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Toy packaging boxes are having a greater impact on consumers and it has become as important as the product itself. There are many new emerging trends in toy packaging.
The packaging is becoming more playful and the new trend is to make the packaging a part of the play experience. Toy packaging is also making more use of unexpected content.
The surprise toys in blind packaging is a major trend in the toy industry. This makes the unboxing experience more unpredictable and exciting for children.
In this article, we will talk about:
- toy types
- market share of toy
- toy brand
- toy packaging materials
- top packaging design tips
- 10 top packaging examples
Another prevailing trend in toy packaging boxes is minimalistic packaging. This results in very elegant and aesthetically pleasing packaging.
Toy Types
There are different types of toys available on the market. Action figure toys include licensed and theme figures that have an action-based pattern.
Art and craft toys are creative in nature and encourage children to prepare different shapes and forms based on reusable materials, design kits, and supplies.
Building toys are also a popular category which helps children to build shapes and architectures using building blocks.
Toys are also categorized into games and puzzles which are very common and popular. These games include puzzles, brainteasers, strategy games etc.
which develop strategic thinking of children. Outdoor toys are to be used in an outdoor setting and promote the physical well-being of children.
Boy’s Toys
Boys prefer toys which are more action-oriented. Sports-based toys are normally preferred by boys. Toys like sports equipment, skateboards, winter snow-based equipment, etc.
Powered vehicles are also popular with boys. They like to play with toys like electric train sets, battery-powered toys, and vehicles, a set of powered vehicles that include a racetrack, battery powered and remote-controlled vehicles, etc.
Outdoor toys which include gym centers, trampoline, kites, and windsocks, etc. are also preferred by boys.
Another important category of boy’s toys is strategy-based games and puzzles. Strategy games, puzzles, brainteasers plug and play video games, etc. are an instant hit among the boys.
Girl’s Toys
Girls have a different preference for toys when compared to boys. The most popular category of toys among girls is dolls.
Different types of display dolls and accessories, dollhouses, fashion and styling dolls, mini, figurines are highly popular with the girl children.
Nurturing dolls that have general characteristics of a baby or infant are also quite popular as toys among girls.
Costume and dress-up toys and accessories are also normally preferred by girls. Girls also like to play with art and craft-based toys.
They like toys made of reusable compounds like clay, dough, and etc. which are used to form different shapes and objects.
Market Share of Toy
The global toy industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The market is dominated by 5 big companies- Mattel, Namco Bandai, LEGO, Hasbro, and Jakks Pacific.
Danish company LEGO was the industry leader with the highest revenue of $5.49 billion in the year 2016.
Mattel was a close second with a revenue of $5.46 billion in 2016. North America is one of the most important and profitable markets for toys.
The total retail sales of toys were estimated to be $22 billion in 2015.
Popular Brands of Toy
There are many popular brands that have carved a niche for themselves. LEGO is a highly successful toy brand. It has been manufacturing and marketing building blocks for many years.
Since its inception, it has sold more than 480 million interlocking toys. Fischer-Price is another popular brand of toy.
It manufactures toys for children and has manufactured more than 5000 brands since its inception in the 1930s.
Some of the most popular toys made by Fischer-Price are Power Wheels, Disney, Chatter Telephone, etc.
Barbie is a fashionable and stylish doll manufactured by Mattel Inc, the American giant toy company. Barbie dolls are very popular among girls and more than 1 billion dolls have been sold worldwide.
Materials Used for Toys Packaging
A wide variety of materials is being used for the packaging of toys. Some of the most common and widely used materials for the packaging of toys are as follows:
Plastic
Plastic boxes are very commonly used as packaging materials for toys. The plastic packaging boxes are durable and provide good protection to the packaged toys during transit.
These packaging boxes can be used to store the packaged toys after unboxing or it can be reused for other purposes also.
Wooden Toy Boxes
Wooden toy packaging boxes are classic and elegant. They are eco-friendly and provide excellent protection to the packaged toys.
The wooden packaging boxes are durable and can be reused for various other purposes also.
The wooden toy packaging boxes can also be used for storing the toys which keep them safe for playing for a long time.
Cardboard
Cardboard boxes are commonly used for packaging of toys. The cardboard boxes provide good protection to the packaged toys.
They are also lightweight and easy to store. Cardboard boxes can also be reused for other purposes. These packaging boxes are also eco-friendly as they are recyclable.
Toy Packaging Design Tips
Packaging plays a very important role in attracting the children towards purchasing the toys. Every day new toys are launched in the market and due to this, the competition is very stiff.
Packaging helps to differentiate the product and makes it stand out from the competition. Packaging helps to create brand awareness and brand recognition.
Children can associate with the toys from its packaging itself. There are many aspects which contribute to designing attractive toy packaging.
Some of the important considerations for designing attractive toy packaging are as follows:
Appealing to the Children
Toys are meant for children so their packaging also has to be designed keeping in mind the children. Designing packaging for children is very different than designing packaging for adults.
Children have a lower sense of maturity and cognition compared to adults. They perceive the sensory inputs differently than adults.
The packaging for toys should make use of clean and pure colors which will appeal to the senses of the children.
The graphics illustrations on the packaging should also be colorful to capture the attention of the children and influence them into buying the product.
