Toys n Playthings August 2026

August 2026

CONTENTS

Regulars

5 Editor’s Letter with Rhys Thomas

6 What’s New

The latest product you need to get your hands on

8 News

The latest from the industry

22 Trade Talk

Chairman Malcolm Naish

malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289953

Sales Director Claire Naish claire@tnpmedia.co.uk 01442 289937

Editor Rhys Thomas rhys@lemapublishing.co.uk 07902 396525

Retail Editor Clare Turner clare@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289941

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289933

Industry leaders weigh in on H1 and counterfeit toys

50 Don’t Miss Must-stock items for retail

Special Report

16 BTHA AGM

Insights, awards and charity updates from the association’s 2026 AGM

18 Cover Story

Bigjigs Toys’ creative Buttonbags brand gets a refresh

36 Kind + Jugend 2026

The agenda-setting themes for this September’s fair revealed

37 Spotlight: Asmodee Asmodee and Welcome Break partner as families embrace a return to analogue entertainment

48 Home & Gift Harrogate

We report back from a scorching edition of the Harrogate gift fair

Features

26 Pocket Money and Blind Boxes

The hottest toys surprising and delighting consumers

38 Wooden Toys Going with the grain

44 Trend: Botanicals

From construction toys to arts and crafts, the floral theme is growing

Toy Testers

34 Just Play

The Toy Testers go wild with the latest additions to Just Play’s furReal range

Retail Interviews

Lema Publishing Ltd Unit 1

Broomstick Industrial Estate High Street

Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire LU6 2JA

At the heart of retail

20 Funky Fidgets Shop

We catch up with the sensory play specialists amid a period of rapid growth

24 Imagine That Toys

TnP contributor Gwen Ottenberg is inducted into the ASTRA Specialty Hall of Fame

Columns

42 The Insights Family

Before you set Black Friday campaigns in stone, read this, says The Insight Family’s Sophie Tanner

46 British Independent Retailers Association

CEO Andrew Goodacre warns theft, abuse and organised shoplifting is on the rise for indies

Editor’s letter

The industry got off to a flying start in July, with the BTHA’s AGM and Industry Day in sunny Surrey, where members gathered for updates on everything from Dreamtoys to the Covid response. Members broadly speaking reported a steady first half to the year, with expectations realistic but confident heading into the pivotal second half of the year.

KPMG consultant Hugh Ayling, a guest speaker, delivered something of a reality check, with insight into the average household’s discretionary cash, where they plan to spend it, and where they may instead have no choice but to spend it. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The brands and retailers that are getting it right are flying.

Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, who was a key advisor to the government during the pandemic, closed out the morning with a fascinating talk on the Covid response – including what goes in to addressing the nation during a crisis.

This month, Bigjigs Toys takes our cover with the return of Buttonbag, a beloved craft brand that’s been given a complete overhaul. Originally acquired as part of Fiesta Crafts in 2025, Buttonbag has evolved into a distinctive, standalone brand under the Bigjigs Toys umbrella.

and more a crevasse on social media. The sensory toy specialist has more than half a million followers on TikTok, and millions more watch along with the team’s adventures on YouTube.

Director Melissa Brunskill tells us how building a community of like-minded people has been key to the shop’s success, which has a line around the block day in, day out.

“Our store is tiny, and I’m sure there are plenty of bigger, more impressive stores out there,” she says. “But because we’ve built such a strong presence on social media, people want to come and experience it for themselves. They want to meet the team and see the products they’ve watched us talk about online, which helps build trust in both us and the brands we stock.”

For Melissa and the team it’s more than a business. They’ve been advocating for the importance of sensory toys and tools for both adults and kids for years.

Attention in the toy trade turns to January and Toy Fair 2027. The BTHA has warned that remaining space is selling out fast “ ”

“Buttonbag has always had a wonderful concept at its core,” says Liz Ireland, Founder and Managing Director of Bigjigs Toys. “Children love making things they can keep, wear, or gift to someone special, and parents appreciate activities that inspire creativity away from screens.”

There are seven new products launching to broaden the Buttonbag collection this year, including the new Advent Calendar Kit, offering retailers a unique alternative to traditional calendars. Learn about the new collection on page 18.

Elsewhere this month we sat down with Funky Fidgets Shop, which has carved out less a niche

“It’s great that others are also adopting this and raising awareness of the need for people of all ages within the SEN community,” she adds.

Read the full interview on page 20.

Things aren’t quite so bright for every retailer, however, as Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre writes in a column about retail crime on page 46. He paints a bleak picture of inactivity from authorities as shoplifting, abuse of staff and an increase in organised crime continue to blight the high street.

Retailers want “stronger sentencing, better police response rates, a more visible presence on our high streets, and clearer guidance on the evidence required to pursue a case”, he says. It’s hard to argue that these aren’t sensible and reasonable requests.

Finally, as we reach the height of quite the summer, attention in the toy trade turns to January and Toy Fair 2027. The BTHA has warned that remaining space is selling out fast – the Gold Zone is already full – so if you’ve yet to book your space for next year, time to hop to it. You can apply online at toyfair.co.uk, or get in touch with Majen Immink, Head of Toy Fair, on majen@btha. co.uk to learn more.

Rhys Thomas

WH AT’S

Slime time

THE SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP

funtimegifts.co.uk

Two brand-new products join the Science Museum Group’s Material Science range, in partnership with Funtime Gifts. Wriggle Worms and Candy Cloud Compound both bring fresh textures and new sensory experiences, while still staying true to the educational foundations of the range.

The Material Science range takes slime, something children already love, and transforms it into a rich, educational experience. Slime is hugely popular, but what sets the Science Museum range apart is the science behind it. Each product encourages children to understand how slime works, exploring concepts like polymers, viscosity and chemical reactions through hands-on play.

wholesale@connetixtiles.com connetixtiles.com

Connetix is set to inspire new dimensions of creativity with the launch of four new packs, unveiling groundbreaking new ways to create and build with magnetic tiles.

Making their global debut, the new packs include the Ball Run Launcher, bringing dynamic motion to the brand’s bestselling Ball Run Range; the Light Rocket, expanding on their innovative, rechargeable magnetic light tile technology; and the Ball Run Galaxy, featuring new glitter-tile colours and lightup balls for an intergalactic play experience.

