REVIEW & GIVEAWAY- *NEW* Polly Pocket Mini Compacts

As a proud child of the 80s and 90s, I often wish I had saved some of my favourite toys for when I had children of my own. There are some toys in particular which I absolutely adored, and that I wish I had popped in the loft and retained knowing for a fact that my daughters would enjoy them every ounce as much as I did. Some toys never seem to age, never seem to go out of fashion, and have a concept that is pretty much timeless and Polly Pocket is one such example. Launched in 1989, the world’s first ever micro doll went on to sell over 10 million compacts and became something of a 90s phenomenon! I was 6 years old when they first arrived on the scene, and Polly Pocket was my dream present to unwrap on Christmas morning. I was lucky enough to have a couple of different designs – one with a pink heart shaped case, and the other a square – the inside of which was Polly’s Flat. Each Polly Pocket was a miniature playset – a little world for my tiny Polly character to explore, and I must have spent hours, whole afternoons even at times, acting out little scenes and moving Polly around her new home.

Now as a Mum myself I love the imagination and creativity that comes from such a simple idea, and I have often said that Erin would have loved to have played with my originals.

Today my dreams were answered when this little parcel arrived from Mattel with Guess Who’s Back on the packaging? You guessed it – Polly is making a comeback, almost 30 years after she was first launched, bringing the whole Polly experience to a new generation! I for one am over the moon, and know there will be many Mums in their 30s who will also be chuffed to bits to introduce their children into a little glimse of their childhood!

Respecting is original roots, the new Polly Pockets feature new miniature worlds with a surprise element in each compact, and have a brand new ethos – “tiny is mighty”. Polly is often being told that she is too small to do things, but is out to prove that being little isn’t a limitation, its in fact her greatest strength.

Each of the new mini compacts are small enough to fit in the palm of your child’s hand, and come with one Polly micro-figure and three accessories. The product line is accompanied by an animated series that follows Polly and her friends on their epic adventures in miniature form thanks for Polly’s magic locket.

Polly Pocket compacts hit stores in September, with prices starting at just £4.99.

We were sent some sample compacts from the new Polly Pocket range, and Erin was almost as excited as me to get them open and discover the world’s waiting inside.

About the Products

We were sent some mini compacts from the new Polly Pocket range, and Erin was really excited when she saw them, loving all things miniature and hearing how much I had raved about them from my past!

The first of the sets was the Fiercely Fab Studio Compact featuring the micro doll Lila and her studio location – inside there is a supply cabinet that opens up, as well as a large closet door which can be opened and closed. There are a number of accessories included too, a mirror, throne style chair and a little case which can be opened up to reveal a tiny pair of scissors inside. I don’t remember if the original Polly Pockets were the same, but what is very clever about these Polly Pockets is that the feet on the Lila micro doll are slightly sticky (like small little suckers), meaning that she stays put more easily when she is placed in a certain position. With her being so tiny this is a real positive as it could be a little bit fiddly to move her around without!

The compact comes with a small keyring style ring which attaches to the back, meaning the compact and its contents can be clipped onto a bookbag, rucksack or purse to be taken on the go. The most challenging part was securely putting all the accessories back inside in order to close it. This appears to be a bit of a fine art, so at times even I couldn’t master it – and we had to leave one of the accessories which made it a little easier to close!

The second set we were sent was the Tiny Pocket Places Picnic compact, which comes with a Micro Polly doll and her dog Peaches! Inside this compact is a picnic style scene with a cooler and its opening lid, a seating area, a picnic basket and a skateboard. Polly can also arrive in style on her pink moped! Erin absolutely loved the little dog in this set, and the pieces inside this one seemed to fit back inside much more easily!

Overall Erin was really chuffed with the Polly Pocket compacts and once opened she sat and acted out little scenes with them for quite some time (although I did over hear her at one point say “my mum is in jail” – which did make me laugh out loud – her imagination is a little on the wild side at times!! I love the fact the compacts are small enough to be stashed away and can be taken almost anywhere and played with whenever the fancy takes her. The sets are ideal for keeping her quiet in a restaurant whilst waiting for her food to arrive, although it goes without saying there are some small parts, so they need to be kept away from younger siblings.

Overall Verdict

So did the new Polly Pockets still live up to my memories? Yes they did. These particular sets are smaller than some of the compacts I had as a child however, and I would love to see more of the larger size compacts being released too (I believe they are on their way!). Despite being a really simple concept, these Polly Pocket compacts are fun, interactive and fantastic for encouraging imagination and creative play. I will definitely be adding more sets to Erin’s collection and think these will definitely be making the Christmas list this winter.

Want to win a Polly Pocket compact of your own? We have a mini Polly Pocket compact to giveaway to one lucky winner! To enter simply use the gleam app below!

*NEW* Polly Pocket Mini Compact Giveaway

Giveaway opens 16/8/18 and closes 11.59pm on 02/09/18. UK entrants only. Our standard giveway terms and conditions apply, and be entering your details you are deemed to have accepted these and our privacy policy. GOOD LUCK!