Learning Meets Fun: The 10 Top Trends Defining the Landscape of Educational Toys

There is an escalating demand for educational and learning toys worldwide. Many new-generation parents prioritize cognitive and developmental benefits when looking for toys for their children.

Anticipating these market trends, toy makers have been quick to adapt and innovate, and businesses like ours are dedicated to offering the best educational toys to meet this growing demand.

In this article, we will explore some of the most exciting trends that are poised to reshape the landscape of educational toys in the years to come.

1. STEM/STEAM Toys

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEAM (where the additional “A” stands for Art) is an emerging trend in the global education landscape in 2024.

In toys, market studies show that parents are increasingly inclined toward toys that better promote learning and understanding of these subjects for their children.

Well, by giving your children the opportunity to engage with STEM/STEAM toys at an early age, you introduce them to a world of ever-evolving scientific, engineering, and technological advancements.

The STEM/STEAM concepts are gaining immense popularity among educators and educational policymakers worldwide. As a leading retailer of learning and educational toys in Qatar, we offer a fantastic range of STEM/STEAM toys. These toys are designed to be both fun and educational for your children, helping them develop essential skills that will significantly benefit them in the future.

Check out our selection of STEM/STEAM toys here.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) Toys

Augmented reality (AR) is a popular trend that is expected to revolutionize the toy industry in 2024 and beyond. Today’s children are growing up as digital natives, spending significant amounts of time on smartphones and tablets.

Although parents express serious concerns about their kids’ increased screen time, toy manufacturers are busy harnessing the power of AR to enhance traditional play experiences.

Kids may easily get attracted to AR toys, as they offer a much more immersive and personal experience. Since most kids are already drawn to the screens of various gadgets, utilizing the same for enhancing their cognitive and learning skills is indeed a smart idea.

As mentioned, integrating more content with educational and learning value into AR toys is relatively easier, and the development of such systems is not as tough as developing toys out of physical materials like plastic and metal.

As a result, we already have some incredible AR toys from many leading brands, and the market is growing rather quickly. We, at BravoKids, are working to bring to the market some really useful AR-based toy experiences for children in Qatar.

3. Eco-Lasting Play: Eco-Friendly Toys

‘Eco-Lasting Play’ is a term used by The Toy Association in its article on upcoming trends in the toy industry for 2024, referring to the growing demand for sustainable toys that are durable and made from eco-friendly materials, primarily wood or recycled plastic.

I have already written a detailed article on Eco-Lasting Play on the Bravo Blog. As the term suggests, toys made from eco-friendly materials with enhanced durability are set to become one of the prominent trends in the industry for 2024 and beyond.

According to the article, nearly 50 percent of US shoppers under the age of 40 preferred toys that have a minimal impact on the environment.

This strongly suggests that people increasingly see sustainable toys as the best way to engage their children, which, in turn, helps children learn the importance of protecting nature from plastic and other harmful materials. Check out our selection of Eco-Friendly toys here.

4. Vitamin P(lay): Social and Emotional Learning

Toys that promote social and emotional learning are another trendy area in the industry.

As per different studies, play with a purpose enjoys a very significant and growing role in the years to come. Some US states are reportedly working on mandating play-based learning practices to enhance social and emotional learning and interaction among children.

The term “Vitamin P(lay),” as mentioned in The Toy Association article, refers to toys that promote social and emotional learning in kids.

The article mentions that this new trend will encourage more toy brands worldwide to design innovative products aimed at boosting emotional intelligence in children.

5. Inclusive and Diverse Toys

Being keenly aware of diversity and inclusion has become the new normal in every aspect of life.

In the toy industry, we recently read about LEGO selling Braille bricks, which the popular toy maker designed in association with the American Printing House for the Blind to ensure kids with visual impairments get the best toys to have fun with while also being educated.

Many other brands, like Miniland, have recently embraced the movement by designing some amazing toys that evidently contribute to a world that is more open and inclusive to diversities of all sorts.

Of course, it is going to be a trend in the landscape of toys, which helps shape the early growth of kids in many significant ways, including enhancing their cognitive awareness and social-emotional skills.

There is nothing surprising about these trends in the toy market, as people are growing more tolerant of diversity in all aspects of life – culturally, socially, ethnically, gender-wise, and more.

At Bravo Kids, being highly empathetic to various cultures and ethnicity, we take great care in ensuring a diverse range of toys that meet the preferences of all classes of toy customers.

6. Sensory Play

Sensory play opens up a new world of possibilities for children, and even young adults, with developmental challenges. Several studies and experiments have revealed the importance of sensory activities for children experiencing conditions such as ADHD and autism.

There is indeed a growing demand for toys in this segment, as they provide tactile and sensory stimulation, helping children engage with the world around them and promoting effective learning.

Sensory activities serve as a bridge between children with challenges and their social involvement.

At Bravo Kids, we are particularly interested to investing in various projects that provide high-quality sensory toys, state-of-the-art sensory rooms, and other facilities that children facing these challenges can access at an affordable cost.

7. Montessori-Inspired Toys

Another emerging segment in the vibrant educational toy market is Montessori-inspired toys.

These toys are increasingly gaining a reputation for their strong emphasis on enhancing independence, curiosity, and hands-on learning in children.

What makes these toys special is that children can engage in most activities on their own, acquiring valuable insights as they explore and learn. This holistic learning approach lets kids interact with their environment, helping them internalize basic concepts like numbers and letters naturally during their playtime.

Montessori toys are thoughtfully crafted to meet the diverse developmental needs of children. They promote cognitive and fine motor skills while also embracing eco-conscious values and minimalist designs.

At Bravo Kids, we have an exclusive brand called EduMonti that specializes in Montessori-inspired toys. We source high-quality wooden toys from reliable suppliers to ensure children get the best learning experience for developing essential cognitive skills as they play.

8. Maker and DIY Toy Kits

Making and crafting have always been important educational activities for children of all ages.

There is a wide variety of toys in this segment on the market. Bravo Kids offers an extensive collection of toys in the making and crafting niche, including puzzles of various types, DIY toys, and other maker kits.

The most exciting aspect of maker and DIY toy kits is that they provide kids with valuable opportunities for hands-on learning and creativity-driven play.

Various market studies indicate that parents are increasingly interested in investing in toys that encourage these essential experiences, leading to significant growth in this segment of the global toy market.

9. Robotics and Coding Toys

A list of the best toy trends in the educational and learning niche wouldn’t be complete without a note on robotics and coding toys. This is indeed a fast-growing segment of educational toys, with numerous market studies highlighting its potential in the years to come.

As a trusted retailer of educational toys in Qatar, we always offer an impressive selection of toys that help children develop essential skills in robotics and coding—two crucial skills that children today need to foster their digital abilities and shape their future career trajectory.

In a 2023 trend report by The Toy Association, the demand for robotics and coding toys was highlighted as a key trend in the global toy market.

These toys are designed not only to boost creativity and critical thinking but also to build basic digital literacy in children.

Early exposure to these areas will obviously benefit them in exploring future career opportunities in the fast-evolving fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

10. Science and Nature Exploration Toys

Nature-based learning, combined with hands-on scientific explorations and discoveries, helps kids gain a better understanding of their surroundings and environment.

Well, apart from instilling a sense of responsibility toward the environment, nature-based learning also ensures social, emotional, and cognitive development in children, says a study published by the Children and Nature Network.

With the increasing demand for toys in this niche, we feature a wide range of science and nature exploration toys in our collection at Bravo Kids in Qatar.

Notice: The article may contain AI-generated or stock images. All products displayed may not necessarily be available for sale at BravoKids.