The launches also include the highlyanticipated Travel Mini Pack, a vibrant assortment of mini shapes featuring superstrong magnets and Smart Spin technology, packed inside a travel-ready carry tin that can be personalised with reusable stickers.

“We’ve listened closely to our community and designed these products to reflect how children love to play, whether that’s building onthe-go, exploring sensory elements like light, or creating fast-paced, actionpacked ball runs”

Brea

Brand, CEO and Co-Founder, Connetix

Gotta build ‘em all!

THE LEGO GROUP

lego.com

Five new products are launching in the second wave of Lego Pokémon sets heading to retail this month. The sets feature iconic Trainers and Pokémon alike, with some including highly anticipated Lego Pokémon minifigures and Pokémon figures.

The largest of the new launches is the Lego Pokémon Iconic Trainer Moments Poké Ball set, offering a striking 2,368-piece build that is truly one of a kind. It features a large brick-built Poké Ball that can open and close, which contains key moments from many Pokémon Trainers’ journeys. Inside, fans can find a battle scene, Professor Oak’s laboratory, and more. Also included are three minifigures of Professor Oak, Red, and a Picnicker, as well as Pikachu and Eevee figures— the first of their kind.

The assortment also features beloved Pokémon, including Arcanine, Rayquaza, and Munchlax, recreated in Lego brick form, giving builders the opportunity to recreate the action one brick at a time.

Mighty fun

MIGHTY WHEELS

info@smartzoneace.com | mightywheels.com

Mighty Wheels is helping retailers capitalise on the summer holiday season with the launch of its new Mighty Wheels Carry Case Playseta portable construction playset designed for families on the go.

Containing more than 30 pieces, including five 3.5-inch die-cast construction vehicles - a Dump Truck, Front Loader, Cement Mixer, Bulldozer and Crane - the sturdy steel carry case also includes construction scenery and accessories, creating an instant play environment that’s easy to transport and store.

Designed to encourage independent, screen-free play, the Carry Case is ideal for family holidays, camping trips, beach days, picnics and garden play, making it a timely addition to retailers’ summer ranges.

Manufactured from durable steel and high-quality plastic, the Carry Case has been built with longevity in mind, offering a robust play experience that can be enjoyed for years and passed down through generations.

The launch builds on the growing popularity of the Mighty Wheels brand and its animated hero, Mighty Man, whose YouTube series continues to engage young audiences with vehicle-based adventures, imaginative storytelling and positive messages.

THAMES & KOSMOS

01580 713000 | thamesandkosmos.co.uksales@thamesandkosmos.co.uk

Wildblooms lets players transform an empty meadow into a vibrant tapestry of colour in this beautifully illustrated strategy game of growth, planning and opportunity. Players take turns selecting seedlings and carefully nurturing them into flourishing wildflowers, using clever combo effects and chain reactions to maximise their meadow’s potential. Every decision matters, with engaging gameplay that keeps all players involved throughout the game, even when it’s not their turn. As flowers bloom and special powers are triggered, the landscape comes alive with colour and possibilities. Combining accessible mechanics with rewarding tactical depth, this charming title challenges players to cultivate the most impressive wildflower meadow and create a thriving ecosystem.

A piece of historyGIBSONS

sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk gibsonsgamestrade.co.uk

New from Gibsons is an exciting new collaboration with English Heritage: two jigsaw puzzles that celebrate some of England’s most iconic landmarks.

The new range launches with two distinct designs. The first, Stonehenge, is a striking 500-piece circular puzzle illustrated by Gibsons’ in-house design team. This unique format adds an extra challenge while showcasing one of the world’s most recognisable prehistoric monuments throughout the seasons of the year.

Castles of England, meanwhile, is a detailed 1000-piece puzzle featuring five castles from across the country. Illustrated by artist Tristam Rossin in his distinctive style, the puzzle depicts Tintagel Castle, Carisbrooke Castle, Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Dover Castle and Bolsover Castle.

Fence Club walk raises £15,000

The Fence Club’s first ever female chairman Jacqueline Taylor-Foo embarked upon a 30km walk to raise funds for charity in July.

She was joined by 17 members, family and friends on the journey from Conwy to Llandudno and up Conwy Mountain

– with 13 of the group finishing up by tackilng the world’s fastest zip line, a heart pounding 100mph experience.

The event raised more than £15,000, every penny of which will be spent in aid of the charities, children and families that The Fence Club helps support.

Warmies welcomes Steve Gomez

Warmies has appointed former Ty executive Steve Gomez as its new European Sales Directors to help lead the brand’s next phase of sales growth across the territory.

In his new role, Steve will work closely with the Warmies UK team to grow sales across European markets, strengthen relationships with existing retail and distribution partners, and identify new opportunities in priority territories. His appointment follows a period of rapid international expansion for Warmies, including exceptional growth in the United States, increasing momentum in the UK, and the continued development of its global licensing programme.

“We are delighted to welcome Steve to the business,” said Warmies CEO David Tweedale. “He is a highly respected figure within the industry and brings an exceptional level of commercial experience, market knowledge and long-standing relationships.”

Steve said: “I am very pleased to be joining Warmies at such an exciting stage in the company’s development. The brand has created a genuinely distinctive proposition by bringing together comfort, wellness, gifting and licensed characters in a way that strongly resonates with consumers. There is considerable potential to develop the Warmies business across Europe, both with existing partners and through new retail and distribution relationships. I am looking forward to working with the team and helping to deliver the next stage of growth.”

BargainMax relaunches as True Toys

BargainMax.co.uk has relaunched as True Toys, an online toy retail destination built around trust, years of toy buying expertise, and the belief that true value goes beyond the price.

Building on 16 years of online toy retailing as BargainMax. co.uk, True Toys brings the expertise of an established specialist to a brand now designed around what the company says modern families actually want: toys at honest prices and chosen by people who genuinely understand family life and the importance of play.

The business retains the toy expertise and buying relationships built over years, and has significantly increased investment in brand, marketing and customer experience. The result is a sharper, more confident platform for the brands and suppliers it works with, and a clearer reason for parents to choose it first.

Alex Woolfstein , Commercial Director at True Toys, said: “It was time for us to move forward as a brand and start showing up

in a way which was true to who we really are now. So we’ve grown up - just a little!

