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Oct. 31---There's more than kid stuff going on in the youth market these days. Pint-size items are going upscale. For example, there's the small, but growing, trend toward adult-type cookware in child-friendly sizes.

One company has developed a line of cooking accessories, cookbooks and recipe kits designed for family activities. The kit contains a booklet with souped-up versions of classic fairy tales. The goal is to combine learning, creativity and nutrition in an enjoyable format. Leisure time activities, such as kids' cooking camps, are also sprouting up. Hands-on birthday parties, where small-fry guests prepare some of the refreshments, are popular at usually adult-oriented cooking schools.

Youth furniture is also undergoing some changes. One major furniture manufacturer conducted research showing that consumers now expect their children's bedroom furniture to last 15 to 20 years. Quality, durability and safety are important factors in the purchasing decisions. Hence, new offerings may be smaller in scale than the adult lines, but are equal in style and quality.

At least one manufacturer is offering a line of computer desks and chairs painstakingly designed with proper ergonomics in mind.

Top china and crystal companies also are feeling the effects of this affluence boom. In response to consumer desire for nostalgic keepsakes, retailers are stocking many fine china and crystal lines built around time-honored fairy tales and classics. These new offerings expand on the traditional cup-and-plate assortments and include picture frames, crystal clocks, china switch plates and figurines.

Silver baby gifts have never gone out of style and are experiencing sales growth too. The preference seems to be for sterling silver, rather than silver plate. Traditional offerings, such as spoons, frames, rattles and teething rings, are accompanied by birthday items, such as tea sets, cake candle holders, hair clips, dresser sets and collectible Christmas ornaments.

SOURCE: Dr. Carol Centrallo, Apparel and Textile Management Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-1325, and The Soap and Detergent Association