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Somewhere between grabbing a snag and your Sunday DIY mission, Bunnings found itself with one of the most unexpected collectible hits of 2025. The hardware giant’s Mystery Box Mini Bears arrived in December and, within days, became a full-blown collectibles obsession. Priced at AUD$12.50 at launch and sold in blind boxes, they landed neatly at the intersection of bag charm culture, nostalgia, and the same virality that turned Labubu into a global flex.
And apparently, one round wasn’t enough. Bunnings brought the Mini Bears back for a second series in July 2026, complete with new designs, interchangeable outfits and another elusive Secret Bear. Better yet, the retailer currently lists the new collection for just AUD$9.50.
1/5Bunnings Mystery Box Mini Bears Returned in 2026
After the original collection took off in December 2025, Bunnings brought its blind-box collectibles back for a second run on 6 July 2026, this time with a fresh set of designs.
The second series includes bears dressed in winter gear, workwear, tradie clothing and overalls, along with another elusive Secret Bear. Their outfits are also removable and interchangeable with the original collection, so you can mix and match your miniature tradie’s wardrobe.
Bunnings says there’s a one-in-16 chance of finding the Secret Bear in each box. And while the second collection originally launched at $12.50, the hardware giant has cut the price by three bucks, with the Mystery Box Mini Bears available for AUD $9.50. That’s more than 10 per cent! Not too shabby for a little plush bear that started life as a miniature piece of hardware-store merchandise.
How the Bunnings Mini Bears Blind Box Works
Bunnings’ Mini Bears follow the classic blind-box formula. You don’t know what you’re getting until you open it, which is very much the point. Each box from the first series contained a plush bear keychain inspired by familiar Bunnings characters, with four standard designs and one rare “Secret” Bear.
The lineup featured a Team Member in full uniform, a Rain Poncho in crisp white, High-Vis in yellow workwear, and a Straw Hat in casual weekend mode. If luck was on your side, the Secret Bear traded in its worksite gear for streetwear, complete with a hoodie and backwards cap.
Series 2 follows the same formula, but introduces a new collection of characters and outfits. With the bears sold individually in mystery boxes, collecting the full set still comes down to a combination of luck, trading and how many trips you’re prepared to make to Bunnings.
The blind-box model itself is hardly a new concept. Variations stretch back more than a century, from Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bags to gachapon capsule toys, cereal box prizes and Kinder Surprises.
Why Blind Box Collectibles Have Become a Global Obsession
What has changed is scale and visibility. Chinese retailer Pop Mart, which sells Labubu and specialises exclusively in blind-box collectibles, saw its popularity and market value surge during the 2025 Labubu craze, helping turn the once-niche collectibles market into a global phenomenon. Since those dolls became the must-have item in 2025, other brands have followed suit. IKEA has launched its own mystery collectibles, while Kodak released seven versions of its Charmera Digital Keyring Camera in unmarked boxes.
Supermarkets have been running successful collectible campaigns for years, from Little Shop to Disney Discs. RMIT Senior Lecturer in Marketing Dr Marian Makkar told nine.com.au that blind boxes thrive because they give “consumers a sense of excitement, and random rewards.”
But if you ask consumer expert Gary Mortimer, who spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle, it’s closer to the dopamine rush of playing the pokies, a loop retailers are well aware of and increasingly happy to lean into.
For Bunnings, the motivation appears far less opportunistic. Bunnings’ Director of Merchandise, Cam Rist, said the thinking behind the first series was simple. Customers already love the classic Bunnings Bears, and the mini version brings that same charm into a more playful, collectible format.
1/4The Meaning Behind Bunnings’ Annual Bear Drop Tradition
The eco-friendly packaging also taps into a broader shift, with recyclable paper bags and boxes replacing plastic-heavy blister packs.
The Mini Bears also sit within a longer-running tradition. Bunnings’ annual bear drop has been celebrating trades and the people behind them since 2007, with the 2025 character, Billie, representing women in trade apprenticeships.
Blind boxes have been around forever. What’s new is seeing one dressed in hi-vis and sold next to the pot plants. You could reason that Bunnings didn’t create the trend, but it beat it by 10 per cent.
Bunnings Mystery Box Mini Bears FAQs
The original Mini Bears launched at AUD$12.50 in December 2025, with Series 2 initially selling for the same price in July 2026. Bunnings currently lists the second collection at AUD$9.50, although prices and stock availability may vary.
The Mini Bears are available through participating Bunnings stores, with the retailer’s Series 2 product page also listing purchasing, Click & Collect and delivery options. Check your local store or postcode for availability, as the collection is a limited release.
The original 2025 collection included bears dressed as Bunnings team members and tradies, alongside a rare Secret Bear in streetwear. Series 2 introduced new designs inspired by winter clothing, workwear and overalls, plus another Secret Bear with a one-in-16 chance of appearing in a blind box.
Yes. Bunnings launched its second series of Mystery Box Mini Bears on 6 July 2026, following the success of the original December 2025 collection. The new bears feature removable outfits that can be swapped with those from the first release.
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