Long before they were starring in movies voiced by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, Troll dolls have fascinated adults and kids with their silly hair and exaggerated facial features. Practically since the day unemployed baker Thomas Dam carved a wooden doll for his daughter in the town of Gjøl, Denmark, people have wanted to get their hands on a Troll. If Trolls World Tour has your kids clamoring for a Poppy or Tiny Diamond of their own, you’ll be happy to know they’re joining a tradition that stretches back to 1959.
Not that kids should care much about the Troll doll that visited President Kennedy or the ones that used to sit atop your own pencils in elementary school. It’s totally OK if they’re more interested in the toys out now, and in which version of Poppy has the hair that’s most fun to style. If they’ve been inspired by the movie to launch their own career as a singer or DJ, they might not care about the dolls at all. Instead, they’ll find much more useful Trolls-themed mixers, boom boxes, and microphones. Just so long as no kids decide, A) that all rock fans are villains bent on world domination, like antagonist Barb in the movie, or B) that being an internet troll is cute, we’re fine.
Even without watching the movie on demand this week, we’re thoroughly charmed by the many new toys it has spawned — not just the ones that remind us of the Troll dolls of our youth. Browse through some of our favorite selections right now, and you might agree.
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Play-Doh Rainbow Hair Poppy
We all know that what starts as “rainbow” hair will wind up a purplish gray mix after a few rounds of being squished together. This never seems to bother kids, however, so we’re not complaining.
Poppy True Colors Styling Head
Moms and dads, you should know that it’s also totally OK if you want to style Poppy’s hair yourselves after your kid goes to bed. Placing those tiny barrettes and flower crown just so can be very therapeutic.
‘Trolls World Tour’ Sing-Along Boombox
Your budding vocalists can sing along to the music that’s already built into this colorful sound system. But when those songs start to drive you crazy, you can also plug in another device with your own music.
Tiny Dancers Friend Pack
We love that sweet spot when a kid is equally into dolls and jewelry. Attach the little figures and charms to the two bracelets in this pack and watch them dance.
Critter Skitter Boards
While we have mixed feelings about the idea of a skateboard-bug hybrid as a means of transportation, it appears to work for these two Trolls. The boards come with Smidge, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles figures to ride on them.
Troll-rific Poppy with Rainbow Hair Wig
We are hard-pressed to think of a situation that wouldn’t be improved by a rainbow Troll wig. You should probably get one for every member of the family.
‘Trolls World Tour’ DJ Trollex Party Mixer
We actually wouldn’t be surprised if kids who start on this toy DJ mixer wound up asking their parents for a real mixing table one day. In the meantime, this one allows them to make beats, “scratch” records, sing along, create loops, add MP3 music, and record their work.
Color Poppin’ Poppy
A real Troll would appreciate how this Poppy’s hair lights up in different colors, makes music, and plays games. She also says 30 phrases and sings “Trolls Just Wanna Have Fun,” as long as you give her those all-important AA batteries.
LEGO Pop Village Celebration
We’re pretty impressed by the attention to detail of this set, which is one of several LEGO Trolls World Tour options. There’s also a Techno Reef Dance Party, Lonesome Flats Rafts Adventure, a Volcano Rock City Concert, Poppy’s pod, and Poppy’s hot air balloon.
Tiny Diamond’s Rockin’ Shades
There may be some days when your child doesn’t want the full wig experience. In that case, we recommend these sunglasses or the Poppy version, both of which will definitely reward any attention seekers who don them.
Barb Collectible Doll
It’s a rare thing to find a doll that both my 8-year-old and 13-year-old selves would have admired. She makes a great gift for the aging metalheads you know, too.
Glam Chenille Fashion Doll
Making a Troll into a fashion doll may subvert the intention of the original Troll dolls (to be so ugly they’re cute). Then again, we love a little subversion in our kids toys.
‘Trolls’ Trouble Board Game
The ups and downs of the classic Trouble game are a little more bearable when you’re playing as a Troll. We always loved how that pop-o-matic bubble in the middle meant you don’t knock over your pieces every time you roll the dice.
‘Trolls World Tour’ Neon Create & Color Art Set
For the kid who’s more inspired by the Trolls’ aesthetic than their musical taste, this art set can help re-create that colorful world. It comes with paint, crayons, markers, pencils, paper, coloring sheets, and stickers.
‘Trolls World Tour’ Outdoor Sidewalk Chalk Set
It is definitely sidewalk chalk art season. Encourage your little graffiti artists with this set, which includes Troll stencils to get them started.
Funko Pop! Barb
Yeah, so this character already scared my own kid, just from the trailer. I’ll make sure not to show him the Funko Pop! version, but you probably know someone who will appreciate her superb eyebrows and irreverent punk-rock ‘tude.
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