Top 40 Youth Ideas in April

From Kid-Friendly Tea Parties to Gender-Neutral Playhouses

— April 24, 2016 — Life-Stages
The April 2016 youth trends reveal a major shift in the way parents and brands are thinking about playtime. Not only is there a push for more creative and unconventional forms of play, but there is also an effort to ensure these activities are more inclusive.

The push for creative play has largely been a reaction to the issue of over-parenting and the hyper-monitored lives that many children are forced to lead. As a result, there is a push for more unconventional activities for children. For instance, New York City is now home to an adventure park that is free from traditional playground equipment. Additionally, activities previously reserved for adults such as high tea are now being tailored to accommodate children as well.

Beyond the emphasis on creativity, the April 2016 youth trends also reveal a strong emphasis on gender inclusivity. Indeed, brands are increasingly shifting away from rigid gender-specific marketing and looking at products that will appeal to all children. These types of products can range from high-tech devices such as unisex coding programs to more basic toys such as gender-neutral playhouses.
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Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
40
Interactive Audio Tables
Interactive Audio Tables
HELLO WORLD! is a Magic Table That Brings Inanimate Objects to Life
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39
Postal Smartphone Apps
Postal Smartphone Apps
'POSTIE' Helps Smartphone Users Deliver Handwritten Messages
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38
Literacy-Promoting Workshops
Literacy-Promoting Workshops
The World Book Day 2016 Event Includes School Workshops
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37
Vibrant Family Activity Centers
Vibrant Family Activity Centers
The Family Lab at the Groninger Museum is Designed for Events
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36
Kid-Friendly Search Engines
Kid-Friendly Search Engines
'Kiddle' is a Family-Friendly Visual Search Engine
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35
Kid-Friendly Tea Parties
Kid-Friendly Tea Parties
The Omni King Edward Hotel is Extending Its Afternoon Tea Service to Kids
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34
Banana-Flavored Milks
Banana-Flavored Milks
Sir Bananas Drinks are Enhanced with Banana Puree
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33
Artistic Teen Campaigns
Artistic Teen Campaigns
Autumn de Forest Stars in this Empowering Nordstrom Kids Commercial
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32
Spicy Mango Milks
Spicy Mango Milks
Emmi Energy Milk Now Comes in a Limited Edition 'Daredevil' Flavor
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31
Talking Toy Buttons
Talking Toy Buttons
'Pechat' Turns Playthings into Interactive Talking Toys
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30
Fortified Fruit Purees
Fortified Fruit Purees
Fruit Me Up! BOOST is a Fruit Snack for Kids Enriched with Benefits
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29
Kid-Friendly Vegetable Bites
Kid-Friendly Vegetable Bites
Dr. Praeger's Launched New Healthy Snacks for Kids at Expo West
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28
Chocolate Egg-Decorating Kits
Chocolate Egg-Decorating Kits
This Easter Craft Helps Kids Personalize Egg-Shaped Chocolates
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27
Scented Keychain Collectibles
Scented Keychain Collectibles
The New Whiffer Sniffers Collectible Toys are Deliciously Themed
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26
Kid-Friendly Hand Scrubbers
Kid-Friendly Hand Scrubbers
These Brushes Help Children Keep Their Hands Clean
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25
Microwave Jelly Sandwiches
Microwave Jelly Sandwiches
Dr. Praeger's Frozen Sandwiches are Quick to Heat and Eat
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24
Affordable Mini Quadcopters
Affordable Mini Quadcopters
The Seresroad CX-10 is a Small Quadcopter Available for Under $20
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23
Growth-Accommodating Toys
Growth-Accommodating Toys
The 'Friendimal' Riding Toy Expands in Size to Accommodate Growing Kids
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22
Supportive Portable Perches
Supportive Portable Perches
A Portable Stool Guarantees a Seat for Students of Rural Schools
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21
Gender-Neutral Playhouses
Gender-Neutral Playhouses
Smoby's 'Friends House' Includes Boys in Home-Centered Imaginary Play
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20
Chopstick-Teaching Toys
Chopstick-Teaching Toys
The Manners Fish Chopstick Training Toy Teaches Children to Eat Well
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19
Curated Adventure Travel Apps
Curated Adventure Travel Apps
The Lucky Trip App Curates Adventurous Last Minute Vacations
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18
Infant-Targeted Robots
Infant-Targeted Robots
These Mechanical Toys are Designed to Help Children Relate to Robots
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17
Marshmallow-Filled Candy Bars
Marshmallow-Filled Candy Bars
Dylan's Easter Chocolate Bar Includes Creamy Marshmallow Fluff
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16
Mousse-Filled Chocolate Eggs
Mousse-Filled Chocolate Eggs
This Cadbury Easter Egg Product Comes with a Small Spoon for Scooping
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15
Kid-Friendly Pressed Juices
Kid-Friendly Pressed Juices
This Line of Pressed Juice is Designed for Children
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14
Fruit Puree Pouches
Fruit Puree Pouches
'Fruit Me Up!' Fruit Purees Contain No More Than Four Ingredients
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13
Night Light Toys
Night Light Toys
The LeeLuu Collection is Controlled by Touch
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12
Snapchat-Only Ad Agencies
Snapchat-Only Ad Agencies
Naritiv is the World's First Snapchat-Specific Advertising Agency
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11
Vegetable-Based Snack Bars
Vegetable-Based Snack Bars
The Rawr Bar Line is Designed to Help Children Eat More Veggies
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10
Realistically Proportioned Male Dolls
Realistically Proportioned Male Dolls
The Male Lammily Doll Boasts Realistic Body Proportions
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9
DIY Computer Kits
DIY Computer Kits
The 'Kano Computer Kit' Teaches Children How to Build a Computer from Scratch
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8
Child-Proof Phone Cases
Child-Proof Phone Cases
This Kid Lid Phone Case Keeps Tykes from Switching Apps
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7
Rocket Launch Bedroom Furniture
Rocket Launch Bedroom Furniture
The Lifetime Discovery Space Rocket Kids Bed is Imaginative
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6
Interchangeable Collector Figures
Interchangeable Collector Figures
'My Mini Mixie Q's' Toy Figures Can be Customized by Kids
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5
Kids Coding Toys
Kids Coding Toys
The 'Cubetto' Enables Children to Learn Programming in a Fun Way
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4
Melted Plastic Perches
Melted Plastic Perches
Recycled Bottle Chairs Create Fantasy From Ethical Manufacturing
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3
Two-in-One Juvenile Wheelbarrows
Two-in-One Juvenile Wheelbarrows
The 'Nest' Draws Inspiration from a Garden Wheelbarrow
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2
Creativity-Promoting Playgrounds
Creativity-Promoting Playgrounds
This Adventure Playground in New York Promotes Imaginative Play
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1
Customizable Jungle Gym Beds
Customizable Jungle Gym Beds
The 'Playbed' is a Child's Bedroom Furniture Dream Come True
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