WESTERN PRODUCER — If toy shoppers learned anything from the pandemic lockdown, it’s that tried and true toys, like board games, stand the test of time. Families began playing together as they had to stay together.
Toy shopping became an online or curbside pick-up activity, so parents had to rely on advertising and their child’s wish list to know what to buy — if it was available. Toy shopping in 2022 is a return to normal with toy stores’ doors open, allowing shoppers to squeeze, rattle and hug their choices. Surprisingly, with the lockdown lifted, some of the traditional toys, such as board games, are still beckoning to families.
“Since the pandemic, we are seeing more families choosing toys together,” says Dajarra Bosche, the co-owner with her mother, Tracy, of Zippity Zoom Toys in Regina.
“Board games, such as Acorn Soup, which is for the young ones, but families find it cute to play together, continue to be huge sellers.”
In Manitoba, Winkler toy store co-owner Janet Bueckert says toys that people remember from their childhood, including favourite board games, are big sellers. Also, she and husband, Jake, have seen an up-tick in sales of Spirograph and Etch-A-Sketch, which tap into the nostalgia theme.
“Our store, The Village Toy Shop, is known for sourcing more traditional toys that stand the test of time,” Bueckert says. “One toy that sells for us year round is Playmobil.”
Andrew Wagar, a director with the Canadian Toy Association, recommends Playmobil as an all-round sturdy toy with many options for play. The company makes many sets including some with rural themes, he says.
“Pony Farm is an excellent fun detailed play set that depicts life on a farm,” he explains.
Playmobil offers a variety of play sets that incorporate outer space, dinosaurs, and city life, but within these categories there are specialty sets. Under the “country” category, besides the Pony Farm, there is a Mobile Farrier and a Market Garden.
While the toy experts recommend sturdy, engaging, multi-faceted toys, they also recognize that children might wish for the latest fad. According to Wagar, the hot toys he is seeing are Squishmallows, a cuddly, collectible plush toy, and Magic Mixies, that allow a child to conjure a toy out of a cauldron. The reality of shopping for trendy toys is that they are sometimes expensive and in short supply.
“The best toy is the one that suits the child,” Wagar says. “Aspirational toys are good because they allow children to feel like an adult when they play with them.”
He says the Association has seen a greater interest in STEM and science kits along with games and puzzles. But the plush toy category has been growing rapidly as well, he adds.
At Zippity Zoom Toys, Bosche recommends toys that engage and spark imagination. She says a different form of pretend play is offered by Schleich, a company that creates puppets and play sets. “Puppets have been huge for boys, in particular, because there are dragons and mythical creatures and children can create dioramas to help tell their stories.”
Creating stories is promoted by Bueckert at The Village Toy Shop as well. She likes the magnetic story boards made by Create a Scene. The metal boards open like a book and children can add magnetic animals and other items to imagine a new world. The company offers a variety of kits, such as Magnetic Farm, Magnetic Construction, Magnetic Universe, and Magnetic Dinosaurs.
With so many great toys, choosing one that will engage a child is challenging. Most parents remember at least one Christmas when their child was more engaged with the box the toy came in than the actual item.
“We often have parents come to the store with their children and they walk through the store together looking at what we have and then the parents come back later to purchase what their child liked the most,” Bueckert says.
According to Bosche, sometimes the unexpected is the perfect toy.
“We brought in rock tumblers and they were a big hit and now we bring in a lot of rough rocks because kids are fascinated by what they get when the rock is polished. Consider whether you want to do a project or game as a family or whether you want to provide your child with a project they can work on alone.”
Of course, all the traditional toys from fashion dolls to miniature cars continue to be hot items. But parents looking for something a little different or that offers more engagement or challenges beyond the “Toy of the Season” should consider visiting an independent toy store where the latest trend might not be on the shelf but something unexpectedly fun will be.
