When Toys “R” Us announced their 2009 Hot Holiday Toy List last week, one toy on the list was not a surprise. Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia (formerly called Go Go Pets) were first released this past May with a launch in Phoenix AZ. I loved the video. I loved the idea. I wanted a Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster!
From a mom’s perspective, Zhu Zhu hamsters are great because:
- Zhu Zhu’s don’t bite. One story that will go down in Lewis family history is the year #1 son had to have a hamster. Begging, pleading, crying ensued for months. “I promise to take care of the hamster.” “It will show how responsible I can be.” Thinking back, I remember that the obsession started when son became fascinated by a hamster named Hamtaro. He had Hamtaro children’s books and loved the Hamtaro TV show. Who wouldn’t want a little friend to play with? But the first time my son took his new best friend out of his cage, “Butterfinger” bit him.
- Zhu Zhu hamsters don’t need to have their cages cleaned out. Yes, because “Butterfinger” was a biter, he didn’t get his cage cleaned out on a regular basis. Which led to the next reason Zhu Zhu’s are great.
- Zhu Zhu hamsters don’t die. Within three months, Butterfinger got tail rot or wet tail and eventually died. The average life span of a hamster is two years.
- Zhu Zhu hamsters are not too expensive.
- They appeal to both girls and boys.
- They have a long age span appeal. I see four year olds and 14 year olds loving this toy.
- They have a wide-open play pattern for creative play.
Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters hold all but one the top 15 spots on the Amazon Toys & Games Sales Rank. That’s amazing!
#1 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Pipsqueek - Yellow
#2 Zu Zhu Pets Hamster Mr. Squiggles - Light Brown
#3 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster NumNums
#4 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Chunk - White
#5 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Funhouse
#6 Zhu Zhu Pets Adventure Ball
#7 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster 2 Pack
#8 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Garage
#9 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Hamster Wheel
#11 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Accessory Kit Carrier & Blanket
#12 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster 2 Pack
#13 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Deluxe Accessory Kit Surfboard & Sleep Dome
#14 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Ramp and Slide
#15 Zhu Zhu Ppets Hamster Blanket & Bed
Curious which toy is the only non-Zhu Zhu toy on the top 15 list?
#10 Bananagrams
I love Bananagrams!
The word on the street is that many stores are sold out of this toy and there are long lines at stores as the delivery truck pulls up. Looks like a few children won’t be getting Zhu Zhu Hamsters for Christmas.
For the rest of this article, go to my National Children's Toys Examiner page.
