The best best shopkins toys for kids is the Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack), the only one here that gives collectors the original 12 characters from the very first wave. It is the ideal starting point for any child who loves the thrill of opening blind bags and trading with friends.
Want a full playset instead? The Shopkins Bakery Playset gets you there, as long as your child enjoys baking-themed role-play and having a dedicated scene to act out stories.
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This guide helps you figure out which set matches your child's play style, whether they are a dedicated collector or a storyteller. It also calls out the buyers who should probably skip these toys entirely.
Everything below comes from current Amazon product data, manufacturer specs, and each product's owner track record. It is not based on hands-on lab testing.
Quick Answer: The Best Shopkins Toys for Kids
The top pick overall is the Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack), which gives you the original 12 characters and the highest collectibility score in our lineup.
- Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack) (Styles Will (Best for Starting a Collection): Original 12 characters from the very first season.
- Shopkins Bakery Playset (Best for Baking Role-Play): A full bakery scene with oven, mixer, and shopping cart.
- Season 5 12-Pack (Styles May Vary) (Best for Expanding a Collection): 12 newer characters from a later season.
- Shopkins Supermarket Playset (Best for Shopping Play): A complete grocery store experience with checkout lane.
- Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) (Best for Budget-Friendly Role-Play): Two chef-themed figures at a lower entry point.
Thinking about an older child who prefers action figures instead? Jump to Who Should NOT Buy below before you spend anything.
Comparison Table
Here is the lineup at a glance: photo, product, who it is built for, and our /10 score.
| Photo | Product | Best for | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack) (Styles Will | Starting a Collection | 9.2/10 | Check price → |
 | Shopkins Bakery Playset | Baking Role-Play | 8.8/10 | Check price → |
 | Season 5 12-Pack (Styles May Vary) | Expanding a Collection | 8.5/10 | Check price → |
 | Shopkins Supermarket Playset | Shopping Role-Play | 8.3/10 | Check price → |
 | Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) | Budget Role-Play | 7.8/10 | Check price → |
Scroll sideways on small screens to see every column.
Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack) (Styles Will: Best Overall for Starting a Collection
Shopkins Bakery Playset: Best for Imaginative Baking Play
Season 5 12-Pack (Styles May Vary): Best for Expanding a Collection
Shopkins Supermarket Playset: Best for Shopping Role-Play
Chef Club Playset (2 Pack): Best for Budget-Friendly Role-Play
Buying Guide: Collectibility, Play Value, Budget and Age
How important is collectibility for your child?
Shopkins toys are built around the thrill of collecting and trading. The Season 1 12-Pack and the Season 5 12-Pack are pure figure packs, which means they focus entirely on growing a collection. The original Season 1 characters are the most iconic and hold the highest value for serious collectors.
If your child loves the surprise of opening blind bags and trading with friends, a figure pack is the right choice. The playsets, like the Bakery and Supermarket, are less about collecting and more about creating a world for the figures to live in. They include fewer figures but add a lot of play value through interactive environments.
What kind of play does your child prefer?
Think about how your child actually plays. If they love acting out stories and setting up scenes, a playset is a better investment. The Bakery Playset and the Supermarket Playset both offer dedicated environments with working parts like an oven door, a mixer, a conveyor belt, and a scanner.
These encourage imaginative role-play and can keep a child engaged for longer than just looking at figures. On the other hand, if your child prefers to carry toys around, trade them, or line them up on a shelf, figure packs are more portable and versatile. The Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) is a middle ground, offering a few figures and accessories without the bulk of a full playset.
What is your budget for this purchase?
The Shopkins lineup spans a wide range of price points. The figure packs, especially the Season 1 and Season 5 12-packs, offer a high number of figures per dollar spent. They are the best value if you want to build a collection quickly.
The playsets, like the Bakery and Supermarket, cost more but include a physical playset structure along with some figures. The Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) is the most budget-friendly option, but you get fewer pieces. As a general rule, figure packs are the best value for pure collection building, while playsets are better value for interactive play.
Check the current price on Amazon to see exactly where each option falls today.
Is your child the right age for Shopkins?
Shopkins toys are generally recommended for children ages 4 and up, and for good reason. The figures contain small parts that can be a choking hazard for younger children. The 4.6 star ratings across the lineup show that kids in the 4 to 8 age range are the most enthusiastic owners.
