# Social Sensory Brands offer ASMR-themed toys for children. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Apr 21, 2021 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/social-sensory ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.4/10 - Evidence articles: 11 ## What is the Social Sensory trend? **Social Sensory:** The ASMR trends that have become so popular on various social media platforms are now being adapted into child-friendly formats. These forms of sensory play offer both developmental and psychological benefits for children. ## The consumer insight behind the Social Sensory trend Social media is increasingly driving everything from recreational to pop-culture trends, and its influence is particularly strong on Gen Z and Millennials. Now, brands across industries are increasingly turning to digital trends in order to inform their ideation processes. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 11 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 7, 2019 to Feb 18, 2023 - Published: Apr 21, 2021 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Social Sensory trend ### Child-friendly ASMR-inspired toys Brands are adapting the popular ASMR trend into sensory toys designed specifically for children, creating opportunities for the toy industry to incorporate digital trends into their design processes. ### Eco-friendly sensory toys An increasing number of toy brands are incorporating eco-friendly and sustainability concerns into the manufacturing of sensory toys, presenting opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of the toy industry. ### Smart and wearable fidget toys Smart and wearable fidget toys have benefited consumers of all ages, creating opportunities for the toy industry to incorporate technology and promote health benefits for a wider demographic. ## What the Social Sensory trend means for industry ### For Toy industry The toy industry can take inspiration from digital trends and incorporate eco-friendly and technology-driven designs for a wider demographic. ### For Health and wellness industry The promotion of mental wellness and stress relief through fidget toys represents potential innovation opportunities for the health and wellness industry. ### For Education industry Sensory toys that aid in the development of motor skills and sensory play have significant potential for use in early childhood education and in helping children with learning disabilities. ## Workshop question How is your brand capitalizing off of social media trends? ## Trend signals for Social Sensory Trend score 5.4 out of 10, from popularity 74%, activity 78%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 74% - Activity: 78% - Freshness: 11% ## Examples of the Social Sensory trend 11 featured examples from Dec 7, 2019 to Feb 18, 2023. - [Poppable Sensory Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dimpl-pops-deluxe): Dimpl Pops Deluxe Bubbles Can Be Pushed, Poked and Popped (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The success of Dimpl Pops Deluxe and its recognition as a TOTY Award finalist highlights a growing market for unique and innovative toys that promote sensory learning. - [All-Natural Sensory Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-dough): Land of Dough's Play Dough Has Compostable Glitter & Calming Aromas (Category: Eco) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly sensory play products by developing new product lines that utilize natural materials and sustainab… - [Sensory Stimulation Strips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calm-strips): 'Calm Strips' Allow for Fidgeting and Restlessness to Be Released (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incorporating fidget aids within health and wellness products to promote relaxation and stress reduction - [Eco Tactile Sand Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sand-toys): Rainbow Eco Products' Slinky Sand is Like Slime But Without the Goo (Category: Eco) Implication: There is an opportunity for toy manufacturers to explore the dry sensory toy market to create a new product line. - [Traditional Wooden Stacking Stones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tumi-ishi-wood-rocks): The Tumi Ishi Wood Rocks Have a Natural, Handmade Design (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can develop new sensory play sets and traditional toys in unique designs, colors and materials that will keep customers coming back for more. - [ASMR Recording Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asmr-recorder-cube): The ASMR Recorder Cube Records Soothing Sounds for Multi-Sensory Play (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Developing toys with sensory elements that support mental health and emotional regulation. - [Wearable Fidget Toy Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infinity-flip-mobius-fidget-band-toy): The Infinity Flip Mobius Fidget Band Toy is Relaxing (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The wearable aspect of these fidget toys makes them an enticing opportunity for the fashion and accessories industry to develop new innovative designs and products. - [Smart Fidget Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-fidget-toy): TapTap is for Ages Five to 105 and It Offers Benefits for All (Category: Tech) Implication: The toy industry has an opportunity to create and market interactive, educational toys for both kids and adults. - [Impossible Iridescent Puzzle Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubiks-impossible-puzzle-cube): The Rubik's Impossible Puzzle Cube Increases the Difficulty (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Companies can explore creating more complex and challenging toy puzzles to cater to both children and adults. - [Multi-Sensory Sand Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sand-studio): The So Sand DIY Sand Studio Promises "100% ASMR" (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can invest in creating multi-sensory toys that incorporate tactile and auditory experiences or personalized experiences for children, as seen in the So Sand DIY… - [ASMR Building Block Albums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-white-noise): The LEGO® White Noise Spotify Album Offers Hours of Sensory Sounds (Category: Marketing) Implication: Innovation opportunities for toy companies to explore ASMR experiences that complement their product offerings and enhance the overall brand experience. ## Recent trend clusters - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) - [Silent Triage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/passive-health-wearables) (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) - [Toy-Branded Kids Toothbrush Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-branded-kids-toothbrush-kits) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)