From transgender dolls to kitchen chemistry sets, the March 2017 youth trends reveal that playtime is constantly evolving. Not only are today's toys more diverse, but they also encourage kids to build meaningful skills that will help them as they grow.
One of the biggest innovations in the world of toys is the rise of non-traditional characters. Instead of choosing between Barbie and G.I. Joe, kids can now choose from a wide variety of characters that reflect the vast diversity among children. Some examples of these toys include the first-ever boy doll from American Girl and the first doll based on a transgender teen.
Beyond an emphasis on diversity, the March 2017 youth trends also reveal an emphasis on educational play. This includes everything from simple crafts such as Crayola's DIY Silly Scents Marker Maker to more high-tech toys such as WowWee's COJI robot.
Top 45 Youth Ideas in March
45
Spherical Doll Sets
'L.O.L. Surprise' Collectibles Play Off of the Unboxing Phenomenon
44
Unicycle Child Bikes
The Mountain Buggy 'Unirider' Child's Bike Increases Overall Balance
43
Underwater Exploration Toys
The GeoSafari Jr. Subscope Lets Kids Uncover Underwater Worlds
42
Three-Wheeled Go-Kart Toys
The Morgan EV3 Junior is a Child-Sized Version of the EV3
41
No-Tech Coding Toys
The 'Let's Go Code! Activity Set' for Kids Teaches Programming Without Tech
40
Augmented Reality Gym Classes
The SAGA Interactive Gym is Being Used in Quebec Schools
39
Location-Tracking Child Wearables
The 'Jiobit' Bluetooth GPS Tracker Keeps an Eye on Location
38
STEM Playground Toys
Learning Resources' Building Playset Focuses on Engineering and Design
37
Carnival Chance Games
'Pie Face Sky High' is a New Standing Version of Hasbro's Pie Face Game
36
AR Aquarium Toys
Pai Technology's 'Ocean Pets' is a Unique Virtual Aquarium for Kids
35
Kid-Friendly Gym Toys
Jakks Pacific's 'Little Mighty Gym' Works in Tandem with a Tablet Screen
34
Musical Flying Disks
The Disc Jock-e is an Outdoor Toy That Boasts Bluetooth Connectivity
33
Desk-Embedded Bed Furniture
This Small Bedroom Furniture Piece Combines Necessary Items
32
Cartoon Friendship Toys
TOMY's Molang Toys Teach Respect, Happiness and Solidarity
31
Transgender Doll Toys
The Tonner Doll Company's 'Jazz' Doll is Based Off of Jazz Jennings
30
Princess Toy Subscriptions
PleyBox's Subscription Service for Kids Has Official Disney Items
29
Drummer Boy Dolls
The Newest American Girl Doll is Logan Everett, the Brand's First-Ever Boy
28
AR Coding Robots
Pai Technology's 'PaiGO' is a Bot That Teaches Programming for Children
27
Finger-Sized Monkey Toys
Fingerlings Baby Monkeys Know When They are Being Touched or Talked To
26
Stylish Disney Character Dolls
Tokyo Disney's New Fashion Dolls are Inspired by Beloved Characters
25
Indoor Gymnastic Play Sets
The 'PEGAS' Children's Indoor Gym Encourages Continuous Exercise
24
Kid-Friendly Therapy Robots
'Darwin' Provides Robot Therapy to Children with Cerebral Palsy
23
Amateur Animation Toys
The Stickbot Zanimation Studio Includes a Green Screen for Movie-Making
22
Chewy Teddy Bear Cookies
The New Teddy Soft Bakes Snacks are a Chewy Alternative to Teddy Grahams
21
Dessert-Inspired Decorating Toys
'Sweetlings' Inspires Kids to Make Imaginative Whipped Clay Toys
20
Musical Light-Up Dolls
This New Rapunzel Doll is Being Introduced Alongside Tangled: The Series
19
Self-Launching Kites
These Kite Toys Make It Easier to Send a Kite Flying into the Sky
18
Precision Blaster Toys
Buzz Bee Toys' Air Warriors Blizzard Sends Darts Flying Up to 100 Feet
17
Gen Z Meditation Programs
Lori Digou-Westbury Offers Meditation Classes for Younger Participants
16
Kid-Friendly Pop-Up Spas
The My Little Pony Spa in NYC Offers Makeup, Hair and Manicure Packages
15
Responsive Holographic Dolls
