Global Toy News Insight
The launch of Scotch Kids Tape is a strong example of how legacy consumer brands can move into the children’s creative play space without straying far from their core product expertise. Rather than developing an entirely new toy category, Scotch is taking something children already use in crafts and repositioning it as a product intentionally designed for young creators. That distinction matters: parents increasingly look for products that encourage independent, screen-free activity, while children respond to materials that give them the freedom to make, customize and experiment without a prescribed outcome.
For the broader toy and craft industry, the launch also points to the growing opportunity around “tools as toys.” Tape, cardboard, paper and other basic materials can become play systems when they are designed and marketed around creativity rather than utility. This opens the door for traditional stationery, office supply and household brands to compete for a share of the play market, particularly as the boundaries between arts and crafts, DIY activities, educational products and traditional toys continue to blur.
The strength of the Scotch brand could also give the product an advantage with parents. While many children’s craft products rely on character licenses or entertainment properties to stand out, an established household name can instead leverage familiarity and trust. For retailers, recognizable brands entering adjacent categories can create opportunities for cross-merchandising across the toy, craft, back-to-school and seasonal aisles, potentially expanding where and when creative products are purchased.
Perhaps the larger takeaway for the toy business is that innovation does not always require complicated technology or an entirely new play pattern. Sometimes it comes from recognizing that children are already turning everyday objects into playthings and designing a better product around that behavior. Scotch Kids Tape reflects an opportunity for brands to observe how kids actually create and then remove barriers—whether that means making materials easier to use, less messy or more accessible. In a market filled with increasingly sophisticated products, simple tools that put the creativity back into the hands of the child may have an increasingly valuable role.
New kid-friendly collection supports hands-on creativity, crafting and building for children ages four and up
ST. PAUL, Minn., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scotch™ Brand has launched Scotch® Kids Tape to help children create, craft and share their creativity.
Designed for kids ages four and up, Scotch® Kids Tape supports crafting, decorating and building projects for young creators. The new line encourages children to confidently apply their imagination and bring their biggest ideas to life with simple materials and without the mess of glue.
“Kids are natural creators, builders and problem-solvers,” said Amanda Dauphiniais, vice president, Global Product Strategy at 3M. “With the Scotch Kids collection, we’re giving children tools designed for hands-on creativity while giving parents a trusted, less-mess solution for everyday projects.”
Scotch® Kids Tape will help kids:
- Dream it: Turn their creative ideas into real-world projects
- Make it: Build and craft with tools designed for little hands
- Tape it: Finish projects that stick without the mess of glue
- Share it: Add personal style and display creations with pride
From cards and posters to creative builds and colorful decorations, Scotch Kids gives children their own tools for hands-on creativity away from digital screens. For more information about Scotch Kids, visit ScotchBrand.com/kids and view the collection launch video here.
About Scotch™ Brand
For more than 100 years, Scotch™ Brand has been leader in adhesive solutions, helping consumers tackle everyday tasks at home, school and work. As the #1 most trusted home and office tape brand*, Scotch™ Brand is designed for crafting and organization to packaging and repairs, with products designed to make life easier while empowering creativity and innovation. * based on Brand Health Survey
About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.
