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Best Hatchimals for Kids and Toddlers Reviewed in 2024

last updated Jul 20, 2019

Hatchimals burst onto the scene in 2016 and have been making waves ever since. This darling electronic toy line centers around electronic eggs that hatch to reveal sweet little animal buddies for your peanut to play with. Little ones love the surprise element, as well as how cute their new pals are. If you’re new on the scene, or even if you’re an established Hatchimal expert, we think you’ll find some great choices in Hatchimals products below. We’ve collected a variety of highly recommended toys in various sizes and with different functions. Hatch a whole basket full, or take it one at a time: the choice is yours. With Hatchimals that come with their own books or connect to apps, these toys not only teach your children nurturing skills, but also reading comprehension, vocabulary, and basic technology skills such as navigating interface and working with virtual storytelling.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 14 hrs of research

icon
CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2
95/100 our score
Design
95
Entertainment Value
95
Ease of Use
95
CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2
Why is it better?

Comes with 12 character figures and a collector’s map

Great for ages 5 and older

Has a sparkly carton used for displaying, housing, and playing – cartons are stackable

Molded nests in each compartment of the carton

Includes one exclusive Flamingoose characters

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2
Test Winner: CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
17
Researched Sources
Hours Researching
14
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
13
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Angeline Mirenda:

How awful is it when playtime rolls around and you hand your little one an exciting new toy only to realize that they don’t quite understand it? Or maybe they’re excited by the concept but unable to execute it fully. Toys and games, especially in the STEM field, often come with age range labels to warn parents roughly how appropriate the product is for their child. Avoid frustrated tears and blank stares of confusion or rapidly-onset boredom by paying attention to the skill and age levels listed with each toy or game.

Sorting Options
Design Entertainment Value Ease of Use By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95
Design
95 %
Entertainment Value
95 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
$64.99
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95
Design
95 %
Entertainment Value
95 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
$44.99
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Design
92 %
Entertainment Value
95 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Design
92 %
Entertainment Value
95 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
Design
93 %
Entertainment Value
92 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
$69.99
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Design
92 %
Entertainment Value
92 %
Ease of Use
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
Design
92 %
Entertainment Value
92 %
Ease of Use
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
$13.99
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
Design
92 %
Entertainment Value
92 %
Ease of Use
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
$92.74
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
Design
90 %
Entertainment Value
90 %
Ease of Use
90 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
Design
90 %
Entertainment Value
90 %
Ease of Use
90 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (12.10.24)
Amazon Link

10 Best Hatchimals Reviewed

1. CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95
CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Season 2
Amazon Link
Design
95
Entertainment Value
95
Ease of Use
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$64.99

Comes with 12 character figures and a collector’s map

Great for ages 5 and older

Has a sparkly carton used for displaying, housing, and playing – cartons are stackable

Molded nests in each compartment of the carton

Includes one exclusive Flamingoose characters

Parents who bought two packs got the same characters

A few said their kids were bored with the toy after the eggs were opened

It’s a carton of eggs--but they’re certainly not for eating! This Hatchimals Colleggtible Season 2 set features a dozen adorable little pets hidden. Two out-of-egg pets and ten hidden animals await in each and every package. The storage and display cases are stackable and there are fun surprised and accessories awaiting!

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Design

Just like season one critters, this set comes with an exclusive Flamingoose animal. A collector’s map comes with this purchase to keep track of the animals in the collection.

Entertainment Value

The Hatchimals are perfect toys on-the-go for traveling and places where kids have to wait like restaurants or doctor’s offices.

Ease of Use

The carton they come in is fitted with nests in each section so kids can display, house, and tote their treasures with ease. These cartons are stackable so the collection can remain neat and organized. Hold the eggs in your hand to warm them up and press to open when the heart turns colors.

2. Nursery Playset

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95
Nursery Playset
Amazon Link
Design
95
Entertainment Value
95
Ease of Use
95
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Amazon Link
$44.99

Has a swing, cribs, slide, streamer shower, pool, feeding station, and a hatching tree

Comes with 1 Hatchimal and assembly instructions

Over 35 places to display and play with Hatchimals

Great for kids 5 and older

No batteries required

A few buyers were missing the handle that moves the egg up the tree for hatching

Some said the handle was hard to turn

Hatch your Hatchimal in a special way with this Nursery Scene Set! It comes with a hatchimal egg you can load into the tree. By the time it rises to the top, it’s cracked and ready to open. Once your pet is ready to play, they can enjoy the swings, spinning cribs, shower, pool, slide, and more!