'Hello Barbie Hologram' Gives Kids a New Way to Interact with Barbie
14
Cereal-Inspired Sneakers
The Nike Little Posite Pro 'Fruity Pebbles' Sneakers are Colorful
13
Child-Minding Robots
The 5elements Robot Nanny Can Watch Your Children and Follow Them Around
12
Sensory Activation Playsets
This Educational Toy Set Teaches Science Through the Five Senses
11
Gesture-Based Card Games
'Happy Salmon' is a Quirky, Fast-Paced Game of Fist Bumps and High-Fives
10
Emotive Coding Robots
WowWee's 'COJI' Teaches Kids Basic Programming with Emojis
9
Personalized Building Block Kits
This LEGO Store Produces Custom Lego Kits in a Child's Likeness
8
Familial Payment Services
Virtual Piggy is Launching a Family-Focused Mobile Banking Solution
7
Gooey Pool Powders
Gelli Baff's Pool Toy Turns Water into a Thick, Colored Goo
6
Odoriferous Marker-Making Kits
Crayola's Silly Scents Marker Maker Helps Kids Craft Custom Smells
5
Rain Boot-Clad Dolls
American Girl's New 'WellieWishers' Dolls are Designed for Younger Kids
4
Crowdfunded Money-Saving Apps
The 'Kidfund' App Enables Money Savings for Young Ones Early on
3
Beard-Growing Games
'Big Beard Battle' is an Action-Packed Family Game Around Facial Hair
2
Kitchen Chemistry Sets
This Kitchen Toy Playset from John Adams Encourages Safe Discoveries
1
Transformative Phone Toys
These Nostalgic Phone-Shaped Toys Change into Transformer Characters
Related Ideas
Anniversary-Commemorating Toy Designs
Spin Master Introduced a New Line of Dora the Explorer Toys
Collectible K-Pop Dolls
Netflix's Most Popular Film Inspired the American Girl KPop Demon Hunters
Interactive K-Pop Film Toys
Furby Furblets KPop Demon Hunters Take After Favorite Characters
Gaming-Themed Chocolate Partnerships
Kinder Joy and Nintendo Partnered on a Limited-Edition Range
Inclusive Spellbinding Dolls
Moonspell Magic by Monster High Inspires Fans to Embrace Uniqueness
Ancient Goddess Dolls
The Olympia Doll Collection Revives Ancient Mythology Through Play
Easter-Themed Seasonal Doll Collections
Battat's Our Generation Debuts the Keepsake Collection
Cartoon Mashup Qsr Meals
Hello Kitty TMNT Toys are the Latest in Mcdonald’s Happy Meals
Spherical Surprise Dolls
Barbie Roll & Reveal Shares a Novel Unboxing Experience
Plush STEAM Dolls
Team Genius Squad's STEAM Dolls Introduce Kids to Exciting Topics & Skills
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Doll-Inspired Sanitaryware Collections
HEWI and Barbie Join Forces on a Bathroom Collection
Sensorial Anime Dolls
BedHedz are Expressive, Tactile Collectibles with Big, Unruly Hair
AI-Enhanced Play Experiences
Mattel Partners with OpenAI to Develop AI-Powered Toys
Soccer Athlete Dolls
Chloe Kelly Barbie Doll Honors the Striker for International Women’s Day
Cult-Favorite Animation-Inspired Stationery Collections
Sharpie and Elmer's Embrace Toy Story 5
Playful Oral Care Kits
The Build-A-Brush Starter Kit Turns Daily Brushing into a Creative Activity
Easter-Ready Toy Plushies
Jazwares Launches a Whimsical Squishmallows Collection Ahead of Easter
Collectible Pop Culture-Referencing Toys
Mattel Debuts Its 2025 San Diego Comic-Con Showcase
Treat-Themed Crafting Dolls
Far Out Toys' Pretty Sweets Invites Kids to Customize Mini Desserts
Playful Cosmetic Collections
The Clinique x Crayola Collaboration Makes Makeup Feel Fun Again
Collaborative Kid-Focused Sensory Balls
Biggest Little and Sundae Kids Debut 'Balls on Wheels'
Pop Culture-Inspired Collectibles
Kinder Joy & Stranger Things Launch Funko Pop!® Collection
Color-Changing Cooking Toys
The Simmer & Stir Stovetop Play Set Inspires Realistic Pretend Play
Filmic Fashion Dolls
The Bratz x Clueless Mark the 30th Anniversary of Clueless
Modern Transformative Child Walkers
The Jumbo walker concept grows with your child stages.
