News Navigation
News Navigation
News Navigation
Year after year, the new products at the Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg light up the eyes of children of all ages. Before the retail launch, buyers from specialist retailers come to the trade fair to get an idea of the new products on offer for 2018. The adult trade visitors are no less enthusiastic than the children in front of the shop windows later on. Messe.TV visited some of the exhibitors
Trends at the 2018 International Toy Fair – Interview with Ernst Kick
The 2018 International Toy Fair was clearly influenced by a changed perspective on play. In conversation with Ernst Kick, it quickly became clear that trends cannot be designed on the drawing board, but arise from social developments. Trends International Toy Fair 2018
Ravensburger Sound Quiz tiptoi Create – playful hearing test
Playing with sounds has always been one of the most intuitive forms of learning. Children respond early on to sounds, voices and recognisable things, long before they can read or understand abstract rules. This is precisely where a new game... Soundquiz as a playful hearing test
Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends for younger target groups
For generations, Steiff has been associated with a very clear image. Classic soft toys, firmly stuffed, high-quality workmanship and often intended more for collectors than for small children. It is precisely this image that is being delibe... Soft Cuddly Friends by Steiff
John play tents with Schleich toy figures for fantasy worlds
At first glance, unicorns and tents seem like two separate worlds. One stands for fantasy figures, the other for places of retreat in the children's room. However, when combined, they create a play concept that goes far beyond a classic pla... Creative play: play tents and toy figures
Electric skateboard with self-balancing technology from Neon
At first glance, it looks like a toy from the future, but after just a few seconds on the board, it becomes clear that there is more to it than a short-lived trade fair gimmick. The single-wheel, self-balancing electronic skateboard combine... Electric self-balancing skateboard
SeatZac beanbag – seating solution for leisure and everyday use
Sometimes you don't need a complicated technical approach to stand out at a trade fair. Sometimes all you need is a product that rethinks an everyday situation. That's exactly what the SeatZac presented here does. Even the first impression ... Beanbag for leisure and everyday use
Micro Scooter Kit – Self-assembly is more than just a gimmick
At first glance, a scooter that is not delivered fully assembled seems to require explanation. This moment of pause is intentional. The product is not only a means of transport, but also a joint project for children and parents. Assembly is... Micro Scooter: Scooter Kit
Jofrika make-up for theatre, everyday use and fantasy
It rarely looks beautiful at first. Latex, pasty masses, uneven surfaces – the early stages of make-up application seem more strange than convincing to outsiders. But this is precisely a central aspect of professional make-up: transformatio... Professional make-up
Rolly Toys pedal vehicles – tractors, X-Trac Premium and more
Anyone who visits the Rolly Toys stand at the International Toy Fair will immediately see why this manufacturer has been a fixture in the functional toy vehicle sector for years. Combine harvesters, tractors, excavators and commercial vehic... Pedal vehicles from Rolly Toys
Fischertechnik Sensor Station: Construction game with robotics
Play has changed fundamentally in recent years. Children today grow up in a world where digital applications are just as commonplace as classic building blocks. The digital and analogue worlds united in play
Learn programming with Cue robot from Wonder Workshop
The transition from classic toys to digital learning tools often happens gradually. Only at second glance does it become clear that these toys offer not only new functions, but also new educational approaches. The Cue robot is a prime examp... Learn programming with Cue robot
Toy pet – the digital chameleon with remote control
It is not always the most complex concepts that remain in the memory the longest on the toy shelf. Sometimes all it takes is a simple idea, a clear mechanism and a harmonious interplay of movement, reaction and reward. It is precisely this ... Electronic pet: Robo Chameleon
Racing car with cockpit camera – Carrera
For decades, Carrera has been synonymous with racetracks that bring speed and technology into the living room. At the trade fair, an approach was presented that takes this familiar principle a step further. Instead of viewing the vehicle fr... Racing car with cockpit camera – Carrera
Recoil as an outdoor alternative to video games from Goliath
When it comes to action-packed games, many parents first think of screens, controllers and long afternoons spent sitting down. The term ‘glorification of violence’ quickly comes to mind, as does the concern that exercise and fresh air are b... Getting gamers away from the screen?