“What changed for a lot of us was becoming parents ourselves. It shifts how you see everything. We understand behind every order is a birthday, a surprise, a milestone or a memory in the making. You realise it was never really about the price. It’s about knowing what to choose and feeling good about that choice.

“True Toys is built around that belief, and this is how we will now show up for families every day and in everything we do.”

The company says the launch of True Toys marks the start of a new era and a meaningful strengthening of the business.

The launch is supported by a multi-channel brand marketing campaign, That’s So True, which celebrates the real, joyful and often chaotic truth of family life, and the genuine magic of play.

True Toys is now live at truetoys.co.uk.

Marvel Magic superpowers Hasbro’s Q2 earnings

A strong Q2 from Hasbro was driven by a record-breaking performance from Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering brand.

Revenue increased 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, with growth in Wizards and digital gaming (up 27 per cent) and consumer products (up five per cent), partially offset by a drop in the US toy giant’s entertainment division, which declined 20 per cent. Operating profit was $253 million, and adjusted operating profit was $282 million, a 14 per cent uplift on last year.

Revenue growth from Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro’s digital gaming segment was led by a standout performance from Magic: The Gathering (up 32 per cent). The TCG broke $500 million in quarterly turn over for the first time in its history, driven by key launches including a new Marvel collaboration in late

June. The Monopoly Go! App also contributed $44 million of revenue for the quarter. Year-todate, Hasbro’s revenue is up 15 per cent on last year.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said: “Magic: The Gathering eclipsed $500 million in quarterly revenue for the first time in its 30-plus year history, led by the record-breaking debut of Marvel Super Heroes. With strong indications for our remaining releases and line of sight to continued growth in 2027, the Magic flywheel is firing on all cylinders.”

Gina Goetter, Hasbro Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, added: “This quarter’s broadbased strength across the business gives us the conviction to raise our full-year guidance.”

Hasbro’s revised outlook for the full year includes expected revenue growth of five to seven per cent, and adjusted operating margin of 25-26 per cent.

Mary Couzin receives Outstanding Achievement Award

Mary Couzin, founder and SVP of the US Toy Association’s People of Play, has been honoured with the Association for Games and Puzzles International’s (AGPI) 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award. Mary was recognised at the organisation’s AGPI Convention in Minneapolis in July. The award celebrates individuals who have made major contributions to the history, preservation, and advancement of traditional games, jigsaw puzzles, and mechanical puzzles.

Mary leads People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association dedicated to fostering innovation and connecting the global toy and game community through year-round events, educational programming, and networking opportunities.

She founded the Chicago Toy & Game Group in 2003, which was rebranded as People of Play in 2020. Today, POP’s initiatives include the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, The Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs), the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and more.

Bluey reimagined for Lego shorts

Fan-favourite moments from Bluey have been recreated in animated Lego brick form for a new YouTube series.

BBC Studios and Lego Entertainment have partnered to bring 10 iconic moments from the animated series to life in new bite-sized animated Lego brick form. Lego Bluey Shorts, the 10 x 2-minute short-form series, launched last month on the official Bluey channel, the official Lego channel and the Lego Little Ones channel on YouTube, as well as Bluey.TV. New episodes will release weekly in 12 languages.

Craft Buddy readies busy preview season

Craft Buddy is inviting retailers and licensing partners to an exclusive S/S27 preview, offering an early opportunity to discover its latest licences, product launches and category expansions.

Retail partners will gain insight into forthcoming category opportunities, seasonal launches and merchandising plans, helping them prepare for S/S27 with exclusive access to products ahead of their official unveiling, including first looks at licences such as Hatsume Miku and IP from Universal.

The previews will also showcase Craft Buddy’s A/W and Christmas 2026 collection, giving visitors the opportunity to review the full seasonal range and plan ahead across multiple launch windows.

In the UK, previews will take place at Craft Buddy’s UK headquarters in London from 27 August to 8 September. The company will also be at the US LA Fall Preview in El Segundo from 14-24 September.

Appointments are available throughout both preview periods. To arrange a meeting, contact: trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk.

Hasbro signs Zelda deal

Hasbro has announced a new licensing partnership with Nintendo to create products based on the popular Legend of Zelda franchise.

The first action figures were unveiled at San Diego Comic Con last month, with further product set to roll out to retail in 2027.

“For decades, The Legend of Zelda franchise has captivated fans through its deep lore, unforgettable characters and enduring sense of discovery,” said Billy Lagor, President Toys and Board Games at Hasbro. “By combining Nintendo’s iconic storytelling with Hasbro’s leadership in action and role-play, we’re delivering toys that invite fans to play, explore and forge their own epic adventures.”

The first Legend of Zelda video game launched nearly 40 years ago in 1987. A live-action Zelda movie is slated to hit cinemas next year.

All aboard the puppet party bus

Hamleys is teaming with The Puppet Company to bring the Hamleys Puppet Party Bus experience to London this summer.

Families will enjoy a 90-minute open top tour of London’s iconic landmarks with live entertainment, puppetry, audience participation and a complimentary puppet for every guest onboard - even the adults.

Keane Herman, Head of UK Retail at Hamleys, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch the first ever brand activation on the Hamleys Sightseeing Bus. Partnering with The Puppet Company is the perfect way to begin this journey and with them pulling the strings on the fun on the bus, it’s fair to say we’re in safe hands.”

Touring three times a day during the first three weekends of August, guests will take in some of London’s most iconic landmarks before concluding at the world famous Hamleys Regent Street store. The tour includes live puppet performances, interactive puppet dance workshops, songs and surprises across the capital.

Sue Lockey, Owner and Co-Founder of The Puppet Company, said the partnership “perfectly captures the imagination, creativity and sense of fun that both Hamleys and The Puppet Company are known for”.

Fourth Wing puzzles take flight

Ravensburger has unveiled a suite of products inspired by the Empyrean global literary phenomenon, set to hit shelves from September.

Launching later this year, the collection brings author Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling romantasy world to the tabletop with three 500-piece jigsaw puzzles. The puzzle lineup will include Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm editions, each offering a deluxe experience for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of the books alike. The range is presented in full-colour, foiled book-effect packaging with magnetic closure.