3-D graphics are also widely being used to make the packaging unique and special. The overall feel of the packaging should be colorful and playful to attract children.
Uniqueness
The toy market is highly competitive and there are many brands in the market which are looking to attract children.
The packaging has to be unique and innovative to differentiate it from the competition. The packaging should be able to consistent with the brand and it should reflect the individual brand.
There are many elements like color, graphics, logo, etc. which build brand recognition and helps the customers to identify with the brand.
Without building a brand recognition the product may achieve some short-term sales but it will struggle to carve out a long-term brand awareness and success in the market.
Transparent Packaging
Transparent packaging is becoming a popular trend in toys packaging. Such kind of packaging helps to showcase the toys cleverly to the potential customers.
Transparent packaging provides a transparent window through which the children can get a sneak peek into the packaged toy.
It helps to build up appeal and attraction towards the product among the children. Due to the presence of a wide variety of toys in the market children can find it tedious to select the suitable toys for them.
Transparent packaging helps them to see the toy from outside without opening the packaging and can decide if they want to buy it or not.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Toy packaging is increasingly making use of green packaging which is eco-friendly. The packaging materials mostly end up in landfills or the ocean beds which has a serious long-term impact on the environment.
The eco-friendly packaging is necessitated due to the serious threat which non-recyclable packaging material poses to the environment.
The governments globally are formulating strict regulations for adhering to eco-friendly packaging. The customers also prefer brands which use green packaging.
The packaging of the toys should be made from biodegradable materials which can be completely recycled. This not only attracts the customers, but it also helps to build a positive brand image.
Functionality and Utility
The packaging of toys is adopting a more functional and utility-based approach. The packaging should provide sufficient protection to the packaged toys to protect it from damage during transit to the retail shelves.
The packaging should also offer the children utility to reuse it differently later. Some unique packaging also has components which can be assembled to the actual toy.
The packaging should be easy to open and should make use of minimalistic packaging elements.
The packaging should not be overdone as the excessive packaging elements will create unnecessary waste which will end up in landfills and pose a grave threat to the environment.
Examples of Good Toy Packaging
Packaging has a very important role in the marketing of products. The packaging becomes even more important for toys.
Toy packaging has to attract children’s attention. Some of the examples of good toy packaging are provided below:
Hero Factory LEGO
The Hero Factory LEGO makes use of flexible packaging. It may look simple, but it has won gold flexible packaging achievement from the Flexible Packaging Association.
The packaging is 80% lighter than the traditional cardboard box packaging and thus it greatly reduces the shipping costs and carbon emissions.
The pouch is made from PET and LLDPE and comes with a seal which can be reused to store toys.
Tube Toys
Tube toys are a series of fun vehicles which are assembled using the parts of the packaging they come with.
They provide a unique alternative to the children over conventional toys. The packaging tube stores parts of the vehicles like stickers, wheels etc.
which become part of the vehicle on assembling. The packaging materials are completely recyclable.
Hen and Hammock- Mr. McGregor Garden Set
This Hen and Hammock garden set is meant for children with an interest in gardening.
The garden setting provides aspiring child gardeners with basic utilities like carrot, lettuce, radish, plant labels, and 2 rabbit soap to clean themselves up.
The packaging is done in a brown and sustainably sourced cardboard box. The packaging and the contents are done in neutral shades of brown color.
Wooden Lego Man
The traditional yellow Lego man is a popular toy. The new wooden Lego Man is catching up with children.
The toy comes packaged in an elegant brown box with wood shavings as linings. The packaging is recyclable and thus eco-friendly.
In addition to being innovative, the packaging can be used as memorabilia for lovers of Lego.
Pilot & Captain Turbo Flyer
The Pilot & Captain Turbo Flyer plane is an elegant and handmade toy. The plane can be popped out of the cardboard packaging and then assembled to form the turbo flying machine.
The packaging is minimal and eco-friendly which does not pose any threat to the environment. The unique packaging is quite popular among the children.
EBK Robots
EBK robots are very popular among children. These robots are attractively designed in bold colors which captures the imagination of children.
The toy is packaged in a brown box which is made from a renewable plant-based material. The packaging is eco-friendly and it can also be reused later as a bag.
Dinky Toys
Dinky Toys manufactures miniature vehicles and accessories targeted towards boys. The packaging is very elegant with a retro feel to it.
The packaging is done in a cardboard box which is lightweight and recyclable also.
BulToys Identity
BulToys manufactures exquisitely crafted wooden toys. The toys are handmade from wood and thus are totally natural and also last a long time.
Packaging is an important part of the product. The packaging is very elegant and colorful which makes the product stand out from the competition.
Star Wars Toys
Star Wars turned 40 years in 2017 and they released the new range of toys. The toys come sealed in original Star Wars packaging which is very attractive.
the toys are glued to the cardboard backdrop which features a still from the movie makes the product special. The cardboard backdrop can also be used as memorabilia by the Star Wars fans.
Cubetto Playset
Cubetto is a friendly wooden robot that teaches the children the basics of computer programming in a playful manner.
The packaging is very adorable and has a story to tell in itself. The packaging is colorful and is illustrated with instructions to use the wooden robot.
