#Germany #Nuremberg #Spielwarenmesse #ToyAward #Innovative Toys

Spielwarenmesse ToyAward Winners 2026

The prestigious ToyAward was held on January 28, 2026, at the Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg, Germany, honoring the most innovative toys of the year. This award recognizes excellence in play concepts, safety, and market potential, setting a benchmark for the industry.

Winners by Categories

Baby & Infant (0-3 years): My First Tonies by Tonies

Winning in the Baby & Infant category, My First Tonies introduces young children to an exciting world of sounds and stories. The plush figures are easy to grip for small hands, allowing children to engage with short narratives, like jumping from branch to branch with a monkey. The toy encourages vocabulary expansion through fun activities, providing an excellent combination of age-appropriate storytelling and sensory experiences, as praised by the expert jury.

Preschool (3-6 years): Der Berg ruft by Auzou jeux/Hutter Trade

The dynamic game Der Berg ruft brings climbing—a popular sport—into the playroom for children up to six years old. As two teams compete, players need to calculate rope lengths for their next moves while ensuring their teammates' safety. This game fosters both skill and strategy, earning accolades for its coherent gameplay and variety.

SchoolKids (6-10 years): Temple Twist by Franckh-Kosmos

Temple Twist requires intelligent teamwork, as players search for treasure chambers within a shifting 3D temple. The unique rotating mechanism turns the board into an impenetrable maze, ensuring that players constantly strategize and collaborate. The jury highlighted the innovative concept and superior quality, making it a must-have for young gamers.

Teenager & Adults (10+ years): CluePuzzle – The Wonderbox of Alice by iDventure

This creative game merges 3D puzzles with escape room mechanics, engaging players with more than 180 wooden pieces to create a functional puzzle box complete with locks and movable elements. The multi-layered gameplay encourages logical thinking and spatial visualization, making it a noteworthy achievement recognized by the jury as an effective combination of puzzles and riddles.

Startup: Beaver Edu Construction Kit by Beaver Edu SAL

Encouraging young inventors, the Beaver Edu Construction Kit allows children to design and create various projects using fine wooden rods and snap-together joints. Through its patented cutting tool, children can safely modify rods, fostering technical thinking and craftsmanship while allowing for expansion with new rods and designs. The committee praised the kit for its creative possibilities and educational value.

Sustainability: Arches by Waytoplay Toys

Arches, known for its simple curved shapes, invites children to construct imaginative designs like bridges or hills. The innovative clicking system ensures stability while being easy to disassemble, and the product is made from recycled plastic in Europe, merging sustainability with joy in play. The jury commended its smart geometry and high-quality production, highlighting its potential in encouraging creativity.

Conclusion

The ToyAward serves as a recognition of creativity and excellence in the toy industry, highlighting the importance of quality, playability, and sustainability. The winners of 2026 represent a diverse range of innovative products that inspire play and learning, setting a promising tone for the year ahead. As the market evolves, these award-winning toys are sure to capture the hearts and minds of both children and parents alike.