The 2018 youth trends are bursting by the seams with examples of playful, creative and even charitable initiatives. From MAD Architects' modernist rooftop Courtyard Kindergarten in China to the interactive high-tech park dubbed 'Alice: The Return to Wonderland,' there is room for both education and entertainment amid the 2018 youth trends.
Aside from architecture, there are some pretty cool product releases and collaborative campaigns. Three Little Hens, for example, launched its 'Toothless Monster' which playfully embraces the myth of the Tooth Fairy by 'magically' gaining teeth when a child loses one of their own. In terms of social good initiatives, on-demand delivery service foodora partnered with the SickKids Foundation to bring a festive joy to children who are unable to spend the holidays at home.
To learn more about youth innovations for the year ahead, check out Trend Hunter's 2019 Trend Report.
Top 30 Youth Trends in 2018
From Dynamic Rooftop Playgrounds to Charitable Food Delivery Projects:
Kalin Ned — Jan 27, 2019 — Life-Stages
30
Expressive Gen Z Cosmetics
Petite 'n Pretty Shares Safe, Pediatrician-Approved Makeup for Kids
29
Toothless Monster Toys
'The Toothless Monster' Plush Updates Tooth Fairy Traditions
28
Playful Independence Day Packaging
Markobar Boasts Interactive Board Game Packaging in Indonesia
27
Egg-Embedded Doll Toys
The L.O.L. Surprise Finders Keepers Packs Share Two Treats in One
26
Imaginatively Crafty Play Collections
IKEA Boasts a Creativity-Focused Entertainment Collection
25
Dynamic Rooftop Playgrounds
MAD Architects' Design Fuses Modernism with Traditional Architecture
24
Connected Multimedia Swim Goggles
The 'SeeSea' AR Swimming Goggles Help You Play Games and More
23
Co-Working Childcare Spaces
'The Little Wing' Offers On-Site Babysitting for The Wing Members
22
Playful Collectible Tea Packaging
Tom's Teas is a Children's Tea Line with a Creative Aesthetic
21
Autistic Education Apps
The Safety Aware App Helps Autistic Children Become Independent
20
TV Series-Inspired Kids' Streetwear
OVO's The Next Generation Capsule Refers Toronto's TV Show
19
Stretchy Gelatin Kits
Kids Can Eat and Play with JELLO-Os New Unicorn and Monster Slime
18
Social Media Storybooks
'#Goldilocks: A Hashtag Cautionary Tale' Helps with Digital Parenting
17
Stylish High-End Fashion Basics
Acne Studios Releases Its Third Family Fashion Line
16
Fashionable Urban Shopper Trolleys
pinqponq Turns the Knob on Irony with Its Latest Offering
15
Color-Changing Sun Exposure Shirts
The adam & aoki Smart T-Shirts Help Kids Avoid Sunburns
14
Kid-Friendly Organic Juice Punches
Apple & Eve's Shelf-Stable Juices Belong in Kid's Lunchboxes
13
Connected Insect Farming Kits
The L I V I N Farms 'Hive Explorer' Teaches STEM and More
12
Pre-Styled Kidswear Gifts
kidpik's Fashionable Gift Boxes Share Ready-to-Wear Outfits for Girls
11
Whimsical Phygital Attractions
'Alice: The Return to Wonderland' is an Engaging, Interactive Park
10
Free-From Flavored Waters
Hint's Flavored Water for Kids Has Zero Sugar, Juice or Sweeteners
9
AI Audio Toys
'Woobo Mini' is a Plush Toy That Answers Questions, Shares Stories, Songs & More
8
Charitable Food Delivery Projects
foodora & SickKids Foundation Team up for National Cookie Day
7
Youth Culture Charity T-Shirts
The Champion London Youth Capsule is Inspired by Personal Journeys
6
Vibrant Kid-Friendly Yogurts
'Chobani Gimmies' is a New Line of Fun, Nutritious Yogurts for Kids
5
Family-Friendly AR Platforms
DEVAR's Educational Platform Offers Books, Courses, Games & More
4
Leader-Curated Book Clubs
Literati's Great Minds Edition Has Titles Picked by Influential People
3
Screen-Free Board Games
This Family Fun Board Game Discourages the Use of Electronics
2
Kid-Focused Streaming Platforms
Amazon's FreeTime Unlimited Offers Plenty of Kid-Friendly Content
1
Connected Balancing Toys
'Beasts of Balance' Combines Elements of Tabletop and Digital Gaming
Related Ideas