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Design

It is packed with activities and places for your Hatchimal collection. There are over 35 places to place the critters and even a place to hatch the eggs.

Entertainment Value

This playset allows kids to further enjoy their Hatchimal CollEGGtibles collections even more, plus it provides activities to build imagination, thinking, and motor skills. The hatching tree alone builds on these three abilities and there is so much more to discover.

Ease of Use

The tree in the middle of the playset has a flower hidden in the bottom of the trunk. Place the egg on the flower and turn the handle of the toy. The flower closes on the egg and squeezes it as it rises up to the top of the tree. Once at the top, the flower opens and the cracked egg reveals the new Hatchimal! This playset comes with one Hatchimal figure and instructions for the playset assembly. Besides the hatching tree, there is a feeding station with a bench and a feeding tray. It resembles a high chair. Kids can place the little creatures in the streamer shower, pool, swings, or cribs.

3. Glittering Garden Shimmering Draggle

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Glittering Garden Shimmering Draggle
Amazon Link
Design
92
Entertainment Value
95
Ease of Use
95
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Amazon Link

Fun games to play with the hatchimal

Teach them basic skills like walking, talking and dancing

Hatchimal grows through several stages

Cute, soft, quality design

Batteries included

Hatches pretty quickly after opening

Looking for a bigger buddy? Try one of these Hatchimals Glittering Garden pals! This Shimmering Draggle’s eyes will light up in rainbow colors inside its egg when it’s ready to hatch. Then it’s up to your little one to help coax them out. This little guy really pecks its way out of its egg and straight into playtime!

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Design

Hatch your eggciting new friend for all sorts of fun. This item features Draggle, a cute little blue, purple, and yellow buddy. They walk, talk, dance and play games with you. (Batteries are included.)

Entertainment Value

Your little critter will interact with you from the moment you activate them all the way through three stages of play after hatching them. You can flip them upside down for silly fun, or tap the egg to see if they’ll tap back.

Ease of Use

When rainbow eyes appear on the inside of the egg, encourage them to peck their way out by touching the egg. Once they’ve hatched, you raise them as they grow into infants, toddlers, and the youth.

4. CollEGGtibles Basket 6

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
CollEGGtibles Basket 6
Amazon Link
Design
92
Entertainment Value
95
Ease of Use
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Four in-egg and two out-of-egg figures

Beautiful pastel coloring

Eggs also double as stands

The basket can be used as a carrying case

Perfect spring or Easter gift

The basket is small (fits in the palm of an adult hand)

Need a little something to spice up Spring? Try the Hatchimals Colleggtible Easter Basket! This basket comes with six mini Hatchimals, four of which have to hatch! With an additional two nests, you can combine friends from other sets into this one! Two of these cuties come out-of-egg so you can see exactly whom you’re signing up to play with.

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Design

Full of beautiful ombre eggs and two free-floating Hatchimals, this gift set also functions as a display for your figurine friends.

Entertainment Value

Peel the egg down to the wavy lines etched onto the shell to create eight total stands, meaning two more of your Hatchimal collection and come and play. Who’s inside the egg, beneath the color-changing heart? The surprise is half the fun.

Ease of Use

All Hatchimals in the Spring CollEGGtion are a rich pastel color, and the basket makes carrying them with you (and showing them off) easy and fun.

5. Interactive Mystery Characters

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
Interactive Mystery Characters
Amazon Link
Design
93
Entertainment Value
92
Ease of Use
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$69.99

One of four adorable Hatchimals inside

Truly is a mystery which one

Interactive features

Games, songs, and conversation change as they grow

Extra fluffy design

Many parents felt that this toy was priced higher than a fair value for its features

The small Hatchimals truly do come as something of a surprise but many of the bigger eggs give you a hint what you’re about to hatch. If you’d rather experience the full mystery, grab one of the Interactive Mystery Characters! There’s no telling which pet is inside. You’ll find one of four cute little fuzzies that can say your name and engage in everyday chit chat!

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Design

In case what you’ve been missing all along is the fluff factor: look again! The Mystery Characters are extra fluffy and marked with bright pastel patterns. You’ll find a Bunwee, Pandor, Hedgehog, or Elefly inside once the egg hatches!

