science

So what trends should we be looking out for going forward?

At Brainbox, it’s all about the connection between parents and their own childhood, says Debra Tiffany: “Our Brainstorm Toys have the element of nostalgia, and parents love them because they take them back to their own childhood. Everyone remembers discovering the world through the lens of a microscope or being fascinated by the stars, and parents want to try to inspire this awe in their own children. So products like ours and those similar on the market will continue to be popular.’’

There are three elements that Trends UK focuses on in its own Science Mad brand, explains Lindsay Hardy:

“Outdoor & Adventure: Childappropriate equipment to encourage getting outside and being active, (such as its award-winning compact walkie talkies, metal detectors and so on).

“Exploration: Up-close examination of small things (microscopes) and making far away things bigger (telescopes).

“Science Kits: Real science kits with proper equipment and all the relevant chemicals that are allowed under toy safety directives.”

So, with so much to choose from, what should retailers look at if they want to introduce more STEM toys into their own offering in-store?

Libby Everett at Thames and Kosmos says that the science specialist’s key lines ‘’continue to be extremely popular and new additions to our range have had a very positive launch, in particular the gyroscope from the essential STEM range. This year we have expanded our STEM products even further and are very excited to launch our science advent calendar, which has very positive pre-sales numbers.’’

Debra Tiffany finds it hard to choose: ‘‘We have products that span lots of science themes’’, but ultimately opts for Brainbox’s space toys. ‘’They are always hugely popular, and that range includes My Very Own Moon, My Very Own Solar System and Night Sky, which allows retailers to stock lots of different themed products that not only teach children about planets and the solar system but also double as night lights.’’

Lindsay Hardy has a product in mind – she says: ‘’Our multi awardwinning Science Mad Chemistry Lab is acknowledged to be the best on the market!’’

And there are plenty more to choose from in this feature.

Character Options, for instance, has brought to market a building system that lets kids create and customise their own pixel art. Simbrix allows them to build 2D and 3D shapes without glueing, ironing or adding water. The brix pieces are also fully reusable, increasing value for money and play value.

Another popular and long-running construction brand is Basic Fun!’s K’NEX. The latest release is the

K’Nexosaurus Rex Building Set, which enables children to build a motorised model of an impressive prehistoric beast that stomps and swings both its head and tail as it moves! More play value is added with the ability to build a second Megasaurus model from the kit.

Meccano, meanwhile, is an iconic name in construction kits. Spin Master’s hugely recognised brand may have been created 125 years ago, but it is not standing still. New is the Meccano Maker’s Toolbox, a 437-piece intermediate STEAM model-building kit designed for open-ended play and endless creativity.

Geomag toys, meanwhile, let children experiment with magnetism, learning about fundamental scientific concepts and creating intricate mechanical constructions. The Mechanical Motion Flywheels set is made from 98% recycled material

There are more experiments from The History of Life on Earth, the latest addition to Clementoni’s Science & Play Range, which won the Spielwarenmesse 2023 Toy Award under the School Kids (6-10 years) category. about how life evolved on planet Earth.

Toynamics has a host of STEM-related toys, including the bestselling Monster Maths Scale, encouraging children to learn about different aspects of maths. Learning certainly never needs to be dull with such a rich offering in the STEM sector, and toys that offer educational and play value in abundance are always going to be attractive to your customers.