From YouTube’s STEAM content creators and TikTok’s DIY videos to endless streamable programming on platforms like Netflix, today’s entertainment is shaping how kids think about play and increasing interest in toys that invite them to step away from screens and become creators in their own right.
This shift is reflected in The Toy Association™’s “Inspiring Inventors” trend, which points to a growing demand for playthings centered on experimentation, customization, and hands-on discovery. It is a trend that is also resonating strongly with parents.
“Parents are increasingly seeking out toys that encourage their kids to explore ideas, test solutions, and build their creative confidence through making and doing,” said Kristin Morency Goldman, senior director of strategic communications at The Toy Association.
Findings from a recent Toy Association survey of U.S. parents reinforce that momentum: 78% say they would like to see more toys that help children build skills such as imagination and critical thinking. Educational value is now a key consideration for many families, with 96% of parents saying they prioritize buying at least one educational toy for birthdays and other holidays. In turn, open-ended kits, modular construction sets, STEAM activities, and design-led creative products are gaining traction for their ability to evolve with a child’s interests.
These products give children room to experiment, adapt their designs, and experience the satisfaction of turning an idea into something tangible. The appeal is not limited to one market. Globally, the STEM toy market is projected to nearly double between 2024 and 2034, pointing to broader consumer enthusiasm for products that blend learning, creativity, and active engagement.
“As creator culture continues to influence how children learn and play, the ‘Inspiring Inventors’ trend underscores a simple but powerful idea: the next generation doesn’t just want to sit back and watch innovation happen, they want to build it themselves,” says Morency Goldman.
Below are toy examples that reflect the growing Inspiring Inventors trend:
With stackable, nestable, and waterproof elements, the Stapelstein® Water Lily Inside Set inspires experimentation and creative problem-solving through open-ended play.
The CONNETIX 28 Piece Star Light Pack blends magnetic building with a rechargeable light-up tile to encourage kids to design, test, and bring their imaginative creations to life.
Prime Time Toys’ Dart Zone® Build It Yourself Tri-Fire DIY Blaster Kit inspires hands-on experimentation by challenging kids to assemble, test, and customize their own working foam blaster.
The My Creative Box Under the Sea Craft Activity Box encourages little inventors ages 3 and up to design their own underwater world through hands-on, open-ended crafting.
The Cool Maker BFF Beads Friendship Bracelet Maker gives kids everything they need to create their own wearable, customizable accessories through creative play.
To learn more about the 2026 trends driving the global toy industry, visit toyassociation.org/trends.
