Five Facts That Bode Well for Toy Industry

Here are five trends that bode well for the toy industry and offer opportunities for Children with Special Needs:

1. The increased use of technology in play products offers both adults and children with special needs the ability to use, enjoy, learn and grow through many of these new technological innovations.

2. There is a powerful trend to promote physical activities through everything from the Wii, to incorporating and encouraging physical movement in more toys and games.  Why?  Because according to the World Health Organization, obesity is now the No. 1 health problem for children and those with special needs carry an even higher risk factor.

3. Toys and play products are now delivering at record levels real developmental benefits — mental, physical or social.  Inventors, educators and engineers continue to amaze consumers with the creative ways they can structure toys and games to help children learn and grow.

4. Play products are bridging the gap between therapy and play and professionals are realizing there are toys out there that offer therapeutic goals quietly embedded in the play processes they promote.

5. Manufacturers are blending their creativity with current research (from brain development to innovative therapy) and delivering products that are cutting-edge, age appropriate and developmentally challenging.

Congratulations to all the engineers, creative and product development people, and both professional and kitchen-table inventors out there who strive to offer all children, including those with special needs, fun and exciting toys and play products that improve their lives.