The March 2016 youth trends reveal that companies are taking note of the changing values of millennial parents. Not only are today's toys more rooted in education, but there is also a new focus on diversity and inclusivity.
While educational toys are nothing new, the March 2016 youth trends reveal that companies are moving beyond teaching basic concepts to fostering more specialized skills. Indeed, today's toys go beyond reading, writing and counting to focus on skills such as coding and entrepreneurship. Some examples of modern education-oriented toys include app-oriented STEM kits, code-teaching toy robots and empowering entrepreneurial toys.
In addition to education, millennial parents also place significant value on inclusivity. Brands such as LEGO have embraced this message by introducing wheelchair-using characters that children with disabilities can relate to. Doll companies such as Barbie and American Girl have also made an effort to highlight diversity by producing characters of different shapes, sizes and ethnicities.
Top 65 Youth Ideas in March
From App-Oriented STEM Kits to Diversely Shaped Dolls:
Katherine Pendrill — Mar 19, 2016 — Life-Stages
65
Mind-Stimulating Classroom Designs
This Kindergarten Interior is Designed with Learning Zones
64
Tablet Loom Toys
Wooky Entertainment's 'iLoom' Uses Tablet Technology for Bracelet-Making
63
Realistic Male Dolls
The Dad Bod Ken is in Response to the Latest Line of Barbies
62
Luxurious Kids Clothing Lines
The 'Balmain Kids' Line is Inspired by the High-End Designer Label
61
Barbecue Board Games
This BBQ Game Challenges Kids to Expertly Handle Simulated Sizzling Food
60
Movie-Inspired Coffee Cups
This Colorful Children's Cup Features Oversized Ears for Handles
59
Balancing Monkey Robots
Spin Master's Zoomer Chimp That Crawls and Balances on Two Wheely Feet
58
Kid-Friendly Go-Karts
The 'Arrow Smart-Kart' Gives Children the Opportunity to Experience Driving
57
Supernatural Teenage Games
The Oxenfree Game is a Unique Coming-Of-Age Adventure
56
Colorful Play Tablets
Boogie Board's Scribble n' Play eWriter Lets Kids Doodle in Color
55
Fishing Boat Toys
This RC Boat Can Catch Fish Up to Two Pounds
54
Flexible Toy Car Tracks
Lionel's Mega Tracks Create Courses for Cars That Defy Gravity
53
Solar-Powered Bottle Toys
This Solar PET Bottle Car Teaches Kids About Electronics and Upcycling
52
Kid-Friendly Snack Subscriptions
This Service Allows Parents to Create Custom Snack Boxes for Kids
51
Code-Teaching Toy Robots
The Kamibot Robot Makes it Easier to Teach Kids to Code
50
Balance-Practicing Toys
The Monkey Business Sports Stilt Walkers Let Kids Fine-Tune Motor Skills
49
Empowering Entrepreneurial Toys
Fashion Angels' 'It's My Biz' Toys Inspire Careers in Business
48
Edible Blowing Bubbles
These Candy Bubbles Taste Like Cherry, Grape, Bubble Gum or Tutti Frutti
47
Motorcycling Superheroine Toys
This DC Superhero Action Figure is the 'Deluxe Batgirl of Burnside'
46
Throwable Paintball Toys
The 'Goblies' Paint Toy Teaches Kids to Make Biodegradable Paint Balls
45
Multifunctional Web-Seated Swings
The Spider Web Playground Swing Has Multiple Options for Play
44
Custom Toy Printers
Autodesk and Mattel Relaunched the 'ThingMaker' as a $300 3D Printer for Kids
43
Civil Rights Era Dolls
This Historical Doll Teaches Young Girls About the Civil Rights Movement
42
Kids Sneaker Showrooms
This Sketchers Kids Showroom Displays the Entire Line
41
App-Connected Racetrack Toys
This Bluetooth Race Car Toy Works Alongside an Accompanying App
40
