Consumer Insights > Life-Stages

Implications - With their penchant for self-taught skills and digital prowess, kids are savvier than ever, empowering them to take center stage at their own festivals and events where they can gain new knowledge and show off their creativity. Modern parents increasingly want their children to have an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age, resulting in a huge shift from play-focused family activities towards educational and empowering activities that encourage personal growth. [More]

Implications - Though a fairly new development within the toy industry, STEM as a form of educational play is expanding, moving into larger toy brands by way of film-branded pieces. This is a positive development as the familiarity of these characters creates engagement with kids who don't find learning fun. [More]

Implications - The youth generation is more engaged with their devices than any generation before them. This creates concern among parents for their children's physical well being; as a response, toys that encourage physical play are integrating a monitoring component. The gamification component appeals to digital-age children, while tracking alleviates the concerns of parents. [More]

Implications - An under-discussed side effect of play is relaxation. This is boosting the adult desire for mindless enjoyment by way of small, tactical toys, while also boosting mindfulness components in toys targeted toward children. Stress is high in the digital age due to the frequency and volume of content consumption, making incremental relaxation more necessary than ever. [More]

Implications - One barrier to learning the STEAM practices is the lack of tangible outcome or incentive. Alleviating this, educational toys that treat the learning process as a means to a tangible end, such as building a robot or conducting an experiment, both attach a tangible prize and boost playtime engagement. This shows a less literal approach to gamification that focuses on personal satisfaction. [More]

Implications - The biggest challenge with teaching kids and adults how to become involved in the STEM practices is the potential tediousness of learning such a technical skill. Implementing a personified character into the process adds more human interest to the process. The strategy simultaneously boosts memorability of the toy or learning system, while making it more impactful. [More]

Implications - Skills like coding and engineering are more in-demand in the digital age. Parents are preparing their children for this through educational toys, but education on STEM practices is useful for those of all ages. Subscription kits that teach STEM open education up to all ages while also enabling streamlined learning. [More]

Implications - Creating a sense of positive brand recognition, brands that are looking to establish a presence on college campuses are doing so by offering career training and networking opportunities. This is especially poignant for members of Generation Z who are more career-focused and linear in their thinking than the Millennial generation. [More]

Implications - Modular furnishings have become a favorite as homes get smaller and the need for customization gains prominence. When it comes to raising kids in these homes, savvy parents are opting for pieces that accommodate the different stages of childhood. Designs that adapt to user’s changing needs are seen as investments that will last and grow with the family, indicating a desire for smarter purchases. [More]

Implications - Parents of the health and wellness movement are looking to curate creative spaces for their children that encourage physical activity and overall well-being. This shift in priorities indicates an opportunity for home decor brands as well as fitness brands to tap into the youth-centric health movement with a focus on aesthetics and play. [More]