Developmental Toys Market Size, Share, Growth and Industry Analysis, By Type (Activity and Sports Toys, Games&Puzzles Toys, Building Toys, Arts & Crafts Toys, Others), By Application (Birth to 6 Months, 6 to 12 Months, 1 to 3 Years, 3 to 5 Years, Above 5 Years), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2035

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DEVELOPMENTAL TOYS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global developmental toys market was valued at USD 22.72 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 23.63 billion in 2026, reaching USD 33.6 billion by 2035, with a projected CAGR of 4% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035.

Developmental toys are toys that are designed to help children learn and develop their skills and abilities. They can be used to help children develop their cognitive, motor, social, and emotional skills. There are many different types of developmental toys available, each designed to help children develop a different skill or ability.

Building toys, such as blocks and Legos, help children develop their fine motor skills and problem-solving skills. They also help children learn about shapes, sizes, and spatial relationships. Puzzles help children develop their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. They also help children learn about colors, shapes, and numbers.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic Decreased the Market Demand due to Disruptions in Supply Chain

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the developmental toys market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the developmental toys market share. Many toy stores were forced to close temporarily during the pandemic, which reduced the availability of developmental toys to consumers. This was especially true for brick-and-mortar stores, as online retailers were able to stay open. The pandemic also disrupted the global supply chain for developmental toys, which made it difficult for toy companies to get the materials they need to produce toys. This led to shortages of some toys and higher prices for others. The pandemic also led to a shift in consumer preferences. Some parents were more reluctant to spend money on toys, as they were worried about their financial situation. Others were more likely to buy developmental toys that could be used at home, such as educational developmental toys and puzzles.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Demand For Toys That Promote STEM Skills Is Expected To Fuel The Growth In The Market

STEM skills are becoming increasingly important in the workforce, as more and more jobs require knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Parents are looking for ways to help their children develop these skills early on, so that they will be well-prepared for the future. STEM education is becoming increasingly popular, as schools and policymakers recognize the importance of these skills. This has led to an increase in the demand for STEM toys, as parents look for ways to support their children's STEM education at home. There are now more STEM toys available than ever before, and many of these developmental toys are more engaging and interactive than traditional toys. This makes them more appealing to children, and it also helps them to learn and develop STEM skills in a fun and engaging way. Social media and influencers are also playing a role in the growing demand for STEM toys. Many influencers are promoting STEM toys to their followers, and this is helping to raise awareness of the importance of STEM skills and the availability of STEM toys.

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 90 million educational and developmental toys were sold in the United States in 2023, highlighting a strong demand for learning-focused play.

• The Toy Association (U.S.) reports that approximately 65% of parents prioritize toys that promote STEM and cognitive skills for children aged 3–10 years, driving innovation in interactive developmental toys.

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DEVELOPMENTAL TOYS MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

According to type, the market can be segmented into activity and sports toys, games puzzles toys, building toys, arts & crafts toys and others.

By Application

Based on age, the market can be divided into Birth to 6 Months, 6 to 12 Months, 1 to 3 Years, 3 to 5 Years, and Above 5 Years.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Awareness Of The Importance Of Early Childhood Development To Foster The Market Growth

There is a growing body of research that shows that the experiences children have in their early years have a lasting impact on their development. This research has led to an increased awareness among parents of the importance of providing their children with stimulating and enriching experiences. Parents are looking for ways to help their children learn and develop. Parents want to give their children the best possible start in life, and they are looking for ways to help their children learn and develop. Toys can be a fun and effective way to do this, as they can help children develop a variety of skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, and social skills. As parents become more aware of the importance of early childhood development, the demand for educational toys is growing. Educational toys are designed to help children learn and develop in a fun and engaging way. There is a growing selection of developmental toys available on the market. This makes it easier for parents to find toys that are appropriate for their children's age and interests.