Entertainment Value

Raise these little bundles of fun from babies into childhood. At each stage you’ll rediscover new music and games. Kids will get a kick out of their interactive pet!

Ease of Use

Like all Hatchimals, these mystery friends need help to come out of their shell. Tap on it, flip them upside down, listen for heartbeats, and hold them close. When you see their little rainbow eyes light up inside the shell, you know they’re ready to come out and can coax them to tap their way free! This set includes an instructional booklet and cheat sheet.

6. Surprise Giraven

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Surprise Giraven
Amazon Link
Design
92
Entertainment Value
92
Ease of Use
95
best offer for today
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Two Hatchimals in each set

Dancing twin and parroting twin

Teaches children nurturing requirements and techniques

Twins actually emerge/hatch from the egg

Batteries included

Hatches quickly after opening

Not as detailed as the first iteration

It’s double the trouble and double the fun in this set! This surprise egg comes with twins! These hatchimals love to play with each other, tell jokes, share songs, and more. Once they reach their toddler stage, one of the twins can even mimic you by recording and repeating what you say!

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Design

One twin dances and one mimics what you say. This particular set features Giraven twins, two fuzzy pink identical twins with big blue spots. Batteries are included.

Entertainment Value

Hatchimals Surprise Twins gives them the chance to love, joke, and play games with not one little munchkin but two.

Ease of Use

Hold and rub your hands on the egg and then wait for the babies to be ready to hatch; when they’re ready to come out, their eyes will glow rainbow and the first one will crawl out of the egg. It’s up to you and your child to bring the second one out, and then the fun begins.

7. CollEGGtibles 4 Pack

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
CollEGGtibles 4 Pack
Amazon Link
Design
92
Entertainment Value
92
Ease of Use
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$13.99

No batteries are required

Includes collector’s guide and checklist

Over 70 different characters to collect

Has 4 Hatchimals in the pack and 1 bonus

The eggshell bottom - used to display or house the Hatchimal

Disappointments of duplicate animals

Some found the eggs hard to open

Season One Hatchimals feature over 70 adorable little animals to collect. This set of four (plus a bonus out-of-egg pet) needs some special tending. Hold the eggs in your hands and rub the heart; when it changes from purple to pink your new friends are ready to hatch! All Hatchimals belong to a special family and it’s a surprise which ones you’ll find each and every time!

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Design

This pack of Hatchimals is from season one that includes Koalabees, Pengualas, and Tigrettes to just name a few of the more than 70 different creatures to collect. The speckles on the eggs let you know to which family type the Hatchimals belong.

Entertainment Value

Your child gets four animals to hatch from eggs and one extra creature that is not in an egg as a bonus. This set comes with a collector’s guide that shows all of the possible Hatchimals and a checklist to keep track of the ones kids already have.

Ease of Use

The heart of the animal in the egg, when rubbed by the child, will turn from purple to pink when it is ready to hatch. Pressing on the egg will then make it crack open. Saving the bottom of the shell gives the child a place to keep the Hatchimal when they are not playing with it.

8. CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Carton Season 1

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Carton Season 1
Amazon Link
Design
92
Entertainment Value
92
Ease of Use
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$92.74

For ages 5 and older

With 12 creatures it is like an instant collection

Has nests in a carton – use as a carrying case – has a plastic glitter cover – the cartons stack

Wonderful travel toy or busy toy when waiting for places away from home

Includes 1 rare Flamingoose creature

Complaints of broken shells when opened

Some were missing a couple of the figures

With ten in-egg and two out-of-egg Hatchimals in this carton, you’ve assembled a pretty impressively sized squad right off the bat! Two exclusive Flamingeese wait for their other friends to come out of hiding. This package also includes the full egg carton and one collector’s map!

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Design

It includes ten figures in eggs to hatch, two of them already out of the shell to play with upon opening, a carton with nests, and a collector’s map. Each carton includes one rare Flamingoose creature.

Entertainment value

These small Hatchimals give kids the pleasure of opening many eggs and enjoy the hatching process over and over. It should give them a stronger appreciation for birds, reptiles, and a few mammals that must do this in real life to come into this world.

