Many new products go straight from the New York Toy Fair to the close-out shelves of the major retail chain stores, never seeing the light of day in the very crowded marketplace of toys and games. Point of Difference. Professional design groups often incorporate new technology into toys and games. Before you even think about developing a new toy for the mass market, study what s already on the shelves. All feature dolls, of course, must compete with all other dolls, with or without promotable functions.
Many inventors try to instruct kids with educational toys and games.
The truth is that the toy industry at large relies on impulse items that are fun to use and offer activities not easily replicated by the consumer at home. While it s important to meet a toy company s expectations in terms of visual appeal, the final look of a toy or game will be determined by the company, in a process in which you are likely to have no role whatsoever. Selling the maximum number of units per household means designing sports toys for boys, home-making activities for girls, and socially interactive games for adults. Though ultimately the manufacturer s responsibility, safety is a critical factor. New designs that include, for example, small parts, batteries, or household electric power raise special issues.