Online Privacy Children's Books
The Educational Literature for Kids Focuses on IoT Security
39
Empowering Youth Dolls
These Diverse Dolls Aim to Inspire, Educate and Empower Young Girls
38
Toy Marketplace Apps
KidsTrade is a Toy App That Allows Children to Swap Games and Goods Safely
37
Smart-Connected Dollhouses
The 'Hello Barbie Dreamhouse' Features Wi-Fi and Voice Recognition
36
Health-Conscious Kids Menus
The Ruggles Green Menu Introduces Children to Healthy Eating Habits
35
Selfie Singing Toys
The 'SelfieMic' Combines a Selfie Stick with Karaoke
34
Digital Note-Taking Devices
Boogie Board's Jot 4.5 eWriter Simplifies Digital Drawing and Writing
33
Diversely Shaped Dolls
The Latest Barbie Fashionistas Line Boasts Curvy, Tall and Petite Models
32
DIY Drawing Robots
Makers Toolbox Teaches Kids to Create a Functional 'Scribbler Robot'
31
Family Entertainment Theme Parks
The Mattel 'Play!' Entertainment Park Will Offer Fun Attractions
30
Feminine Archery Sets
The REBELLE PLATINUM Bow and Arrow Set Encourages Girls to Try Archery
29
Nightmare-Thwarting Devices
The 'Sleep Guardian Plus' Helps Reduce Children's Night Terrors
28
Swimming Turtle Toys
This Little Live Pets Toy Comes to Life on Land and in Water
27
App-Oriented STEM Kits
The 'MudWatt' Classic STEM Kit Enables Kids to Learn About Bacteria
26
Growth-Accommodating Desks
The VIVO Children's Heigh Adjustable Desk Grows with Children
25
Bedtime Math Apps
The Bedtime Math App Encourages Kids to Enjoy and Not Hate Math
24
Monster-Shaped Crayons
These 3D-Printed Crayons for Kids Benefit Abused & Neglected Children
23
Obesity-Preventing Game Platforms
FITSKO Uses Playful Mobile Games to Encourage Fitness For Kids
22
Wheelchair-Using LEGO Charcters
This LEGO Figurine Represents a Step Towards More Inclusive Toys
21
Preloaded Junior Smartwatches
The Kurio Kids Watch Provides Entertainment for Younger Users
20
Interactive Film Experiences
This Screening of the Muppet Movie Invites Kids to Sing Along
19
Hoverboard Barbie Toys
Mattel's Star Light Adventure RC Toy Takes Barbie to New Heights
18
Vocabulary-Enriching Dolls
VTech's Baby Doll Toy Teaches Kids Words and Phrases
17
Kid Fantasy Ads
Museum of Childhood's The Imaginary Friend Collection is Fun and Playful
16
All-Terrain Toy Drones
Takara Tomy's Earth Rider Flying Drones Conquer Land, Air and Water
15
Superheroine Toy Sets
The 'Girls Night Out 5-Pack' Features DC Superheroines and Villainesses
14
Bankruptcy Board Games
Monopoly Ultimate Banking Challenges Players to Make Others Go Broke
13
Child-Centric Mountain Bikes
These Carbon Fiber Mountain Bikes Are Designed For Children
12
Empowering Kids Shows
The 'Ready Jet Go!' Program Encourages Girls to Explore Careers in STEM
11
Ice Cream Truck Toys
Shopkins' Ice Cream Toy Truck is a Food Business Playset
10
Child-Ridesharing Apps
The HopSkipDrive App Lets Kids Get Rides From Trusted Adults
9
Mitten Pockets Hoodies
The Toasty Time Hoodie Has Built-In Mittens Where Pockets Would Be
8
Miniature Sprinkler Sets
This Kid-Friendly Sprinkler Helps Children Stay Cool in the Summer
7
Kid-Safe Citronella Stickers
This Insect Repellent for Kids Can Be Used on Outdoor Gear & Textiles
6
Childhood Adventure Games
The Knights and Bikes Game is Set In the Late 1980s
5
Peer Performance Apps
The 'Watch Me Learn' App Encourages Peer to Peer Feedback in Child Athletes
4
Child-Tracking Wearables
This Wristband Helps Parents Keep an Eye on Their Children at All Times
3
Prosthetic-Building Workshops
The Superhero Cyborgs Workshops Let Kids Build Their Own Prosthetics