Psychologist-Designed Educational Toys
ThinkPsych Spotlights Its Line of Therapeutic Games & Tools
Gender Stereotype-Busting Toy Campaigns
The LEGO Group Launched the She Built That Campaign
Science-Backed High-Energy Toy Collections
Moose Toys Partners with Mark Rober on CrunchLabs
Inclusive Beauty Games
e.l.f Beauty's Glow Up! Experience Celebrates Self-Expression & Diversity
Scouts-Inspired Baking Products
The Miss Jones Baking Co. Girl Scouts Range Has Three Mixes
Doll-Inspired Jewelry Collections
Barbie Professions Collection by Alex + Ani Celebrates Ambition
Colorless Modeling Compounds
Play Doh x Pantone Made a Play Tool Inspired by the Color of the Year
Subtly Spooky Halloween Decor
The Target 2025 Halloween Collection Debuted Ahead of Summer
Decor-Friendly Developmental Toys
Playcor's Design-Forward Toys are Made to Display
Digital Avatar Makeup
Roblox Expands into Digital Avatar Makeup with Customizable Cosmetics
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Ice Cream Play Sets
A Melissa & Doug x Van Leeuwen Collab Launched for National Ice Cream Month
Inclusive Fashion Dolls
Mattel’s First Autistic Barbie Boasts Sensory Experiences & Support Tools
Viral Satisfying ASMR Toys
MGA Entertainment's Slime Life Turns Digital Trends into Physical Play
Chinese Toy Company Debuts
Kayou is Making Its Official Debut at the New York Toy Fair
AI-Driven Art Toys
MOMOTOY Debuts in the Us at Toy Fair New York
Iconic Doll-Commemorating Stamps
USPS' Barbie Stamps Appeal to Youth and Nostalgia-Seekers
Community 3D-Printed Toys
3D Printing Elves Launches Free Toy Program for Children
STEM-Driven Building Block Kits
These LEGO Education Science Kits Come in Four Options
Multi-Sensory Creative Toy Capsules
Crayola Has Announced a Range of New Creative Toys for 2026
Responsive Building Toys
LEGO SMART Play Integrates Technology That Reacts in Real Time
Pop Culture Chocolate Products
These New Kinder Products Embrace Collaborations
Comprehensive Easter-Inspired Collaborations
Peeps' 2026 Spring Collaboration Lineup is Impressive
Artistic High-Fashion Dolls
The Bratz x Rodarte Collab Reimagines Cloe and Sasha
Animation-Honoring Personal Care Products
The Dr. Squatch x Toy Story Collection is Aromatic
Kids-First Personal Care Brands
Rayro Plans to Debut Creams and Balms in Toy-Like Formats
Wooden Toy Lineups
Jasey's Toy Chest Debuted Its Mental Health-Focused Toy Line at Toy Fair 2026
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Reimagined Doll-Inspired Capsules
The Polly Pocket x Cider Collection Features Playful Silhouettes
Youth-Safe Skincare Hubs
Cult Beauty's Gen A–Z Hub Educates and Empowers Gen Alpha and Gen Z
Sensory ASMR-Style Toys
Incredible Group's Squishi Toys Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
Phygital Fashion Dolls
Dress To Impress Mystery Models Brings a Beloved Fashion Game Offline
3D-Printed Fidget Toys
Jigglets are Produced with Less Waste Than Traditional Toys
Junior Kitchen Products
KitchenAid Kids Helps Children Participate in Age-Safe Cooking Experiences
Toy Kitchen Cookbooks
Melissa & Doug Announced Three Playable Books with Penguin Young Readers
Culture-Inspired Dolls
Katseye and Monster High Debut a Music Video & Inclusive Doll Collaboration
Anniversary Doll Capsules
Spin Master Celebrates 25 Years of Dora with an All-New Toy Collection
Playful Collectible Figures
The Zsiga × Care Bears Series Transforms Nostalgic Icons into Toys
