Cool, Colorful, and Creative: Top Trends Spotted at 2015 ABC Kids Expo

Disclosure: Influence Central attended the ABC Kids Expo at our own expense to learn about emerging products in the baby and kid space. Goodbaby is a client of Influence Central. All opinions are our own.

Having written three parenting books and worked in the Mom space for more than two decades, I’ve seen countless baby and kids products over the years. Yet as I cover industry shows for our MomCentral.com site, as I did in late October for the 2015 ABC Kids Expo, I still find myself amazed at the cutting-edge product innovations unveiled by juvenile product brands and manufacturers.

This year’s ABC Kids Expo proved no exception with an extraordinary array of innovative products displayed by approximately 1,000 exhibitors throughout 3,300 booths. As I walked across the Las Vegas Convention Center, talking with large brands and entrepreneurs alike, I marveled at the sheer number of products designed to help babies, kids, and families. Here are the key trends I see rising up from the space.

Vibrant Colors & Textures Heat Up the Baby Product Industry

Moms spend seemingly endless years toting overstuffed diaper bags every time we step out the door. Filled to the brim with bottles, diapers, wipes, snacks, spare clothes, favorite toys, activities, stuffed animals and more, these bags become our lifelines. So why can’t they also be eye-catching and stylish?

Waverly Baby by Trend Lab created a diaper bag with the fashion chops of Waverly fabrics coupled with the silhouette of a trendy handbag moms would actually want to carry. The Deluxe Framed Tote Diaper Bag features a snap closure, curved handles and a comfy shoulder strap, outfitted in graduated white-lined dots on vibrant colors ranging from scarlet to turquoise to tiger lily.

A second style, the Deluxe Satchel Diaper Bag, showcases the glorious floral fabrics we’ve come to expect from Waverly in shades of orange, pink, green, purple, and blue. Buckled leather handles and padded shoulder straps round out the design.

The Continued Rise of the Upscale Stroller

Today’s Moms carry around a dizzying amount of gear. We tote everything from groceries to older kids’ sports equipment to picnic supplies – and sometimes all at the same time! Often we need our strollers as heavy duty and expandable as possible – and Austlen Entourage listened. Designed to carry 150 pounds of gear – from suitcases to coolers – the Entourage can be adjusted into a mind-boggling array of formations in a snap. It comes in two colors (black and navy) and features accessories such as a riding platform, cargo bag, and a second seat. It sells for $850.

Sometimes we need a high-quality stroller with a sleeker profile, to navigate in a more streamlined way. That’s why we love the Cybex Priam. The stylish Priam provides parents with a stroller that can take kids from infant to 4 years, while also offering maximum flexibility. Parents can even select the wheels that best fit their lifestyle – from light to all-terrain. The stylish Priam comes with a strong, denim-style fabric, protective sun canopy, and sleek, strong handles – yet can be collapsed with one hand to either lie totally flat or folded compactly. The Cybex Priam by Goodbaby comes with a variety of accessories and retails for $1,100.
Silicone Mealtime Innovations

Silicone continues to make an appearance in cool, new, babies’ & kids’ products.

Mom entrepreneur Lindsey Laurain founded ezpez to help parents combat a range of feeding issues – at home and while out and about. As a result of one-too-many projectile plates, the company designed a line of silicone placemats topped with serving plates and bowls that stick to tables or highchairs. The Happy Mat is a placemat topped by a three-section serving dish, and the Happy Bowl can contain both hot or cold meals. Finally, the ezpez team designed the Mini Mat – which debuted this fall – for younger infants and toddlers, with corresponding portion sizes. Made with rough-and-tumble silicone, ezpez serving ware can go easily in between the microwave or dishwasher, comes in a variety of colors – blue, lime, coral, and gray – and ranges in price from $4 to $25.

They say necessity is the mother of invention… and Mastrad Baby seems to anticipate mothers’ needs quite astutely! Check out these cool silicone stretch covers from Mastrad Baby that turn any cup or glass into a “sippy” cup for a straw, or into a spouted, spill-proof drink cover for toddlers! No doubt these will prove invaluable when moms are out visiting or at a restaurant. Mastrad, known for their Babypod food storage designs, did not disappoint with its latest baby and toddler offering.
Old Favorites Become New Again

Quintessential fort-building happens as a rite of passage with kids. Inevitably, the forts get built, but the clean-up only happens some of the time. The sheets or blankets still need proper folding, the chairs can’t miraculously get moved back around the table on their own, and the fort lingers until it falls apart or gets forgotten.

We cannot wait for the airfort to hit the market. This fort pops up by air from an everyday square fan. Turn the fan on, and the air flows along the short tube to inflate the large fort attached at the end. Kids play to their hearts’ content, while a mesh barrier to keep fingers and objects safe from the fan. When playtime is over, the fort fits right into its own drawstring bag for simple storage.
More Trends to Keep On The Lookout For…

• Baby moccasins: If you want your baby to have the most fashion-forward trend on their feet, moccasins will be every Mom’s first choice. With countless designs and color choices, little ones will step out in style.
• Sleep sacks: Whether keeping your little one warm at night or going for a stroll in new-fallen snow, sleep sacks take warmth to a new level. Asymmetrical zippers make sure Baby stays snuggled, attachable pacifiers keep soothing tools handy, and venting ensures temperatures stay just right.
• Unicorns: From stuffed toys, patterns on clothing and sheets, to appearing as accents on hats and other accessories – you will soon find this magical creature at every turn. That unicorn-lover in your life will be able to get their fill in the very near future.

As I walked the floor at the 2015 ABC Kids Expo my eyes took in one creative innovation and fashionable idea after another. The over-arching trend seemed to be that companies are listening to kids and parents, and providing them with products to answer their needs. I never tire of finding the latest trends to share with all of you and hope this list adds ease, comfort, and style to your passionate parenting experience.

Photo Credits:
Waverly Baby by Trend Lab, Austlen Entourage, Cybex Priam, ezpez, Mastrad Baby, airfort, & Getty Images

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.