For the autumn/winter 2023/24 season, the looming realities of the climate crisis underpin two main themes for children and families: feeling the pull between a fierce and proactive protection of the environment, and a desire to become deeply immersed within the virtual realm. Trend forecaster Anri Hamilton from global futures agency, TrendBible, shares an autumn/winter 2023/24 preview into the agency’s seasonal stories for key play moments with trend inspiration for toy and game product categories.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2023/24 – BUILD US UP
In our first autumn/winter 2023/24 trend, Build Us Up, children become the architects, engineers and tradespeople of their own future, rewriting the builder narrative to have a unisex, gender-neutral and all-inclusive appeal. Championing accessibility and taking matters into their own hands, ambitious and resilient youth see vast opportunities to build themselves a better, more inclusive world.
The new workstation
Construction toys and workstations are overhauled to have a universal, unisex appeal. Taking inspiration from the future generation and their practical, solution-focused and creative problem-solving skills, new workstations are no longer static spaces, but hubs for building, creating, playing, drawing and more. Appealing to all genders and abilities, the benches, desks and workstations give children scope for infinite role-play scenarios using modular, adaptable design features and accessories that evolve as they grow.
Championing inclusivity, children of all abilities are included, using sensory touchpoints, simplified constructions and modular blocks to create safe play spaces that support and encourage every child.
Creative trade
Skilled trades such as carpentry, joinery and bricklaying are gaining traction as girls and boys look towards traditional trades as a viable future career route. Coupled with the popularity of digital building games like Minecraft and Roblox, a new interest in woodworking, plastering and tradecraft clubs such as Girls Garage and Lumber Club Marfe emerge. The future generation craves autonomy, utilising STEAM building projects and their problem-solving skills to build new worlds.
Children emulate creative trade skills through active role play, using realistic construction toys and real tools adapted for children for new DIY projects. Learning becomes intrinsic to this trend, harnessing new skill sets and natural eco-materials for children to build themselves a better, more inclusive and responsible future.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2023/24 – ENDLESS BLOOM
Faced with a looming climate crisis, a loss of biodiversity, and the threat of irreversible climate change, resilient youth fight back with optimism for autumn/winter 2023/24, utilising their positive, proactive spirit as a force for good. Taking the future into their own hands, children focus their play, learning and leisure time to conserve, protect and coexist with nature as a year-long pursuit. Play moments for this winter season are immersed in year-round outdoor experiences, embracing all that nature offers, even during the colder months. Here we highlight two key play moments for our Endless Bloom trend.
The Potting shed
Little horticulturalists embrace year-round gardening experiences using both idoor and outdoor play opportunities to restore, protect and propagate with purpose. Equipped with kid-friendly gardening tools, children inspect, nurture and study flowers and plants from seedlings to full bloom. The seasonal journey of growth from soil to harvest and back again becomes important for educating this generation of change-makers through play.
Cultivating a sense of patience and purpose, germinating games, mini-greenhouses and propagation stations echo the importance of the entire growth cycle. Beneath the soil is a source of inspiration, using its plant, insect and animal dwellers to influence soft toys and character games.
Conservation play
With biodiversity loss high on eco-conscious kids’ agendas, the need to nourish and restore the environment around them is paramount. Striving to protect endangered plants, insects and wildlife, play opportunities that double as educational tools gain traction and emphasise the importance of conservation for the future generation.
Rewilding acts and wildflower gardens influence play, equipment and accessories, giving children the opportunity to become the protectors of endangered local flora and fauna. Explorer tools remain important, equipping little eco-adventurers with binoculars, magnifying glasses and exploration cards to identify and inspect local ecosystems.
TrendBible provides specific inspiration for play and learn product categories for each of its seasonal trends as part of its trend subscription membership. For further information, please click here.
