Fisher-Price launches a work-from-home play set, as millions of American parents continue to work remotely

• Fisher-Price is launching a new collection of toys designed for kids whose parents are spending more time at home due to the pandemic.
• The collection includes play sets promoting remote work, at-home fitness, and "staycations" — or vacations spent at home.
• About half of employed Americans reported always working from home in May, according to a Gallup poll.

Fisher-Price is launching new toys on Wednesday that encourage kids to role-play working from home.

The "My Home Office" playset, available starting Wednesday for $24.99, features a laptop with four fabric "apps," a smartphone, headset, and coffee cup.

The playset is part of a collection designed for babies and preschoolers whose parents are spending more time at home due to the pandemic.

"As many parents and caregivers across the country are continuing to work from home, this preschool role-play set enables kids to do the same," Chuck Scothon, Fisher-Price senior vice president and Mattel global head of infant and preschool, said in a statement.

About half of employed Americans reported always working from home in May, according to a Gallup poll.

Many working parents are simultaneously juggling work and caring for their children, as most schools and childcare centers remain either fully or partially closed.

Meanwhile, US toy sales have been surging in recent months, rising 16% in the first half of the year, according to data from NPD Group.

Fisher-Price is also rolling out an at-home fitness "Baby Biceps" set with sweatbands and dumbbells and a home-cooking "Cutest Chef" set.

The brand recently launched a "Tiny Tourist" collection that's "perfect for family staycations" — or vacations spent at home — Scothon said.

The new toys will be available for purchase starting Wednesday for between $14.99 and $24.99.