Sweet, Playful Fun: Candy That Comes With Toys!

Every year around Christmas time, kids seem to love two things more than anything else: candy and toys! Luckily for the kid in all of us, there are plenty of fun and exciting candy products that come with toys, taking a little from the best from both worlds in one convenient package. From classic chocolate eggs with surprise toys inside to innovative packaging concepts like PEZ dispensers, join us as we unwrap the history, nostalgia, and excitement embedded in these delightful confections!

If you’re searching for some creative, yet affordable gift ideas that kids are sure to love, keep reading. We’re going to show you some cool products in this gift guide that will mix tasty treats with a little bit of playtime fun! But first, let’s explore how candy, and toys in particular have grown to become such an important staple of American childhoods over the years.

Clear Toy Candy, and the Early Beginnings of Kid’s Toys

Clear toy candy is a type of hard candy that was molded into a multitude of shapes, from Christmas trees, wreaths, trains, ships, and a menagerie of different animals. These were originally called “barley candy” when they were first created in the late 1700’s, as they were made with barley sugar. As sugar became more affordable in the 1800’s, children would eagerly await Christmas time with twinkles in their eyes for these sweet clear toy candy treats to dance upon their taste buds!

As clear toy candy was shaping the festive dreams of children with its playful forms in the beginnings of the American experiment, our toy industry didn’t really blossom until the revolutionary aftermath of World War II.

How the Toy Industry Exploded in a Post-WWII America

The modern roots of candies paired with toys really took shape in post-World War II America when the joy of childhood was inundated with a vast array of inventive and entertaining sweets. Of all the industries to transform in a post-war United States, the toy industry experienced perhaps the most dramatic changes of them all.

The American toy industry was able to capitalize on three very important trends. The first being access to new scientific advances, specifically inexpensive plastics that could be shaped and molded into an array of different colors and shapes.

The second, was the baby boomer generation themselves. In the period between 1946 and 1964, more than 76 million children were born in the United States, this offered the candy and toy industries a record number of potential customers.

Third, and perhaps most importantly of all, was the advent of television sweeping across the nation. TV grew from a state-of-the-art novelty reserved for only a select few, to a staple in almost every American household quite rapidly. In 1940, there were only a few hundred television sets in use, and by 1955 more than half of American homes owned their own TV set.

Television instantly gave toy manufacturers the ability to advertise their products to an audience of millions of children simultaneously, and they (along with breakfast cereal companies) quickly became very adept at doing so.

Mr. Potato Head is widely credited as being the first commercial aimed solely at children. Initially, the product was sold as an assortment of just plastic eyes, noses, ears, mouths, hats, and eyeglasses – and the children were required to provide their own potato. This took off to massive success and virtually every other toy company began to follow suit with their marketing efforts.

Candy with Toys: The Perfect Pairing for Some Unforgettable Childhood Memories!

PEZ Dispensers: The Candy With Character!

Perhaps the earliest pioneer of candy that comes with toys, PEZ emerged as a major player in 1957. This was the year that they introduced their iconic candy dispenser with a three-dimensional character head, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The distinct PEZ candy packs, paired with playful dispensers, are still a cherished part of children’s birthday parties, Christmas stockings, and other gift-giving traditions to this day.

The world of PEZ candy dispensers became an instantly iconic staple of candy aisles, and toy stores alike. These candy dispensers were colorful, collectible, and brimming with character. Today, PEZ have become a cultural phenomenon, transcending multiple generations with their charming designs.

Initially the lineup began with classic characters like the original PEZ robot, Santa Claus, and a Halloween witch, but Popeye was the first licensed character to infiltrate the PEZ universe. This has evolved to many limited-edition releases featuring beloved franchises like Looney Toons, Star Wars, and more recently, Paw Patrol. PEZ dispensers have become more than just a candy accessory, they're a nostalgic celebration of pop culture through the years!

Redstone Foods carries a wide variety of popular PEZ dispensers. Here’s just a few of our favorites:

Nostalgic Treasures: Chocolate Eggs and Beyond

One of the most iconic representatives of the delightful trend of candy with toys is the classic chocolate egg with a surprise hidden within. These delectable treasures have evolved quite a bit in recent years, captivating the hearts of both the young and young at heart. The anticipation of uncovering the hidden gem inside adds an element of excitement, turning each bite into a journey of childlike discovery.

First up, we have the Kinder Joy Egg, each one holds a variety of playful toys, including action figures, vehicles, animals, and small games. These milk chocolate eggs pack a lot of fun in such a small package!

Finders Keepers carries this tradition with their selection of toys encased in creamy milk chocolate. They feature toys from Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty and LOL Surprise. Each features a unique toy that your customers can experience the joy of trying to collect them all!

Finders Keepers also has Star Wars: The Mandalorian gummy candy that come with a little Baby Yoda pencil topper! Isn’t Grogu just the cutest???

Is Kidsmania a Toy Manufacturer, or a Candy Company?

Explore a universe of taste and amusement as Kidsmania takes candy enjoyment to a whole new level! Kidsmania makes uniquely crafted candies that come paired with captivating toys, turning each bite into a double dose of joy for the young, and the young at heart.

From their Sour Flush Toilets, with candy plungers and bowls of sour powder candy, to their Bubble Dozer that are toy trucks packed to the brim with bubble gum, or their Dino Doo jelly bean dispensers, each of their unique, playful options provide hours of fun and endless laughs for kids of all ages!

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Sweet Playfulness!

As we’ve explored the wonderful universe of candy and toys, it's impossible to overlook their potential in the realm of gift giving. Candy toy dispensers, chocolate eggs, and character-themed candy packs make for unique and thoughtful gift ideas that add a personal touch.

Whether you're relishing the classic joy of chocolate eggs or exploring the vast array of PEZ dispensers, the magic of candies with toys continues to captivate hearts, making every bite a moment of sweet, playful fun. So, the next time you unwrap a candy with a hidden surprise, remember that you're not just indulging in a treat – you're unwrapping a cherished memory.

As we’ve immersed ourselves in the playful world of toys and sweet treats, we hope you have enjoyed a wave of nostalgia and joy as we looked back at the fascinating evolutionary journey of some of our most cherished toys and treats from our childhood. If you’re looking for the ultimate gifts to give to your young ones, you’ve got to admit that you can never really go wrong with candy, or toys!

Redstone Foods has been on a mission to deliver smiles through candy, snacks, craft sodas, and more since 1966. Our catalog features over 6,000 unique products that your customers are sure to enjoy. Hey, we even have toys!

Sign up for an account with us today! You’ll quickly find out why Redstone Foods is considered America’s favorite candy distributor!

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