Category
Life-Stages
Constructible Franchises
Trend cluster
Category
Monster
Playtime
Toy brands favor gender-neutral products for heightened communication.
4.3
Trend score
Trend
What is the Monster Playtime trend?
Monster Playtime: Monsters and other similar, supernatural forms are replacing conventionally male and female toys as the push for gender neutrality continues. These toys are especially significant because they allow children to create and communicate with each other without the barriers of gendered expressions or standards influencing their behavior. This progression speaks to the way that gender-neutral products have the capacity to foster more genuine interpersonal connection.
Trend themes
Themes within the Monster Playtime trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Gender-neutral products
Businesses can create gender-neutral products in the toy industry to foster more genuine interpersonal connection among children.
02
3D printing
Companies can take advantage of 3D printing in the toy industry to produce creative designs that appeal to both kids and adults.
03
Voice technology
Incorporating voice technology into plush toys and other children's products can enhance communication with parents and caregivers.
Industry implications
What the Monster Playtime trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Toy industry
The toy industry can benefit from creating more gender-neutral products, utilizing 3D printing, and incorporating voice technology into products.
For
Technology industry
The technology industry can collaborate with the toy industry to develop innovative toys that utilize voice technology and 3D printing.
For
Child development industry
The child development industry can benefit from providing toys and products that promote gender neutrality and encourage creativity and communication skills.
Workshop question
What are the longest-standing standards of your industry that may no longer resonate with your next consumer?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Monster Playtime
Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 61%, freshness 8%.
Popularity59%
Activity61%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial (not a primary audience)
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Monster Playtime trend
4 featured examples from Aug 12, 2015 to Mar 9, 2016CategoryLife-Stages
Realized Imaginary Friend Toys
AMV BBDO Turns Children's Drawings into Stuffed Playthings
The toy industry can benefit from this trend by producing personalized and unique toys that cater to a child's imagination and creativity.
CategoryLife-Stages
Concrete Monster Toys
The Collectible United Monsters are a Line of Art Toys for Adults
Art toy makers and established toy companies can incorporate new designs and materials to attract and engage adult collectors and expand the market beyond traditional toy buyers.
CategoryLife-Stages
Comunicative Plush Toys
'Talkies' Allow Kids to Receive and Send Voice Messages
Toymail's 'Talkies' show that even in an increasingly digital world, there are opportunities to innovate within the traditional toy industry.
CategoryLife-Stages
Monster-Shaped Crayons
These 3D-Printed Crayons for Kids Benefit Abused & Neglected Children
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate 3D printing technology into toy manufacturing processes to create unique and interactive toys for children.