2
Girl-Targeted Printing Programs
This Northern Illinois University Program Supports Girls in STEM
1
Childhood Investment Programs
Sesame Ventures is Offering to Fund Start-Ups that Support Learning
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Orienteering Explorer Watches
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Folding Virtual Reality Glasses
The Homido Mini Glasses Make Smart Eyewear Compact
Digital Predator Ads
The Save the Children Online Campaign Addresses the Danger Social Media
Realistic Male Dolls
The Dad Bod Ken is in Response to the Latest Line of Barbies
Barbie Magazine Covers
A New Body-Positive Barbie Graces the Cover of TIME Magazine
Minimalistic Pop-Up Supermarkets
'100% Everything' is a Fashion Pop-Up Store by Ksenia Schnaide
Flawless Replica Cars
The Playmobil Porsche 911 Carrera Model is Magnificently Realistic
Ultra-Fast 3D Printers
This Device Can Produce 3D-Printed Objects in Mere Minutes
Exclusive Footwear Pop-Ups
This Adidas Pop-Up Store Showcases New Products & Adidas Originals
Voice-Controlled Robotic Toys
This Star Wars BB-8 Robot Toy Responds To Your Voice Commands
Circular 3D-Printed Jewelry
The Kalikon Collection by Maison 203 Blends Different Aesthetics
Immersive Archery Tag Experiences
Playmaker U's Archery Tag Games are Adventurous and Engaging
Diverse Model-Made Dolls
Mala Bryan Created a Line of Dolls That Celebrate Black Beauty
Intelligent Robot Pets
The 'CHiPK9' Robot Dog is Programmed to Offer Loyalty and Affection
Insect-Killing Origami Crafts
This Paper Origami Boat is Infused with a Natural Mosquito Killer
Premium Wooden Pocket Timepieces
The MMT Calendar Maple Pocket Watch Design is Naturally Beautiful
Precision Printing Pens
The 'CoLiDo' 3D Printing Pen Enables Better Control Over Projects
Hijab-Wearing Barbie Dolls
This Instagram Account Shows Barbie Wearing a Hijab in Stylish Ways
Cute Family-Friendly Robots
The 'XIBOT' Smart Home Assistant Provides an Intuitive Experience
Sound Vibration Pottery
These Clay Pots at 3D-Printed with the Addition of Sound Wave Details
Hybrid Drone Toys
The Flying Car Remote Controlled Vehicle Offers Advanced Functionality
Anti-Harassment Ad Campaigns
This Campaign Tackles Rape Culture and the Ubiquity of Victim-Blaming
Balancing Monkey Robots
Spin Master's Zoomer Chimp That Crawls and Balances on Two Wheely Feet
Space-Worthy Computer Cases
The Astro Pi Raspberry Pi Case is Now Available to be 3D-Printed
Customizable Snack Deliveries
This Service Lets Customers Hand-Pick Their Monthly Snack Deliveries
Stylish Smartwatch Bands
WRBLS Sports Bands for the Apple Watch are Fashionable and Functional
Toy Car Sound Systems
The Sumci Portable Wireless Speakers Feature Surround Sound Capabilities
Rescue Pet Plush Toys
Pibborafi Models Its Stuffed Animal Toys After Real Rescue Dogs
3D-Printed Storage Solutions
This 3D-Printable Pegboard Offers Makers Enhanced Storage and Control
Smartphone Movie Theater Marketing
Mobiquity and Screenvision will Use Beacon Tech for Mobile Ads
Feline Luxury Hotel Mascots
The Algonquin Hotel in NYC Has a Kitty Concierge Named Matilda
Fitness Tracker Timepieces
The Honor Band Z1 is a Exercise Wearable that Functions as a Smartwatch
Fishing Boat Toys
This RC Boat Can Catch Fish Up to Two Pounds
Camera-Toting Toy Guns
This Nerf Blaster Features a Removable Video Camera
Translucent Crystal Timepieces
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire is a See-Through Masterpiece
Flexible Toy Car Tracks
Lionel's Mega Tracks Create Courses for Cars That Defy Gravity
