One last “holiday hot take” from Kimberly Willis Boyd, our President of Global Toy Brands and Licensed Consumer Products! ✨ #ThoughtLeadership #Nostalgia #Kidults #Retail #Trends
✨ Holiday hot take #3: Play is aging up – and it’s changing the game for everyone. We’ve all seen the reports about more adults buying toys for themselves. What’s surprising is this isn’t a passing fad. Here’s why I believe “kidults” are here to stay. ⏪Toys can be a time machine. We're seeing record-high levels of adult burnout and stress. Nostalgia is a powerful antidote. It’s no coincidence that adults are flocking to childhood favorites to relive happier moments. People seek comfort in the familiar, joyful memories of childhood. Check out Urban Outfitters or Target’s graphic T-shirt section for proof. According to a 2024 report from WGSN, Millennials are embracing nostalgic experiences like sleepovers, adult coloring books, and even the return of CD sales. Legacy brands like Transformers, Star Wars, Furby, Barbie and Hot Wheels have tapped into this sentiment successfully. By blending cherished memories with fresh twists, they’re captivating fans of all ages. 🦄We’re crazy for collectibles. Collectibles are where nostalgia meets self-expression. From trading cards to limited-edition action figures, they’re more than just toys—they’re statements of identity. And they’re thriving. According to Circana, collectibles now make up 23% of all toy sales in the U.K. Meanwhile, over half of 13-39-year-olds consider themselves collectors, according to YPulse. We see this trend firsthand at Hasbro. Whether it’s Magic: The Gathering or Transformers, our fans eagerly anticipate every new drop. My Little Pony is seeing a resurgence among adult audiences through collectible cards. Nostalgia is just the start—these items let people celebrate who they are. 💗Play is good for the soul. The need for self-care has never been greater. And play is more than fun—it has undeniable mental health benefits. We’ve seen the headlines about how loneliness is on the rise. Play is a powerful remedy: it reduces stress, sparks creativity, and builds connection. For adults, this means prioritizing board games, puzzles, building sets, or huggable plushies. 🎲Parents are the OGs: Original Gamers. Millennial parents grew up gaming and are now passing the torch to their kids, driving a resurgence in family-oriented games. From board games to consoles, families are rediscovering the joy and bond that come from playing together. 24% of Generation Alpha says they spend most of their time on weekends playing video games (per Razorfish), while 77% of Millennials report playing video games themselves (according to Newzoo). Playing together just makes sense—and it’s becoming an increasingly popular way for parents to spend quality time with kids. We start our play journeys as kids, but the appeal is timeless. At Hasbro, we’re embracing this shift by offering experiences for all ages—proving that play has no age limit. What’s the most memorable brand you’ve revisited as an adult? Comment below!
Absolutely Kimberly Willis Boyd! There is a growing community of collectors that interact with these products from a hobby perspective. Gundam, Lego, 3D printing, model painting - these seem to be sustained and growing hobbies.
Wishing you all the best!
Experienced Technology Support Specialist, Experienced Project Coordinator
4dI concur that the mindset that “kidults” will be around for a while. But in order to maintain that into the future, brands need to make sure that they are staying relevant in toy isles with kids today. The proper care and nurturing of the brands will ensure that kids today will have something they will call nostalgic as they become kidults later in life.