From the Toysit archive
Eye-Poppin’ SpongeBob
A squeeze sends SpongeBob’s eyes popping forward; a pretend news bulletin gives that big cartoon reaction a story.
The play at a glance
A face made for a surprising announcement
Two enormous blue eyes and a two-toothed grin fill this SpongeBob’s yellow, hole-dotted face. Below it are a red tie, brown shorts and skinny striped legs. His broad face makes a wonderfully visible reaction to an imaginary piece of news.
Mattel’s description of model 55663 gives the play its rhythm: switch him on for speech or song, jiggle him for phrases, and squeeze his body to send his eyes forward. A player can supply the newsreader’s voice and let that cartoon expression punctuate the scene.
Try a surprise bulletin
Imagine a tiny Bikini Bottom newsroom with SpongeBob as its most expressive listener. Make three large news cards with cheerful, improbable announcements: a jellyfish has knitted a scarf, the bus stop has become a bubble, or a sandwich has won a dance contest.
- Choose one card and read it in a very serious reporter’s voice.
- Use the toy’s documented squeeze action once to provide the surprised face.
- Invent a follow-up sentence that explains the surprise. Perhaps the jellyfish made scarves for every tentacle.
Trade jobs so another person becomes the reporter. The fun is in how the invented news and the visible reaction meet; the player supplies their connection.
Give the reaction a different meaning
Try the same announcement with two endings: first delighted, then puzzled. How does the reporter’s tone change the joke? For a paper version, draw an ordinary face on one side of a card and wide eyes on the other. Turn it over at the chosen moment and add your own surprised sound.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Squeeze SpongeBob to see his eye pop out.
Squeeze SpongeBob to see his eye pop out. Shake Spongebob and he'll respond with wacky, hilarious phrases. If you can't get enough of that yellow porous fry cook from Bikini Bottom, then Eye-Poppin' SpongeBob may be just the thing to cure you. He's unable to stand on his own two short skinny legs that stick out from his square pants (due mostly to his large rectangular head), but his likeness to the TV cartoon character is spot on. Give Bob's rubber head a squeeze to see his big round plastic eyes pop out and hear him say one of nearly 25 phrases, like Oh, now I see. or Aye, aye, Captain. If you stop squeezing, he tries to lure you back into play by saying something like, Over here or I sure wish somebody would play with me, but continued disinterest shuts him down within a minute, helping to conserve battery power. The first set of three AAA batteries is included.
Why Children Relate to SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants, the beloved animated character from the show of the same name, has captured the hearts of children around the world with his quirky personality and relatable traits. There are several reasons why children find SpongeBob to be a relatable and endearing character:
- Innocence and Enthusiasm: SpongeBob's childlike innocence and boundless enthusiasm mirror the exuberance of many young children. His ability to find wonder and excitement in even the simplest things resonates with kids who share a similar sense of wonder about the world around them.
- Optimism and Positivity: No matter the challenges he faces, SpongeBob maintains a remarkably optimistic outlook. His positive attitude and unwavering determination to make the best of any situation serve as an inspiration to children, encouraging them to approach life's ups and downs with a hopeful perspective.
- Friendship and Loyalty: The strong bonds of friendship between SpongeBob and his friends, especially his best friend Patrick, demonstrate the importance of loyalty and support. Children relate to the way SpongeBob values his friendships and the adventures they embark on together, mirroring the friendships they form in their own lives.
- Creativity and Imagination: SpongeBob's imaginative mind and creative spirit resonate with children who often have vivid imaginations. His ability to turn ordinary situations into imaginative adventures encourages children to embrace their own creativity and see the world as a canvas for endless possibilities.
- Curiosity and Exploration: SpongeBob's insatiable curiosity drives him to explore the world around him and learn new things. Children also possess a natural curiosity and a desire to discover and understand the world, making SpongeBob's thirst for knowledge relatable and inspiring.
- Making Mistakes and Learning: SpongeBob is not immune to making mistakes, but he learns valuable lessons from them. Children relate to his experiences of trying new things, sometimes stumbling along the way, and finding ways to overcome challenges, fostering a sense of resilience and growth.
- Simple Pleasures: SpongeBob finds joy in simple pleasures, whether it's flipping Krabby Patties at the Krusty Krab or blowing bubbles. Children appreciate his ability to find happiness in everyday activities, encouraging them to appreciate the little things in life.
- Expressing Emotions: SpongeBob's openness about his emotions, whether it's joy, excitement, or even occasional sadness, helps children understand that it's okay to express how they feel. His emotional honesty creates a relatable character who wears his heart on his sleeve.
- Universal Humor: SpongeBob SquarePants is known for its humor that appeals to both children and adults. Children connect with the show's playful and silly humor, enjoying the antics and slapstick comedy that make them laugh and brighten their day.
SpongeBob SquarePants embodies qualities that resonate deeply with children: a sense of wonder, friendship, curiosity, and an ability to find joy in life's adventures. Through his relatable traits and entertaining escapades, SpongeBob has become a beloved character who continues to charm and inspire young audiences.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s 55663 product page and official photograph match the pictured toy; the page lists 2002 and ages four and up. A complete instruction sheet was not recovered. The original nearly-25-phrases, one-minute shutdown and battery claims remain attributed to the historical account. The character-appeal essay is preserved as interpretation, not evidence of universal child responses. This activity is an original editorial suggestion; no physical testing was performed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site photograph reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Mattel: Eye Poppin’ SpongeBob 55663 — Official model description, date, age label and switch, jiggle and squeeze responses reviewed.
- Mattel product photograph — Official image visually compared with the original Toysit photograph.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete original product account and historical commentary preserved.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.