Oak Lawn Adults Embrace 'Kidult' Toy Trend

In Oak Lawn, a growing number of adults are embracing the 'kidult' trend, finding joy in toys traditionally meant for children.

 

On a recent Saturday afternoon, the corner table at a local coffee shop resembled a toy store display.

 

Two thirty-somethings sipped lattes while assembling an intricate LEGO® space shuttle.

 

Across the room, a small group debated the best paint colors for a set of miniature race cars.

 

Welcome to the world of 'kidult' toys—where grown-ups unapologetically reclaim the fun of playtime, swapping streaming binges for model kits, action figures, and collectible card games.

 

In Oak Lawn, the trend has been steadily building.

 

The local hobby store reports a surge in customers over the age of 25, many of them first-timers.

 

The public library hosts a monthly 'Build Night' that’s open to all ages but has become a quiet favorite among adults.

 

Even the park district is experimenting with retro game nights featuring board games that haven’t seen the light of day since the ’80s.

 

For many, the appeal is twofold: the tactile satisfaction of creating something with their hands, and the low-stakes escape from daily stresses.

 

'You can’t doomscroll while you’re piecing together a thousand-piece puzzle,' said one resident, who rediscovered his love for model trains during the pandemic.

 

Social media has amplified the movement.

 

Oak Lawn Facebook groups buzz with photo posts of completed builds, rare finds, and friendly challenges.

 

Some residents trade pieces over coffee; others meet at the brewery for trivia nights that double as swap meets.

 

It’s more than nostalgia—it’s a redefinition of leisure.

 

And in a town where community runs deep, kidult toys have become another reason for neighbors to gather, laugh, and share a table.