Looking for the latest toy trends for 2022? You’re in the right place! Here’s our list of the latest toy trends for 2022. The Toy Association’s Toy Trends Briefing has a lot of great information, and we’ve picked out the best parts to help you make the best toy choices for your children (and yourself!).
The Toy Association is a non-profit organization that represents more than 200 toy companies in the United States. Their goal is to promote toy safety, encourage creativity and imagination, and advance the importance of play. They work with experts in education, science, and the toy industry to provide information about the latest toys and trends for children of all ages.
Latest toy trends for 2022
What is the latest toy craze 2022? Here’s some of the latest top toy trends in 2022.
Next-Generation Creators
When it comes to the toys and games we play, the future is bright for toy makers that realize kids of all ages love to create. Toys that get kids to create their own content (whether it be stories, artwork, builds, videos, and photos) are becoming more and more common, particularly toys that allow kids to flex their imaginations and customize their play experiences.
This trend also encourages intergenerational play, which is a good thing, as it provides valuable time-together between parents and kids that can be shared while making wonderful memories. What’s more, it’s a trend that also taps into crucial STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) skills, which are all part of play, as well as being valuable life skills.
The Great Play Escape
With the rise of augmented and virtual reality, toys that allow kids to fully immerse themselves in alternative digital worlds are on the rise. Likewise, toys that rise to the surface the escape and mental disconnection that kids and adults alike are craving are also on the rise. Toys that help you get away from it all are on the rise in 2022, along with toys that allow you to create escapist play that helps you disconnect from reality.
Research has shown that more and more, kids and parents are looking for ways to escape reality and assume alternate reality personas. It’s a trend that has grown with the rise of online gaming, and it’s one that is only going to continue to grow as the metaverse continues to grow. Because of this, one of the big toy trends of 2022 is the growth of toys that allow you to escape reality and assume an alternative reality persona.
Sensory Toys 2.0
What’s trending in the world of toys is the rise of toys that tap into the senses in unique and interesting ways. From toys that let you express your changing moods, to toys that provide calming social emotional comfort to kids, the world of sensory play is more and more engaging in 2022. Sensory play toys are trending in 2022, as kids and adults look for ways to interact with the physical world as a way to manage their stress in a positive way.
Toys that stimulate the senses in fun ways are on the rise, like toys that let you light up when you are in a good mood. Likewise, toys that feature fidget play are also on the rise, as kids find unique ways to tap into their sensory needs. Whether it is a toy that lets you calm and center yourself with special stress-relief beads, or a toy that brushes your senses with colorful LED lights that are synced to a song, toys are on the rise that tap into the senses in fun and unique ways.
Toys for Social Good
As consumers continue to look for ways to live a healthier and happier life, toys that talk the talk and walk the walk are becoming more and more in demand. As the trend continues to grow at a rapid pace, toys have become proven tools for engaging kids in critical issues as we collectively try to build a happier, healthier tomorrow.
In 2022, we’ll see a surge of new products that not only incorporate more sustainable materials but also emphasize a commitment to teaching kids how to be better global citizens. A recent Toy Association commissioned survey revealed that most parents (78%) said the sustainability of a toy for their child was important to them.
Entertainment Update
In 2022, in-theater releases are here to stay but digital options are also increasing and diversifying. Brands that come out of non-linear channels (Disney+, Netflix, HBOMax, You Tube, Paramount+) or take a hybrid approach to digital content are growing in the toy aisles.
In addition, social media influencers continue to reach beyond their channels to create new partnerships in the toy space and offer licensees immediate access to built-in audiences.
What is the latest toy craze 2022?
As we’ve shown above, there’s quite a few new toy trends in 2022. We hope this article has been helpful. If you’d like to know toys that will be hard to find this Christmas, we can help with that too!