Launching alongside the puzzles is the Fourth Wing Paint-by-Numbers Set, which joins Ravensburger’s CreArt brand offering.

“With such an impressive following behind the Fourth Wing book series, we knew we had to create a puzzle experience that could live up to the hype,” said Katy Fletcher, Ravensburger’s Head of Marketing and Product Development. “We see strong connections between the publishing and puzzling fanbases, and in this collection, I think we have something truly special.”

Playmobil’s in the post

Playmobil is launching into the greetings card aisle with an innovative, first-of-its-kind collection that pairs celebratory card designs with iconic Playmobil figures.

Available now, the collection spans four key gifting occasions: birthday, good luck, love and new baby. Each figure is designed to be kept long after the card has been received, creating a lasting reminder of the occasion while bringing additional value to the gifting experience.

“Greeting cards are already part of so many of life’s celebrations, and we saw a clear opportunity to bring Playmobil’s play value and collectability into those moments,” said Jamie Dickinson, Head of Marketing at Playmobil. “By combining a greeting card with an iconic Playmobil figure, we’ve created a

distinctive product that sits between card and gift, offering shoppers for a personal and more affordable way to mark life’s big milestones and everyday occasions.”

For toy retailers, Playmobil says the range creates a new entry point into lowerprice gifting and seasonal add-on purchases, helping extend Playmobil beyond traditional toy purchases and into everyday celebrations.

TOY FAIR 2027 INTRODUCES CENTRAL PLAYCE

A new show experience at the heart of Toy Fair 2027 offers attendees a playful place to decompress, recharge and connect, says The Toy Association’s Jennifer Lynch

As the global toy market continues to evolve, so does Toy Fair. Produced by The Toy Association, Toy Fair 2027 (20-23 February) is being shaped to better serve the many ways attendees experience the show, whether they come to discover and source new products, explore new partnerships, gather market intelligence, or build relationships across borders. The latest addition to that evolving experience is Central PLAYce, a brand-new destination at the heart of the show.

“Inspired by New York City’s iconic Central Park, this new space is a fitting tribute to the city that has hosted Toy Fair for more than a century,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global experiences at The Toy Association. “Central PLAYce will be the centerpiece of Level 1, alongside innovative exhibitors and the Launch Pad startup community introducing their latest products to the North American marketplace for the first time.”

Central PLAYce will transform the center of Level 1 into a welcoming hub where attendees can recharge, connect with colleagues, and discover new experiences throughout the show. Playfully designed with inviting lounge spaces, interactive activations, greenery-inspired décor, plenty of photo-worthy moments, and easy access to food and beverages daily, the space will provide attendees with a flexible place to pause between appointments while remaining immersed in the energy of Toy Fair. Central PLAYce is also intended to serve as the setting for a variety of programming designed to foster meaningful connections across the industry. More details will be unveiled in the coming months.

In addition to Central PLAYce, Level 1 of the show floor will become home to the popular Toy Fair University educational program, where attendees can take advantage of daily panels and sessions featuring industry experts and timely business insights. The Student Showcase, which spotlights the next generation of toy and game designers and innovators, will also return to Level 1.

“Toy Fair’s Level 1 has long served as a hub for the innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit that define our industry,” added Carcone. “We’re excited to help expand on this in 2027 with even more places for the industry to gather and conduct business in new and meaningful ways.”

Companies interested in exhibiting at Toy Fair still have opportunities to secure booth space. Potential exhibitors are encouraged to contact their account executive with questions about exhibiting at Toy Fair. Company names beginning with A–M: contact Simon Yung (syung@toyassociation.org); N-Z: contact Michael Lynch (mlynch@toyassociation.org).

Toy Fair exhibitors interested in expanding their presence at Toy Fair can also look forward to new sponsorship opportunities within Central PLAYce. Additional details about branding and activation opportunities will be announced in the coming months.

Toy Fair will take place 20-23 February, 2027 at the Javits Center in New York City. Exhibitor applications are now open. Attendee registration will open in September.

Visit ToyFairNY.com to learn more.

Dale Luckhurst joins Heller

Dale Luckhurst has been appointed Head of Brand for European hobby modelling brand Heller.

He most recently held the same position for four years at Hornby Group, where he oversaw the Airfix brand.

“I am excited to join Heller at such a pivotal moment,” he said. “The brand has a rich heritage and a strong foundation to build upon. I look forward to working with the team to drive innovation, engage a broader audience, and unlock new opportunities for growth.”

The Heller brand was founded in France almost 70 years ago and has been part of Glow2B as Heller Hobby GmbH since 2019. Glow2B is Europe’s leading distributor of plastic model kits, with over 44,000 items from almost 100 brands in its range.

Heinz Engstfeld, Managing Partner of parent Glow2B and Heller, said:

“We are delighted to have brought Dale, a proven expert in the model-making industry, onto our team. Through his work to date, he has demonstrated that he understands how to position brands attractively and develop relevant new products.”

Monopoly TV show passes go

A Monopoly competition show has been greenlit at Netflix, pitting 12 contestants against one another for a chance to win a $2 million prize.

Hasbro is teaming with Studio Lambert – the team behind Squid Games: The Challenge – on the series, which is slated to hit the streamer in autumn 2027.

Monopoly’s executive producers include Gabriel Marano and Zachary Edwin of Hasbro Entertainment, as well as Studio Lambert’s Nia Yemoh, Tim Harcourt, Jack Burgess, Stephen Lambert, and Kim Murphy.

The show will see contestants immersed in a life-size Monopoly Town Square where they’ll have the opportunity to earn money, buy properties, negotiate deals, and hopefully stay out of jail. Bankrupt players will be eliminated until one winner is left standing.

First Gundam store opens in London

The first permanent store dedicated to Gundam opened in London’s Camden Market in July, giving fans an immersive destination to shop Gunpla kits, the Gundam Card Game, and more.

The Gundam-Base London’s grand opening was attended by Gundam royalty: Mr. Takanori Nishikawa, a popular Japanese singer closely associated with the Gundam series, and a massive Gundam fan – who declared the store officially open in front of an army of Gundam fans queuing outside.

Some fans had queued since the early hours of the morning to be among the first to take in the immersive displays, impressive statues and exclusive lines.

