All About Hasbro’s Newest Tech Toy, Nano-mals (EXCLUSIVE)

There are few toys that can capture my kids’ attention for long. As they grow up, they’re seeking out fun new experiences with their friends, asking for interactivity, and excited to show their independence and sense of style.

What if I told you there was a new toy that could do all this–and more?

Enter Nano-mals, famed toymaker Hasbro’s new release! Revealed today at the North American International Toy Fair in New York City, Nano-mals are sure to delight your kids while also teaching them fundamental lessons about nurture through sensory play and self-expression.

Parents got the scoop (and my kids got to try them out!) so you can add Nano-mals to your kids’ toy roster. 

What Are Nano-Mals?

Nano-mals are handheld tech toys billed as electronic companions and interactive fidget toys all in one. They giggle, squeak, and purr with over 70 sounds, lights, and reactions as kids fill up the Nano-mals’ heart meters. 

But these toys are so much more than lights and sounds: they also come with adorable, sensory-friendly textured outfits so your child can express their own unique style—all while promoting nurturing skills kids usually only get from a live pet.

In a statement, Tim Kilpin, Hasbro’s President of Toys, Games, Licensing, and Entertainment, said he can’t wait for kids to connect with their new best friends. “Through this exciting introduction, we’re presenting tactile and nurture play with overall captivating interactive pets,” he adds. 

There are eight different Nano-mals ranging from kitties to unicorns to narwhals. And they each have their own outfits that can be mixed and matched with others.

Nano-mals also are community-oriented in ways sure to delight parents, especially in a world where screen time can feel isolating and kids’ mental health is put at risk by social media. Nano-mals actually interact with one another. If you put two or more together, they will play.

Kid Approved Fun

My kids are naturally skeptical about new toys—and honestly, so am I. One of my children has autism, and while I’m always on the lookout for sensory-based toys, I’m leery of anything that promises connectivity.

But when my kids opened the Nano-mals packages one sunny morning, I was astonished by how quickly they both took to their new companions—and played with each other.

My older daughter was especially excited when she was able to figure out how to get her Nano-mal, a Red Panda in a trés cool rocker jacket, to connect with her sister’s (a Midnight Unicorn with a purple iridescent skirt).

“Look!” she exclaimed. “They’re talking!”

My kids also loved that they could switch the vibrant and aesthetic outfits, move the Nano-mals’ arms and ears, and discover brand new sounds. They helped each other find new ways to play, and it warmed my heart.

Backed By Science

Sensory play is a big buzzword in electronics—and it’s no wonder. As many as 1 in 6 kids have sensory processing difficulties, according to a survey completed by JAMA Pediatrics. Nano-mals were developed with sensory play in mind. 

According to Kristin McKay, SVP and GM of Global Brands at Hasbro, creating a toy that answered a specific need for kids was important. 

“Gen Alpha has grown up through instability, but is very self-care aware. Parents encourage sensory play as a way to release nervous energy, and taking care of your Nano-mal, filling their hearts with love, is a great way to engage in that self-care,” she explains. 

McKay goes on to explain that Nano-mals can be used as a fidget toy in several different ways. “It’s the discovery piece that’s so important,” she relates. 

But Nano-mals aren’t just about sensory play—they’re a fantastic nexus for social interaction and community. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory about the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, citing evidence of the impact of technology and social media on social connection. McKay points out that Nano-mals are a great answer for parents who wonder when and how to introduce kids to handheld tech before they’re ready for a phone. 

“This target audience has grown up with devices, and parents are struggling with what age is appropriate to introduce tech like cell phones. Nano-mals are the answer because they’re hand-held devices that feel cool—but they’re safe devices that still encourage connection among friends.”

Plus, because there are eight different Nano-mals, each with swappable outfits, kids can share the experience with siblings and friends.

“Nano-mals encourage kids to collect and connect,” McKay continues. “We want to prioritize social interaction, and inspire kids to go exploring.” 

Plus, if you have a kid in your life who is excited by health or the beauty industry, Nano-mals feels like a step in that direction, without getting into more adult waters. McKay says Nano-mals are a great, age-appropriate way to feel on trend.

“We want to encourage kids to play—this is handheld tech meets nurture meets social interaction. We think of it as a ‘yes and’ or ‘plus plus’ toy,” McKay confirms.

If Nano-mals can help my kids find common ground off-screens, I’m so here for it. Sensory parent and kiddo approved!

Nano-mals will hit the market this fall starting at $19.99, and are safe for kids ages 5 and up.