Industry Overview - The Chinese gel toy industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising consumer income and evolving consumption trends, with the market size projected to increase from 3.239 billion yuan in 2020 to 7.9 billion yuan in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.97% [1][14] - Gel toys are made from safe and environmentally friendly gel materials, offering unique advantages such as non-toxicity, odorlessness, softness, and high plasticity, making them suitable for children [1][4] Market Dynamics - The demand for gel toys is diversifying as consumers increasingly prioritize safety, educational value, and interactive experiences in toys, leading to continuous innovation in the industry [1][6] - The average disposable income of Chinese residents is expected to rise from 26,000 yuan in 2017 to 41,300 yuan in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.83%, enhancing purchasing power for leisure and educational products [6] Industry Chain - The gel toy industry has established a complete supply chain, including upstream raw material suppliers, midstream manufacturers, and downstream sales channels, with quality of raw materials directly impacting the final product [8] Production and Material Insights - The production of gel materials in China is projected to grow from 52,000 cubic meters in 2017 to 161,000 cubic meters in 2024, with a CAGR of 17.52%, indicating a robust development in the gel material sector [10] Competitive Landscape - The gel toy industry is characterized by a diverse competitive landscape, with key players such as Aofei Entertainment, Xinghui Entertainment, and Hai Xin Co., actively innovating and enhancing brand recognition to strengthen their market positions [16][19] - Notable companies in the industry include Qunxing Toys, Gaole Co., and Meisheng Cultural Creative Co., which are leveraging unique product features and market strategies to drive growth [2][3][19] Challenges and Trends - The industry faces challenges such as product homogenization and safety supervision issues, with many companies focusing on basic categories like crystal mud and stress-relief toys, leading to a lack of differentiation [23][24] - Future trends indicate a shift towards personalized services, sustainability, and brand specialization, with companies expected to adopt eco-friendly materials and enhance product safety and functionality [27][28][29]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of selecting safe toys for children, highlighting the risks associated with "toxic" and "dangerous" toys, and providing guidelines for parents to ensure children's safety during playtime [1][5]. Group 1: Risks of "Toxic" and "Dangerous" Toys - A case of a 3-year-old boy swallowing "water beads" illustrates the severe health risks associated with certain toys, leading to intestinal obstruction and requiring surgery [2][4]. - Common toys like "water beads" and "magnetic balls" pose significant choking hazards, with frequent incidents reported at pediatric emergency centers [2][4]. - Certain toys contain harmful materials, such as boron in "slime," which can cause poisoning, and some stress-relief toys release carcinogenic substances [4][6]. Group 2: Guidelines for Safe Toy Selection - Parents are advised to choose toys with "CCC" certification and to consider the child's age, interests, and safety features when selecting toys [5][6]. - It is crucial to avoid toys with sharp edges, small detachable parts, or those that may pose choking hazards [5][6]. - Regular monitoring of toys for safety compliance is recommended, as over 70% of tested stress-relief toys failed to meet safety standards [4][6]. Group 3: Emergency Response and Prevention - In case of ingestion of foreign objects or exposure to toxic materials, immediate medical attention is essential to reduce surgical risks [7][8]. - Parents should implement a monitoring system for younger children, ensuring toys are checked before, during, and after playtime [8]. - Strengthening market regulation and enhancing safety standards for new toys are critical to preventing future incidents [8].

"你给孩子买礼物了吗？""儿童节要给孩子买点儿啥？"……"六一"国际儿童节即将到来，不少家长开始 为孩子的礼物发起愁来：不买担心缺了点儿仪式感，买又不知道该买什么。专家表示，儿童节礼物的选 择，本质上是一场关于"爱的语言"的传递。家长要了解孩子的"爱的语言"，送出满足孩子情绪价值的礼 物。 视觉中国 供图 第一类 不太值得 记者注意到，被卡通"明星"吸引的孩子不在少数。在王府井的一家大型玩具店，三名小学生站在售卖奥 特曼的货架前，拿着几个盒子仔细比对，嘴里还不时念叨着："这盒可能稀有卡更多，有黄金配色的！" "马上就要到儿童节了，我和朋友约着一起带孩子来选礼物。没想到这几个孩子眼里只有奥特曼卡 牌。"其中一名家长说，平时孩子只是零散地买过一些盲袋，这次儿童节的心愿就是一整盒卡牌，"一盒 有160张卡，全套将近300块钱。我能体会孩子的'追星'心理，也理解他们之间的'集卡社交'，但花这么 多钱买一套卡牌确实不太值。" 越来越多的文具也因披上华丽"外衣"，摇身一变登上了孩子们的心愿清单。在东直门一家潮玩店内，一 名小女生拉着妈妈的手在讨价还价，她央求妈妈买下的是一支"香菜笔"："我被香拥啦""谁才是你的 菜"…… ...