Doll-Centric Festival Experiences
Barbie Dream Fest Brings the Iconic Doll to Life for Fans
Real-Life Doll Apparel
Barbie Debuts its First-Ever Fashion Collection with Edikted
Colorful Bath Ball Toys
Biggest Little’s B is for Ball is Modern and Thoughtfully Reimagined
Hockey-Centric QSR Partnerships
Tim Hortons x The PWHL x Barbie Team Up for a Makeover and Dolls
Nostalgic Toy Brand Celebrations
Tamagotchi Marks Its 30th Anniversary at the New York Toy Fair
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Character-Led Fashion Capsule
Barbie Edikted Collection Features a 71-Piece Wardrobe
Pink-Hued Bath Lines
Barbie x HEWI Unveil a Bauhaus-Inspired Pink Sanitaryware Collection
Athlete-Inspired LEGO Sets
LEGO Launches Collectible Football Sets with Messi and Ronaldo
Bouquet Modeling Kits
Blooms by Play-Doh is the Play-Doh Line Designed Specifically for Adults
Cosmetics-Inspired Slime Toys
Glime Brings Elements of Beauty and Fashion to Sensorial Play
AI 3D Printing Tools
Ai Doll Generates And 3D Prints Personalized AI Action Figures Instantly
Kid-Friendly Press-On Nails
Pressies by Olive & June are Designed and Fitted for Kids and Tweens
Berry-Inspired Kids Makeup Kits
Jovy Represents a Significant Advancement in Children's Cosmetics
Sensory Summer Shop Activations
Claire’s Launches Its A Girl SMR at Claire’s Campaign
Digital Pet Collector Games
Find Tamagotchi Introduces Nostalgic IP to Gen Zalpha on Roblox
Wizard-Themed Chocolate Toys
The Kinder Joy Funko Harry Potter Collection is Limited-Edition
Sensory Dough Toys
Play-Doh 6 Variety Compounds are Uniquely Textured & Scented
Transgender-Celebrating Beauty Partnerships
Lush Cosmetics Doubles Down on Transgender Advocacy
Retro Film-Inspired Dolls
Bratz X Clueless Dolls Nod to Iconic 90s Cher, Amber, and Dionne Outfits
Runway-Inspired Fashion Dolls
The Styled by KidSuper Ken Doll Sports Boundary-Pushing Streetwear
Toy-Inspired Music-Themed Workshops
The LEGO Group Launches Its Final Creativity Workshop of 2025
Fashion Icon Toy Ranges
Playmates Toys Launches the Paris & Pups Range, Inspired by Paris Hilton
Spring-Themed Toy Collections
MGA Entertainment Emphasizes DIY Creativity, Surprises & Pastel Hues
Open-Ended Exploration Toys
Melissa & Doug Entered Toy Industry Hall of Fame
Hybrid STEM Activity Kits
Brainstorm's Science Activity Kits Pair Hands-On Play & Online Tutorials
Kids-Focused Space-Themed Collaborations
Crayola Interprets McDonald's Happy Meal
Vibrant Slime Collections
Sloomoo Institute Introduced 18 Colorful Slimes
Portable Color-Changing Lanterns
The Tickit Sensory Glow Lantern is Made to Go Wherever Kids Go
Dessert-Inspired Shower Sets
Allkinds’ Fro-Yo Collection Shares Treat-Like Sensorial Experiences
AI-Powered Collectible Figurines
Personality-Packed HeyMates are Made for Modern Kidults
Crystal Floral Arrangement Kits
Cra-Z-Art's DIY Crystal Floral Kits Double as Decor for All Ages
Infant Wellness Play Collections
Fisher-Price Introduces its Mini Me Moments Capsule for Babies
Children's Beauty Products
Olive & June Expands into Kid-Sized Press-On Nails
Tech-Driven Building Toys
LEGO Introduced Its New Smart Play Platform with Enhanced Technology
Beauty Product Easter Gifts
The Next Beauty Easter Egg Was Created with Cath Kidston
Expansive Action Character Toys
Blokees Debuts Its Range in Toy Fair New York 2026
Floral Building Block Arrangements
LEGO® Debuts Four New LEGO® Botanicals Sets
