# Responsible Play Encouraging responsible behavior, parents turn to lesson-focused toys. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Feb 26, 2015 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/responsible-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Responsible Play trend? **Responsible Play:** Acknowledging the growing demand among kids to "grow up faster," toy retailers are turning to products that focus on cooperation and personal responsibility. This shift toward toys that encourage children to become more thoughtful and considerate appeals to the modern parent, who is looking for more than just entertainment when it comes to products for their families. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 15, 2015 to Jul 6, 2016 - Published: Feb 26, 2015 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Responsible Play trend ### Cooperative Play Toy companies are focusing on products that promote cooperation and personal responsibility, aiming to counterbalance a culture that encourages kids to grow up too quickly. ### Educational Games Interactive and board games that have an educational side can help children learn while they play, providing parents with more than just entertainment when purchasing games for their families. ### Eco-Friendly Entertainment Educational card and board games that raise awareness of the environment and sustainability can help children learn about conservation topics that they might not otherwise engage with. ## What the Responsible Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry Toy companies can focus on developing new and innovative products that promote teamwork, critical thinking skills and character-building based on the values of cooperation and personal responsibility. ### For Educational Industry Interactive and board games that promote learning and education can be developed and marketed to parents focused on broadening their kids' minds and who value enhancing their cognitive abilities through play. ### For Entertainment Industry Card and board games that focus on teaching and educating children about preserving and respecting the environment can help to make this kind of learning a fun and memorable experience. ## Trend signals for Responsible Play Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 51%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 50% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Responsible Play trend 5 featured examples from Sep 15, 2015 to Jul 6, 2016. - [Interactive Teddy Bears](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-toy): The Smart Toy Bear Connects to an App to Teach Kids Lessons (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Manufacturing companies that specialize in creating interactive and educational toys for children. - [Eco-Friendly Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/educational-card-games): 'Go Eco' Teaches Players About Conserving the Environment (Category: Eco) Implication: The education industry can leverage educational card games to enhance learning outcomes and make education more enjoyable. - [Cooperative Dice Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucky-dogs-dice-game): The Lucky Dogs Dice Game Encourages Players to Work Together (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy companies can capitalize on the trend of cooperation-based games by creating more products that promote teamwork and shared decision making. - [Educational Culinary Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creative-kitchen-game): The Creative Kitchen Game is Based on Mystery Box Cooking Comps (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate educational and culinary themes into traditional board games to tap into new markets and attract diverse audiences. - [Cooperation-Promoting Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feed-the-woozle): The Feed the Woozle Game Encourages Children to Work Together (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity: Explore new designs and concepts for board games that promote cooperation. ## 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)