Sommerkind Lotti – Handmade dolls made from natural materials
At first glance, Summer Child Lotti looks like a classic cloth doll. But after just a few minutes of conversation, it becomes clear that this figure is based on a carefully thought-out concept that clearly sets it apart from mass-produced i... Summer Child Lotti cloth doll
Polar Smash skill game from HCM Kinzel
At first glance, little polar bears, penguins and a wobbly igloo look like a friendly scene from a toy world. But behind Polar Smash lies a game principle that goes far beyond mere cuteness. Polar Smash game of skill
Eco-friendly soft toys: natural materials instead of synthetic fibres
Amidst bright colours, comic-style designs and ever-changing characters, some plush toys appear surprisingly understated at first glance. Muted colours, calm shapes and a deliberately minimalist appearance stand out – and that is precisely ... Plush toys made from natural materials
Baby bottle with teat – the beer mug for children
What at first glance appears to be a loving joke turns out, on closer inspection, to be a well-thought-out product with a clear idea behind it. The baby bottle combines two very familiar objects that actually have nothing to do with each ot... Beer mug as a classic baby bottle
The Deep Nekton play figures: Mag Knight as a highlight – Simba
Simba has been one of the defining names in the toy industry for decades. The company stands for a wide range of products, including classic play ideas as well as products based on current media formats. A central theme in the range is the ... The Deep – Nektons play figures
Model lorry – kit from Tamiya instead of finished product
Anyone standing in front of a detailed model lorry that resembles its larger counterpart down to the smallest component will quickly realise that this is not a toy in the traditional sense. The proportions are correct, the lines are familia... Model lorry: kit instead of finished product
Railway in a suitcase – compact train layout from NOCH
For decades, railways have been one of the most enduring themes in toys and collectibles. Hardly any other hobby combines technology, design and nostalgia as consistently as model railway building. For a long time, it was considered station... Model building, slowing down and everyday life
Mini Flip baby walker – convertible children's vehicle from Wishbone
Anyone visiting the Spielwarenmesse will see many familiar things: balance bikes, push cars, rockers. This makes a product that cannot be clearly assigned to one of these categories all the more striking. Baby walker as a convertible children's vehicle
Microlino fully electric city car for urban areas
The first impression is clearly emotional. The little bubble car elicits spontaneous sympathy, a smile, that brief moment when technology does not seem sober, but creates a sense of closeness. The Microlino plays precisely on this effect, a... Fully electric city car Microlino
Licensed costumes of superheroes from film and television
When you enter the stand, you are immediately transported into a familiar world of images. Hulk, Yoda, Batman and the characters from The Incredibles are examples of a range that focuses entirely on well-known characters. Instead of free fa... Iconic superheroes as costumes
Children's products from changing bags to school bags
Children's products that are used every day have to meet different requirements than classic toys. The focus is on function, durability and a design that is accepted by children. This is precisely the area in which the product range from Lä... Children's products suitable for everyday use
Kullerbü marble run play world: Car park wins ToyAward
A good toy can often be recognised by the fact that children not only discover a single function, but constantly find new ways to use it. The Kullerbü car park demonstrates precisely this effect. Ball track play world: Kullerbü car park
Creative play: play objects without a fixed function – Moluk
It's raining outside, but there's immediate movement at the exhibition stand. There are no classic play figures, no clear role models, no explanatory signs in front of the table. Instead, there are simple shapes, unusual colours and materia... The principle of open play space
Children's vehicles: Robust Dino Explorer off-road vehicle
Children's vehicles have been a fixture in playgrounds, courtyards and gardens for decades. What has changed, however, is the technical complexity of these products. Electric drives, apps, sensors and new usage scenarios have turned simple ... Children's vehicles with electric drive
Hybrid multicopter – copter with camera system from Walkera
Anyone walking through the trade fair and looking at the usual drone stands will quickly recognise a familiar pattern: compact multicopters, short flight times, a clear focus on leisure and consumers. This makes the moment when you stand in... Hybrid multicopter with generator drive
Schleich Horse Club riding stable play world - lots of play figures
