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Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down!

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By jim10

Weebles

I enjoyed playing with Weebles when I was a little boy. They have changed a lot, but kids still love them. It was awhile back when I had them. But, I remember always playing with them on the kitchen floor. I had the brown dog and a few others. I even had the tree house for them to play in. I used to slide them across the floor and well attempt to knock them down.I'm not sure but I'm guessing the reason they look a lot different now is because the originals could fit in a kids mouth and possibly pose a choking hazzard. 


The History of Weebles

Weebles were first released on July 23rd 1971. Weebles were developed by Playskool. Weebles were based on the clown bop bag seen on Romper Room.The first ones were shaped like eggs with weights on the bottom so they would correct themselves after being tipped over. the first ones had peelable stickers that would get scratched. Soon after their release they started being made with much more durable stickers.

The first set of Weebles included a family that consisted of a mom, dad, boy, girl and a dog. Later a tree house, house, boat, police car, fire truck and numerous other accesories were made.

Weebles gained in popularity. Weebles started being made like Disney characters and holiday themes. their were cowboys, pirates, ghosts with all kinds of great accesories.

in 1978 Tumblin Weebles were made. They had a moveable weight inside so I sometimes they landed on their feet and other times on their head.

In 1982 a Sesame Street set was made. This set had the various muppets like Grover and Big Bird in two poses. One on each side of the Weeble. there was also a few vehicles and a playground.

Sesame Street Weebles

Weebles Bert and Ernie
Weebles Bert and Ernie

The New Weebles

The Weeble line was relaunched in 2004. but looked a lot different. Of course they still wobble, but don't fall down. My boys have various Weebles from this set. their is a Weebleville Town Center, A Wegetable Stand, Weebly wobbly Tree House and lots of Weebel figures. We seem to have some figures that can roll because their bottom have can rotate while other just wobble. some of the new ones are motorized and send the Weebles spinning all over the place. My youngest son is only six months but loves watching them and picking them up. 

In 2006 a Story Book World line was released. This series includes Jack and Jill's Wobbly Adventure, Weebalot Castle, Cinderella's Carriage and a few others.

 

How Much for a Weeble Set? You must be joking!

Don't ask me why some of the Weeble sets at Amazon are more that 3 times their original price. I hope to God the Goldilocks Adventure Cabin is not really $349. I'm guessing they are out of production. I checked out ToysRus's and KB toys's websites and no sign of Weebles. Target seems to have a few that say they are in the store. I guess I would go with Ebay for the larger sets that are overpriced at Amazon. Amazon's prices for the figures still seem about right though. I will list more of the fun sets my boys love from Ebay on the very bottom.

Do you have any favorite Weebles?

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Ardie profile image

Ardie  says:
12 months ago

How funny. My kids have the new Weebles, but I forgot there were old ones from when I was little!

Triplet Mom profile image

Triplet Mom  says:
12 months ago

Wow great hub, I forgot all about weebles they were so cool and I loved playing with them. Thanks!

Barbie-Perkins profile image

Barbie-Perkins  says:
12 months ago

Jim,

Weebles are fun. My kids enjoyed playing with the familly of Weebles and now their kids are playing with Weebles too.

Thanks for bringing back fun memories.  ~ Barbie Perkins

mistyhorizon2003 profile image

mistyhorizon2003  says:
12 months ago

I used to have loads of weebles, the playground set and the farm set. I have to say they looked far better than the modern ones, and I never even came close to choking on parts of the old ones.

Netters profile image

Netters  says:
12 months ago

I love weebles! Great hub. Thank you.

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
12 months ago

Thanks for all of the great comments. I'm glad I could refresh your memories of all the fun you had playing with Weebles.

Misty: I never choked on an old weeble either. I'm just guessing since they could fit in a childs mouth they were changed. That was the reason the little people changed. We have a few that roll that are pretty cool. They can glide across the floor.

I will add some pictures of the weebles from the UK they are pretty creepy.

mistyhorizon2003 profile image

mistyhorizon2003  says:
12 months ago

LOL, look forward to those pics Jim :)

mistyhorizon2003 profile image

mistyhorizon2003  says:
12 months ago

Now those pictures below are the Weebles I remember, and they were really sweet. They also used to float, do yours? I even had a weeble horse with a hole in it's back so you could put a weeble on it's back.

Delmae  says:
12 months ago

You're an amazing Dad Jim. I've never heard of Weebles - how deprived is that!. I guess our kids made their own version. When down on the beach they'd use tiny immature coconuts for their play people/weebles. The burned ones would be patients in the elaborate sand/beach hospital....etc. 100% cure rate for the burn victims because when the tide came in they would all be washed away!

ESAHS  says:
12 months ago

"Nice just in time for XMAS!"

"Entertaining and funny!"

"Two Thumbs Up!"

CEO E.S.A.H.S. Association

Christoph Reilly profile image

Christoph Reilly  says:
12 months ago

I didn't know they still made weebles! I thought it was one of those things from my childhood gone forever. Amazing that kids are still enjoying them today! Thanks!

johnny yuma1  says:
12 months ago

They didn't have Weebles when I was little, but I do remember seeing some over the years someplace. I don't recall that my kids ever had any of them either, but I can't say for sure. Great blog that you have here Jim.

johnny yuma

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
12 months ago

Misty, I checked out the floating possibility with the new ones and they seem to bob up and down like a buoy. They are kind of heavy bet their is plenty of air in their too. As of the old ones I have no idea. I don't remember ever using them in the bath. Their is probably a good chance the weebles would float because the cookie monster one even came with a boat.

