. What little girl wouldn’t love to play with this toy, all wrapped up in a purple base, blue to blue green sides and a banana yellow cupcake roof. It even has a “cherry” on top. The Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop won Toy of the Year for many different reasons, but the most important reason…little girls absolutely love to play with this toy.

And of course once your little one has the Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop, what young lady doesn’t need to accessorize? For instance, there is the Squinkies Gumball Surprise Playhouse. It resembles and works just like your typical gumball machine except this one dispenses these adorable little figures. It holds a total of 15 pieces and can be opened up into a themed environment resembling a house for them to play in.

Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop

 Another great accessory of this toy is the Pencil Topper AccessoryBracelet Princess Surprize, the Fantasy Surprize and the Birthday Surprize. These kits come with different pieces which enable your child to accessorize using their favorite characters. Simply connect them onto the holders to wear them as fashionable jewelry such as rings and bracelets or to top pencils with while they work. They can mix and match pieces to custom-design their wardrobe.

As your start your collection you will need a place to properly display them and that can be found in the Squinkies Palace Surprise. This cute storage unit can accommodate up to 96 pieces. The three top moveable shelves can either rotate outward to give a better view for your child’s collection or they can be snapped into place and the entire unit easily transported using the convenient carrying handle.

For children on the go there is also the Squinkies Tote and Go Organizer and Carrying Case. It holds up to 140 bubbles and contains two organizing trays that fit in an attractive clear carrying case. Just store your characters in their bubbles, place them in the recessed spots and off you go!

The Squinkies Under The Sea Surprise is an adorable smaller carrying case shaped like a clam that accommodates up to three Squinkies for when your child is in a hurry and only wants to take a few select pieces. The case comes with three characters and three bubble containers.

The Squinkies Shopping Fun Surprise is an adorable purse that comes with three characters and three bubble containers. Your child will look like she is ready for shopping when she comes out sporting this cute little handbag.

Then there is the Squinkies Bride To Be Surprise. The container is shaped like a large pink diamond and includes three characters and three bubble containers. Just imagine your little girl showing off her precious jewel to her friends!

Rounding out the treats is the Squinkies Royal Friends Surprise. The case is shaped like a crown fit for royalty and also contains three characters and three bubble containers. The crown opens up to hold an assorted collection of their favorite pieces.

As you can see there is quite a selection of these toys and their accessories to give your child plenty to look forward to collecting. The great thing about them is that they are compact enough to collect the entire set without taking up a whole room. Your child will enjoy countless hours of fun with the terrific and entertaining Squinkies series of toys and especially The Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bakeshop.