Shimmer and Shine Toys Review: A Magical Gift for Little Fans
Editor's Note (2026): This review is based on our experience with these Shimmer and Shine toys in 2016. I've updated the article to improve readability and SEO while preserving my original thoughts and experience.
If you had a little one who loved Shimmer and Shine, you'll probably remember just how popular the animated series was.
At the time, Summer couldn't get enough of it. She loved watching Shimmer, Shine and their best friend Leah as they set off on magical adventures, trying their best to grant wishes, even if things didn't always go to plan.
So when we were invited to review the Shimmer and Shine Ponytail Assortment and the Wish Come True Purse Set, I already knew they were going to be a big hit.
I wasn't wrong.
From the moment we opened the box, Summer couldn't wait to transform herself into her favourite genie.
Shimmer and Shine Ponytail Assortment Review
The Ponytail Assortment is designed to help children dress up as either Shimmer or Shine.
To put it on, I simply tied Summer's hair into a high bun before securing the ponytail using the attached hair clip.
I was pleasantly surprised by how securely it stayed in place. Even with plenty of running around and imaginative play, it stayed put much better than I expected.
As soon as she looked in the mirror, she instantly became Shimmer.
For the rest of the afternoon, everyone in the house was having wishes granted!
That's one of the things I loved most about this toy. It wasn't just a dress-up accessory; it encouraged imaginative role play, storytelling and plenty of laughter.
Wish Come True Purse Set
The Wish Come True Purse Set complemented the ponytail perfectly and gave Summer everything she needed to complete the look.
Inside the set were:
A Shimmer and Shine purse
Two bracelets
Sticker sheets
A hairbrush
A Magic Wish Genie Bottle necklace
The purse quickly became one of her favourite parts of the set.
She loved keeping all of her accessories together and carrying them around wherever she went.
The little brush was also a thoughtful addition because it allowed her to brush the ponytail after wearing it, helping to keep it looking neat for the next adventure.
Of course, the Magic Wish Genie Bottle necklace was used constantly as she granted magical wishes to everyone in the family!
It was lovely watching how naturally these accessories encouraged imaginative play without needing batteries or screens.
What We Loved
After spending time with both sets, these were the standout features for us:
Encouraged imaginative and creative role play.
Good quality accessories that felt well made.
The ponytail stayed securely in place during play.
The purse was perfect for storing all the accessories.
Great for children who love dressing up as their favourite characters.
Would I Recommend These Shimmer and Shine Toys?
Yes, especially for children who were fans of the television series.
The Ponytail Assortment and Wish Come True Purse Set worked brilliantly together, allowing children to really immerse themselves in imaginative play.
What stood out to me most wasn't necessarily the accessories themselves, but how much confidence and creativity they encouraged. Summer happily spent hours inventing stories, granting wishes and singing along to the theme tune while completely lost in her own little magical world.
Sometimes the simplest toys really do create the biggest smiles.
Disclosure: We received these Shimmer and Shine toys for the purpose of this review in 2016. As always, all opinions are entirely my own and reflect our genuine experience at the time. This article has been updated for readability and SEO while preserving my original review.Frequently Asked Questions
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These toys were designed for young children who enjoy imaginative role play and dressing up, particularly fans of the Shimmer and Shine television series.
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In our experience, yes. Once clipped securely into a bun, it stayed in place well during play.
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Our set included a purse, two bracelets, sticker sheets, a brush and a Magic Wish Genie Bottle necklace.
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Absolutely. They encouraged storytelling, role play and creative play, with Summer happily pretending to be her favourite genie for hours.
If you're looking for a simple game that gets the whole family talking, laughing, and occasionally debating some very silly questions, then the Would You Rather Family Edition Game is definitely worth considering.
As a family, we are always on the lookout for games that don't take ages to set up and that everyone can join in with, regardless of age. Between busy family life, health challenges, and trying to find activities that don't involve another screen, this game has become one of those easy go-to options that we can pull out whenever we fancy spending some time together.