Sponsored by:





Experimenting with New Markets: Science Toys Bubble Over with Teachers, Parents
By Pennie Hoover
May 1, 2003

 


The majority of science toy manufacturers still focus on the ages eight and up, but the market has shown imaginative science toy manufacturers can market their products to a wide range of consumers.

At Elenco Electronics, Inc., Jeff Coda, National Sales Manager, says the toy area is the fastest-growing part of their company after the company shifted selling their educational products to consumers rather than schools. “We have repackaged the kits for retail focusing on 8-11-year-olds who are participating in science fairs and doing science projects for school,” said Coda.


Electronic Snap Circuits retails for $49.99 and is available from Elenco Electronics, Inc. (www.elenco.com)

This strategy has been successful enough that Elenco is venturing into younger markets. Their hottest seller is Electronic Snap Circuits (retail $49.99), which teaches electronic circuit applications and has received five-star ratings from customers on Amazon.com.

George C. Atamian, President and COO of Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, a division of Educational Insights (educationalinsights.com), says their target audience is the parent, usually the mother, and sometimes the teacher. They do not advertise directly to the consumer, so colorful, non-threatening packaging sells the product. “We use the word “set,” not “kit” on our boxes. Set says to parents who have limited time that the students can do this themselves,” said Atamian.

NEXT


Writer's Bio: Pennie, a graduate of Indiana University School of Journalism, is a freelance writer and lives with her husband and three children in Visalia, CA.


 
 

Want to see a showcase of toys?  Click Here...

Send comments about this article to: emailtoydirectory@gmail.com


Return to ToyDirectory Monthly front page
  Product Review: Science Toys Dig Up Fun and Education

Ask the Experts: Science and Nature Toys

Industry Overview: Blinded By Science

Forces of Nature: Science Toys are Fun2

Retail Strategies:
Experimenting with New Markets

Plush: Product Spotlight: New Plush Lines Ape the Color and Sounds of Wildlife


Plush: Industry Trends: Custom Plush Spreads Out

Cars & Trucks: Product Review:
Mattel’s Hot Wheels Celebrates its 35TH Anniversary with HIGHWAY 35

Cars & Trucks: Industry Overview:
Toy Cars and Trucks

Cars & Trucks: New Models for Summer: New Fast and the Furious Diecast Cars Poised at the Starting Line

Industry Sales: 2002 Showed Major Gains in Online Toy Sales


Advertise on TDmonthly

Home  ToyShow™ Previews & Highlights  Toy Gallery  Contact TD Monthly   Broadcast  Advertise Here

Look up Manufacturers at ToyDirectory.com®

TDmonthly™ Holiday Gift Guide

Disclaimer  Privacy Policy 
Career Opportunities  Feedback
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use.
© Copyright 2003 ToyDirectory Monthly™, a division of ToyDirectory.com®, Inc.