Playful Sport-Centric Partnerships
NIKE x LEGO Group Announced a Multi-Year Partnership
Playful Toy-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Jellycat Café Pops Up at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 to Revive Traffic
Bright Playful Sport Playgrounds
LEGO and Nike Reimagine Sports as Playful Learning in Shanghai
Fashionable Eyewear Collections
Specsavers Canada Embraces Projected Fashion Trends in 2026
Gen Z Storytelling Campaigns
Coach is Running the 'Explore Your Story' Campaign for Spring 2026
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Elevated Fall Tennis Fashion
The Y-3 FW25 Tennis Campaign Blends Performance with Bold Design
BookTok Travel Experiences
EF Ultimate Break Launched Literature-Inspired Group Tours for Gen Z
Global Social Impact Initiatives
Reckitt Expands Its Catalyst Program in the US
Reimagined Artwork-Based Travel Campaigns
Plaza Premium Group Debuts 'The Art of Travel'
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Vibrant Mental Health Campaigns
CDC Has Launched the Playfully Illustrated Free Mind
Nature Aesthetic Tech Accessories
CASETiFY x Pinterest Drop the 'Wilderkind Collection'
Phone-Free Crafting Experiences
Pinterest Brought a Phone-Free Experience to the Desert
Cultural Workplace Transformations
AAID Designs Ernst & Young's Riyadh Headquarters
Art-Driven Fashion Capsules
Marc Jacobs Launches Joy Artist Capsule for Fall 2025
Panda-Inspired Sport Campaigns
Panda Station Dresses Panda Statues in Tracksuits for an Activation
Playful Learning Collections
IKEA Open House Miami Has Child-Focused Designs for Miami Art Week
Nostalgic Youth Culture Capsules
Coach Presented Its Fall 2026 Line During New York Fashion Week
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Resilience-Focused Youth Initiatives
Covenant House Toronto Launches ‘Home of the Unbreakable’
Whimsical Youth-Inspired Fashion
The Miu Miu L’été 2025 Campaign is Playful and Stunning
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Kid-Designed Travel Itineraries
Visit Anaheim Launched 'Imaginagency' with Tia Mowry
Multi-Sensory Creative Toy Capsules
Crayola Has Announced a Range of New Creative Toys for 2026
Comprehensive Easter-Inspired Collaborations
Peeps' 2026 Spring Collaboration Lineup is Impressive
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Experiential Student Activations
Just Eat's Hey U Up Campaign Coincides with Freshers’ Week
Dessert-Shot Fashion Campaigns
Stella McCartney's Summer 2026 Campaign is Shot in Qatar
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
Connection-Centered Bag Campaigns
Kate Spade's Spark Something Beautiful Stars Gen Z Icons
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Youth-Safe Skincare Hubs
Cult Beauty's Gen A–Z Hub Educates and Empowers Gen Alpha and Gen Z
Senior Living Innovation Hubs
The AGE-WELL Innovation Studio Highlights Age-in-Place Solutions
Child-Focused Café Interiors
The Willow Play Cafe Combines Play Spaces and Dining in Toronto
Art-Inspired Toy Collections
Hape x The Met Makes Masterpieces Accessible & Play-Inspiring
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Experiential Play Pop-Ups
IKEA Open House Miami Shares a New Global Collection
Stylist-Led Education Platforms
K18 Launches a Pro Artist Program to Empower Hairstylists
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Gamified Smart Lunchboxes
FunFeast Encourages Healthy Eating Habits in Kids with ADHD
Kindness-Focused Travel Campaigns
Global Child: Travel & Purpose Debuts a Qatar Episode
AI-Powered Shoppable Runways
Topshop and THG Studios Hosted a Front Row AI Experience
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Interactive Juice Boxes
Suntop's Mega Back to School Campaign Integrates Connected Packaging
Gen Z-Targeted Wine Campaigns
The I heart kinda Summer Campaign is Launching Soon
Bold Eyewear Collection Campaigns
Vogue Eyewear Unveils Its 'No Rules Club' SS25 Campaign
