# EQ Play Tech-driven toys designed to boost emotional intelligence destigmatize devices. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Sep 15, 2023 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/eq-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.2/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the EQ Play trend? **EQ Play:** As discussions around the impact AI will have on young people increase, those in the toy space are finding ways to use this and other technologies in more positive ways. Allowing kids to use technology comes with a certain stigma. Undoing this negative perception is about integrating emotional development into play, enabled by tech. ## The consumer insight behind the EQ Play trend After seeing the negative impacts technology had on the Millennial and older Gen Z generations, fears around how younger members of the latter will develop with AI are on the rise. This is exacerbated by the fact that many parents of young Gen Z are Millennials themselves. To this generation of parents, emotional intelligence and a sense of holistic wellness is as important as a child's ambitions or academic performance. EQ-focused tech toys are a compromise, simultaneously exposing children to new technologies while also assisting in overall development. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 14, 2020 to Sep 8, 2023 - Published: Sep 15, 2023 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the EQ Play trend ### Tech-driven Toys Integrating emotional development into play through technology destigmatizes devices and enhances overall child development. ### Screen-Free Mindfulness Creating safe and screen-free toys that teach mindfulness and breathwork promotes relaxation, emotional regulation, and resilience in children. ### Conversational AI Companions Combining plush toy robots with personalized AI and speech recognition enables children to improve conversational skills, language development, and cognitive abilities. ## What the EQ Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry The toy industry can embrace tech-driven toys that focus on emotional development, screen-free mindfulness toys, and conversational AI companions to cater to the evolving needs of children and parents. ### For Education Industry Incorporating technology into educational tools such as AI-based reading coaches can transform learning experiences and help children overcome reading challenges. ### For Health and Wellness Industry The health and wellness industry can tap into the growing demand for mindfulness and emotional well-being by incorporating technology-enabled toys and tools that promote relaxation and resilience in children. ## Workshop question What role do your products or services play in their end users' development? ## Trend signals for EQ Play Trend score 5.2 out of 10, from popularity 77%, activity 61%, freshness 18%. - Popularity: 77% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 18% ## Examples of the EQ Play trend 5 featured examples from May 14, 2020 to Sep 8, 2023. - [Meditative Screen-Free Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calm-tonie): Calm Tonie Shares Mindfulness Activities & Breathwork for Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Companies in the toy industry can collaborate with meditation apps to promote mindfulness and relaxation as part of children’s playtime. - [Conversational AI Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cati): CATI is a Soft Plush Toy Robot Debuting at CES 2023 (Category: Tech) Implication: The development of AI companions presents a strong opportunity for toy manufacturers to integrate technology with traditional toys for children, improving their educational and en… - [AI-Based Reading Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-reading-coach): Ello Aims to Eradicate Illiteracy with AI-Powered 1:1 Reading Coach (Category: Tech) Implication: In the education technology industry, AI-powered reading coaches like Ello have the potential to revolutionize literacy education by providing personalized support and fostering m… - [Poem-Sharing Plush Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mood-bears): Mood Bears Recite Poems to Express Different Emotions (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry has an opportunity to integrate technology and emotional intelligence into their products to enhance the interactive experience for consumers. - [Cognitive Learning Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-robot): Moxie Uses Machine Learning to Perceive and Interact with Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Educational institutes can adopt interactive technology that introduces machine learning algorithms to enhance cognitive learning experiences of children with disabilities or spec… ## 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)