Parents around the world know their children just can’t get enough toys. But which toys are top selling worldwide? Here are the top 10:
#1: LEGO Sets- 220 Billion Sets Sold
SO. MUCH. LEGO! From 52 different colored bricks, to 2,350 different types of bricks, with 5 billion hours spent a year of playing with LEGO by children, and approximately 62 LEGO bricks for each person on earth, it is no surprise at all that LEGO tops this list. In fact, LEGO is so popular that it has expanded to include partnerships with franchises such as Star Wars and has 8 LEGOLAND theme park locations around the world!
#2: Nerf Darts- 4 Billion Darts Sold
Ah, Nerf guns. The infamous torture devices brothers use to bother their sisters. Even worse than the guns are the dreaded darts aimed at their targets. Nevertheless, they are a timeless toy that never gets old. When your Nerf darts are all lost, you’ll have to buy new ones, making Nerf darts #2 on this list by a long-shot (pun intended).
#3: Barbie Dolls- 1 Billion Dolls Sold
“I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world… ”, sang every little girl who grew up with Barbie dolls. Although Barbie dolls are marked with controversy, they still sell ridiculously well. Their ‘disproportional bodies’ are ridiculed by some for being unrealistic. Regardless, Barbie introduced a female role model in toys who decided she can be anything in the world- and girls love them!
#4: Duncan Yo-yos- 600 Million Toys Sold
Yo-yos gained popularity quickly. When Duncan made yo-yos in all different types and materials, new tricks were born. His feature of a “looped slip-string” allowed the yo-yo to sleep, which paved the way for more advanced tricks to be created. “Walking the dog” made the yo-yo into a common object used in competition between children. They are still valued as a top toy in the world, and remain popular today.
#5: Rubik’s Cubes- 350 Million+ Cubes Sold
The fastest that a Rubik’s cube has ever been solved is just 4.22 seconds by Feliks Zemdegs. That’s about how long it will take you to read up until the end of this sentence! The Rubik’s cube is a colorful and portable puzzle toy that grabbed the attention of children and adults across the world. The standard 3×3 cube is the best selling, but other variations are sold. Practice makes perfect!
#6: Silly Putty- 300 Million+ Eggs Sold
Mothers may despise it, but children love it! Silly Putty’s simplicity and ability to be used and played with in multiple ways is a top reason for its success. The toy was invented by accident and sold to children as a toy in the 1950s. It is priced at $1 per egg and its formula has never changed, although there is much less Silly Putty in the eggs sold today.
#7: Monopoly Board Games- 275 Million Game Sets Sold
This board game is iconic. It was made originally by Lizzie Magie, known as “The Landlord’s Game”, to expose the harmful effects of monopolies on the economy. It is now the beloved Monopoly game that we know today. The objective is to buy properties, charge rent, and build a real-estate empire until every other player goes bankrupt. This all-age oriented game makes for a few hours of family fun!
#8: Etch-A-Sketch- 175 Million Devices Sold
Anyone can be an artist with an Etch-a-Sketch! This handheld device uses a sticky aluminum powder that internally coats the glass. When you turn the knobs, the stylus inside makes a line in the powder, creating your desired drawing. The safety and mess-free factor made and continue to make it a popular toy option for parents to buy for their children.
#9: Nintendo DS- 154.02 Million Handheld Consoles Sold
The Nintendo DS was a revolutionary toy for its time. The DS lite sold millions, and the newer models such as the DSi and DSi XL continued to sell as well. The more recent models of the 3DS, 2DS, and Nintendo Switch were sold to virtually every child who loves handheld video games. This toy was popularized with games such as Super Mario Bros. and Cooking Mama that appealed to both boys and girls.
#10: Wham-O Hula Hoops- 100 Million Hoops Sold
While hooping originates with the Greeks, who wanted to tone their abs (don’t we all?), the company Wham-O holds the rights to the name “Hula Hoop”. They made hoops out of plastic tubing and sold them to children. It was a success! Hoop dancing emerged as a result of the hooping trend, and hula hoops are now considered a classic toy for kids.