# Pictorial Play Seeking to combine play and diversity, parents opt for engaging toy cameras. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Apr 21, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/pictorial-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Pictorial Play trend? **Pictorial Play:** While introducing children to more grown-up activities offers efficient ways to diversify interests, cultured experiences can often result in kids maturing at an increasingly fast rate. Seeking to offer cultural variation without sacrificing childhood tendencies, parents are turning to interactive toy cameras to combine the cultural allure of photography with the comfort, and conventionality of everyday play. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 14, 2013 to Mar 12, 2014 - Published: Apr 21, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Pictorial Play trend ### Interactive Toy Cameras Parents are turning to interactive toy cameras to offer cultural variation without sacrificing childhood tendencies. ### Miniature Smartphone-Enabled Helicopters Tech companies like Parrot are creating miniature drones controlled via Bluetooth through the consumer's smartphone and tablet. ### Video Camera Dolls Technology is being integrated into classic children's toys to keep up with pop culture and give children the ability to capture candid moments with family and friends. ## What the Pictorial Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry The trend towards interactive, technology-enhanced toys is driving innovation in the toy industry. ### For Consumer Electronics Industry Technology companies are expanding into the toy market and creating new products, such as miniature drones, that are a combination of toys and consumer electronics. ### For Retail Industry As parents increasingly seek out interactive, technology-enhanced toys, retailers have an opportunity to expand their toy offerings and tap into this trend. ## Trend signals for Pictorial Play Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 51%, activity 50%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 51% - Activity: 50% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Pictorial Play trend 5 featured examples from Jan 14, 2013 to Mar 12, 2014. - [Minature Smartphone-Enabled Helicoptors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parrot-mini-drone): The Parrot Mini Drone Flys onto the Scene at CES 2014 (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Innovation potential exists for tech companies to create more advanced and sophisticated phone-controlled drones for entertainment purposes. - [Dessert-Shaped Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-camera): The Donut Toy Camera is a Deliciously Deceiving Device (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for toy manufacturers to expand their product lines by incorporating hidden camera technology into playful designs. - [I-Spy Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dolli-camera): The Dolli Camera Combines a Magnifying Glass with a Modern Point-and-Shoot (Category: Tech) Implication: Manufacturers can expand their target audience and niche markets by producing child-friendly and interactive cameras that showcase a distinct design and feature set. - [Helicopter Toy Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadricopters): The Parrot AR Drone QuadriCopter Lets You Capture Images from the Air (Category: Tech) Implication: The use of toy helicopters with built-in cameras presents new opportunities for the toy industry, especially with the increasing demand for high-tech toys. - [Video Camera Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-video-camera-doll): The Barbie Video Camera Doll Keeps Everyone Connected While Having Fun (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can create more innovative dolls with technology features such as video cameras to stay up-to-date with the current trend. ## 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)