Category
Life-Stages
Constructible Franchises
Trend cluster
Category
Reactive
Play
Kids' toys evolve to include sensor-integrated technology.
3.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the Reactive Play trend?
Reactive Play: No longer reserved for tech-minded adults, sensor technology is being integrated into kids' toys and activities to add a heightened level of experience. Allowing the opportunity to connect different devices and even monitor physical traits and attributes, these products speak to not only a need for increased tech integration, but more intuitive forms of play as well.
Trend themes
Themes within the Reactive Play trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Sensor-Integrated Technology
Integrating sensor technology into kids' toys and activities to add a heightened level of experience, promoting both increased tech integration and more intuitive forms of play.
02
App-Connected Educational Tools
Educational toys and tools for children that can be connected to mobile devices to help children learn about technology in a fun and interactive way, promoting early childhood development.
03
DIY Self-Driving Toys
DIY construction sets for children that allow them to create their own miniature self-driving vehicles and other STEM-related projects, promoting art/design, engineering, math, science and technology education.
Industry implications
What the Reactive Play trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Education
Educational institutions and services can use sensor-integrated technology and app-connected educational toys to promote early childhood development through the use of technology.
For
Toys
Toy companies can create innovative products that incorporate sensor technology and physical play to create a heightened level of experience for children.
For
Tech Hardware
Tech hardware companies can create self-driving and sensor-embedded toys for kids that help in cognitive development while also being cost-effective and affordable.
Workshop question
How will your brand resonate with the new generation of digital natives?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Reactive Play
Trend score 3.1 out of 10, from popularity 47%, activity 39%, freshness 8%.
Popularity47%
Activity39%
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
South America
Evidence
Examples of the Reactive Play trend
5 featured examples from Oct 24, 2015 to Mar 10, 2016CategoryLife-Stages
App-Connected Educational Toys
This Interactive Toy is Designed to Introduce Kids to Technology
This innovation has disruptive potential within the educational toy industry by incorporating app-connectivity to enhance learning outcomes.
CategoryLife-Stages
Color-Scanning Styluses
The 'Mozbii' is a Stylus for Kids that Enables Exploration and Interaction
Opportunity for incorporating fun tools like the Mozbii stylus to aid in children's education.
CategoryTech
Comfort-Monitoring Toys
The Hoko Baby Temperature Sensor is Wearable Tech for Non-Verbal Children
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate technology into baby products to enhance safety and convenience for parents.
CategoryTech
DIY Self-Driving Toys
Kids Can Now Make Self-Driving Cars With littleBits' STEAM Kit
Innovative STEAM kits for kids to make self-driving cars and other creative smart robots offer opportunities for toy makers to create educational toys that support fun and hands-o…
CategoryLife-Stages
App-Connected Building Blocks
playDXTR Smart Building Blocks Track Cognitive Development in Kids
The toy industry can leverage smart building blocks to create innovative products that combine physical play and digital intelligence, enabling cognitive development in children.
