What on earth are Labubu dolls and do I need to get my kid one?

Over the last few months, these 'ugly-cute' dolls have taken social media by storm. Here's everything you need to know.

If you’ve been on social media at all in the last few months, you would be at least somewhat familiar with Labubus.

Every day when I’m doom scrolling, I come across multiple videos of Gen Z-ers lining up to buy them, shipping them in from overseas, or unboxing these terrifying toothy creatures. I even went to a wedding last week where the bouquet toss was replaced with a Labubu toss.

So, I’ve done my research on exactly what they are and how they became so popular - and whether or not you should be buying one for your child.

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Image: TikTok / @jacquiealexander_, @missremiashten.

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A Labu-what?

Labubus are plush toys first designed a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung.

Since then, their eerie, ‘ugly-cute’ looks - complete with sharp teeth, pointy ears and a mischievous smile - have seen them become incredibly popular, featured on the bags of celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa and fashionistas across the globe.

They’re marketed and distributed by Chinese toy company Pop Mart as collectable toys, pushing the ideology that shoppers need to have them all, like Jellycats and Funko Pops before them.

But, what’s really caused them to blow up is the fact that their identities are hidden behind their cardboard boxes.

This blind box format has been the basis of so many viral videos, with influencers purchasing boxes and boxes of them in the hopes of getting the one they really want. And, when they fail, they’ll buy more and more.

@remmiebyriley

you’d think we won the lottery from those squeals

♬ original sound - REMMIE

How can I get one?

Pop Mart first arrived in Sydney a few years ago, so Aussies have been able to get their hands on Labubus since then. However, back then, they were nowhere near as popular.

Despite the number of stores down under growing to 11 across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in 2025, demand hasn’t been able to keep up, with Aussies resorting to purchasing Labubu dolls for triple the original $32 price tag on resale sites, or flying across the country and lining up for them at 3am.

Aussies on TikTok have shared endless experiences of getting to stores just after midnight, scouring all the entries to ensure they have the quickest path to the goods, and preparing to drop any amount of money possible, only to still miss out at the last hurdle.

Should I get Labubus for my kids?

Although all the viral videos featuring Labubus are of adults filling their handbags with charms, there’s no reason why you can’t buy them for your little ones - they are just toys at the end of the day.

Just be wary that getting your hands on one isn’t as easy as you might think.

Cross your fingers that they don’t have a specific character in mind, otherwise $32 could turn into a few hundred dollars and a few tantrums real quick.

Originally published as What on earth are Labubu dolls and do I need to get my kid one?