Thanks everyone else for visiting I'm happy to remind people of some of their old toys.

Christoph, their is probably a good chance you passed by the newer ones in a toy store and just had no idea they were Weebles since they look so different from the classic weebles. Lots of toys seem to come back after being missing for a long time. A lot of toys I remember form the 80's can be found in stores again today. Last time I was in Target they had Transformers, Care Bears, Smurf stuffed animals, My Little Pony. My wife was excited they remade Strawberry Shortcake. Maybe I should get her one for Christmas. Ir would be like she is a kid again.

Ohme  says:
12 months ago

I love Weebles and keep finding my son's in the old toy box for my grandson. They just continue to bring enjoyment for generations.

Kulsum Mehmood profile image

Kulsum Mehmood  says:
12 months ago

Thank you jim for the nice hub. I liked all the weebles photos esp. the 9th 10th and 11th ones. Your kids are real lucky to have such a doting father.

Constant Walker profile image

Constant Walker  says:
12 months ago

Fun hub, Jim. Just the title made me chuckle, so I had to check it out. I remember Weebles! Of course I was too old to officially enjoy them, but that's never stopped me before!

Ken Devonald profile image

Ken Devonald  says:
11 months ago

I remember these the first time round - I have a brother who was born when I was nineteen, and these were popular when he was young! Great hub, many thanks!

Ashley Joy profile image

Ashley Joy  says:
11 months ago

These were some of my favorite toys when I was real little. I still remember the little song that was song on the commercials. I did not know they still made them, I haven't seen them in toy stores.

RGraf profile image

RGraf  says:
10 months ago

I remember when I got it for Christmas. I still have the old set with the tree house.

roastedpinebark profile image

roastedpinebark  says:
10 months ago

My Mom always like to say random things and one of those just happens to be "weebles wabble but they dont fall down", lol. Yeah theres some of the newer versions of weebles at my home as well, I enjoyed learning a bit of the history about weebles and loved the pics! Thanks a bunch Jim10!!!

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
10 months ago

Ashley, I'm happy to know you liked Weebles too. they were a lot of fun. I think they just remade them for a few years a couple of years back. I haven't seen them lately except for Amazon that is charging more than they used too.

Rgraf, that is cool I had the tree house but, it is long gone now.

Roastedpinebark, that is great about your mom, I find myself saying once in a while too. I was happy to tell you more about those wobbling Weebles.

Robin Marie profile image

Robin Marie  says:
8 months ago

Thanks for the memories! I never had weebles but my younger sister and brother did, as did my children. Thanks for the history lesson!

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
8 months ago

Your welcome Robin. Sorry you didn't get any Weebles of your own. But, I'm sure you got chance to try and make them fall down with your family.

Lgali profile image

Lgali  says:
7 months ago

Wow great hub nice photos..

LAmatadora  says:
7 months ago

How fun! I remember these.=)

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
7 months ago

Thanks LAmatadora, Weebles sure are fun. Thanks for visiting.

apeksha profile image

apeksha  says:
7 months ago

Nice info about toys...now I can gift such to my sister's daughter for her B'days..

Thanks jim...for writing this childish hub..

Cam Anju profile image

Cam Anju  says:
6 months ago

I loved playing with Weebles when I was little, I spent hours trying to get them to stand upside down... I got one to once... lol! :) Nice hub!

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
6 months ago

I think I speak for everyone that visits that we are very impressed with your persistence to actually get a Weeble to stand upside down. Thanks for visiting.

Army Infantry Mom profile image

Army Infantry Mom  says:
5 months ago

I loved my weebles !!! OMG completely forgot about them till now, Thanks for taking me down memory lane,..it's been fun. Great hub !!

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
5 months ago

Thanks Army Infantry Mom, they were a blast to watch them wobble.

Ashley Joy profile image

Ashley Joy  says:
4 months ago

I had Weebles when I was a kid and I loved them. I didn't know they still made them.

ThePartyAnimal profile image

ThePartyAnimal  says:
3 months ago

Weebles will always be a classic toy and in my childhood memories - when u think about it - it really is an odd toy.

Warren Hales profile image

Warren Hales  says:
2 months ago

I had never seen the Sesame Street weebles. Very cool! Thanks Jim.

Weebles have the best tag line in marketing history. I had the original set of Weebles. I couldn't be much more than 4 or 5. And I distinctly remember people asking "what are those". And saying "Weebles ... Weebles wobble but they don't fall down".

And as an adult, if Weebles ever come up ... the exact same thing ... "Remember Weebles?" "Yeah. Weebles wobble but they don't fall down". Its like you can't say Weebles without saying the rest! lol

Great hub Jim.

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Foreign Weebles

Weebles were released in the UK also. But boy are they creepy looking. They have holes for eyes and seem to be more egg shaped. Kind of more like Humpty Dumpty.They weren't as colorful. But had more detailed features. 

 

Weebles in the UK

From http://www.stuffwelove.co.uk/weebles.htm
From http://www.stuffwelove.co.uk/weebles.htm



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