Senior citizens play wooden brain-training toys at an elderly care service center in Yunhe County of Lishui City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

　　HANGZHOU, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Inside a senior care home, lively elders gathered around a tabletop hockey game, sharpening their minds and savoring the moment.

　　These brain-teasing games, once seen as children's play, are quickly becoming the latest craze among older adults.

　　As China's population ages rapidly, the once-overlooked market for senior-friendly toys is emerging as a new pillar of the booming silver economy.

　　For Guan Weijiang, a toy merchant in Yiwu, a bustling trade hub in east China, the shift is quite evident.

　　Over the past year, his online store has experienced a surge in demand for fitness and brain-training toys among older customers. Consumers aged 50 and above now make up 30 percent of his user base.

　　“Our two best-selling toys fall into the fitness and puzzle categories. They're not physically demanding, but they're fun and perfect for elderly users to exercise or pass the time,“ Guan said.

　　“There's actually quite a bit of overlap between toys for children and those for the elderly, as both help improve reflexes, grip strength and coordination. In fact, some children's toys can be easily adapted for seniors with just a few simple tweaks,“ Guan explained.

　　Recognizing the potential of senior-friendly toys as a promising niche, he decided to seize the opportunity. Within just three months of launching over 10 products designed specifically for elderly users, his shop's sales far exceeded expectations.