Older children, around 9 and up, may find the playsets too simple and prefer more complex toys like building sets or action figures. If your child is on the younger side, the Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) is a gentler introduction because it has fewer small pieces. For older kids, the Season 1 12-Pack is the most engaging because of the collecting and trading aspect.
To see how these factors play out on real picks, compare the Shopkins Season 1 (12-Pack) (Styles Will, Shopkins Bakery Playset and the Season 5 12-Pack (Styles May Vary) reviewed above.
Who Should NOT Buy Best Shopkins Toys for Kids
Shopkins toys are a specific kind of fun. They are not the right purchase for every kid. Here is who should skip them and what to look at instead.
You Need a Toy That Is Durable for Rough Play
Shopkins figures are small plastic toys with painted details. They are not designed to withstand being thrown, stepped on, or chewed. If your child tends to be rough with their toys, these figures will likely get chipped, scratched, or broken.
Instead, look for more durable options like vinyl action figures or wooden blocks. For a more robust alternative, you might consider a good set of wooden toys to make that can handle active play.
Your Child Prefers Action Figures or Building Sets
Shopkins are collectible miniatures, not action figures. They do not have movable joints, and they do not come with weapons or vehicles. If your child is into superheroes, dinosaurs, or building blocks, Shopkins will feel limiting.
They are best for kids who enjoy the surprise of opening packs and trading with friends. For a child who loves to build, a foam block set or a wooden construction toy would be a better fit. You can find a detailed comparison of foam block toys educational value to see if that is a better match.
You Are Looking for an Educational Toy
Shopkins toys are primarily about collecting, trading, and imaginative role-play. They do not teach letters, numbers, or problem-solving skills in a structured way. If you want a toy that supports early learning, look for Montessori-style wooden toys or puzzles.
The Montessori educational wooden toys are a great option for building fine motor skills and cognitive development.
Final Verdict
After looking at the specs, buyer ratings, and real-world feedback, the Shopkins Season 1 12-Pack is the clear winner for most kids. It gives you the original 12 characters, the highest collectibility score, and the strongest owner satisfaction rating in the lineup. It is the perfect place to start a collection.
Want a playset instead? The Shopkins Bakery Playset is the best choice for kids who love imaginative role-play and baking themes. It has the highest play value score among the playsets.
Need a budget-friendly introduction? The Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) is a solid entry point, but you get fewer pieces than the figure packs.
If your child is older, prefers action figures, or needs a more durable toy, scroll back up to the Who Should NOT Buy section before you make a decision. That advice will save you from buying the wrong thing.
FAQ
What is the best Shopkins toys for kids overall?
The Shopkins Season 1 12-Pack is the best overall choice. It has the highest collectibility score, the strongest owner satisfaction rating at 4.6 out of 5 stars, and gives you the original 12 characters that started the whole Shopkins craze.
Are Shopkins toys safe for a 3-year-old?
No. Shopkins figures contain small parts that pose a choking hazard for children under 3 years old. The manufacturer recommends them for ages 4 and up.
Always supervise play if there are younger siblings in the house.
What is the difference between a figure pack and a playset?
A figure pack, like the Season 1 12-Pack, includes only the collectible figures. A playset, like the Bakery Playset, includes a themed environment with interactive parts plus a few figures. Figure packs are better for collecting, while playsets are better for imaginative role-play.
How many figures come in each pack?
The Season 1 and Season 5 12-packs each include 12 figures. The Bakery Playset and Supermarket Playset each include a handful of figures plus the playset structure. The Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) includes 2 figures and a few accessories.
Can you mix figures from different seasons with the same playset?
Yes, but there is a catch. Season 5 figures are slightly smaller than Season 1 figures. They will still fit in the playsets, but the size difference is noticeable when displayed side by side.
Most kids do not mind, but serious collectors might prefer to keep seasons separate.
Why is the Chef Club Playset rated lower than the others?
The Chef Club Playset (2 Pack) has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating, which is the lowest in this lineup. Buyers report that the plastic accessories feel a bit flimsy and that the set offers less value compared to the 12-packs. It is still a good budget option, but it is not as durable or generous as the other picks.