What is one place as a parent that you dread going? It has to be a toy store (offline or online). And it is entirely justified. Beyond the nagging and tantrums, the pressure of ‘making the right choice’ weighs heavily on you as a parent as you enter this zone. So, how do you make this decision (without succumbing to bling or blackmail)? Understanding the role of toys in your child’s life can be a useful indicator.
Toys for kids, which are often taken for granted, have been the most influential developmental tool throughout human history. Toys have served as a way to enhance skills in children that can encourage skill building and complement their future roles in the community.
Toys have served as tools for children to learn to interpret the world around them and to understand their place in the world through fundamental social constructs such as ownership, sharing, and gender roles, among others, in addition to the obvious motor and cognitive skill development.
Consideration of these fundamental factors is shaping tomorrow’s toys for your child. Conscious toy designers are acutely aware of changing social structures, as well as the changing nature of “childhood.” Toy expectations are rising as parents become more educated and conscious (and wealthier!), and children become more demanding (in the face of digital engagement alternatives becoming accessible). These are the driving forces behind new trends that will transform the toy industry over the next few years.
1.STEM, STEAM, and STREAM toys
As a parent, you want to give your child the tools he or she needs to succeed in life. STEM toys, the toy industry’s fastest and most consistently growing category, are intended to empower children with STEM fundamentals. STEM toys are those that are based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts. Arts (STEAM) and Robotics (STREAM) have been added to this group in recent years. Today’s children will grow up in a technologically advanced world. Children who have strong STEM foundations are more likely to succeed in a technologically driven society.
While many tech-based toys masquerade as STEM toys, parents must be careful to distinguish between tech-enabled toys that are simply extensions of remote-controlled electronic toys and toys that provide a fundamental understanding of STEM concepts. Despite the lack of a technological component, STEM educational DIY toys provide a fundamental understanding of STEM concepts through hands-on experience. Similarly, a robot that can be controlled by an app may not be as effective as a bot that provides core learning such as computational thinking or task management through play.
2.Participation in Mixed Reality
One of the most difficult challenges for many parents is limiting their children’s screen time. One of the most exciting developments in the toy industry is the emergence of mixed-reality engagement, which addresses this issue. Toys for kids or activities that combine physical engagement with Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality technology are examples of this type. In some ways, these products compel children to do something in the real world in order to receive a screen-based incentive, thereby introducing a new dimension of fun and play.
3.Toys with Internet Access
The Internet-Of-Things has also become a buzzword in the toy industry. The possibilities for connected toys are enormous. However, in its current state, this technology raises privacy and security concerns. Toy manufacturers are taking these concerns seriously and working to address them. In the coming year, parents can look forward to internet-connected toys that are free of hacking and data breaches.
4.No-Tech
Toymakers have realised in recent years that focusing on technology is not the best way to meet the expectations of children and parents. The best toys are those that emphasise play rather than technological frills. This trend will continue to rise as everyone feels the need for physical activity (with rising obesity and ADD-infection rates) and real-life engagement.
5.Sustainability
“Sustainability” was probably the most frequently used word in the toy world. Although different people define sustainability differently, everyone in the industry is working to solve the problem. Toys face a more difficult challenge than most other industries because so many products are made of plastic and cannot be made otherwise. Because removing plastic from toys is unlikely, businesses are devising alternative solutions to address sustainability.
6.Smart Racing and Train Tracks
Race cars and train tracks are timeless classics that children and young adults alike enjoy playing with. The addition of intelligence to this genre increases engagement and interactivity for those who play it.
Hot Wheels introduced the AI Intelligent Race System Starter Kit in 2016, allowing multiple racers to follow the smart track, race independently in AI mode, and race off-track in RC mode. You can add more AI Street Shaker smart cars and gaming controllers to the set, as well as extend the racetrack itself, for more custom and challenging race courses.
The J-1 Smart Train Starter set by Intelino takes a modern approach, when it comes to toy trains. Through programable tiles or an app, this smart train encourages creative play and teaches coding skills. Color snaps allow kids to control the train’s actions such as speed, steering, and more. Furthermore, the smart train engine can run on most wooden tracks. We will undoubtedly see more advancements in smart racing and train tracks in the near future.