The Best ‘Pop It’ Fidget Toys
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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Popping games are to 2021 what the fidget spinner was to 2017: A simplistic-yet-challenging sensory toy that became a must-have item in schoolyards across the country. The popularity of Pop It! and Go Pop! have been amplified by more than word of mouth, however. These toys and games (that simulate the sensation of popping bubble wrap) are a viral sensation on TikTok, racking up hundreds of millions of views.
Who Invented ‘Pop Its?’
In this case, what is new is actually pretty old. GoPop! was conceived by Ora Coster (and designed by her husband, Theo Coster) in 1975.
Theo was a classmate of Anne Frank and a survivor of the Holocaust. He moved to Israel in 1955 where he met his wife-to-be, Ora. The couple founded Theora Design and subsequently created more than 150 toys and games (including the family favorite, Guess Who!), according to a profile by Chicago Toy and Game Week’s “People of Play” Innovation Summit.
However, the Coster’s popping game prototype wasn’t fully developed until 2013, when it caught the attention of David Capon, president of FoxMind Games. The game was brought to market as Last One Lost, then followed by a rectangular edition called Go Bong! More recently, the concept has been expanded under the Go Pop! and Pop It! brand names.
Success Breeds Imitation
Ora and Theo Coster’s original popping concept was conceived as a logic game, however, the game is easily repurposed as a sensory toy. The simplicity of its design, coupled with its current popularity, has resulted in a wave of imitation “fidget” products flooding the market. The good ones offer unique shapes and sizes at a budget price; the bad ones tear, shatter, bleed color, or are too rigid to pop. The following analysis attempts to sort the wheat from the chaff. Here are the best bubble-popping toys and games for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find popping fidgets with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any product with a price above the mid-point.
To find pop fidgets with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Toys and games with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 15% of the analyzed products remain.
Last One Lost: The Clever Popping Game!
Good Value: $10 | Great Deal: $8
This bubble-popping game is travel-friendly and it makes a satisfying popping sound, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish that the popping sensation was more tactile; others warn that the material is thin, and subsequently, it is quick to wear out.
Go Pop! — The Original Bubble Popping Game
Good Value: $10 | Great Deal: $8
Go Pop! feels nice to touch and it is a fun activity for smaller children, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish the popping sensation felt more like bubble wrap; others caution that the game makes a sound that may disturb others in a public setting.
Simple Dimple Fidget Keychain 2-Pack
Good Value: $10 | Great Deal: $8
These “fidget dimple” keychains are bright, colorful and easy to attach to a backpack or purse, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that the silicone is stiff, and as a result, it takes time to soften up.
Note: A variation of this keychain is also sold under the Ledaou brand name.
Lavone ‘Among Us’ Push Pop Bubble Fidget
Good Value: $8 | Great Deal: $6
This popping fidget toy is cute, colorful and durable, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish that the “pop” was more satisfying; others say that it is smaller than they expected.
Dobboco Popping Bubble Fidget 3-Pack
Good Value: $9 | Great Deal: $8
These bubble fidgets are calming, satisfying and a good value, according to several online customers. Some reviewers warn that the size, shape or color of these fidgets didn’t match the product photo; others say that the “alphabet” fidget is the best of the bunch.
About the Author: John DeFeo is a proud parent and the former head of insights for educational brands like Live Science and Space.com.
