# Critter Puzzle Blocks Children Learn to Play Together with Interactive Animal Stackers By Gil Cohen | Published 2013-07-04 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animal-stackers References: [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1697695288/animal-stackers-a-new-kind-of-building-block/) & [animal-stackers](http://www.animal-stackers.com/) Designed as a toy that boys and girls can play with together, Animal Stackers by Dan Nguyen features a child-friendly design that ignites the imagination and reaches across [gender stereotypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/she-built-that-1). While boys tend to enjoy [building structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tile-town) and knocking them down and girls tend to prefer playing out story lines, the cute critter blocks allow for both types of play to work hand in hand. Friends and siblings don't have to fight over the toys or wait to take turns as these blocks are made to be used together, allowing each child to incorporate their own imaginative solutions and visions. Animal Stackers incorporates identifiable [animal shapes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-sea-otters-set) in bright colors that are full of personality and spunk. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Gender-inclusive Toys:** Creating toys that challenge traditional gender stereotypes and encourage all children to play together. - **Cooperative Play:** Promoting toys that foster teamwork and collaboration among children. - **Imaginative Solutions:** Developing toys that allow children to incorporate their own creativity and problem-solving skills. ### Where This Applies - **Toy Manufacturing:** Opportunity for toy companies to innovate and create gender-inclusive and collaborative play products. - **Educational Publishing:** Integrating cooperative play concepts into educational materials to promote teamwork and problem-solving skills. - **Childcare Services:** Incorporating gender-inclusive toys and activities in childcare centers to encourage inclusive play among children. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Creative STEM-Based Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jitterygit.md) - [Stone-Like Supportive Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stapelstein.md) - [Buildable Paper Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/castle-playset.md) - [Combination Building Block Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnicompatible-wooden-bricks.md) - [Big Apple Toy Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/machi-town-new-york.md) - [Calming Stacking Stone Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-stacking-stones.md) - [Dinosaur Tile STEAM Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dino-adventure-pack.md) - [Interactive Early Education Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tokidos-playcubes.md) - [Human-Shaped Puzzle Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/souper-connect.md)