Flea-Market-Inspired Brand Experiences
CASEKOO Hosted a DIY Experience in Beijing
Adaptive Community Hubs
Spaced Agency Designs a Space Supporting Small Businesses and Culture
Summer Camp-Inspired Travel Experiences
EF Ultimate Break Debuts Camp Ultimate, Targeting Gen Z
AI Technology-Focused Training Campaigns
The Raspberry Pi Foundation Emphasizes Youth Empowerment
Art-Tech Zine Collaborations
twentynine zine Turns AI Nostalgia to Art Using Yoga 9i Aura Edition
Toy-Inspired Music-Themed Workshops
The LEGO Group Launches Its Final Creativity Workshop of 2025
Cultural Newsletter Subscriptions
American Eagle Launches Gen Z-Focused 'Off The Cuff' Publication
Tech-Enriched Sports Equipment
The 'GOAL' Concept by Yewon Lee Encourages Physical Activity
Lyrics-Inspired OOH Campaigns
Taskrabbit Interprets Pop Culture Songs for Summer Home Tasks
Nature-Inspired Rooftop Skateparks
Within Beyond Studio Designs the Qingdao MixC Rooftop Skatepark
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Outdoors-Inspired Kids Apparel
Kyte Baby Unveils Its Yellowstone + Yosemite Collection
Adult Social Clubs
Social Club 150 Offers In-Person Events to Connect Adults in Their 40s - 60s+
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Hybrid Indoor Play Spaces
Jumpin' Jellybeans Expertly Merges Play with Wellness
Illustrated Streetwear Capsules
Wasted Youth x TAPPEI Introduces New Artwork Across Apparel
AI Learning Companions
SparkLing Creates Personalized Teaching Moments for Generation Alpha
Kids-Focused Space-Themed Collaborations
Crayola Interprets McDonald's Happy Meal
Cinematic Fashion Capsule Films
Maison Margiela Releases 'Joy' for Its Spring 2026 Collection
Organic Shape-Inspired Playgrounds
XISUI Design's Boulder Park is Stunning and Functional
Late-Night Manhattan Lounges
Starchild Rooftop Offers Panoramic Views and Classic Cocktails
Fair Food-Inspired Chocolate Ranges
Maeve Debut the Fantastical Fair Foods Capsule This Summer
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Screen-Free Toy Collections
Luki Lab Spotlights Six Products at the New York Toy Fair 2026
Honest Mealtime Campaigns
Little Dish's 'Guaranteed to be eaten by kids' Was Crowdsourced
Senior Creative Teams
Tosti Creative Put Out a Call for Senior Creatives Aged 70 and Older
Playful Hide-And-Seek Holiday Campaigns
Chaumet's Holiday 2025 Campaign Film is Whimsical
Youth-Led Holiday Campaigns
Where are You Going? Showcases a Global Portrait of Young Creators
Community-Centered Dining Experiences
Joyous Enriches Seniors' Lives Through Food & Experiences
Lifelong Reskilling Cultures
McKinsey And General Catalyst Highlight Continuous AI-Era Upskilling
Future Tech Blogs
Next Horizon Covers AI, Space, Biotechnology And Emerging Technologies
Youth Sport Initiatives
adidas Canada Partners with Tim Hortons for Timbits® Soccer
Digital Craft-Inspired Public Spaces
FUTUREFORMS Merges Architecture and Technology
Assistive Mobility Technology Initiatives
Toyota Partners with the MaRS Discovery District
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Urban Egg Installations
The Diesel Human-Sized Egg Installations Bring Playful Fashion to Milan
Seasonally Themed Magnetic Toys
MAGNA-TILES Introduces New Thematic Toys at Toy Fair 2026
Annual International Toy Fairs
Spielwarenmesse is Running Its 75th Edition This Year
Wacky Design Smartphones
Nothing, Motorola, and Others Embrace Playful Phone Experimentation
Tent‑Filled Daycare Spaces
DEYA Day Care Center Transforms Play with Cozy Indoor Tents & Platforms
Seasonal Fashion Campaign
The Y-3 SS26 Campaign Debuts an Expanded Collection for Warm Weather
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Revitalized Cultural Park Projects
Turenscape Masterfully Elevates the Huaiyang Fuxi Cultural Park
Parental AI Insights Features
Meta Launches Its Insights Tab For Meta AI
Playful Learning Villages
Kinder Rain Kindergarten Creates a Garden Based Learning Environment
Organic Urban Playgrounds