Screen-Free Toy Collections
Luki Lab Spotlights Six Products at the New York Toy Fair 2026
Supermarket-Inspired Slime Toys
Zuru Slime Mart Shares Baskets & Bags with Food-Like Sensory Toys
Children's Show Makeup Collaborations
The Glisten Cosmetics x Teletubbies Collection is Bold
Nostalgic Blind Toy Series
The Teletubbies Say Hello Series Nods to Childhood Icons for Collectors
Whimsical Miniature Toy Campaigns
LEGO Celebrates Star Wars Day 2025 with a Free Grogu Toy
DIY-Inspired Doll Designs
Rainbow High Unveils Its Exciting New Lineup of Products and Experiences
Educational STEM-Focused Toys
hand2mind Launches Exclusive Back-To-School Collection at Target
Adult Coloring Collections
Crayola All Grown Up Inspires Creativity in Adults
Doll-Themed Hockey Collections
CCM Hockey Joins Forces with Mattel's Barbie for a Co-Branded Line
Branded Creativity-Focused Workshops
The LEGO Group Unveils Its 2025 Creativity Workshop Series
Toy-Themed Cookie Doughs
Sweet Loren's Barbie Heart Shapes Sugar Cookie Dough is Ready to Bake
Multi-Sensory Character Toys
Moose Toys Combines Scents, Sounds and Fog-Based Play
Collectible Message Dolls
Momiji x TOMY Brings a Beloved Blind Box Brand to the US Market
Sensory Construction Toys
MAGNA-TILES Introduces Ocean-Themed Magnetic Building Sets
Modular STEM Displays
LEGO Celebrates the Evolution of STEM with an Architectural Set
Annual International Toy Fairs
Spielwarenmesse is Running Its 75th Edition This Year
Mental Health Toy Curations
Timeless Toys' D.O.S.E of Play Helps Kids Manage Stress & Anxiety
Snuggly Plush Toys
Jazwares Spotlights Giftable Squishmallows for the Holidays
Hybrid Educational Toy Designs
Fisher-Price Partners with Big Little Feelings
Colorful Youth Fashion Collections
Joe Fresh and Life at Home™ Have Partnered with Crayola
Skill-Building Play Kits
The Helper Play Kit Supports Independent Play Based on Life Skills
Interactive Beauty Destinations
Superdrug Beauty Playgrounds Inspire Fun & Product Discovery
Reimagined Building-Block Campaigns
LEGO Group Launched 'She Built That' to Defy Stereotypes
Interactive Themed Educational Boxes
Enlightened Generation’s Themed Boxes Serve Children
Vibrant Creativity Campaigns
Crayola Debuts its 'Creative Acts of Color' Initiative
Cool-Touch Kid-Friendly Ovens
The YumYum! Real Baking Oven Helps Kids Safely Bake Real Treats
Collaborative Color-Forward Toy Collections
Crayola and Ms. Rachel Debut Color Wonder Ms. Rachel
Art-Focused Retail Capsules
Mattel and MoMA Partner to Craft a New Collaborative Collection
3D-Printable Toy Ranges
MakerWorld 'CyberBrick' Has Reusable Electronics and 3D-Printed Models
Gendered Building Campaigns
LEGO Brings the 'She Built That' Campaign to the CNE
Athlete Commemorative Dolls
Venus Williams Barbie Celebrates Equality and Athletic Legacy
Dual-Mode Play Kitchens
The BistroSwitch Play Kitchen Transforms from a Family Kitchen to a Bistro
Active Play Fair Presentations
JOYIN Gears Up to Present at Spielwarenmesse 2026
Gender Gap-Addressing Basketball Initiatives
Shoot 360 Hosted HER Month in March
Streaming-Inspired Toy Lines
Moose Toys Expands Netflix Stories Into Toy Collections
Expansive Child Product Ranges
The Latest Target Baby Products Will Come in Many Options
Self-Expression Retail Campaigns
Tillys Marked Ten Months of Its Discover Your Style Campaign
Delectable Career-Themed Ice Pops
Happy Pops Launches the Barbie Career Collection