Toilet-themed toys are the next big thing, say experts

The poop emoji on smartphones is inspiring a wave of toys that are about excrement and gas.

Toys about flatulence and excrement are looking to be the newest trend for the new year, according to a forecast by experts.

Ahead of the Christmas rush of 2017, a toy called 'Pull My Finger' was introduced through Toys "R" Us. It requires players to pull a purple monkey's finger without releasing a noisy fart sound. The product went on to sell successfully, according to Jakks Pacific, a California toy manufacturer.

With the favorable response of consumers, it seems more companies are warming up to this concept. Big chains such as Wal-Mart, Target and Toys "R" Us are reportedly venturing on products that involve feces, urine and gas to bring in massive sales for the $20 million industry this 2018.

Furthermore, Jim Silver, president of toy review website TTPM, predicts the same thing. "I'm calling 2018 the year of the poop collectible," he stated. "There are a lot of very big companies betting on this."

A YouTube show called 'Poopeez' is also releasing its own line of toys this year, which includes a skateboarding turd, a drop of urine, and 'Toot Fairy,' a green cloud figure wearing a crown and armed with a plunger. More designs are expected to be introduced in the future.

According to the New York Post, it is believed by some experts that the rise in poop-themed toys stemmed from the poop emoji on smartphones. It was also featured prominently on 'The Emoji Movie' released in 2017.

While some toys are mainly meant for fun, some manufacturers have created products that teach children responsibility. 'Doggie Doo,' for example, markets itself as a game that teaches players to be a mature pet owner by picking up after them.

Should these playthings be adopted well by consumers, a rise in toilet-themed toys could be underway for the year. After all, the products are mainly meant for children's entertainment and not to cause any offense for others.