CHILDHOOD MEMORIES FOR GENERATIONS: 50 YEARS OF SURPRISES

As Kinder Surprise celebrates 50 years, what better occasion to take a trip down memory lane; through five decades of innovation, timeless delight and wow moments shared by people all around the world?

Hatched from an Italian Easter tradition

It all started with an idea: the iconic Kinder Surprise was invented as part of Ferrero’s vision to think differently, creating unique chocolate products that spark delight and wonder. In fact, the egg was initially inspired by a famous Italian Easter tradition - why not take the joy that came with this traditional moment - the surprise of a toy inside an Easter egg – and offer it all year round?

And so Kinder Surprise came to be. Launched in 1974, the egg combined the signature Kinder chocolate taste, the emotion of surprise, and the entertainment of play. Over the next five decades, the Kinder Surprise would grow into one of Ferrero’s most enduring products – largely thanks to continuous innovation and an ever-growing universe of toys and themed collections that rooted into the culture of play of generations.

50 years of ‘can I open it now?’

Upon opening a Kinder Surprise, consumers have been treated to wide assortment of toys designed to unleash their imaginations and take them into a variety of play settings, with themes ranging from characters, vehicles, seasons, animals, accessories and even special editions.
Whether evolving our toys from the metal figurines of the 70s, to the first spring-loaded toys of the 80s, to the hand-painted characters of the 90s; or from the iconic Tartallegre to the summer vibes of Pingui Beach, we’re sure you have your own special memories of opening and constructing a Kinder Surprise toy. For decades, they have been designed to create ‘wow’ moments and keep providing children and parents with experiences in line with the latest playing trends.

A dedicated team to create toys which support growth through play

But did you know that, behind the scenes, we have an entire team who put a lot of work into creating those moments? Indeed, every year, more than 300 brand-new surprises are created by our dedicated R&D team through expert planning, support and extensive research. Each toy is carefully designed to fuel kids’ imaginations and to encourage the development of physical abilities, cognitive skills, and learning – supporting growth through play.

From physical to digital moments

In addition to the toys’ evolution, and as part of its continuous spirit of innovation, Kinder Surprise extended the play experience through the creation of Applaydu in 2020. Applaydu is an engaging and safe digital platform for parents and kids alike to play and learn together. Toys come to life in Applaydu, which encourages different aspects of childhood development and features a mix of varied activities. You can see Applaydu in action here.

Time for some memories?

We’re celebrating 50 years of Kinder Surprise and Kinder Surprises with a special anniversary timeline video, full of memories. Check out the video below – can you spot any toys you remember? Which was your favourite?