The second day of Spielwarenmesse 2025 began on a celebratory note as six outstanding toy innovations were recognised with the prestigious ToyAward. The annual prize, considered one of the industry’s most significant accolades, was awarded across six categories, highlighting creativity, sustainability, and play value.
A 14-member international jury, comprising experts from retail, market research, toy safety, education, and sustainability, selected the winners from 629 entries. The awards recognise originality, safety, enjoyment, commercial potential, and production quality.
Celebrating Creativity and Innovation
In the Baby & Infant (0-3 years) category, Geomagworld’s Magicube Blocks Stacking Safari took the top prize. The magnetic building set includes ten pieces, featuring colourful animal-themed cubes and hemispheres designed to challenge dexterity and encourage creativity. The jury praised it as “a cute, beautiful baby toy that does without technology or plush.”
The PreSchool (3-6 years) award went to Buitenspeel/BS Toys for 3 Shape Memo, a memory game using interlocking 3D shapes. The game enhances hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking, with the jury commending its fresh approach: “A great, completely new memory game that awakens children’s ambition.”
The SchoolKids (6-10 years) winner was Carrera Toys’ RC Football Set – Bundesliga, which combines remote-controlled racing cars with football. Players steer their cars to push a miniature ball into the opponent’s goal, with club logos available for customisation. The jury highlighted its appeal as “the perfect family competition,” combining sport and technology at an accessible price.
For Teenagers & Adults (10+ years), Abfun’s Moon Acrylic Jigsaw Puzzle was the top choice. This intricate puzzle features 50 acrylic pieces forming a detailed moon image, with some pieces shaped as a star, a telescope, and Saturn. The jury noted its unique blend of creativity and display-worthy design, calling it “a puzzle that is both challenging and decorative.”
Recognising Startups and Sustainability
The Startup category winner was Qubitunes from Qubs, an interactive sound box that introduces children to music and numbers through themed cassettes. The toy encourages creativity and learning, with the jury highlighting its appeal to kinaesthetic and auditory learners, describing it as “a versatile toy that can easily be extended.”
In the Sustainability category, Plan Creations/PlanToys’ Wave Stacker was recognised for its eco-friendly design. Made from rubber-tree wood chips and non-toxic adhesives, the wave-shaped blocks fit comfortably in small hands. The jury praised it as “a well-integrated application of waste management.”
A Global Stage for Toy Innovation
Held in Nuremberg, Spielwarenmesse is the world’s leading B2B toy fair, where established brands and startups showcase new products and industry trends. Alongside in-person exhibitions, the event offers digital insights through Spielwarenmesse Digital and the ‘Spirit of Play’ e-journal.
The ToyAward finalists and winners can be viewed at the fair’s dedicated display in Hall 3A, running from 28 January to 1 February 2025.
