Once upon a time, toys were just for kids. Now? They’re investment pieces, nostalgia bombs, and cultural statements.

A rising share of collectors are adults — part of a growing demographic known as kidults.

But just how big is this shift? According to Circana, in 2023 adults represented about 17–18% of total U.S. toy sales — that’s roughly $6–7 billion a year. And nearly 43% of U.S. adults said they bought a toy for themselves in the past year.

And we’re not talking about Beanie Babies — we’re talking limited-edition vinyl and plush toys. Recently, the Labubu craze introduced QR code tech on packaging to help verify authenticity. But with counterfeits still rampant, it’s clear: QRs aren’t enough.

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Enter: Web3 + AI

To fight fakes and bring toys into the digital age, brands are turning to NFC chips and the blockchain.

Here’s how it works: an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip is embedded in the toy or packaging. When you tap it with your phone, it opens a tamper-proof digital certificate — stored on a secure server or, in Web3’s case, the blockchain. It creates a verifiable chain of ownership — like a digital receipt that proves you’re holding the real thing.

And that’s just the start.

From digital twins and avatar customization to AI-enhanced toys that learn and evolve, the lines between digital and physical are blurring. Toys are getting smarter — and more connected.

The future of toys isn’t plastic — it’s programmable.