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

Silverlit Toys – Spielwarenmesse 2017

Learning to program as a child - the robots from Silverlit are designed to make this possible. Stephen Chi from Silverlit shows us how it works. You can program up to 50 instructio... Silverlit Toys


Schleich animal figures

Messe.TV presenter Felix Rother's eyes light up when he sees the new jungle research station from Schleich. The manufacturer of truly authentic, hand-painted animal figures also of... Schleich animal figures


Schildkröt Dolls – Spielwarenmesse 2017

Schildkröt combines tradition with modernity. Schildkröt has been producing dolls from 1896 to the present day, making it the oldest doll manufacturer in the world. Schildkröt Dolls


Playmobil Ghostbusters + Dragons

Now it's off to Playmobil. There, presenter Simone Dericks goes in search of the new products for 2017. One new theme world is Ghostbusters. Based on the 1984 film, Playmobil has c... Playmobil Ghostbusters + Dragons


Oi-Blocks Wooden construction kit

Anyone who wants to encourage creative play in children and attaches great importance to sustainability and ecology will be delighted with the wooden building set from Oi-Blocks. F... Oi-Blocks Wooden construction kit


NICI Cuddly Toys – Spielwarenmesse 2017

Messe.TV visits the NICI stand, which is showing us its latest cuddly toys at the Spielwarenmesse 2017. Managing Director Thomas Pfau gives us a little insight into the latest tren... NICI Cuddly Toys


Menderes Bağcı on gaming fun, tactics, and the appeal of bluffing

The board game Cockroach Duel by Schmidt Spiele is one of those titles that provokes at first glance but then provides a surprising amount of gaming fun. The game was presented at ... Menderes Bagci in a cockroach costume


Märklin model railroads

The hobby of model railroading or model trains accompanies many enthusiasts throughout their lives. We don't know whether the word Märklin is already a synonym in the dictionary, b... Märklin model railroads


Cockroach Duel - Strategy board game

Cockroaches! Time to call the exterminator? No - time for a cockroach duel. At Schmidt Spiele, Désirée Nick and Menderes Bagci fight a cockroach duel in a cockroach costume. Presen... Cockroach Duel - Strategy board game


ITCRAFT Augmented Reality App

The digital gaming experience is an issue for many toy manufacturers. The company ITCRAFT has recognized this and offers exactly that with an augmented reality app. All that is req... ITCRAFT Augmented Reality App


Ernst Kick Interview – Spielwarenmesse 2017

How are things going at the Spielwarenmesse 2017? The best person to answer this question is the "boss" himself. We talk to CEO Mr. Ernst Kick from Spielwarenmesse eG about this ye... Ernst Kick Interview – Spielwarenmesse 2017


imagno wooden building blocks with digital connection

At first glance, imagno looks like a few classic, beautiful wooden blocks. But these have it all. They can be used to build various animals using magnetic points and sensors. But t... imagno wooden building blocks with digital connection


Helga Kreft wooden toys

Jolly Popcorn is considered the most beautiful rocking horse in the world. It is made by Helga Kreft from pure beech wood. The rocking horse also comes with matching equipment cons... Helga Kreft wooden toys


GraviTrax by Ravensburger

There are a large number of marble runs, but they tend to be aimed at younger children - is it different with Ravensburger? Here is a marble run that looks quite challenging: Gravi... GraviTrax by Ravensburger


Fischertechnik: Modular system for technical understanding

Fischertechnik's trade fair appearance clearly shows why the company has held a special position in the field of technical toys for decades. Fischertechnik stands for a modular sys... A highlight for children who love technology


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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
This overview of games illustrates how broad the spectrum of play ideas is today.

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.