Illustrated Shampoo Ads
The Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Campaign Takes on a Fairy Tale Spin
Immersive Movie Marketing Kiosks
Creo Worked with Universal on this 'Minions' Movie Release Kiosk
Sketched Superhero Figurines
The Jim Lee Blueline Superman is Styled Like a 3D Drawing
Solar-Powered Bottle Toys
This Solar PET Bottle Car Teaches Kids About Electronics and Upcycling
Family-Oriented Dash Cams
The JADO Mirror Dash Cam Keeps an Eye on the Road and Kids
Code-Teaching Toy Robots
The Kamibot Robot Makes it Easier to Teach Kids to Code
Dine-In Movie Theates
This Cinema Boasts a From-Scratch Kitchen and Full Bar
Edible Blowing Bubbles
These Candy Bubbles Taste Like Cherry, Grape, Bubble Gum or Tutti Frutti
Cinematic Face-Swapping Apps
The Hollywoody Photo Platform Lets Consumers Add Themselves to Films
Unattractive Car Ads
The Sherlock Anti-Thief Campaign Shows How Worthless Cars Will Be to Thieves
Solar-Powered Insect Sprayers
This Mosquito Abatement System Operates Without Electricity
Ghostbusting LEGO Kits
The New Ghostbusters LEGO Collection Features a Dastardly Red Demon
Motorcycling Superheroine Toys
This DC Superhero Action Figure is the 'Deluxe Batgirl of Burnside'
Efficient Robotic Floor Cleaners
The iRobot Braava 320 Floor Mopping Robot is a Multipurpose Unit
Charity-Focused Family Vacations
This Organization Offers Trips for Socially Conscious Families
Educational Diabetic Dolls
The American Girl Diabetes Care Kit Teaches Young Girls About Illness
Inner Beast Sportswear Ads
The Nike Unleash Your Animal Campaign is Fiercely Motivating
Smartwatch Arcade Games
The 'A Tiny Game of Pong' Gives a Arcade Classic Game a Modern Upgrade
Snack-Based Care Packages
This Service Helps Customers Create Personalized Care Packages
Wooden LEGO Figurines
These Building Block Toys are Recreated Using Rustic Wood
Custom Toy Printers
Autodesk and Mattel Relaunched the 'ThingMaker' as a $300 3D Printer for Kids
Archaeological Dinosaur Soaps
These Children's Bath Products Feature Hidden Prehistoric Toys
Nanotechnology Polo Shirts
MosquitNo's Polo Shirt Design is Infused with a Mosquito Repellent
Virtual Gesture-Control Games
This VR Shooter Lets You Use Real Physical Gestures
Upgraded Movie Theater Menus
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Pairs Popular Films With Tasty Food and Beer
Adjustable Motorized Desks
The NextDesk 'CrossOver' Enables a Standing Workstation When Desired
Scenario-Based Paintball Games
This Event Combines Role Playing and Paintball into One Game
Location-Based Movie Posters
Thinair and Panasonic Partner to Create Interactive Digital Poster
Animated Turtle Action Figures
These Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Toys Are Gorgeously Accurate
Mosquito-Repelling Bracelets
These Bug Repellents from MosquitNo are Disguised as Jewelry Pieces
Smart-Connected Dollhouses
The 'Hello Barbie Dreamhouse' Features Wi-Fi and Voice Recognition
Curable 3D Printer Resins
The Tethon 3D Porcelite Ceramic Resin Can be Printed then Fired
Organic Teething Necklaces
These Necklaces are Made from Beads That are Safe for Babies to Chew
Selfie Singing Toys
The 'SelfieMic' Combines a Selfie Stick with Karaoke
Diversely Shaped Dolls
The Latest Barbie Fashionistas Line Boasts Curvy, Tall and Petite Models
Deceptive Interactive Games
The 'Hidden Folks' Game Requires You To Unearth Hidden People
Retro Touchless Toys
Simon Air Sees the Retro Toy Receive a Modern Handsfree Update
3D-Printed Subscription Boxes
