# Eco Play Eco initiatives enhance engagement with children through interaction and play. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Feb 7, 2018 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/eco-interaction ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Eco Play trend? **Eco Play:** Businesses and institutions are educating children on the impacts of, and solutions to, various environmental issues. Whereas older generations grew up in an environment where sustainability and ethical consumption were not top of mind, these programs and innovations indicate a crucial shift in the way brands are engaging emerging consumers with various social and political issues–many of which that will affect them the most in the long term. Leveraging immersion and play to expedite the learning process enables brands to better reach the shortened attention spans of this demographic. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 19, 2016 to Feb 6, 2018 - Published: Feb 7, 2018 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Eco Play trend ### Eco Education Brands are engaging children with environmental issues through immersive and play-based learning, indicating a shift toward sustainability and ethical consumption. ### Interactive Learning Games, PSAs, and storybooks are interactive and designed to engage children in solutions to environmental problems. ### Green Play Toys, schools, and tools are being designed for play that teaches environmental responsibility and sustainability. ## What the Eco Play trend means for industry ### For Education The education industry can incorporate more interactive and play-based methods of teaching to make learning more engaging and effective. ### For Gaming The gaming industry can continue to develop educational games that tackle important social, political, and environmental issues. ### For Toy The toy industry can develop toys that teach children environmental responsibility and sustainability to help instill good habits at a young age. ## Workshop question How can your brand find immersive ways to get its customers to invest in causes? ## Trend signals for Eco Play Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 60%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 60% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Eco Play trend 8 featured examples from Jun 19, 2016 to Feb 6, 2018. - [Self-Cleaning Green Fish Tanks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-fish-tank): 'Back to the Roots' Water Garden Grows Organic Herbs and Sprouts (Category: Eco) Implication: The aquarium industry could explore innovative solutions and designs to create self-cleaning fish tanks, offering a low-maintenance experience for customers. - [Nursery School Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nursery-school): This Nursery School Concept Could Provide Essential Skills to Children (Category: Eco) Implication: Develop educational programs and resources for nursery schools to incorporate gardening and sustainability education. - [Climate Change Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/environmental-game): 'ECO' is an Environmental Game for Children by Strange Loop Games (Category: Eco) Implication: The climate change video game trend offers an opportunity for major gaming companies to create more educational video games for children. - [Educational Water Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/childrens-water-festival): The Children's Water Festival Highlights the Importance of Conservation (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for schools and educational institutions to develop curriculum and programs focused on environmental education and conservation. - [Lighthearted Climate Change Storybooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tantrum-that-saved-the-world): 'The Tantrum That Saved The World' Teaches Kids Solutions (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop personalized interactive storybook apps that combine education, entertainment, and interactive elements to engage children in climate ch… - [Children's Environmentalist Manuals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/environmentalist-manual): Home Grown Books' Environmental Pack is an Eco Book Set (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Exploring opportunities to create engaging and educational books for children that focus on environmental topics. - [Environmental Ninja Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-runner): Carbon Runner is an Endless Runner Video Game About Climate Change (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate educational content and sustainability messages into video game development to create engaging and informative experiences. - [Kid-Centered Environmental PSAs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/government-of-ontario): The Government of Ontario Shows Who Climate Change is Affecting (Category: Social Good) Implication: Environmental campaigns are an opportunity for creative agencies to think of new ways of communicating climate change. ## Recent trend clusters - [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) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Intelligent Private Grids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara-core-powers) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)