Why Are Adults Refusing to Grow Up? Madonna, Kidults & the Toy Boom

Why are so many adults refusing to grow up? Adults are becoming one of the fastest-growing forces in the toy industry, millions are turning to childhood nostalgia for comfort, and even celebrity culture seems obsessed with staying forever young. From the booming “kidult” toy market to Madonna at the 2026 MTV VMAs,

Pastor Tim Hatch asks a bigger question: What happened to adulthood? In this episode of The Deep End, Pastor Tim examines the rise of kidulting—adults buying toys, collecting childhood favorites, sleeping with stuffed animals, watching cartoons, and returning to nostalgic hobbies for comfort, community, stress relief, and escape. But the toy aisle is only the beginning. As U.S. birth rates fall, Americans delay marriage and parenthood, loneliness increases, and fewer households include children, Pastor Tim explores whether the kidult boom reflects something deeper: a culture increasingly anxious about the future and tempted to retreat into the security of the past. The conversation also turns to Madonna and the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, celebrity culture’s obsession with youth, the psychology of nostalgia, adult LEGO and collectibles, stuffed animals and mental health, the rising cost of starting a family, declining fertility, and the difference between enjoying a childhood hobby and refusing the responsibilities of adulthood. And there’s an important distinction: owning LEGO, playing drums, collecting toys, or enjoying an old hobby doesn’t make someone immature. The deeper question is where we look for comfort, security, belonging, identity, and purpose—and whether fear is keeping us from moving forward. What does the Bible say about growing up? Jesus calls us to become childlike—but not childish. Biblical maturity isn't simply about age, income, marriage, children, or whether you own toys. It means learning to trust God, take responsibility, love others sacrificially, build meaningful relationships, and move toward the future God has called us to rather than living in the past. - Why adults are buying more toys - The rise of “kidults” and kidulting - Toys, plushies, LEGO, nostalgia, and mental health - Why adults are sleeping with stuffed animals - Madonna and the 2026 MTV VMAs - Celebrity culture and the obsession with staying young - Loneliness, anxiety, comfort, and community - Declining U.S. birth and fertility rates - Delayed marriage, parenthood, and homeownership - Why nostalgia can become an escape - Family, responsibility, and biblical adulthood - Childishness vs. becoming childlike - Where Christians should find comfort, security, and belonging The world is trying to solve a God-sized ache with child-sized toys. The comfort you're looking for is found in Christ. The security you're looking for is found in Him. The belonging you're looking for is found in His Church. You don't have to go backward to childhood to find peace—you can move forward toward the Father. So grow up—and come home. 👍 Like this episode, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. ▶ Be part of sharing the Truth: Support Tim Hatch Live 💥 Become a monthly partner and receive exclusive channel perks: Tim Hatch Live Patreon 20% of all giving is tithed back out to the American Bible Society and Project Rescue.