# Playful Preparation Parents turn to toy-like school supplies to make back to school more appealing. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published Aug 12, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/playful-preparation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.1/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Playful Preparation trend? **Playful Preparation:** New, thrilling features and clever design are being used to create school supplies that add more value than just functionality. Appealing to kids' creative sides, these tools speak to a more liberal approach to education, and increased importance placed on entertaining children throughout the teaching process. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 5, 2013 to Jun 19, 2014 - Published: Aug 12, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Playful Preparation trend ### Playful Learning School supplies with exciting features and creative design are being used to create a learning environment that encourages creativity and liberal education. ### Faux-makeup Writing Tools Innovative writing tools designed to mimic makeup, such as faux-lipstick highlighters and polish-mimicking markers, provide a fun and quirky alternative to traditional school supplies. ### Novelty Accessories Accessories such as optical illusion pencil-cases, superhero backpacks, and tool-like erasers offer school-goers a quirky and unique take on traditional school supplies. ## What the Playful Preparation trend means for industry ### For Education Suppliers of fun and stimulating school supplies can cater to the changing attitudes towards education. ### For Stationery Companies that produce creative and visually interesting stationery can capture the attention of consumers looking for a break from traditional school supplies. ### For Toy Suppliers who diversify their offerings into the toy arena can find a profitable niche market in school-aged children. ## Trend signals for Playful Preparation Trend score 2.1 out of 10, from popularity 33%, activity 22%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 33% - Activity: 22% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Playful Preparation trend 6 featured examples from Jul 5, 2013 to Jun 19, 2014. - [Polish-Mimicking Markers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highstyler-highlighters): The HighStyler Highlighters are the Perfect Classroom Prank (Category: Unique) Implication: Manufacture and distribute innovative stationery products for consumers seeking unique and entertaining options. - [Optical Illusion Pencil Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pencil-cases): The Fakus Pencil Case Appears 3D (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Design and production of unique and playful-looking stationery items. - [Attachable Tool-Like Erasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/erasers): These Fun School Accessories are Great Tools for Your Pencil Case (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The stationery and office supplies industry has an opportunity to create more innovative, fun and functional school accessories. - [Stacked Color Stationary](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-pride-event): This Rainbow Highlighter Celebrates This Year's World Pride Event (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate scented inks into rainbow-themed stationery products for a sensory experience. - [Caped Book Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backpack-cape): The SuperME Backpack Cape Makes Going Back to School Feel Heroic (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Incorporating superhero-inspired designs and features into backpacks can create a niche market within the children's accessories industry. - [Cosmetics-Shaped Highlighters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lipstick-markers): Lipstick Markers Color Your World With Fake Makeup Madness (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Creating innovative tools and products that facilitate creative expression and fun can attract new customers to the cosmetics industry. ## 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)