Ease of Use

The nests in the carton can be used for a place to keep the Hatchimals all together for storage or display. These make wonderful travel toys too because the carton is a perfect carrying case. The cartons even stack on top of each other well for storage. No batteries are necessary for these critters because they are not the robotic type of Hatchimal. When your child rubs the heart it changes color when the animal is ready to hatch. Then a simple press of the shell makes it open to get the Hatchimal inside.

9. Peacat Hatching Egg

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
Peacat Hatching Egg
Amazon Link
Design
90
Entertainment Value
90
Ease of Use
90
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Requires AA and button cell batteries – they are included

Comes with a reference guide and instruction sheet

One twin repeats what is said and the other likes to dance and move

Twins are sad when they are separated - they play games with each other and tell jokes

Kids raise them from baby to toddler to kid

Parents received damaged twins

Some say they had trouble getting them to move and talk

Ever think you’d see a feline who could fly? PeaCat’s a pawsome little pet that moves its head and wings. And in this egg, you’ll find twins! These adorable little animals have a special bond and love playing with each other. Raise them through their various stages of development and watch them blossom into bright young things just like your child!

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Design

For double the fun, Spin Masters created the Surprise Twins. These are the Peacat twins, who are so cute and furry.

Entertainment Value

The first twin will pop open the egg top. Kids take them out of the egg one by one and then start caring for their babies. Hatchimals go from baby to toddler to kid in their growth stages. These steps can be repeated again and again to relive the magic. Hatching cannot occur again because the egg breaks when they hatch. However, the egg bottom can be used for display purposes or a place to put the Hatchimals when they are not at play. These creatures interact with each other and can even repeat what your child says at various tones.

Ease of Use

As your child cares for the egg that holds both Hatchimals, the eyes let you know what is happening. They can be seen from the outside of the egg, and when they turn rainbow-colored, it is time for them to hatch.

10. Glittering Garden Sparkly Penguala

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
Glittering Garden Sparkly Penguala
Amazon Link
Design
90
Entertainment Value
90
Ease of Use
90
best offer for today
Amazon Link

The creature has sparkly fur and wings – the egg has sparkling speckles

Can talk, walk, play games, and dance once out of the shell

AA batteries that are included

Comes with a reference guide and instruction booklet

Perfect for ages 5 and up

Some parents say the Hatchimal did not work long after hatching even after changing the batteries

A few reports of damaged boxes and eggs upon receiving the toy

Sparkly Pengula is a little sponge ready to soak up all of life’s lessons! Teach it to dance, walk, talk, and more. Raise it through three developmental stages and help it hatch by tapping on the egg, flipping it upside down, and listening to its heartbeat. This sweet little bird knows exactly who its mommy (or daddy!) is: your child!

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Design

The speckled egg is glittery and so it the animal inside. It has shimmering sparkle on its soft fur and wings. These come in two color schemes and the egg specks let you know what color the Hatchimal inside will be.

Entertainment Value

These toys bring the hatching experience alive for your child as they tend and care for the egg. The animal’s eyes can be seen glowing from inside the egg and once they turn rainbow-colored, the Hatchimal will start to peck its way out of the shell. It will need help to get out of the egg after the top is cracked. Kids five years old and older will love interacting with the egg and critter once it hatches.

Ease of Use

A reference guide and instructions are included with the Hatchimal along with AA batteries that are required for operation. These Hatchimals can be taught to play games, walk and talk. The three life stages after hatching are baby, toddler, and kid with the toy singing Hatchy Birthday to itself at the beginning of each life phase.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Design

When creating this list we wanted to be sure each toy stayed true to the Hatchimal design. Each item featured here is either a Spin Masters Hatchimal character or a product that requires Hatchimals to use it, such as the carrying tote bag, nest, organizer, or the playset for the CollEGGtibles. The puzzle, board game, and sticker book are Hatchimals-themed for kids who want to do activities with Hatchimals characters. All of these products make wonderful collector’s pieces for kids or adults.

Entertainment Value

Hatchimals come in three different styles. The original characters come one to an egg and they are about as big as an adult’s hand. They are furry, multi-colored, and have wings. They can talk, move, dance, sing, and play games. The animals arrive in a speckled egg that must hatch. By touching, rubbing, and holding the egg, the hatch time is hastened. When the Hatchimal breaks open the top of the shell, kids must help it out of the shell. Then the character goes through three stages of growth-–baby, infant and child.

