# Protective Play Seeking to instill a sense of comfort, parents turn to encapsulating toys. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Apr 28, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/playful-preservation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.6/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Protective Play trend? **Protective Play:** While offering comfort and security for children is often a top priority, constantly watching over infants day and night can be tricky for working parents. Seeking to provide a convenient sense of protection, parents are turning to encapsulating plush toys that are made to envelop a child, mocking the feeling of the womb. These soothing sources of play reflect a similarity to the womb that shows a more slow approach to transitioning a baby from infancy beyond. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 18, 2012 to Mar 21, 2014 - Published: Apr 28, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Protective Play trend ### Womb-Replicating Plush Toys Parents are turning to encapsulating plush toys that are made to envelop a child, mocking the feeling of the womb. ### Animal-Based Knapsacks Hug Me Backpacks pay tribute to fun and entertaining characters from My Little Pony. ### Upcycling of Clothing into Plush Toys The Giant Cthulhu Plush is an example of awesome upcycling as it is made out of old clothes. ## What the Protective Play trend means for industry ### For Baby and Childcare Industry Opportunity to develop products that comfort and protect young children. ### For Toy Industry Innovating the traditional toy industry, such as making animals into backpacks instead of traditional backpack shapes. ### For Sustainability Industry Opportunity to develop products that help reduce textile waste, such as upcycling old clothes into plush toys. ## Trend signals for Protective Play Trend score 2.6 out of 10, from popularity 31%, activity 38%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 31% - Activity: 38% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Protective Play trend 5 featured examples from Dec 18, 2012 to Mar 21, 2014. - [Quirky Multiple Apendage Plushies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tentacle-cat): This Tentacle Cat Plushie Gives Great Hugs (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the rise of gender-neutral toys and create unique, functional plushies to appeal to a wider audience. - [Tentacled Super Heroes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avengers-toys): These Aquatic Avengers Toys Spray Ink to Save the Day (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity to produce creative, sea creature-inspired superhero toys for children and collectors. - [Crooning Cuddly Creature Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-talking-chewie): The Mini Talking Chewie is a Fun-Sized Version of Chewbacca (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy manufacturing industry can capitalize on the demand for mini talking toys, creating innovative and collectible miniature versions of beloved characters. - [Cuddly Sci-Fi Creatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-cthulhu-plush): The Giant Cthulhu Plush is a Cuddlier Version of the Famous Monster (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toys and games industry can capitalize on the demand for large, unique and eco-friendly plush toys. - [Huggable Pony Knapsacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hug-me-backpacks): The 'My Little Pony Hug Me Backpacks' are Adorable Plush Toys (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Manufacturers can incorporate plush and huggable designs into a wider range of functional products for everyday use. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Mini Clog Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cars-x-crocs-blind-box) - [Thoughtfully Designed Lunchboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glacier-lunchbox) - [Larger-Format Brainteaser Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kanoodle-party) - [Historical Character Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polly-pocket-x-american-girl) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)