6 Minute English Grown-ups buying kids’ toys
37 snips
Aug 14, 2025 Adults are tapping into their inner child by buying toys originally meant for kids. This trend, known as 'kidults,' highlights a nostalgic connection to childhood with significant market influence. The emotional benefits of reconnecting with past play are explored, particularly since the pandemic sparked a surge in adult collectors. A quiz on pricey Lego sets and insights from toy makers reveal how this trend is reshaping consumer behavior and the toy market dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Kidults Drive A Big Part Of The Market
- Adults buying children’s toys (kidults) now make up a large share of the toy market, around 30–40% according to the episode.
- Online shopping and social media help drive this trend and increase visibility for adult collectors.
Huge Seasonal Spending By Adult Collectors
- Between October and December, American kidults spent over $1.5 billion on toys for themselves.
- Popular purchases included plush toys, or 'plushies', which are soft stuffed dolls or animals.
Lego Trivia Leads To A Pricey Reveal
- Phil quizzes Beth about the most expensive Lego set ever made, turning a trivia question into a reveal.
- The answer later in the show names the Millennium Falcon as the priciest set at £734.99.