These can be repeated over and over once the child step is complete, but the critter can never hatch again. The other furry type of Hatchimal is the Surprise Twin version. These come two in an egg, so the toys are smaller.

These interact and play with each other, sing songs, play games with kids, and can repeat voices. The twins are labeled Twin A and Twin B and they act differently. One likes to talk and repeat voices and the other dances and moves a lot.

The eyes of all of the furry Hatchimals change color depending on what is going on with the toy. That is the reason for the reference guide which comes with the animal. It tells what the eye colors mean. They change when they are happy, sad, about to hatch, and when the batteries are low.

The last type of Hatchimal is the tiny one that hatches but does not move or interact. It is simply an adorable figure toy. These are the CollEGGtibles because there are more than 70 of these to gather. They are very colorful and have unique animal names.

Ease of Use

While our list is composed of a variety of different Hatchimals, we made sure they were all relatively easy to hatch. The more attention your child shows to the egg, the quicker it will hatch and reveal the surprise animal inside. Many of the Hatchimals are easy to keep track of and transport as they can be kept in their original egg.

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Parents, Did You Know?

Hatchimals teach kids the process of an egg hatching and the tending to the egg and the animal after it emerges from the shell. These robotic creatures make wonderful companions for children because they can talk and play. Motor skills, imagination abilities, and loving emotions are all experienced by kids as they play with these fantastic toys

Parents, Did You Know?

If the hatchimal is being noisy it won't hatch because it won't be able to hear your child tapping. In order to calm the hatchimal, your child can turn it upside down for eight seconds to make it fall asleep.

Other Factors to Consider

Age Range

The manufacturers state that Hatchimals are most appropriate for kids of 5 years old and older. This is because the smaller ones may be swallowed if children put them in their mouths. The larger Hatchimals might be enjoyed by kids smaller than 5, but parental supervision should be stressed for safety. The characters are so cute and colorful that any child would love to have them and play with them for hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: Do the small Hatchimals that come in the egg cartons (four-pack or 12-pack) move, talk, or make sounds? Do you get different characters in the pack?

a:

No, these are the tiny Hatchimals that are collector’s items. There are more than 70 different creatures to collect. They hatch and then they are just a figure to play with. Buyers should get different animals in the package, but some parents claimed that they received duplicates in the same package.

q: Once Hatchimals hatch, can they be put back in the shells to hatch again?

a:

No, none of the creatures are able to re-hatch. The shells can be saved for displaying the animal or as a place to put them when not at play. The Hatchimal can, however, go through the growth stages again after going through them once. Those stages are egg, hatching, baby, infant, and child.

q: Are the Surprise Twins the same size as the regular Hatchimals? Also, how do you know which color they will be before they hatch?

a:

These are smaller than the regular-sized Hatchimals because there are two of them in the same egg. They are much cuter though say some of the parents. The colors of the speckles on the egg tell what color the creatures will be that are inside.

q: What do the different eye colors mean on the Hatchimals? I see a lot of references to that in the reviews.

a:

The eye colors are discussed in the reference guide that comes with the purchase of one of these Hatchimals, but in general, the eyes tell when they are sad, happy, about to hatch, and ready for new batteries. The eye colors are a way that they tell kids how they feel.

q: How long does it take to hatch a regular-sized Hatchimal?

a:

The length of hatching seems to depend on how much attention it gets before hatching from the child. Usual hatch time is about 30 to 45 minutes. This is based on reviews and comments from purchasers. Kids can touch, rub, and play with the egg before the creature hatches, which provides interaction between child and toy. The more attention to the egg, the quicker it will hatch. The eyes as they glow can be seen from the outside of the egg. When they are rainbow-colored, the Hatchimal will open the top of the egg itself and “hatch.” Kids must help get the critter out of the egg once the top is open.

q: Do the Hatchimals on the clips make sounds, move, or talk? What size are they and do they actually hatch like the others?

a:

The toys with the clip-ons are different than the other toys and different from each other. The Mystery Mini Plush Clip-On does hatch out of its egg, but it does not talk, make sounds, or move. The toy is about 2 to 3 inches tall. The Sound Clip-On Plush Hatchimal does make sounds but does not move or talk. It does not actually hatch out of its egg either. The toy is about 3 to 4 inches tall.