Kazu Kojima, Commercial Director at Bandai Toy & Hobby UK, said: “This once niche category is now a solid part of mainstream culture, and the appetite shown by fans at the store opening today really demonstrates how popular Gundam has become over its 47year history. Anime is here to stay and Gundam is leading the way.”

Pictured, L-R: Bandai UK Commercial Director, Kazu Kojima; singer-songwriter, Takanori Nishikawa; Ambassador of Japan to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki; MD, Bandai Namco Amusement Europe, John McKenzie.

Credit: Bandai / Barry Video

Santoro names

Bangoberry distributor

Inside Out Toys will distribute the playful Bangoberry range to independent retailers across the UK under a new partnership with brand owner Santoro.

Perfectly positioned within the booming kidult and cute kawaii trend, newly launched Bangoberry delivers a highly giftable collection of novelty stationery, character accessories and playful everyday products with instant shelf appeal.

Tara Strickland, Head of Design at Santoro, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing additional momentum to Bangoberry in the UK with Inside Out Toys. The brand has such a distinctively playful spirit, and it has been incredibly exciting to see it grow in popularity across

other territories. We believe it has all the right ingredients to capture the imagination of UK customers too, and we can’t wait to see more families discover the fun!”

The appointment follows Santoro’s recent US partnership with Toysmith and also marks an important step in the brand’s UK growth. The new collaboration will make Bangoberry more readily available to the distributor’s large customer base that spans independent gift shops, toy retailers, garden centres, museums, zoos, and visitor attractions nationwide.

Julian Garner, Managing Director at Inside Out Toys, added: “Bangoberry is a bright and characterful range that fits perfectly with the types of retailers we work with.”

Zatu Distribution appoints Playtime PR

Zatu Distribution has appointed Playtime PR to handle its consumer PR for 2026.

The campaign will include media relations, earned influencer campaigns and festive outreach, with a focus on Zatu’s key new launches, including the Japanese-inspired game Yubibo.

Rob Trounce, Trade Marketing Manager at Zatu Distribution, said: “Playtime’s reputation and track record, combined with their playful approach and unrivalled games expertise, meant we knew they were the PR agency for us. We’re very much looking forward to working together in the months ahead.”

Lesley Singleton, Founder of Playtime PR, added: “Zatu Distribution has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years. As well as having a stellar line up of games, they’re a genuinely lovely team who are brilliant at what they do, so it’s fantastic to have them on board.”

BLE AI event planner now live

Brand Licensing Europe’s free online event planner is now live. Registered visitors can use the AIdriven platform to discover brands, connect with exhibitors, request meetings, receive tailored recommendations, and add conference sessions and networking events to their calendars.

A host of new features added to the Event Planner for 2026 aim to simplify and speed up search and further improve brand discoverability. They include the new Super Search bar, which allows users to search across people, brands, exhibitors and content in one place.

BLE Event Director Ella Haynes, said: “Engagement has increased year on year since we first introduced the platform, and we know from customer feedback that the ability to connect pre-show is a game changer for ROI.”

BLE takes place 6-8 October at Excel London.

Promotions

at The Toy Association

The Toy Association has promoted Charlotte Hickcox to Senior Director of State Government Affairs, and Erin Wright to Senior Manager of Communications & Engagement for The Toy Foundation. Charlotte joined The Toy Association in 2022 as Director of State Government Affairs. In her expanded role as Senior Director, she will assume additional leadership responsibilities across the association’s state government affairs division, maintaining responsibility for

Eastern states while driving a cohesive 50-state approach to advocacy efforts and overseeing the management of all state lobbyists.

Erin joined The Toy Foundation, the association’s philanthropic arm, as a Manager, and is credited with helping to elevate awareness of its mission and programmes through strategic storytelling, communications campaigns, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

BBC Studios’s new licensing chief

BBC Studios has named Shelley Macintyre CEO of Brands and Licensing, responsible for building and expanding globally renowned brands including Bluey, Doctor Who and Top Gear. Shelley has been serving in the role on an interim basis, and will continue to oversee digital growth activities alongside licensed consumer products, gaming, live events, publishing, music and more.

Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios, said: “Shelley has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her time as Interim CEO. Her strategic vision, commercial acumen and deep understanding of how to build global brands make her the ideal person to lead this important part of BBC Studios into its next phase of growth.”

Before joining BBC Studios, Shelley held senior leadership roles at Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company and Suntory Global Spirits.

She said: “I look forward to working with our exceptional teams and partners to build culturally relevant, fan-first franchises that connect with audiences across multiple touchpoints, creating lasting value for our brands, our partners and BBC Studios.”

Topps takes pole

Topps has unveiled its biggest-ever evolution of the official Formula 1 trading card game with the launch of F1 Topps Turbo Attax 2026.

The collection features all 11 teams and 22 drivers from the expanded 2026, including rookie Arvid Lindblad alongside a larger roster of Formula 1 Legends than ever before.

Designed as the perfect entry point for new and existing collectors alike, F1 Topps Turbo Attax 2026 combines accessible price points with more premium content than ever before.

Leading the charge are the debut Turbo Chrome cards and The Winning Formula inserts, introducing authentic Chrome technology to F1 Topps Turbo Attax 2026 for the first time.

Corgi at 70

Bira calls on Burnham

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called for greater business rates relief for high street retailers, after pubs, clubs and live music venues were handed a further 20 per cent cut.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre said other high street businesses have been left behind while the hospitality sector continues to receive “special treatment”.

“My question is straightforward: what about the rest of the high street, where other businesses have seen a

Staedtler’s stamp of approval

Staedtler has entered into a UK distribution partnership with Colop, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of creative and educational stamp products.

Staedtler (UK) Ltd is now responsible for the distribution of selected products from the Colop range in the UK. A highlight includes the userfriendly Marky fabric stamp..

Thomas Randrup, Managing Director of Staedtler (UK) Ltd, said: “This collaboration is an important extension of our strategy to offer our customers a broader and more attractive range.”

Corgi is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026 with a special exhibition in partnership with Coventry Transport Museum.

The one-day showcase brings together iconic models spanning seven decades, celebrating the pieces that defined their eras while offering visitors a first look at exclusive new products. Whether a lifelong collector, a fan of great British design, or simply curious about a brand that has been a fixture in British homes since 1956, Corgi is inviting all to the event.

