Toy Trends for 2017 – Top toyologists’ views on the latest releases including STEM & inspiring robotics
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- Published on Monday, 06 March 2017 11:52
- Last Updated on 06 March 2017
- Monica Costa
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The key trends for 2017 are STEM and awe-inspiring robotics, toys linked to key movie releases (of which there are some real corkers in 2017), collectibles plus the continual rise in board games and instant satisfaction games.
The annual London Toy Fair offered a preview of the latest trends in the toy industry.Watch my interviews with top toyologists on the London Mums’ YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/londonmums
Toyologists’ vlog
From STEM to STREAM including Robotics
The trend in educational toys that teach kids important concepts like Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) often through coding, is rising. STEAM toys seek to teach STEM-related ideas by using art. In 2017, expect to see Robotics incorporated into the trend – transforming STEAM to STREAM. Consumers looking for interactive robots with personality will have plenty of animatronic options and engineering kits like fully buildable robotic animals and machineries by Thames and Kosmos.
Lego’s Life app lets users digitally construct and take photos of their builds to share on a safe, digital platform.
We cannot forget the learning component in classic toys like puzzles, memory games, building blocks, stacking toys, and other toys that teach critical skills like problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. Orchard Toys’ STEM products make maths fun: while children are playing, they won’t even realise they are learning about numbers, counting, sums and more.
London Mums’ top picks include
Thames & Kosmos Barbie STEM Kit
Make it Real – Knot and bling mermaid tail
Electric powered toys – Drones, Ride-ons
The latest active toys motivate kids and parents alike to burn off excess energy and are more seamlessly integrated into other types of play including tech toys with active components, outdoor ride-ons, traditional games that incorporate physical activity, and digital toys encouraging face-to-face play.
London Mums’ top picks include
Movie mania playthings
Toys from many of upcoming family movies in 2017 were on display in London. In the same vein as collectibles, movie- and TV-inspired toys, gadgets and costumes conjure up imaginative, open-ended play and feature characters that are familiar to children. Fans of Star Wars, DC and Marvel will have no shortage of new toys and collectibles this year. Major motion pictures coming out this year associated with toy lines include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Lego Batman Movie, Power Rangers, Thor: Ragnorak, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Cars 3, Despicable Me 3, Transformers: The Last Knight, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Lego Ninjago Movie.
London Mums’ top picks include
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
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