The Barbie color reveal advent calendar has become a hugely popular toy in recent years. This interactive calendar allows kids to open a new door each day in December leading up to Christmas and reveal a surprise inside. But how exactly does the color reveal technology work?
What is the Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar?
The Barbie color reveal advent calendar contains 24 doors, one for each day leading up to Christmas. Behind each door is a packaging that contains a surprise Barbie accessory, but here’s the fun part – the accessories start off a mystery color! When kids open the door, they have to complete the reveal process to transform the accessory into its true color.
The calendar comes with different themes each year. The 2022 edition was a winter disco theme featuring Barbie and her friends dressed up to go dancing. Other years have included mermaid and unicorn themes. The Barbie color reveal advent calendar retails for around $40-$50 and is recommended for ages 5 and up.
How Does the Color Reveal Technology Work?
The color reveal mechanism consists of heat-activated inks on the accessories contained behind each door. The accessories start off a muted gray color. To transform them into their vibrant intended hues, kids must complete a “reveal” process after opening each door.
There are a few different ways the reveal can be done:
- Filling a cup with hot or warm water and submerging the accessory for about 10 seconds. This heat activates the inks to change color.
- Blow drying the accessory using a hair dryer set on warm or hot. Again, the heat triggers the ink change.
- Rubbing the accessory vigorously with hands to generate friction heat. The warmth from rubbing also activates the ink.
Whichever reveal method is used, kids enjoy seeing the surprise accessory transform right before their eyes! The color change is a chemical reaction, not unlike hypercolor clothing that changes when heat is applied.
Color Reveal Inks and How They Work
The specific inks used in Barbie’s color reveal products are called photochromatic or thermochromic inks. They contain unique heat-sensitive pigments that activate and change color when heated to a certain temperature.
The ink is made of three main components:
- Leuco dyes – These are colorless dye molecules in their natural state.
- Developers – These are acidic molecules.
- Solvents – This helps control the activation temperature.
When the ink is cold, the leuco dye and developer molecules are arranged in a compact crystalline structure without exposure to light. This gives the muted gray color.
When heat is applied, the molecules become energetic and move apart. The dye molecules become exposed to the developer and undergo a chemical reaction. This reaction causes the leuco dye molecules to change into their colored form, resulting in a dramatic color change.
Different inks are tailored to activate at different temperatures by adjusting the type of leuco dye and developer used. For Barbie’s accessories, the inks are designed to trigger around room temperature or when warmed slightly by friction or hot water.
Surprise Accessories Found in the Calendar
The Barbie color reveal advent calendar contains 24 accessories of different types. Here are some of the surprises kids might find behind the tiny doors:
- Hair clips and barrettes
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Earrings
- Necklaces
- Purses or handbags
- Sunglasses
- Combs and hair brushes
- Shoes and boots
The accessories match the theme of the calendar and are sized to fit the included Barbie dolls. The items can be used to dress up the Barbies for pretend play after opening the calendar.
Types of Color Changes
There are a few main types of color changes that occur with the thermochromic inks:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Irreversible | Changes from one color to another permanently when heated above activation temperature. |
| Reversible | Temporarily changes color when heated but reverts back when cooled again. |
| Hysteresis | Changes color at one temperature but reverts at a different temperature (e.g. turns blue at 80°F, reverts at 70°F). |
The Barbie calendar uses irreversible thermochromic inks so the color change is permanent. The accessories remain in their vibrant revealed hues and don’t change back.
Benefits of Thermochromic Inks in Toys
Thermochromic inks bring several benefits to children’s toys like the Barbie advent calendar:
- Interactive play: The color change involves kids in the reveal process and enhances the play experience.
- Engages senses: Seeing the surprise colors appear appeals to kids’ senses of sight and touch.
- Builds anticipation: The color change adds excitement and anticipation about what each day’s accessory might reveal.
- Educational: Kids can learn about chemical reactions and thermochromism from the magic color changes.
The inks provide fun interactivity that make the calendar a sought-after toy for kids who love surprises and magic.
Troubleshooting When the Color Won’t Change
The color change reveals are designed to work consistently, but occasionally an accessory may not transform as expected. Here are some tips if the color gets “stuck”:
- Try a different reveal method (hot water, blow dryer, or rubbing). Sometimes heat needs to be applied differently.
- Ensure water is hot enough, around 180°F, but not boiling.
- Let accessory soak in hot water for up to 30 seconds for thorough heating.
- Check hair dryer is set on highest heat setting and hold close enough to accessory.
- Rub the accessory vigorously between palms for 30+ seconds to build friction heat.
If an accessory still won’t change color after trying these troubleshooting methods, it may be defective. Contacting the Barbie customer support line to request a replacement is recommended.
Do the Accessories Change Color Again After Revealing?
Once an accessory has gone through the color transformation, the change is permanent. The thermochromic inks in the Barbie calendar are irreversible. This means the item will remain its revealed color indefinitely and not revert back to gray.
However, there are some novelty items that use reversible thermochromic inks. These temporarily change color with heat exposure and change back when cooled. An example is color-changing nail polish or mugs.
But the Barbie accessories utilize permanent inks so the colors will stay vibrant. Kids don’t have to worry about re-revealing items or the colors disappearing later on.
Care and Storage of Revealed Accessories
To keep the Barbie color reveal accessories looking their best after revealing:
- Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading over time.
- Prevent scratching by storing in a box or case.
- Keep away from direct high heat sources like stoves, heaters, or clothes dryers.
- Avoid soaking/submerging in water after initial reveal process.
- Consider hand washing if needed to remove dirt or stains.
Storing revealed items out of sunlight in a secure container will help keep them like new. Follow care instructions to extend the life of the accessories and colors.
Other Color Reveal Barbie Toys
In addition to the advent calendar, Mattel offers other fun Barbie color reveal toys. These work the same way with heat activated inks to magically transform accessories and outfits:
- Color Reveal Doll Playsets: Includes Barbie doll and themed accessories that change color when immersed in warm water.
- Color Reveal Fashion Packs: Mini outfits and shoes that reveal colors when heated up.
- Color Reveal DIY Dollhouse: Assemble furniture for a dollhouse that transforms when rubbed with hands.
- Fabric Color Reveal: Barbie t-shirts, pillows, and blankets kids color themselves using heat.
The color reveal concept allows for interactive and collectible Barbie sets that appeal to kids who love surprises. The technology adds a fun twist to traditional doll play.
Conclusion
Barbie’s color reveal advent calendar and other products use innovative thermochromic ink technology to provide an interactive, surprise-based play experience. The heat-activated inks contain leuco dyes and developers that undergo chemical reactions when warmed, resulting in dramatic color transformations.
Kids delight in revealing the surprise accessories from gray to vibrant hues using hot water, blow drying, or hand friction. The color change enhances sensory and educational play. The Barbie color reveal line allows kids to customize and collect their own magic accessories and outfits.
So if you have a Barbie fanatic on your gift list this holiday season, the color reveal advent calendar is sure to provide 24 days of surprises and fun!