From princesses and puppies to pixelated worlds and dollhouses, children’s entertainment continues to shape pop culture and toy shelves. With fan-favourite franchises gaining momentum, nostalgia, innovation, and emotional connection are powerful forces. Here’s how five standout properties are driving preschool demand.
When Do You Start Feeling Nostalgic? – Lilo & Stitch
Stitch, the beloved alien from the 2002 Disney film is now technically classed as ‘vintage’, and with the recent record-breaking blockbuster film, he is still capturing hearts across generations.
For Millennial and Gen Z parents, Lilo & Stitch was a defining childhood favourite, making it a natural choice to share with their own children. Not only is the story of friendship and ‘found family’ important to the franchise’s appeal but it helps that Stitch is very marketable; big ears, big eyes and a cheeky grin, a character that’s tailor-made for little figurines around a bedroom – maybe even on top of an alarm clock! Check out our Stitch Mini Alarm Clock.
Cultural Exchange – Bluey
Whilst the “Peppa Pig Effect” saw some American children adopting British accents during lockdown, a subtler trend has emerged with the Australian children’s series Bluey. In 2024 it was the most streamed show globally, so it’s no surprise that children are being influenced, with some parents reporting their kids have started picking up Aussie phrases.
Since 2018, the series has become an award-winning global hit and with a live-action theatre production on the horizon, the demand for licensed products is booming. From plush toys and puzzles to apparel
and homeware, Bluey is a powerful and enduring brand presence on shelves worldwide, so make sure you have a Bluey Table Lamp on your shelves.
The love for the programme is so strong that even a minor character, Floppy (her sister’s stuffed rabbit), has made a big impact despite only appearing in eight episodes. Floppy features heavily in the highest-rated episode on IMDb, with an impressive 9.9K reviews and a 9.8/10 rating (more reviews than the rest of the top 5 episodes combined). So, it’s worth making sure you’ve got a Floppy SquishyGlo Silicone Light in stock. After all, who wouldn’t want the same adorable bunny toy as their favourite character?
Building Up a Fan Base Block-by-Block – Minecraft
Have you also been singing the Lava Chicken song? Hopefully you haven’t been throwing your popcorn bucket around in the cinema… If this latest Minecraft movie-going trend proves anything it’s that people are still getting very excited for the franchise.
Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, boasts 141 million active monthly players. Its creative gameplay and blocky style appeal to all ages, with characters like Creepers and Steve driving merchandise demand. Despite being rated PEGI 7, the recognisable, friendly designs translate easily into preschool-friendly toys and gifts.
Don’t let demand ‘creep’ up on you… be ready with plenty of Creeper Mini Alarm Clocks for those younger fans eager to bring a bit of Minecraft into the real world.
Modern-day Masterpiece – Gabby’s Dollhouse
In contrast, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a modern-day success story born in the era of streaming. Created by DreamWorks and launched on Netflix, Gabby has quickly become a preschool powerhouse. In the past year, the show has been experiencing a rapid expansion beyond the computer screen, with a major broadcast debut on Nick Jr., an upcoming theatrical film release, a live-action theatre production, and talks of a spin-off series.
Gabby’s Dollhouse’s popularity comes from taking the tradition of the dollhouse and giving it a burst of modernity and interactivity through weekly adventures with lovable characters. It’s only natural that kids would like merchandise that brings the magic of the dollhouse to their own rooms. With the show’s popularity only expected to grow, it’s a smart time for retailers to stock up: starting with standout items like our Gabby’s Dollhouse Icon Alarm Clock.
How this Disney Movie Holds Onto its Fans – Frozen
Since Disney’s Frozen first hit cinemas in 2013, it has quickly become a cultural phenomenon. The film’s classic story of sisterhood and self-discovery struck a powerful chord with a generation of young viewers and anything featuring Anna, Elsa and their cute little snowman companion, Olaf, continues to perform strongly at retail. Even though the sequel was released back in 2019, demand hasn’t slowed.
Disney has confirmed that Frozen 3 is officially in the works. Rather than letting the momentum wane, the company is strategically building anticipation with thoughtful content and continued storytelling. For retailers, this presents a golden opportunity. With a fresh wave of excitement on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to stock practical and appealing items, like the Frozen Elsa Alarm Clock.
Whether it’s the nostalgic pull of Lilo & Stitch, the heartfelt relatability of Bluey, the boundless creativity of Minecraft, the modern charm of Gabby’s Dollhouse, the enduring magic of Frozen, these franchises prove one thing: when a story resonates, the retail success follows. As these brands continue to evolve and expand, they offer retailers valuable opportunities to connect with fans through products that bring the stories they love to life.
