# Unexpected Play Kids activities are reinvented with unexpected artistic touches. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Oct 27, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/unexpected-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Unexpected Play trend? **Unexpected Play:** Expanding children's imaginations, brands are heightening traditional activities like drawing by using unorthodox techniques. Allowing kids to creatively color on toy cars and even shoes, brands are allowing young consumers to engage in rule-breaking behavior in a regulated yet creative manner. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 10, 2013 to Sep 5, 2014 - Published: Oct 27, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Unexpected Play trend ### Unorthodox Kids Activities Brands are heightening traditional activities like drawing by using unorthodox techniques to expand children's imagination. ### Customizable Products Products that can be personalized or customized by the user, particularly children, are becoming popular as they promote creative thinking and imagination. ### Interactive Toys Toys that allow for interactivity, such as cars that kids can customize or shoes that allow for artistic expression, are becoming more popular as they encourage children to play creatively. ## What the Unexpected Play trend means for industry ### For Children's Toys and Activities Brands that cater to children's toys and activities can explore creating products that are designed to encourage creativity and imagination, such as customizable toy cars or shoes that can be drawn on. ### For Educational Products Educational brands can explore creating interactive and personalized products that allow children to learn about their surroundings in a fun and engaging way, such as personalized neighborhood maps. ### For Retail and E-commerce Retail and e-commerce businesses can explore adding customizable and interactive products to their inventory, particularly for children's products, to meet the demand for personalized and creative items. ## Trend signals for Unexpected Play Trend score 2.0 out of 10, from popularity 22%, activity 29%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 22% - Activity: 29% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Unexpected Play trend 4 featured examples from Jun 10, 2013 to Sep 5, 2014. - [Customizable Child Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/child-car): The Toyota Camatte Lab at the Tokyo Toy Show 2014 Showed Off Interactivity (Category: Autos) Implication: The customizable child car trend presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the toy industry to create more engaging and interactive toys. - [Art-Displaying Kids Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-shoes-for-kids): Monkies are Drawing Shoes for Kids That Encourage Spontaneity and Art (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for footwear companies to tap into the market of customizable and interactive shoes for kids. - [Doodle Light Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crayola-sketcher-projector): The Crayola Sketcher Projector is a Great Gift for Your Little Artist (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toymakers can capitalize on the trend of interactive drawing toys and integrate technology for enhanced user experience. - [Personalized Neighborhood Mats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/map-for-kids): The 'I Am Here' Map Familiarizes Kids with Their Surroundings (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The personalized play mats trend presents an opportunity for companies in the personalized products industry to expand into children's products. ## 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)