Coventry Transport Museum provides a fitting backdrop for the occasion. Home to the world’s largest collection of British road transport in public ownership and sitting in the heart of Coventry city centre, it reflects the rich heritage that Corgi has been part of for seven decades.

15 per cent increase this year and their business rates bills have more than doubled since 2024?” he said.

“If the Prime Minister is serious about revitalising high streets, he cannot only support pubs.”.

Downing Street said the rate cut could save a typical pub an estimated £1,100 on its business rates bill next year, with nearly 32,000 venues expected to benefit when it comes into effect in April 2027.

Barbie moves DreamHouse

Barbie has teamed up with the UK’s largest property platform Rightmove to find her new DreamHouse.

The iconic house appeared as an online property listing for the very first time this summer, giving fans a unique opportunity to explore Barbie’s latest home. Fans also had a chance to experience the collaboration in person at the Barbie DreamHouse Estate Agent Pop-Up in London’s Covent Garden in July. Open to the public, the experience invited visitors to explore the brand-new 2026 Barbie DreamHouse, and celebrate more than 60 years of DreamHouse history.

Kelly Philp, Senior Director Dolls Marketing at Mattel EMEA, said: “For over 65 years, Barbie has inspired generations of girls to imagine limitless possibilities for their future, and the DreamHouse has always been part of that story.”

The Entertainer lands on Guernsey

The Entertainer is taking over the toy department at the historic Creasey’s department store in Guernsey.

Arriving at Creaseys’ flagship St Peter Port store this autumn, the new 3,000 sq. ft concession will bring The Entertainer’s full range of toys, games and collectables to Guernsey for the first time. The partnership adds to The Entertainer’s existing Channel Islands presence in St Helier, Jersey.

Phil Savage, Group Chief New Business Development Officer, The Entertainer, said: “We’re very excited to be launching on the fabulous island of Guernsey and absolutely delighted to do so by partnering with a retailer of the quality and standing of Creasey’s.”

The new-look store is expected to open before the October half term.

Jonathan Creasey, MD, Creasey’s Department Store, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Entertainer to Creasey’s Department Store. Toys have always been an important part of our offer, and this partnership allows us to build on that heritage in a meaningful way.”

Libraries Board Game Club returns

Playtime PR’s Libraries Board Game Club is returning for the fifth time with a further 100 games boxes set to land at public libraries across the UK this autumn.

The initiative was devised to increase access to play for local communities via their libraries. It has delivered a whopping 3,800 games into 400 public libraries to date and supported the creation of 119 new board game clubs over the past two years. Those numbers are set to climb this autumn.

Spielwarenmesse expands

Preparations for Nuremberg Toy Fair 2026 are in full swing, with new product categories, special zones, and expanded permanent showrooms already confirmed for next year.

The show will run 2-6 February 2027, with organisers promising high-visibility special zones, an enhanced hall structure, and ‘cross-product-group synergies’ across the halls.

New for 2027 is a 14th product group, Manufacturing Services, located in Halls 11.0 and 11.1 together with the Multi-Product Group. The new segment focuses on the manufacturing and production of goods and the associated

processes. From product design and prototyping to raw materials and production, toy manufacturers will find OEM, ODM and OBM partners, as well as suppliers for their product development.

Organisers have also secured a new three-year contract period for the permanent stands in Hall 12.2.

Major players including Lego, Zuru, and MGA Zapf Creation have confirmed they will expand their permanent stands, while new entrants, including Asmodee and Spanish company TigerHead Toys, will launch their showrooms in 2027.

Astra leadership changes

“We’re looking forward to being able to increase these figures even more with this latest phase,” said Ceriann Smith, Managing Director at Playtime PR. “The commitment of companies that have supported the initiative has been crucial to its success.

“We live in uncertain times, so it feels more important than ever to provide opportunities and access to play for everyone.”

Sue Warfield stepped down as Executive Director of The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (Astra) in July, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Director of Operations Kathy Trivisonno.

“It’s been an honor and my pleasure to serve Astra and its community,” said Sue. “Since taking on the Executive Director role in 2020, it’s been my goal to ensure that whenever it was time for new leadership that Astra was in a financially sound and positive position. Kathy will do an amazing job to keep that momentum going for our industry and members.”

Kathy will oversee day-to-day operations, member programmes, and planning for Astra’s flagship Marketplace & Academy event during the transition. The board has begun a formal search process for the organisation’s next Executive Director.

“On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Sue for her years of dedication and service to Astra and to the specialty toy community,” added Sandra Malott, Board Chair.

BTHA AGM and Industry Day 2026

Members gathered for the BTHA AGM and Industry Day in Surrey last month. TnP reports back from this year’s meeting

The BTHA hosted its AGM and Industry Day at Great Fosters Hotel in Surrey on a sunny 1 July.

Simon Pilkington, Vice President of the BTHA, presided over proceedings, standing in for Colin Houlihan, Chairman of the BTHA. He welcomed the members, suppliers, retailers and safety experts who were in attendance for a day of insight and discovery.

The Entertainer’s Geoff Sheffield, Chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, shared an update on the impact of DreamToys 2025 and the plans already in place for this year’s showcase.

“I stood here last year and explained how we wanted to mix it up, do things a bit differently,” he said. “We appointed a new PR agency and the BTHA kindly stepped in to lend some additional support to help boost the event. With all that input and the changes we made to the

event, the result was 1200 pieces of coverage with an estimated 15 million views. So we absolutely landed the ambition and surpassed it by a country mile.”

He said that Circana’s data also showed a 34 per cent greater uplift in sales for the 15 toys on the list, above the seasonal average.

Plans for Dreamtoys 2026 will include “some small improvements”. The event, which returns to central London, will be condensed to a single day, with journalists invited in the morning, and influencers in the afternoon. It will take place Tuesday 10 November, with more details to be shared in the lead up.

Next up was Matt Jones, Head of Digital and Toy Trust Services at the BTHA, who took to the stage to thank the industry for their contributions to the charity’s on-going work. He revealed that last year, more than £180,000 was raised, and the Toy Trust dispersed £273,000 in grants, tapping

into reserve funds to support a total of 72 different charities from across the UK. That means £7.4m has been raised by the industry since 1992 when Toy Trust fundraising began.

