Children’s toys have changed a lot over the years, mostly due to the growth of technology.
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Children now have access to the internet from as young as two-years-old, which is influencing the toys they want.
Kellie Hugen from Toyworld Devonport said children were now wanting toys from what they watched on YouTube so she had to make sure the store was across the latest trends.
“It is amazing when we do our buying now we look at what is trending on YouTube because kids are buying a lot off YouTube,” Mrs Hugen said.
She said they always looked at the television advertisements companies were doing and what television shows were current when buying toys but their most popular ones were from YouTube.
She said the LOL underwrap surprises were popular for girls and Beyblades for boys and both came from YouTube.
“It is more about the toys that give an experience,” Mrs Hugen said.
In the reverse, parents are buying toys to encourage their children to play and not spend as much time on screens.
“The biggest item we are selling at the moment is ninja slacklines (Slackers- Ninja Line). It comes from the TV show Australian Ninja Warrior.
“These slack lines run from poles or trees, in big backyards preferably, and they have all these gadgets on them. They have a monkey bar type and a ball type and they (kids or adults) have to swing to each one to get down.
“There was one lady who thanked our staff members because she couldn’t get her kids outside because they were so tech savvy. She bought that home and they stayed outside from after school until dinner time.”
Board games are still popular but now the most popular ones are coming from social media too.
“Pice Face and The Mouthguard Challenge were the biggest sellers last year along with Family Feud. They were Facebook and YouTube creations. People saw Pie Face on Facebook.”
She said all the traditional board games still sold and Battleships were making a comeback this year.
“Lego, I really don’t have to say much. That is like in a milk bar how you sell milk every day. Lego we just sell every day. They are amazing at their range from one-year-olds and I actually have an 86-year-old customer,” Mrs Hugen said.
“As a business we certainly have had to grow with all of the social media. We understand people go online and shop, which is where our company has to make sure that we get a good price as well.
“I have found people now do a lot of research and they try to shop locally so if I keep up with what my demographic want and can get it at a good price, then nine out of ten people shop with us.”
She said she was employing locals and their business offered trained staff and service you couldn't get online.
“It is a fun job, toys are fun and kids are cool. When the kids are in here and you can hear laughter, that’s when it feels like a toy shop.”