Play – toys and play ideas, a wide selection for children and adults
Play is more than just a pastime – it is creativity, discovery, enthusiasm. We showcase play ideas and products that appeal to children and adults alike: well thought-out, high-quality and fun.
Play ideas and toys from model trains to cuddly toys
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... 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... 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 deliberat... 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 fa... 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... 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 tradition... 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 ... 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 categorie... Baby walker as a convertible children's vehicle
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 f... 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. T... 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 precise... Ball track play world: Kullerbü car park
Creative 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. I... 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 drive... 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 le... 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 th... 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 ... 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 turn... 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, technic... 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, ... 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 ... 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 ... 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.... 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 demonstrat... 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... 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 ce... Agent Hunt – Schmidt Spiele
Toys: games as part of development and everyday life
Playing fulfills far more than just an entertaining function. For children, it is a central part of their development, promoting motor skills, creativity, and social skills. For adults, on the other hand, playing often stands for relaxation, shared experiences, or conscious breaks from everyday life. The articles in this category show how diverse the concept of play is today – as a learning process, a leisure activity, and a connecting element between generations.
Play ideas for different age groups
Games are increasingly being developed in a differentiated way to cater to different age groups and interests. While age-appropriate requirements and safety are the main focus for children, aspects such as sophistication, design, and shared experiences play a greater role for adults. Typical topics covered in the entries include:
- Toys that promote creativity and motor skills
- Board games for playing together with family or friends
- Construction and educational toys with a playful appeal
- Products for active indoor and outdoor play
Quality, design, and play value
In addition to the pure game principle, quality and design are becoming increasingly important in games. High-quality materials, well-thought-out concepts, and durable products are gaining in importance—both for parents and adult users. The contents explain how to recognize good play value and why durable, well-designed products are often more sustainable than short-lived trends.
Games as a shared experience
Playing games brings people together. Whether in a family setting, among friends, or across generations, playing games together promotes exchange, communication, and cohesion. The focus is not on the result, but on the shared experience. The articles show how games can help to facilitate such experiences and bring different age groups together.
Lego and Disney as established names in the world of play
Toys are a central component of many play worlds. Brands such as Lego and Disney in particular demonstrate how versatile modern toys can be. Whether classic sets, themed accessories, or detailed action figures – toys appeal to different age groups and cover a wide range of interests. In addition to plastic products, there are also wooden versions that deliberately focus on durability and haptics, placing toys in a sustainable context. A large selection of toys makes it possible to find the right toy for individual preferences – from creative building to collecting well-known character worlds.
Trade fair reporting Germany - Trade fair knowledge, dates & events
