The unexpected toy trends of 2020
K-Pop and pooping flamingos gave way to Slip N Slides and puzzles, as pandemic-related lockdowns upended the consumer products landscape this year.
December 14, 2020
Predicting trends in the toy market is difficult at the best of times. And this year’s anticipated hot-ticket items quickly lost momentum in the face of the pandemic.
Cast your mind back to New York Toy Fair in February, when several trends started to emerge. Products inspired by K-Pop bands, like Jazwares’ range of toys based on South Korean girl group Blackpink, looked to be poised to do well. And critters like koalas and kangaroos were everywhere at the trade show after Australia was hit with massive bushfires. Hasbro’s Furreal Mama Josie the kangaroo, for example, featured three baby joeys and responded to touch with more than 70 reactions.