When the representative of Mighty Beanz told me all about them, he sheepishly whispered, "It's not very PC, but they're like MEXICAN jumping beans!" Seriously? Is it not PC to say "Mexican?" I like "Mexican food" and "Mexican people" and I can't imagine that it's a slight to a whole country when we refer to independently wiggling, jiggling beans that way. Though, I'll hear about it if anyone is offended.
Actually, according to all-knowing, all-telling Wikipedia, Mexican jumping beans are little moth pupa casings native to Mexico. They're called "brincadores," or "hoppers!"
Mighty Beanz are little, weighted capsules that roll, skitter or hop through an obstacle course. They're blind packaged so buyers can only see one of the six characters in the pack. Of more than 100 available, several are coveted, limited-edition versions.
The characters are cute but the fun factor is a question. Though the package suggests several games including a bocce-style game and a bowling game, they don't do much on the floor or table. Kids do like to collect odd, little toys and they were totally sold out of the toy aisle of my local big-box store, so I think kids are more enthusiastic about them than I am.
Mighty Beanz are a serious choking hazard for little kids (they're rated for 5+) so you really shouldn't buy them if you have toddlers in the house.