# Interactive Bonding Assembly-required toys allow bonds to be created through communal play. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Feb 23, 2014, updated Mar 24, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructed-playtime ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Interactive Bonding trend? **Interactive Bonding:** With technology and digital devices often resulting in youths becoming easily detached from engaging with others, parents are turning to more physically engaging playtime options to enable closer physical ties. Toys that require building allow tots to enhance their cognitive capacities while simultaneously engaging with adults and other infants, combining interactive activities with the need to foster bonds through communal experiences. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 21, 2012 to Jan 9, 2014 - Published: Feb 23, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Interactive Bonding trend ### Physical Engagement With technology causing detachment, parents seek more physically engaging toys that foster bonds through communal experiences. ### Educational Play Toys that enhance cognitive capacities while simultaneously engaging with adults and other infants. ### Multi-Function Toys Parents love buying children toys that can be used for a variety of games and activities, providing greater opportunity for creativity. ## What the Interactive Bonding trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry The toy industry can utilize trends such as physical engagement and educational play to create multi-functional toys that foster bonds and enhance cognitive development. ### For Fashion Industry The fashion industry can highlight the trend of multi-functionality in clothing designs, such as the Playmat Railroad Printed Shirt, to promote quality time for parents and kids. ### For Education Industry The education industry can capitalize on trends such as physical engagement and educational play to create programs that foster creativity and bond building in children. ## Trend signals for Interactive Bonding Trend score 1.7 out of 10, from popularity 17%, activity 26%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 17% - Activity: 26% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Interactive Bonding trend 6 featured examples from Apr 21, 2012 to Jan 9, 2014. - [Toy Track-Printed Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playmat-tshirt-railroad-tshirts): The Playmat Railroad Printed Shirt is an Adorable & Fun Piece of Clothing (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for clothing brands to create interactive apparel that combines fashion with entertainment. - [Organic Baby Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-baby-toys): This Tool Play Set is Fun and Safe for Your Young Ones (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can create a new line of eco-friendly toys promoting the safety and health of children. - [Pixel-Inspired Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-building-blocks): The Bitblox Toy Building Blocks are Add Retro Computing to Playtime (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Innovation in the toy industry should incorporate more tech-savvy designs, like pixelated characters and retro styles, as seen in the Bitblox set. - [Dry-Erase Playthings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scribblers-toy): The Scribblers Toy Lets Tots Design and Redesign Their Very Own Trinkets (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can innovate by offering more customizable and interactive options for kids, allowing children to be involved in the design process. - [Monumental Sand Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/landmark-sand-castles): These World Landmark Sand Castle Makers are Better Than a Bucket (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for toy manufacturers to create unique sand castle building kits with world landmark molds. - [Building Block Toning Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stack-a-doodle-stackable-lego-block-crayons): 'Stack-A-Doodle' Stackable LEGO Block Crayons Double the Fun of Colors (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy manufacturing industry can explore innovative ways to create multi-purpose toys that offer more value and play options for children. ## 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)