# Offbeat Playtime Toy designers encourage personal expression with bizarre products. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Jan 25, 2016 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/offbeat-playtime ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.7/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Offbeat Playtime trend? **Offbeat Playtime:** Toy designers are moving away from offerings that emphasize stereotypically masculine or feminine traits, instead creating a wide array of bizarre and offbeat products that are neutral in gender. Whether it's subverting pop culture characters or simply reimagining a traditional toy in a new form, these products make it acceptable for children to diverge from the norm. This progression speaks both to the fading relevance of the gender binary, as well as the heightened development of personal identity at younger ages. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 13, 2015 to Jun 21, 2017 - Published: Jan 25, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Offbeat Playtime trend ### Gender-Neutral Toys Designers are moving away from offerings that emphasize stereotypically masculine or feminine traits, instead creating a wide array of bizarre and offbeat products that are neutral in gender. ### Educational Subscription Boxes Subscription boxes with developmental skills encourage kids to think, question and create through experiments and activities on ecosystems, science, ecology, and the solar system. ### Creative Wearables for Kids Toy wearables are being designed for children to identify their current moods and express themselves through corresponding colors and app-connected wearable bands. ## What the Offbeat Playtime trend means for industry ### For Toy Manufacturing Toy manufacturers can create gender-neutral toys that are unique and engaging for both boys and girls. ### For Subscription Services Educational activity box subscription services can provide eco-friendly products with developmental skills to encourage creativity in children. ### For App-Connected Wearables Companies that create wearable technology for kids can create products connecting apps to help kids identify current moods and express themselves. ## Workshop question What can your brand do to encourage individuality and personal expression among youth? ## Trend signals for Offbeat Playtime Trend score 5.7 out of 10, from popularity 84%, activity 78%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 84% - Activity: 78% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Offbeat Playtime trend 5 featured examples from Mar 13, 2015 to Jun 21, 2017. - [Expressive Toy Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hanazuki): Hasbro's Hanazuki Toy Range Helps to Connect Kids with Their Emotions (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can explore the development of emotion-tracking wearables and interactive toy experiences to engage with children in new and innovative ways. - [Liquid Art Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artsplash): 'Artsplash' is a Unique 3D Art Toy for Kids That's Powered by Water (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Chance for toy manufacturers to develop and produce innovative art toys for children. - [Educational Craft Subscriptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/activity-boxes): Green Kid Crafts' Activity Boxes Gift Smarts & Sustainability (Category: Eco) Implication: Online retailers can explore the niche market of educational craft subscription boxes, offering a convenient way for parents to engage their children in creative and educational a… - [Cute Communicative Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elfkin): 'Elfkins' Emotes Messages Between Kids and Loved Ones (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Seamlessly integrate technology into toys to provide meaningful interactions and experiences for children. - [Gender-Neutral Science Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/science-kits): This Educational Toy Introduces Kids to Science at a Young Age (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can invest in creating more gender-neutral educational toys, including science kits. ## 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)