Rise Of Online Shopping For Toys To Result In The Expansion Of The Market

Online shopping is convenient and easy to use. Parents can shop from the comfort of their own home and compare prices from different retailers. Online retailers offer a wide selection of toys, including educational toys, STEM toys, and traditional toys. This makes it easier for parents to find the perfect toys for their children. Online retailers often offer competitive prices on toys. This can save parents money on their toy purchases. Online retailers offer convenient delivery options, such as free shipping and same-day delivery. This makes it easy for parents to get the toys they need when they need them.

• According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), over 70% of children aged 2–8 benefit from structured play with developmental toys, encouraging manufacturers to focus on skill-building products.

• The European Toy Association states that more than 50 million units of Montessori-style educational toys were distributed across Europe in 2023, supporting early childhood development initiatives.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Changing Consumer Preferences To Hamper The Market Growth

Children are increasingly being entertained by digital games and activities, such as video games, smartphones, and tablets. These games and activities can be more stimulating and engaging than traditional toys, and they can also be more convenient and accessible. This can lead to a decline in the demand for traditional toys.

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 25% of plastic-based developmental toys face restrictions due to non-biodegradable materials, affecting production capacity for eco-friendly alternatives.

• The CPSC highlights that around 18% of toy recalls are related to small parts or choking hazards, creating stricter compliance requirements for manufacturers.

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DEVELOPMENTAL TOYS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific To Lead The Market Owing To The Growing Middle Class

The Asia Pacific region has shown the highest developmental toys market growth. The growing middle class in Asia Pacific is leading to an increase in disposable income, which is being used to purchase toys for children. Parents in Asia Pacific are becoming more aware of the importance of early childhood development, and they are looking for ways to help their children learn and develop.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Are Employing Advanced Technologies In Order To Stimulate Further Growth Of The Market

All the major players are motivated to offer superior and more advanced services in order to gain a competitive edge in the market. To increase their market presence, vendors are using a variety of techniques, including product launches, regional growth, strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.

• Lego Group: According to the Toy Association, Lego produces over 500 million bricks annually worldwide, with a significant focus on developmental and STEM-oriented kits.

• Mattel: Mattel manufactures more than 120 million units of educational and developmental toys annually, emphasizing interactive learning and fine motor skills enhancement.

List of Top Developmental Toys Companies

• Lego Group (Denmark)
• Mattel (U.S.)
• Hasbro (U.S.)
• VTech (Canada)
• Spin Master (Canada)
• Brandstätter Group (Germany)
• Ravensburger (Germany)
• Melissa & Doug (U.S.)
• ZURU Toys (New Zealand)
• Kids II (U.S.)
• Simba-Dickie Group (Germany)
• Chicco (Italy)
• Clementoni (Italy)
• Jazwares (U.S.)
• JAKKS Pacific (U.S.)
• HABA Group (Germany)
• TAKARA TOMY (Japan)
• JUMBO (Netherlands)
• Magformers (U.S.)
• Banbao (China)

REPORT COVERAGE

This report examines an understanding of the developmental toys market’s size, share, growth rate, segmentation by type, application, key players, and previous and current market scenarios. The report also collects the market’s precise data and forecasts by market experts. Also, it describes the study of this industry’s financial performance, investments, growth, innovation marks, and new product launches by the top companies and offers deep insights into the current market structure, competitive analysis based on key players, key driving forces, and restraints that affect the demand for growth, opportunities, and risks.

Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international market restrictions and a deep understanding of how the industry will recover, and strategies are also stated in the report. The competitive landscape has also been examined in detail to provide clarification of the competitive landscape.

This report also discloses the research based on methodologies that define price trend analysis of target companies, collection of data, statistics, target competitors, import-export, information, and previous years’ records based on market sales. Moreover, all the significant factors which influence the market such as small or medium business industry, macro-economic indicators, value chain analysis, and demand-side dynamics, with all the major business players have been explained in detail. This analysis is subject to modification if the key players and feasible analysis of market dynamics change.