'Cubeforme' is a Subscription That Delivers Monthly 3D-Printed Gifts
DIY Drawing Robots
Makers Toolbox Teaches Kids to Create a Functional 'Scribbler Robot'
Stand-Up Swing Designs
The 'Swurfer' Puts a Creative Twist on the Conventional Backyard Swing
Puzzle Box Piggy Banks
The Money Maze Bank Prompts Users to Solve a Puzzle to Access Cash
Analog Dial Timepieces
The V02MKII Minimalist Watch Features an Unusual Square Shape
Wintry Family Activities
Jasper's Family Day Weekend Program Focuses On Outdoor Activities
3D-Printed Steel Bicycles
These Stainless Steel Bicycles Were Welded Using a Robotic Arm
Swimming Turtle Toys
This Little Live Pets Toy Comes to Life on Land and in Water
Sustainable Crayon Sets
These Eco Crayons are Made From Recycled Sea Rocks
Selfie-Based Safety Apps
The '99check' App Helps Helps Parents Stay in Touch with Their Children
Anti-Insect Sun Creams
These MosquitNo Products Offer Multifaceted Protection
Diet-Friendly Snack Subscriptions
This Snack Service Offers Customization for Dietary Restrictions
3D Game Creator Apps
The Amazon Lumberyard Games Engine Enables the Creation of Vivid Games
Obesity-Preventing Game Platforms
FITSKO Uses Playful Mobile Games to Encourage Fitness For Kids
Wheelchair-Using LEGO Charcters
This LEGO Figurine Represents a Step Towards More Inclusive Toys
Hoverboard Barbie Toys
Mattel's Star Light Adventure RC Toy Takes Barbie to New Heights
Vocabulary-Enriching Dolls
VTech's Baby Doll Toy Teaches Kids Words and Phrases
Robotic Wet-Dry Vacuums
The 'bObsweep' Robotic Vacuum Enables Floor Mopping and More
Family-Friendly Fishing Events
This Ice-Fishing Event is Perfect For Families On a Budget
Unapologetic Underwear Campaigns
The Latest Aerie Commercial Features Model Barbie Ferreira
Superheroine Toy Sets
The 'Girls Night Out 5-Pack' Features DC Superheroines and Villainesses
Familial Gaming Packages
The Hasbro Family Fun Pack Includes Classic Board Games
App-Connected Go-Karts
This Electric Go-Kart's Speed and Range Can Be Controlled Via An App
Open-Source Robotic Toys
The Open FURBY Project Lets Consumers Personalized the Toy Bird
Ice Cream Truck Toys
Shopkins' Ice Cream Toy Truck is a Food Business Playset
Citronella-Infused Bracelets
MosquitNo's Summer Bracelets Offer Hours of Insect Protection
Drone Racing Contests
The Drone Racing League is Inspired By Formula One
Insect Repellent Cleansers
This Multipurpose Hair and Body Wash Also Keeps Bugs at Bay
Lipstick-Applying Robots
The Lipstick Robot Was Designed to Simplify Many Morning Routines
Interactive Tablet Robots
'TABO' is a Small Bot That Touch Points on an iPad for Gaming
Insect Repellent Placemats
This Insect-Repelling Item is Specific to Outdoor Dining
Ninja Turtle Games
The Mutants in Manhattan Game Features the Return Of the Crimefighting Turtles
Bug-Repelling Fabric Softeners
MosquitNo's Insect Repellent Products are Creative Alternatives
Geeky Family Activities
The Maine State Library's Inventor's Challenge Program Promotes DIY Play
Peer Performance Apps
The 'Watch Me Learn' App Encourages Peer to Peer Feedback in Child Athletes
Correlation-Choosing Games
The 'Guess the Correlation' Game is Designed For Math Geeks
Video Game-Recording Gadgets
The Elgato HD60 Game Capture Device Makes Sharing Gameplay Simple
Girl-Targeted Printing Programs
This Northern Illinois University Program Supports Girls in STEM
Biodegradable Anti-Bug Sunscreens
This Outdoor Sunscreen from Badger Completely Protects Skin
Video-Pushing Sports Apps
The New Sports Illustrated App Prioritizes Video Content