this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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31
Trying to find a kind of toy (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ThisIsAManWhoKnowsHowToGling@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
12 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm looking for a toy for my little cousin's birthday, and I don't know what the term is for the genre I am looking for

I saw a review for a set of what the reviewer called "unboxing toys", in which the process of opening the package to get to the toy is turned into a whole experience. The main focus of the video was a criticism of Beast Labs by comparing it to similar more fun products at lower price points. This genre of toy seemed really fun, like an escape room in a box. One that captured my attention was the Treasure X Dragons Realm Treasure Chest in which the kid must

  1. unlock the chest with the skeleton key
  2. excavate the three secret artifacts of power, discover the dragon armor, and find the three dragon riders
  3. slot the artifacts into the treasure map
  4. activate the secret switch in the eyesocket of the skull
  5. unlock the secret compartment
  6. unchain the dragon!

Obviously this could make for an epic experience, and I want to find more toys like this. Google says the word for this genre of toys is "surprise toys" but whenever I try to use that as a keyword I only find boring lootbox bullshit like LOL Suprise dolls and kinder eggs. How do I find more toys like these, which are more about crafting a little experience with a thematic puzzle?

Edit: Forgot to include a piece of important context. My little cousin is turning 3 on his next birthday and likes "dinotaurs" and "dagons" because they roar and smash things and eat his cars and trains. This gift is more for his dad than him, since the little cutie will need to be guided through the puzzle which will a good opportunity for quality time.

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[–] PineRune@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I would search for the term "Puzzle Box" as a starting point.

[–] Zero22xx@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 months ago

Puzzle Box

Just to be sure to avoid any puzzle box that looks like this:

collapsed inline mediail_570xN.3013163270_huh3

[–] toy_boat_toy_boat@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

i was gonna say the same thing. also google "STEM discover boxes". talk about things i wish i had when i was a kid

[–] reef@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

https://www.google.com/search?q=digging+up+toys

I would have enjoyed these as a child, but are they too simplistic?

[–] hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This is the first of this style I've seen that wasn't the Magical Cauldron style which is pretty simple. I would suspect that this is also much simpler than it appears. Personally, even at 7-8yo kids would have been done with the chest in less than an hour and it would be more plastic stuff in their room.

I highly recommend looking at Kiwi Co projects instead. They have a huge variety for every age and interest.

[–] ThisIsAManWhoKnowsHowToGling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Kid in question is waaay to young for KiwiCo. The main reason i want to give him something like this is more as a gift to his dad, since he's gonna need a lot of help.

His dad is also a dungeon master, so I think it's a safe bet that he's gonna enjoy making the process dramatic for his kiddo

[–] hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Kiwi Co had stuff started at baby toys so I really recommend you check their site. The DM in me also thinks the toy looks badass but my kids are edging at teens now so I have a bad idea of how long little ones take at things.

[–] ThisIsAManWhoKnowsHowToGling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 months ago

Thanks for the heads up. I will look into it.

[–] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

I’ve seen similar toys described as an “escape room in a box”

[–] the_real_monte@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

I know these are games and not toys, but maybe look into "Box One" and "Box Two" made by Theory11

[–] tal@lemmy.today 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This gift is more for his dad than him

I'd get him something aimed at three-year-olds, and just get his dad a puzzle box:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puzzle_box

https://kubiyagames.com/collections/puzzle-boxes

[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I see where you’re coming from but I think OP is wanting to gift the kid’s dad a bonding experience with his son through the toy, specifically.