A new chapter is beginning at Schleich. With the Horse Club, the company is introducing a product world that is not limited to a single playset or figure, but was conceived from the outset as a coherent narrative system. Horse Farm Play World – Schleich Horse Club
Plush sheep toy: Friendsheep Wolly Sunshine – Heunec
Plush toys are more than just companions in the nursery. They represent closeness, comfort and reliability, often over many years. At a time when toys are increasingly designed to be functional or technical, soft toys continue to play a spe... Plush toy sheep Wolly Sunshine
Fragenhelden - asking questions, telling stories
With the question heroes, children can use small buttons to ask questions, tell stories or have stories told to them. Of course, you can also cuddle the little plush heroes. Fragenhelden - asking questions, telling stories
Moustaches and beards: tools of transformation - Mustaches
The stand immediately catches the eye. Amongst classic trade fair appearances, it seems like a deliberate break with expectations. What appears playful at first glance quickly turns out to be serious business. Artificial moustaches and bear... Beards as tools of transformation
Agricultural vehicles for children – Bruder toys
Toy vehicles have changed significantly in recent years. What used to consist mainly of rigid models is now part of complex play systems that replicate real work processes, technical functions and different areas of application. This develo... Agricultural vehicles – Bruder
Drifting, oversteering and understeering: RC cars from Sturmkind
What at first glance looks like a remote-controlled car defies almost all classic categories on closer inspection. The vehicle doesn't just drive, it reacts. It skids, oversteers, breaks out and recovers. Once you step on the gas, you quick... A different kind of remote-controlled car
Heroes of the City – from TV series to play world
For years, the toy industry has been observing how classic product lines are changing. Series formats, digital platforms and physical toys are increasingly converging. One example of this is City Heroes, a themed world that was deliberately... Heroes of the City toys
Coffee House play shop for children
Food is one of the earliest experiences that children consciously perceive in everyday life. It structures the day, creates rituals and is always socially charged. This is exactly where the play concept shown here comes in: a coffee house, ... Play shop: Coffee House
Ball as a construction kit – from puzzle to football
Toys that combine movement, creativity and construction operate in a special area of tension. They must be robust, intuitive to use and at the same time leave room for imagination. At a time when many play ideas are either purely digital or... From puzzle to football
Gentle play worlds for babies: Bruno the Bear from Fehn
Toys for babies operate in a sensitive area. They should stimulate, calm and be safe, while also accompanying the everyday life of young families. Trade fairs repeatedly demonstrate how much this area has developed. Toys for babies
Baby Annabell – doll from Zapf Creation celebrates birthday
Twenty years is a remarkable period of time in the fast-paced toy market. Trends come and go, characters disappear, new concepts replace old ones. The fact that a doll has remained relevant for over two decades is no coincidence, but rather... Twenty years of Baby Annabell
Agent Hunt Board Game: Digital Game Mechanics from Schmidt Spiele
Schmidt Spiele's appearance at this year's toy fair is deliberately different from previous years. Whereas last year cockroaches attracted attention, this year agents are taking centre stage. Agent Hunt – Schmidt Spiele
The range of toys starts with the little ones. Babies can look forward to a completely new type of teat bottle in the shape of a beer mug, hand-painted organic dolls from Germany by Nanchen, so-called grasping toys, and cuddly cuddly toys from Fehn. The traditional company Steiff (the one with the head in the ear) presents the "soft cudly friends" series of soft stuffed cuddly toys in a simpler, child-friendly design for the little ones. From around 9 months, an all-rounder from Mini Flip comes into play - the device is a baby walker, seesaw/rocking horse and ride-on car all in one. The manufacturer Wishbone focuses on quality, a variety of uses and a long service life. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Play tents are suitable from toddler age right through to primary school age. Colorful printed pop-up play tents, which John will be showing at the Spielwarenmesse 2018, are brilliant when space is limited. They are equipped with play mats: Dinos for the boys, unicorns for the girls, both under license with the Schleich company. There is probably no nursery without Dickie Toys, and in 2018 the "Heroes of the City" from the well-known YT series will be added. HABA inspires with the new Kullerbü parking garage, which won the coveted ToyAward. Creative toys promote children's development. Bendable objects from Moluk or the Polar Smash dexterity game are among many others to choose from.
