# Storytelling Toy Children's toy brands offer interactive, creative forms of storytelling. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Oct 29, 2020 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/storytelling-toy ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.5/10 - Evidence articles: 10 ## What is the Storytelling Toy trend? **Storytelling Toy:** Storytelling for children is becoming more interactive, with toys that offer creative forms of expression and methods of telling children stories. These items include everything from mixing physical toys with voice-controlled tech, to QR codes attached to toys that retell their backgrounds. ## The consumer insight behind the Storytelling Toy trend The use of smart or interactive tech in children's development remains popular, particularly among Millennial parents who see technology as an opportunity to develop children's technical and creative skills from a young age. Straying from more traditional approaches to child-rearing in this way helps give children the skills they'll need in a world that's dominated by tech in both work and play. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 10 featured examples - Articles from: May 8, 2018 to Apr 5, 2022 - Published: Oct 29, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Storytelling Toy trend ### Interactive Storytelling The trend of interactive storytelling for children includes combining traditional physical toys with voice-controlled tech, QR codes for background stories, and screen-free interactive audio speakers. ### Creativity-Encouraging Games Games that encourage creativity and imagination range from board games with card prompts, interactive storytelling headphones, and strategic and competitive story-sharing games. ### Multigenerational Play KidQuest is an example of a game that facilitates connections and unlocks new journeys and lessons between generations, while Cubcoats x Amazon IRL pop-up and Lego Duplo Stories involve multigenerational play experiences in physical spaces and digital platforms. ## What the Storytelling Toy trend means for industry ### For Toy and Game Industry The toy and game industry needs to invest in interactive storytelling toys and creativity-inspiring games that encourage emotional and mental wellbeing in children, as well as promote multigenerational play experiences. ### For Tech Industry With the increasing demand for voice-controlled tech and screen-free interactive audio experiences, the tech industry has an opportunity to create innovative devices such as storytelling headphones, interactive speakers and devices that encourage creativity and imagination. ### For Entertainment Industry The entertainment industry can explore the trend of interactive and multigenerational storytelling experiences through pop-up events, augmented reality, and other interactive technologies that merge physical and digital worlds. ## Workshop question How could your brand prioritize educational recreation for children? ## Trend signals for Storytelling Toy Trend score 5.5 out of 10, from popularity 73%, activity 81%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 73% - Activity: 81% - Freshness: 11% ## Examples of the Storytelling Toy trend 10 featured examples from May 8, 2018 to Apr 5, 2022. - [QR-Connected Paper Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-up-paper-toys): Lovepop Play is an Interactive Line of Pop-Up Paper Toys & Cards (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Explore disruptive innovation opportunities in the paper products industry by integrating technology and creating engaging experiences with pop-up toys and cards. - [Screen-Free Story Time Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storypod-smart-speaker): The 'StoryPod' Smart Speaker Plays Stories, Music and More (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for educational institutions and toy companies to create screen-free educational tools that are interactive and engaging. - [Strategic Storytelling Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/its-kind-of-a-fun-story): 'It's Kind of a Fun Story' is a Story Sharing Game for Adults (Category: Naughty) Implication: The gaming industry can capitalize on the rising popularity of storytelling games by creating more engaging and interactive experiences for players. - [Creativity-Encouraging Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/story-creator-board-game): The 'Story Creator' Board Game Requires Players to Imagine (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Manufacture creative board games that inspire imaginative storytelling and engage players in hands-on gameplay. - [Storytelling Holiday Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubcoats-holiday-popup): Cubcoats x Amazon IRL Invites Kids to Discover Character Stories (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate technology and functionality into traditional toys to create new and engaging products. - [Interactive Storytelling Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onanoff-storyphones): The Onanoff StoryPhones Read Bedtime Stories to Youngsters (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The integration of storytelling and technology presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for technology companies to create novel products that offer immersive experiences for… - [Voice-Controlled Storytelling Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-duplos-stories): LEGO Duplos Stories Feature Digital and Physical Play (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy manufacturing industry could create more innovative products that increase the level of interactive play that combines both physical and digital experiences. - [Screen-Free Story Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toniebox): The TonieBox is a Clever Toy that Plays Stories and Songs (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: There is an opportunity for toy manufacturers to create more screen-less and interactive toys that support active play and imagination. - [Creative Storytelling Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everdreamerz): Playmobil's EverDreamerz Immerse Kids in Friendship & Adventure (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The introduction of EverDreamerz opens up possibilities for toy manufacturers to create their own unique collectible toy ranges with engaging storylines. - [Family Storytelling Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kidquest): KidQuest Inspires Higher Emotional and Mental Well-Being (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: KidQuest can offer an innovative way for children to learn and hold more value, disrupting traditional education practices. ## Recent trend clusters - [Smart Utility](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smart-utility) (Autos) - [Fixable Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fixable-devices) (Tech) - [Circular Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/circular-simplicity) (Eco) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (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)