Plush and Toys

Toy Best Sellers (From page 109) mints, mini-waffles, gummi bears,” Ray explained.

Retailers expect the fidget/sensory toy phenomenon to continue well into the new year “I’m not sure if it’s because we’re seeing more and more anxiety in children, or if they really like to collect things. It’s probably a combination of both,” Edwards said. The fidget toys give children a way to keep their hands busy and are a healthier alternative to the hours of screen time they have been clocking with virtual schooling, playdates, and other everyday events upended by COVID. Key added, “I don’t think fidget toys are going away for a long time, because craving sensory input is driven by something much deeper than seeing an item on TikTok.”

Tactile items requiring critical thinking and creativity are popular, and their appeal is expected to continue into the new year. “I think the hot toys for us in 2022 will be the basics—arts and crafts, creatives, and new kinds of kits,” said

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