A few months later, they announce these trends, which are picked up by other marketers through a variety of methods. These then ricochet around the marketing community until all agree and begin madly producing toys to meet the yet unknown needs of tiny consumers. But, don’t worry; massive advertising campaigns will make sure they do.
So, I was pleased to find that Toys R Us has announced what I’ll want to buy for my son this summer. That takes a load off of my mind!
It seems there will be several different trends taking hold. As identified in the Toys R Us Summer Play Trend List
BACKYARD BANDS
With the Jonas Brothers and the Naked Brothers Band exploding on the scene, kids are coming together to mix their musical talents in hopes of becoming the next pop sensation. This summer, from
NATURE FIRST
Many of this summer's must-have toys are aligned with this lifestyle and teach kids about nature and the planet.
GET YOUR MOVE ON
Today, more than ever, children are encouraged to participate in physical activity to help them lead healthier lives, and there is no better time for kids to be active than summer. Although games of it-tag, hide-and-go-seek and hop-scotch are still popular, there are new ways for kids to have a great time while getting their move on.
TECHNO-CATION
Active young minds continually look for easy and fun ways to be quickly "in the know," utilizing a mash-up of technology and education toys that can be taken anywhere this summer.
Along with these descriptions, Toys R US offers a variety of samples of new toys in each category. Some I found interesting, like Crayolas new “earth friendly colors and kid sized gardening accessories. Some I found great for moms busier apparently than I, like the Grow Your Own Tomato Plant all-in-one pack from Buzzy – I’ll probably just go buy some seeds and use an egg carton but, I DO like that this type of toy is offered. Some made me cringe – LeapFrog electronic books that “read” to preschoolers.
While Nature First and Get your Move On seem like trends that well….happen every summer, I’m intrigued by the Backyard Band trend – I’ve always loved having the kids select instruments and march around the neighborhood.
And, as I’m researching ways to keep my son up to speed over the summer, the idea behind the Techno-cation idea, educational activities that can be taken anywhere, strikes me as a good idea, as I look forward to spending the summer in the car traveling from activity to activity.
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2 comments:
Thanks to you for providing this type of information. This is a great help to those who are seeking information related to engage their child in summer.
A friend of mine told me about someone who instituted "Domestic Camp" at her house every year for a week. So, in addition to a week of computer camp or soccer camp, she introduced all sorts of home-related "activities" to her children during Domestic Camp. Laundry, Floor Washing, Bed Making, Yard Work, etc. I thought it was *brilliant*. :)
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