# Collaborative Play Kids’ toys promote cooperative play to encourage positive social engagement. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jul 26, 2016 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/collaborative-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.4/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Collaborative Play trend? **Collaborative Play:** Encouraging more social development, parents are turning to elements of play that promote peer-to-peer interaction and problem-solving. Integrating cooperative solutions and group interaction into traditional board games and outdoor activities, these products not only encourage kids to disconnect from technology, but also serve to help build positive social skills at an early age. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 8 to Sep 16, 2016 - Published: Jul 26, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Collaborative Play trend ### Cooperative Play Parents are turning to elements of play that promote peer-to-peer interaction and problem-solving. ### Collaborative Board Games Board games increasingly promote cooperation instead of competition, encouraging friendly play. ### Customizable Toys Toys that encourage creativity and customization are becoming more popular among parents who want to reduce screen time. ## What the Collaborative Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Manufacturing Toy manufacturers can design and produce more toys that promote cooperation and collaboration among children. ### For Education Educators can use cooperative play and games to teach children about teamwork and problem-solving. ### For Technology Tech companies can create virtual games and activities that promote cooperation and collaboration among children. ## Workshop question How could you encourage betterment in your consumer in a way that's enjoyable to them? ## Trend signals for Collaborative Play Trend score 2.4 out of 10, from popularity 30%, activity 33%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 30% - Activity: 33% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Collaborative Play trend 5 featured examples from Apr 8 to Sep 16, 2016. - [Cooperative Wizard Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/building-game): The Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Deck Building Game is Magical (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The growing demand for immersive and interactive board games like the Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Deck Building Game creates opportunities for board game manufacturers to create… - [Cooperative Dice Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucky-dogs-dice-game): The Lucky Dogs Dice Game Encourages Players to Work Together (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy companies can capitalize on the trend of cooperation-based games by creating more products that promote teamwork and shared decision making. - [Cooperative Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spaceteam): 'Spaceteam' Challenges Players to Work Together to Save a Breaking Rocket (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Integrating new modes of cooperative gameplay has the potential to draw in more consumers who prefer to play with others. - [Cooperation-Promoting Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feed-the-woozle): The Feed the Woozle Game Encourages Children to Work Together (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity: Explore new designs and concepts for board games that promote cooperation. - [Collaborative Kite Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kite-kit): Seedling's Box Kite Kit Can Be Customized by Creative Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The customizable DIY toys trend provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for toy manufacturers to tap into the market demand for interactive and personalized toys. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)