# Sustainable Play Parents search for eco products that will satiate their children's needs. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Apr 22, 2015 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sustainable-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.6/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Sustainable Play trend? **Sustainable Play:** Eco-consciousness typically isn't particularly important to children, but it is to many parents who are becoming more aware of their household's consumption habits. Parents who wish to instill a sustainable mentality in their offspring are searching for products with eco-friendly design and packaging. This shift demonstrates that eco-consciousness is being introduced to a younger demographic by increasing product engagement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 27, 2014 to Jun 4, 2016 - Published: Apr 22, 2015 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Sustainable Play trend ### Eco-Friendly Living The growing interest in eco-consciousness is leading to an increase in demand for eco-friendly products, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses to develop and market products that cater to sustainability. ### Upcycling Designers and manufacturers are finding ways to reuse and repurpose different materials to create innovative products with less waste and reduced environmental impact, offering opportunities for businesses to explore upcycling as a way to develop sustainable products. ### Sustainable Packaging The shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly products also includes a focus on sustainable packaging, leading to disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses to develop packaging that is recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable. ## What the Sustainable Play trend means for industry ### For Toy industry As parents become more eco-conscious, there is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly toys as a way to introduce children to sustainable living habits. ### For Packaging industry The shift towards sustainable packaging is driving innovation in the packaging industry to develop innovative and eco-friendly packaging materials and design. ### For Education industry The focus on sustainability is also leading to innovation in educational products and board games, providing opportunities for businesses to develop innovative and educational products that promote sustainability. ## Workshop question How can you better leverage the people who inadvertently influence your direct customer's decisions? ## Trend signals for Sustainable Play Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 62%, activity 69%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 62% - Activity: 69% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Sustainable Play trend 6 featured examples from Sep 27, 2014 to Jun 4, 2016. - [Solar-Powered Fish Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fish-toy): These Terrarium Tanks Provide an Alternative to Real or Robotic Fish (Category: Eco) Implication: Toy manufacturers can explore the opportunity of producing solar-powered fish toys to cater to environmentally-conscious and budget-conscious consumers. - [Educational Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/educational-board-game): The Hubo Cubo Offers Learning Opportunities in a Sustainable Package (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can capitalize on the trend of educational board games by developing innovative and educational products for children. - [Plaited Paper Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaited-paper-packaging): Hybrid Crayon Candles are Tucked into Slots and Folds a an Eco Container (Category: Eco) Implication: The packaging industry can take advantage of the trend of sustainable packaging by developing and offering innovative plaited paper packaging solutions to businesses. - [Illuminating Doll Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-box-packaging): This Toy Box Packaging for a Doll Doubles as a Lamp (Category: Eco) Implication: Developing new product lines of eco-friendly toys that have sustainable packaging and contribute to the circular economy. - [Sustainable Rubber Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-toy): Whole Foods is Selling these Eco-Friendly Toys Just in Time for Christmas (Category: Eco) Implication: The toy industry can adapt to changing consumer preferences by incorporating more eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials into toy production. - [Sustainable Juice Containers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-juice-boxes): These Reusable Juice Boxes Help Reduce the Need for Discarded Waste (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in developing more sustainable packaging solutions for food and beverage products, such as reusable juice boxes. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (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) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)