The Spielwarenmesse 2018 showcases the entire range of dolls, cuddly toys and play figures, from classic dolls to trendy play figures. Baby Annabell from Zapf, for example, which celebrates its 20th birthday in 2018, is considered a classic. Heunec offers cuddly toys for all age groups; for every Wolly Sunshine or Blacky Moonlight sheep sold, one euro goes to Klabautermann e.V. Cuddly friends in eco-quality can be found at Senger Naturwelt. A number of suppliers have responded to the growing popularity of play worlds. This includes Schleich with its equestrian play world. The movable play figures are accompanied by adventures in books and audio books.
Today's world of games ranges from board games to GPS Laser Combat. There is something suitable for every age group at the Spielwarenmesse 2018. Whether it's plush question stars, a ball puzzle kit for your pocket, a sound quiz called TipToi Create from Ravensburger or an outdoor team game designed to entice couch potatoes outside using a toy gun connected to their smartphone via Bluetooth - there are new things to discover in the world of games at every turn. Of course, classics such as the store have also been given a new look: it now comes as a coffee house and supermarket. And the board game has also been combined with an app.
Vehicles are fascinating.Pushed by hand or remote-controlled by expert hands. What drives, inspires! The market for this is huge, as is the range on show at the 2018 toy fair. Bruder's agricultural vehicles have gained a forage harvester and a tracked tractor. The popular Carrera track is now combined with VR goggles & cockpit camera, with races taking place from the driver's perspective. Remote-controlled vehicles are no longer just about cars, Silverlit is going insect hunting in the living room with a Robo Chameleon, while Simba presents Nekbots that are also impressive in water. Drifting and car racing is possible with a small car robot controlled via smartphone in a driving simulation.
Children go through the stages from pedal cars to various electric vehicles before they get their driver's license. The Spielwarenmesse 2018 will be showcasing exciting new products in this area. Rolly Toys offers a whole range of excavators, combine harvesters and tractors for pedaling, every boy's dream. The next leap into the world of children's mobiles is achieved with electric vehicles such as those offered by Rollplay, from off-road vehicles to Segways. Parents and children can have fun together when they build their own Micro Sprite scooter. An innovative self-balancing electric skateboard, presented for the first time at the 2018 trade fair, can also be used to get from A to B.
There will also be plenty to see and marvel at at the Spielwarenmesse 2018 when it comes to trains, such as a complete train set to take away in a suitcase. Model builders with ambition will find realistic model vehicles as kits to build themselves. Fischertechnik shows how children can approach the topic of IoT in a playful way with the Robotics TXT Controller series. The Cue robot with emotional AI introduces the topic of programming and toy drones with collision protection are also finding their way into the children's room or luring them outdoors, where they can track objects with the built-in camera. The toy world of today prepares children for the skills in demand in the modern working world.
It doesn't always have to be the really big equipment that makes children happy. A whole range of exhibitors offer costumes and equipment for dress-up games. Sometimes all it takes is a fake beard to transform into a master detective or some make-up for princess glamor. Jofrika even has make-up books with step-by-step explanations for the perfect result. Spielwarenmesse 2018 really does have everything on the list to make children feel good: from comfy beanbags for chilling out to trendy school rucksacks and cute kindergarten bags.
Trade fair reporting Germany - Trade fair knowledge, dates & events