“I think we can all be very proud of this achievement,” Matt said.

The organisation has also continued to distribute the Toy Trust Teddy, donated through distribution partner Kids in Mind to children sadly living in refuges in the UK.

“Our aim here is to provide a tangible comfort to those children on behalf of the toy industry,” Matt said.

“We’ve now distributed 6,000 bears, with more to come this year. That’s something else we’re very proud of and will continue to work on.

“It remains most importantly for me to say thank you to you all,” he added. “Nothing we do would be possible without that support and commitment. If you know of a charity locally, or one that is close to your heart, you can endorse them by encouraging them to apply for a grant. That gives the charity the ability to tell us that they’ve been referred, and that does focus us and lends a small amount of weight. Please do so and help spread the word.”

The day’s first guest speaker was

Hugh Ayling, Managing Director: Strategy & M&A, Consumer & Retail, KPMG, who shared insight into retail and the reality of discretionary income in the years to come.

“Consumers are facing an allround squeeze,” he said, with spiralling food costs continuing to grow, the size of the average housing shrinking, and less cash in the pot for non-essentials.

Worthy winners

Three toy safety experts were recognised for a “landmark innovation” in toy safety testing during the BTHA AGM and Industry Day

only when there are big deals.

The most salient take away is a sea change in consumer shopping habits as millenials age in to become the largest spending power by 2035 – and how retailers can and should respond.

“Fundamentally, millennials will increasingly, and in fact already do, shop differently to the core shopper today,” Hugh said. “Shoppers are going to be more selective. They will most likely reduce the number of retailers and brands that they shop across. Shoppers are simply overwhelmed by choice. In almost all categories, no consumer is asking for more choice.”

Hugh said that the retailers getting it right today, and who stand to cement and grow their market share, are those that are “clear on what they stand for”.

“Take Lidl, Temu, even luxury watch brands,” he said. “They are all laser focussed on who they sell to and what they do. The biggest mistake retailers make is flipflopping between promos: lowering prices, raising prices. All that does is train consumers to look and shop

“Retail must move beyond what they currently offer,” he added. “It is no longer about convenience or even access. It must be experiential and, perhaps more importantly, it must be frictionless – even when it comes to simple things like online returns.”

That’s not to mention the rise of AI, which is set to become the next battle ground for brands. “AI will become a far bigger consideration for retailers and brands,” Hugh said. “Being picked up by LLMs will be a big benefit going forward.”

The Industry Day was closed by a fascinating talk by Sir Jonathan ‘JVT’ VanTam, who served as Deputy Chief Medical Officer from October 2017 to March 2022 and was a key advisor to the government during the Covid pandemic. He spoke about becoming an accidental leader, the importance of communication in a crisis, and what we can learn from the once in a generation outbreak.

Jerry Burnie OBE, Eric Edmonds, and Wendy Phillips were presented a BTHA Outstanding Contribution Award for their contribution to toy safety. Simon Pilkington presented them with their award and praised their efforts.

“These awards recognise an amazing achievement,” he said. “In this case, the achievement is in the field of toy safety. These three people, who’s combined experience, expertise and commitment has created something truly exceptional.

“Our deserving recipients came to together as a team, spearheaded and delivered a solution to one of the most complex challenges facing our industry by creating the chemical dashboard and substance toolkit. This is an integral and unique member resource to help navigate the chemical legislation that applies to toys sold in the UK and the EU.

“This stands as a major achievement that provides a hugely valuable and tangible benefit to BTHA members in helping support their compliance, whilst helping reduce testing costs. A truly landmark innovation.”

Stitching something special

Acquired by Bigjigs Toys as part of Fiesta Crafts in 2025, the creative Buttonbag brand has been given a complete overhaul for its 2026 relaunch. A fresh visual identity and a new product range, including festive Christmas kits, brings renewed energy to children’s craft products at a time when demand for screen-free play has never been greater

A fresh identity, revamped packaging, and seven new products mark the start of a new era for Buttonbag. Now established as its own brand within the Bigjigs Toys family, Buttonbag is bringing renewed energy to children’s crafts at a time when demand for screenfree play has never been greater. There has always been something incredibly satisfying about making something with your own hands. Whether it’s threading beads onto a friendship bracelet, learning how to mould clay, or mastering a new stitch, crafting carves out opportunities for kids to express themselves, tackle new challenges, and build confidence in their abilities. This growing confidence extends beyond the craft table

“

We’ve taken everything families already loved about Buttonbag and given it a new direction that feels perfectly aligned and at home within the Bigjigs Toys family

Liz Ireland, Founder and MD,

Bigjigs Toys

Why stock Buttonbag?

■ ●Beautiful suitcase packaging

■ Fully contained all-in-one craft kits

■ ●20+ product range, inspiring repeat purchases

■ Premium quality and play value

■ Excellent gifting appeal

■ Strong on-shelf impact

■ Year-round relevance, alongside seasonal opportunities

and spills out into children’s everyday lives, shaping how they approach new experiences, persevere through problems, and find their voice in the world.

It’s this philosophy that sits at the heart of Buttonbag, with every kit thoughtfully designed to turn simple craft projects into meaningful creative experiences.

“Buttonbag has always had a wonderful concept at its core,” says Liz Ireland, Founder and Managing Director of Bigjigs Toys. “Children love making things they can keep, wear, or gift to someone special, and parents appreciate activities that inspire creativity away from screens.”

Originally acquired as part of Fiesta Crafts in 2025, Buttonbag has evolved into a distinctive, standalone brand under the Bigjigs Toys umbrella. Investment in a new visual identity and product range is set to bring a refreshed, cohesive offering to retailers - strengthening shelf presence, enhancing gifting appeal, and creating clear storytelling opportunities across the collection.

“We’ve taken everything families already loved about Buttonbag and given it a new direction that feels perfectly aligned and at home within the Bigjigs Toys family,” says Liz.

=Crafting made simple Children’s arts and crafts have never really disappeared from the toy shelves, but the role of these products has expanded. Today’s parents are looking beyond shortlived entertainment and are choosing products that nurture children’s skill development and wellbeing. Meanwhile, retailers are seeing a growing demand for activities that deliver deeper engagement and repeat value that extends well beyond the initial unboxing.

