Most of today's hottest toys have one thing in common — they involve some sort of surprise element. From the L.O.L. Surprise! dolls that come with multiple parts for little hands to unbox to the Hatchimals that are wrapped in exciting blind packaging to make collecting even more fun, these toys have been popping up on store shelves and topping kids' wish lists over the last few years.
In 2021, a new kind of toy entered the category and took the surprise factor to the next level — with magic! The Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron has been one of the hottest toys holiday season since releasing, and as a result, repeatedly sold out during prime shopping months. (And it wasn't just kids who were under its spell, many adults were astounded by the fun, interactive experience, too.)
Last season, the brand added a new toy to the Magic Mixies lineup, the Magic Mixies Magical Crystal Ball. And this year, the brand put its own magical spin on a Genie Lamp and even entered the doll category with their "Pixlings"!
For anyone wondering what the hype is about, we're sharing everything you need to know about the popularity of the original toy and how it works below. Plus, we're highlighting all the exciting details about the newest versions, which have become some of the hottest toys this holiday season.
The newest Magic Mixies toy, puts a cute spin on the mystical genie lamp. The toy will lead your little one on a magical adventure that required them to complete several fun steps (and shout out a magic word!) to unlock and release the genie inside. According to the brand, it feature over 60 different lights, sounds and reactions, including magical mist! It’s also on the Amazon bestsellers list — it’s No. 1 in the magic kits & accessories category!
Plus, it's a big hit for shoppers, who are loving it for its interactive and fun features. "This genie is so fun!" raves one five-star reviewer on Amazon. "My kids have had several toys in the past that you have to do some sort of activity for it to open, but this one takes it to the next level. There were several steps that go along with a short narrative explaining to the kids what you are doing. It has lights, sound, and even smoke. The entire time the excitement is building as the arrival of the geenie gets closer. My kids also love repeating the whole process over. So smart and fun!"
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This Magic Mixie toy requires some potion making and another magical word to make your Mixie appear. (You'll know you're close when your elixir starts to turn blue!)
Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach recommends using this toy on a table or countertop because it can get a little messy with the potion. But a little mess sometimes makes the most fun!
The Magical Crystal Ball promises to combine the fun, interactive features and magical elements of the original toy in a new form. The crystal ball is said to feature more than 80 sounds, lights and reactions. And when kids use the wand and say the magic words, it fills with mist and a Mixie appears. They can then play with the toy, tickling it, asking it questions (its forehead gem will light up with the answer) or making it disappear and reappear. At night, it can even be switched to night-light mode and kept on their nightstand. Plus, it'll arrive in time for Christmas! So it's perfect for holiday gifting.
It won the Creative Toy of the Year award during the Sept. 2022 Toy of the Year Awards and was one of the hottest toy picks of 2022, according to multiple retailers.
What are people saying about Magic Mixies?
If you tried getting the original toy for your little one (or yourself) in the past, there's a good chance that you came up short. For most of the 2021 holiday season, the product was sold out across retailers, which isn't surprising given how buzzy it was. It won the Creative Toy of the Year award at the Feb. 2022 Toy of the Year Awards and was featured in multiple retailers' hot toy lists.
But even years later, the fuss around the toy hasn't seemed to slow down — more than 13,000 shoppers have given it a five-star rating, with many raving about how creative the toy is and how much their kids love it. "This cauldron captured my 8 year old grand daughter's attention and held it," one shopper said.
Another reviewer said that they were not prepared for how cool the toy was going to be, and ended up getting excited about the process. "The ingredients, the mechanics of the cauldron, the wand, the fog... it was amazing," they said. "I started out helping my kid — just to make sure he did it right — and I was 100% immersed by the second ingredient ... Is it too much to ask the company to make one for 40 year olds?"
It's not rare to hear about an adult trying out the toy for themselves. Videos in the #magicmixies tag on TikTok have more than 817 million collective views, and many of them feature people of varying ages casting their spells in the cauldron. "At the age of 24-years-old, this is probably one of the most exciting purchases I've made in a long time," one TikToker said.
How does the Magic Mixies Magical Cauldron work?
Made for kids ages five and older, the Magic Mixies Cauldron allows children to "experience real magic," as they add ingredients and tap their wand to create a new furry friend, the brand shares. The kit comes with a spell book to follow and everything a kid needs to work their magic. According to reviewers, the cauldron is ready to go as soon as you take it out of the box — no charging required!
You can start the potion by adding water to the cauldron (to activate it), then inserting various "magical" included ingredients — like the Fizz Feather, Magic Feather, Sound Dust and more — stirring and tapping three times with the wand after each one when the green light appears. After the final three taps, you'll see mist rise from the cauldron and the Magic Mixie will emerge. But the fun doesn't end there though — the Mixie itself reacts to touch and responds to the wand with lights and sounds, so you can play with it for hours.
Can Magic Mixies be used again?
While some shoppers have voiced their frustration with the high price point for a one-time experience, you can actually repeat the process time and time again. After the first use, you can simply remove the cauldron's bottom half, clean it, put the Mixie back in and use the included key to reset the toy (you can see step-by-step instructions, here). The brand offers a $10 refill kit, with mist and ingredient refills, but reviewers say you can also use other ingredients that you have around the house, like baking soda and salt.
More Magic Mixies toys
This is a great gift for the little one who loves a surprise. Commerce leadership coordinator Alexa Arent did a bit of a deep dive on the hottest toys right now and says this Magic Mixie is a true fan favorite. "Here is a twist on our beloved toy. COLORS!," she said. "My friend Devon said her daughter just asked for this and says it is different given the choice and surprises of color! AND there is a refill option, giving buyers the gift that keeps on giving.”
If you're looking for something more affordable, the brand has a line of Magic Mixlings, which was one nominated for Collectible of the Year at the TOTY Awards. There are more than 40 collectible figures and each one comes with a mini cauldron and a magic wand that can be used to discover your Mixling's powers — like a Spellster that glows in the dark, a Vanisher that becomes transparent in water or one of the many other varieties.