The Boulder Park Brings 3D-Printed Boulder Design into Community Play
Inclusive Tech Awards
The Qatar Assistive Technology Center Boasts the Mada Innovation Award
Colorful Youth Fashion Collections
Joe Fresh and Life at Home™ Have Partnered with Crayola
Interactive Beauty Destinations
Superdrug Beauty Playgrounds Inspire Fun & Product Discovery
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Vibrant Creativity Campaigns
Crayola Debuts its 'Creative Acts of Color' Initiative
Technology-Driven Healthy Aging Projects
MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL Continue the envisAGE Initiative
Seasonal Social Good Sandwiches
Urban Eat and Teenage Cancer Trust Partnered for the Holidays
IP Theme Parks
iQIYI Brings Its Streaming IP into Immersive Real-World Theme Park Experiences
Abstract Colorfully Vibrant Playscapes
100architects Designs the Wired Scape Playground
Personalised Immersive Wellness
Emergence at 113 Spring is a New Multi-Sensorial Wellness Curation
First-Of-Its-Kind Playspace Designs
Cloudbound Has Opened a New Playspace in New Rochelle, NY
Circular Fashion Creator Programs
Visa and GFA Support Emerging Regenerative Designers
AR-Enabled Oat Drink Packaging
Alpro and Appetite Creative Partnered for Interactive Packaging
Grass-Topped Versatile Community Hubs
MDAD & TODOS Arquitetura Present the Modern Casa Una
Brand Motif-Centric Fashion Lines
Anti Social Social Club Debuts Its Spring/Summer 2026 Collection
Strategic Urban Development Programs
The Yokohama Silk Renaissance Embraces Global Luxury
Youth Vision Care Events
OneSight EssilorLuxottica, Oakley, and Kylian Mbappé Joined Forces
Lifestyle Kids Streetwear
Patta Aw25 Kids Collection Blends Bold Graphics with Practical Comfort
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Cost-Effective Confectionery Items
World of Sweets Highlights Key Easter Trends Amid Rising Costs
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
Skatewear-Inspired Kids Capsules
Zoo York and Zara Team Up for a New Kidswear Collection
Branded Social Impact Initiatives
Youth To The People Unveils the Community To The People Program
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Summer-Forward Food Billboards
Waitrose Launched its 'Let Your Summer Side Out' Campaign
Modern Converted Kindergarten Designs
Archikon Architects Designs the Gyöngyszem Kindergarten
Education Architecture Expansions
Rainbow International School Extends with Nature Spatial Design
Grass-Roots Golf Gatherings
HEAD Golf and Links Social Tour Bring Style to Toronto Invitational
Kid-Friendly Recipe Campaigns
Aldi Created a Series of Dishes with a 4-Year-Old TikTok Chef
Active Play Fair Presentations
JOYIN Gears Up to Present at Spielwarenmesse 2026
Creativity-Focused Global Ambassador Programs
Crayola Creativity Week Begins with an Announcement
Gothic Romance Restaurant Campaigns
Eggslut's Egg Yearning Explores an Unexpected Symbol of Desire
AI Adoption Insights
The 2025 State Of AI Development Reveals Key Industry Trends
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Children-Designed Pavilions
Hi Ladders High Shows How Design Can Shape Inclusive Public Spaces
Young Leaders-Focused Initiatives
Universities Organize the Global Campus Gen-Z Leaders Exchange
Gen Z-Focused Tech Initiatives
SJTU Welcomed Gen Z Students as Part to Discuss Tech
Interactive Holiday Games
Easter Quest 2025 Creates Digital Scavenger Hunts For Families
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Kindergarten Renovation Projects
Archikon Transforms Gyöngyszem into Budapest’s First Smart School
Young Innovator-Honoring Award Initiatives
TNL Mediagene Runs Its Becoming Aces Awards Ceremony
Sustainable Colorful School designs
JFAK Designs the Wonderland Elementary School
Visual Discovery Campaigns
Pinterest Autumn-Winter Ads Highlight Castlecore Dreams and Fuzzy Vibes
Vibrant Kids-Catering Furniture Series
Paola Lenti Designs the Kids Collection of Playful Products