As high school students, most of us have long moved past the archaic, outdated form of leisure that is, simply, toys. Gone are the days where our main forms of entertainment consisted of plastic figurines, dollhouses, and imaginary scenarios acted out on our bedroom floors. Yet, one toy brand seems to be making a comeback: Littlest Pet Shop (LPS).
For context, LPS is a line of small, animal-themed figurines first introduced in the early 1990s by Hasbro and later revamped in the mid 2000s. They quickly became iconic staples of early 2000s childhood toys, infamous for the satisfying bobble to all their heads. In their heyday, LPS sets often included accessories, habitats, and playsets, allowing kids to let their imagination roam free. By the 2010s, however, LPS began to decline in popularity. With the release of its 2012 TV series, LPS completely changed their figurine design to coincide with that of the show, much to the disappointment of loyal fans. The coveted bobblehead LPS toys were now a thing of the past.
Fast forward to today, LPS has found new life, not in the hands of children, but in the hands of teenagers and young adults on social media.
“I always see really funny LPS role-plays on Tiktok and there were some that caught my eye,” said Cassie Du (11). “After seeing them on Tiktok, I wanted some for myself.”
Social media has indubitably played a massive role in the resurgence of LPS. People on social media have shared everything from carefully crafted skits with intricate storylines to their massive, thousand dollar LPS collections. YouTube has also played an important part in the revival of these toys. Long before TikTok, YouTubers were creating and sharing LPS series, the most popular one being LPS Popular by SophieGTV. Channels like these gained significant followings during the late 2000s, and today, a new wave of creators have picked up the torch.
The revival of LPS seems to be prompted by a sense of nostalgia within many teens and young adults, viewing revisiting these toys as a way to reconnect with their childhoods. The figurines remind them of carefree days spent inventing stories and characters, far removed from the stress of homework, college applications, and looming adulthood.
“It’s kind of like opening a time capsule,” said Jeree Apan (10). “Every figurine has a memory tied to it and it’s comforting in a way I didn’t expect.”
In all its simplicity, there’s something so refreshing about returning to tangible, physical forms of entertainment, especially ones that used to be very prominent aspects of our childhood. LPS figurines have become a medium through which teens and young adults can express themselves, connect with others, and relive the simple pleasures of their childhood.
“I love LPS because they transport me back to simpler times,” said Hannah Bautista (10). “It’s so easy to reimmerse myself in those characters and stories I used to have.”
So whether it’s through odd Tiktok role-plays, or hauls worth an obscene amount of money, LPS has proven that toys aren’t just for kids. They’re a reminder that creativity knows no age limit and that sometimes, we all need a little revisit the past.
