# DIY Play Kids’ toys incorporate more custom, DIY features to encourage engagement. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jul 5, 2019 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/diy-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the DIY Play trend? **DIY Play:** Toy brands are turning to DIY elements to make playtime more interactive and educational. Transforming traditional activities or games into experiences, brands are utilizing do-it-yourself elements to make games more challenging and teach kids about empowerment at the same time. ## The consumer insight behind the DIY Play trend Millennial parents are exploring ways for their kids to practice creative expression to stimulate their minds in dynamic ways. Due to an increasingly diversified (and tech-driven) job market, Millennials see the value in helping their children build a strong creative skill set to prepare for future employment. Play that is interactive and expressive is thus seen as skill development. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 2, 2020 to Feb 19, 2021 - Published: Jul 5, 2019 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the DIY Play trend ### DIY Play Toy brands are incorporating DIY elements to make playtime more interactive and educational for kids, opening opportunities for brands to empower kids through creative expression. ### STEM-based DIY Kits STEM-based DIY kits for kids like microscopes, geology discovery kits and bath bomb making offer a hands-on learning experience, creating opportunities for educational product innovations. ### Craft-oriented DIY Kits Craft-oriented DIY kits like the Gunner & Lux DIY Love Necklace Kit offer an interactive creative experience for kids, as parents seek screen-free activities to keep their children entertained at home. ## What the DIY Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry Toy companies can create products that cater to the demand for interactive and DIY elements, which also offer educational benefits for children, enhancing their learning experience. ### For STEM Education Industry STEM education companies can utilize the increasing demand for interactive DIY kits to create learning products, providing opportunities to enhance hands-on learning and promote critical thinking for kids. ### For Arts and Crafts Industry Arts and crafts companies can create products that cater to the demand for creative expression-oriented DIY Kits, offering opportunities to introduce children to creative projects and enable them to develop artistic skills. ## Workshop question In what ways could you incorporate DIY features into core products? How can you help make your consumer feel more empowered? ## Trend signals for DIY Play Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 40%, activity 54%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 40% - Activity: 54% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the DIY Play trend 4 featured examples from Apr 2, 2020 to Feb 19, 2021. - [Children's DIY Necklace Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-love-necklace): The Gunner & Lux DIY Love Necklace Kit Encourages Creativity (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The craft kit industry has seen a rise in demand for hands-on activities and creative projects, providing an opportunity for new players to enter the market with innovative offeri… - [DIY Microscope Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-microscope): Build Your Own's Kit Creates a Mess-Free, Eco-Friendly Microscope (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Integrate DIY microscope kits into educational settings to enhance STEM learning and engage students in hands-on exploration. - [Geode Bath Bomb Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/make-your-own-bath-bomb): Canal Toys' Make-Your-Own Bath Bomb Kit Creates Crystal-Inspired Designs (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can expand their product lines to include bath bomb kits and capitalize on the trend of DIY kids activities. - [DIY Geology Discovery Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geodes-kit): The National Geographic Break Open Geodes Kit Comes with 10 Stones (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Potential for toy manufacturers to develop more interactive and educational toys that foster hands-on learning. ## 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)