# Highbrow Playset Parents turn to skill-building games to showcase their children's intellect. By [Gil Cohen](https://www.trendhunter.com/ghaddi), SVP Client Success | Published Dec 5, 2016 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/highbrow-playset ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Highbrow Playset trend? **Highbrow Playset:** As digital-savvy parents begin sharing the social media limelight with their children, they become careful of toy selection, opting for games that present an image of a highly intellectual child to the world. Rather than picking games for enjoyment alone, modern day parents feel the scrutiny of social media audiences and take every opportunity to show off their astute parenting skills through a shift towards skill-building and personal development games. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 1 to Nov 25, 2016 - Published: Dec 5, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Highbrow Playset trend ### Skill-building games Parents are opting for games that promote skill-building and personal development to showcase their child's intellect on social media. ### STEM-focused toys Toys that promote learning in science, technology, engineering, and math are becoming increasingly popular, particularly those that showcase female scientists. ### Empathy-building toys Toys focused on building empathy and emotional intelligence in children are becoming more common. ## What the Highbrow Playset trend means for industry ### For Toy industry Toy manufacturers should focus on creating toys that are engaging, educational, and promote skill-building. ### For Education industry Educators can reference these trends to incorporate more skill-building and empathy-building toys and games into their lesson plans. ### For STEM industry STEM-focused toys can inspire young children's interest in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. ## Workshop question In what ways can your brand cater to the outward appearance-focused contemporary consumer? ## Trend signals for Highbrow Playset Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 49%, activity 50%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 49% - Activity: 50% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Highbrow Playset trend 5 featured examples from Mar 1 to Nov 25, 2016. - [Empathy-Building Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-set-for-kids): 'The Empathy Toy' Set for Kids is a Unique Family Puzzle Game (Category: Unique) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new lines of toys that focus on promoting empathy and emotional intelligence in children. - [Chopstick-Teaching Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/training-toy): The Manners Fish Chopstick Training Toy Teaches Children to Eat Well (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The Manners Fish Chopstick Training Toy introduces an innovative and engaging product in the toy industry that promotes learning and development. - [Educational Chemistry Experiment Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-toy): The SmartLab Ultimate Secret Formula Lab Kit Toy is Fun (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing innovative educational technology tools and platforms that enhance STEM learning experiences for children both in and outside of the… - [Female Scientist LEGO Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/women-of-nasa): This New LEGO Set Celebrates the Women of NASA (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers have an opportunity to create more inclusive products that promote STEM education and gender equality. - [Children's Language Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/language-tool): This Toy Was Designed to Encourage Children to Read and Write (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The educational toy industry can explore disruptive innovations in interactive language toys that enhance children's language and reading skills through engaging and interactive f… ## 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)