Toys

Implications - A range of new children's games is exploring the success of toys that engage with the "gross-out" humor of the young child. Silly as the subject matter may often be, these products are designed to cultivate fine motor skills in young players given the experiential nature of game play. This shift highlights the progression of products from simple family board games to more engaging experiences that emphasize hands-on participation and child-like fun.

Homework Question - What unexpected subject matter can be explored in order to engage with children on their level? [More]

Implications - Feeding into the popularity of subscription services, companies are debuting subscription boxes focused on helping parents enrich the lives of their children in an automated way. By combining modern parents' desire to not only excel at parenting, but live more efficient, convenient lives as well, this approach to the subscription business model has great potential to expand into a wide variety of different categories.

Homework Question - How can you provide your consumers with a more convenient way for them to reach their goals? [More]

Implications - With more parents now prioritizing children's play that involves educational, tech-based components, brands are incorporating such features into kids' dolls. The use of educational connected technologies with items that children would likely already be interacting with creates a more seamless learning experience.

Homework Question - Where could your brand better incorporate smart technologies to ease consumer habits or experiences? [More]

Implications - Traditional gaming products and services are being repackaged and sold from the perspective of generations, particularly for those belonging to the Millennial demographic. These products appeal via authenticity, and allow Millennials the opportunity to engage in play that is equal parts nostalgic and relevant to the identity personalization they now expect from brands.

Homework Question - Conceptualize how your brand could more specifically appeal to the rituals and preferences of the Millennial consumer. [More]

Implications - High fashion and cosmetics brands are incorporating interactive gaming into their product experience, whether that's in the form of collectible board games, or in-store experiences. The adoption of interactive play by brands typically associated with sophistication and sensibility makes them more relatable to the average consumer.

Homework Question - Conceptualize how your brand could create a collectible game based on its identity, or create an in-person gaming experience. [More]

Implications - Superheroes have always had a place in a child’s heart, and now brands are encouraging young consumers to visualize themselves as these fictional, yet powerful characters to boost their esteem and praise their individuality. Non-traditional superhero comic books and television programs that focus on children as heroic individuals, or represent their identities in some way, create a new avenue for brands to connect to varying demographics. Creating these connections at early stages will ensure children grow up with a meaningful association with a brand - and ensure long-term interaction.

Homework Question - How can you connect with the youngest generation to build a lifelong connection? [More]

Implications - With video games booming across a multitude of online and in-person platforms, the gaming world is incorporating aspects of this industry into its board game verticals. By combining board games with video game themes or live-streaming functions, this industry is able to adapt to the multi-channel space that video gaming has entered into so seamlessly, catering to consumers that are drawn to either industry.

Homework Question - How could your brand look to an adjacent industry to inspire changes in its own offerings? [More]

Implications - Augmented reality is increasingly being used in children's toys, both for outdoor and indoor use. The incorporation of this emerging technology into kids' products speaks to the desire for tech to fuel play, while still offering enough variety and flexibility to please parents who are more old-fashioned in their approach to establishing how their children interact with games.

Homework Question - How could your brand incorporate tech in a way that is both novel and familiar? [More]

Implications - Tapping into a bit of nostalgia, toy brands are reverting back to hands-on activities that not only encourage interactivity, but that entail mess as part of the process . Appealing to various sensory elements, brands are offering kids toys that encourage behavior like getting your clothes wet to creating custom-made slime. This turn toward more messy, hands-on activities suggests a shift back to not only more analog activities for kids, but activities that encourage disorganized, unconventional play.

Homework Question - In what ways could you adapt your product or service to be simpler in design and function? What nostalgic elements could you integrate? [More]

Implications - Seeking to provide greater authenticity, toy brands are integrating hyper-realistic features that are reflective of what one would encounter in real life situations. Moving beyond simply aesthetic similarities, toys are adopting characteristics that focus on specific details like performance or operational qualities, allowing the toys to function like the product they're mimicking. This focus on functional details showcases a commitment from brands to provide more authentic qualities, which are held in high regard from younger consumers like Gen Z.

Homework Question - How can you alter your product or service to provide your consumers with a more authentic, genuine experience? [More]