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The 2010 New York Toy Fair is over and with over 100,000 toys on display, the Toy Fair has issued a summary of the four top trends. They are giving this year’s top trends all “A’s”: Active, Accessible, Affordable and Aspirational.
Today we are bringing you the first trend which was ACTIVE. We will also be talking about the different toy examples they give within the coming weeks. Here’s a breakdown:
ACTIVE
Active Play serves as a catalyst for the body while Active Intelligence and Imagination serve as catalysts for the brain.
Active Play gets kids up and moving, keeping the body active, limber and flexible, and promoting healthy lifestyles choices. Even products that have a high-tech component are fostering “kid-generated action” by incorporating movement into game play (a la the Wii gaming system): “Kids actually become the remote,” explains Rice.
Focusing on “Play with a Purpose,” Active Imagination and Active Intelligence* toys and games stimulate the mind and creativity through hands-on play. Many of this year’s imagination-centric products empower child-sized role play with dolls and action figures; others encourage kids to create things their own way through engaging arts and crafts and science/discovery offerings. Brain teasers and problem-solving toys and games incorporate strategic play scenarios, cooperative teamwork or competitive play scenarios.
* Leading market research company The NPD Group reported earlier this month that Building Sets and Arts and Crafts, which are Active Intelligence-type toys, posted the highest sales increases in 2009, at 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
- Examples of Active trend products from this year’s Toy Fair include: Swinx’s SWINXs Game System; Crayola’s Glow Explosion markers and paper; Gamewright’s Story Cubes, Fisher Price Little People, Wheelies Stand N Play Rampway; World Racers Slammer Cars by LEGO; and Wild Planet’s Water Babies.
Stay tuned for the next trend!
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