Buttonbag answers that demand with an intentionally simple offering. Every kit arrives inside a charming miniature suitcase filled with all the materials needed to start crafting, alongside visual step-by-step instructions designed for beginners. It’s an approach that removes barriers for families, while making the products especially giftable - a key consideration for retailers.

“One of the things we love most about Buttonbag is how accessible it is,” Liz explains. “The kits remove any uncertainty. Kids can open up their case and dive into a craft project without needing extra materials or prior experience, which just

makes the activity far more enjoyable for everyone involved!”

New product spotlight

As part of the relaunch, Bigjigs Toys is introducing seven new products to broaden the Buttonbag collection this year. Creative kiddies can craft their own hanging ornaments with the Clay Decorations Kit and Nature Mobile Kit, or build a colourful underwater world with the Fun Aquarium Kit.

Alternatively, the Quilling Crafts Kit teaches young makers the art of paper rolling, while the Felt Accessories Kit lets children design wearable creations they can show off to friends and family.

Seasonality also plays a big role, with the new Advent Calendar Kit offering retailers a unique alternative to traditional calendars. Finally, the Festive Fun Kit delivers Christmas crafting in an accessible, familyfriendly format - opening up opportunities for seasonal merchandising. Together, these new products extend Buttonbag’s appeal across multiple occasions, from birthdays and rainy day activities to Christmas gifting.

of craft kits,” says Liz. “From the updated packaging to the new lines we’re launching, everything has been designed to help retailers create an inviting destination for creative play.”

The Buttonbag story

Buttonbag celebrates the joy of making, the magic of imagination, and the oneof-a-kind bond that grows when families create together. The brand nurtures creativity through crafting kits that encourage free-thinking and a can-do spirit.

“Every product we create is designed with children’s development in mind,” says Liz. “Crafting teaches kids so many crucial life skills without them even realising they’re learning! They’re simply focused on making something they’ll be proud of.”

Designed for retail Presentation matters, and packaging that reflects the quality and personality of a brand has become increasingly important. Especially in the gift market, where first impressions determine whether a product is picked up, considered, and ultimately chosen.

The new Buttonbag look and feel introduces cleaner branding, playful illustrations, and project visuals to create a more contemporary aesthetic across the range. This refreshed approach helps to communicate what each craft kit offers at a glance, making the collection easier to navigate for customers.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure that Buttonbag feels like a complete brand rather than a collection

For retailers looking to strengthen their creative play offering, Buttonbag sits comfortably alongside traditional arts and crafts, educational toys, and gifting categories.

Creating more than crafts

In today’s digital world, there’s renewed appreciation for activities that invite kids to slow down and create something tangible. Buttonbag offers families a chance to spend time together - crafting, learning, and experimenting. These experiences become memories, and for retailers that’s a valuable story to tell.

Buttonbag demonstrates that even in our fast-moving society, there remains strong demand for products that combine thoughtful design with emotional longevity and genuine play value.

“Our ambition is simple,” Liz concludes. “We want Buttonbag to inspire children to discover the joy of making something themselves. If one craft kit opens the door to a new hobby, builds a child’s confidence, or creates a special family memory, then we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do.”

Since the very beginning, Bigjigs Toys has been a family-run business with a love for designing toys that enrich children’s curiosity and imagination. Back in the early days, founders Liz and Peter Ireland worked from their garden shed making jigsaw puzzles from old floorboards. Now, over 40 years later, the brand has an exceptional collection of awardwinning toys lovingly designed in the UK and sold in 100-plus countries worldwide.

Everything has been designed to help retailers create an inviting destination for creative play

Liz Ireland, Founder and MD, Bigjigs Toys

Whether parents are teaching their child how to sew or building a clay decoration, each piece is as meaningful as the hands that make it. By blending educational value with high-quality materials and travel-friendly crafting cases, Buttonbag helps children slow down and get hands-on. Every Buttonbag activity is about more than arts and crafts, it’s about sharing laughter around the table, learning new skills together, and enjoying those special moments that families remember long after the glue dries!

Funk and scroll

A new breed of retailer has grown alongside the rise of social commerce, where customers shop as they scroll. Funky Fidgets Shop, which began as a lockdown leap of faith, is one such success story. Melissa Brunskill, Director of the Darlington, County Durham business, explains how a family venture grew into an award-winning independent retailer with a huge social media following, built on authenticity, community and a specialist focus on sensory toys

Melissa, congratulations on being crowned The Northern Echo's Best Independent Retailer 2026. What did winning this award mean to you and your team?

Thank you very much. We were already proud to be an independent toy shop, so being crowned the best independent retailer of 2026 is a true honour. Our team may be small, but each one is passionate about the business’s growth, so it truly meant the world to us to win. It felt like we were recognised and heard by the public who voted. So if you voted too, thank you!

Funky Fidgets Shop has built an incredible social media presence. What has been the secret to growing such a loyal online community? If I had a pound for every time someone asked what the secret to

Without social media, we certainly wouldn’t “

our online success is, it's safe to say I'd be retired by now! But seriously, I can give you the answer, although many people may not believe it's that simple. The secret is authenticity, which, in the world of social media, isn't always as easy as it sounds. I stand by building a community of like-minded people, including customers, co-workers and suppliers.

live communications and following the journey of Funky Fidgets. Without social media, we certainly wouldn’t have the daily queues we have at our store today, and I’m under no illusion about that.

Some independent toy retailers struggle to gain traction on social media. What lessons have you learned, and what advice would you give them?

Social stats

535,000 TikTok followers

17 million+ YouTube views

27,000 Instagram followers

My advice is to master one platform first. Each social media platform has different features, audiences and, most importantly, an algorithm to work with. I feel too many businesses try to master them all at once but fail and then give up, thinking all social media platforms are the same. They are not, and some are more powerful than others. I didn’t even have the TikTok app when this business was created. I had to learn everything from scratch and, trust me, if I can do it, so can you!

When we last spoke, you joked that with over half a million TikTok followers, Funky Fidgets doesn't just follow trends - it helps create them. Has that become even more true today?

I joked, but it is true. Once you have a big audience that is invested and follows your content for updates, as ours do, what we post generates huge interest and a ‘hype’,

so to speak. Others then follow and/ or create their own version of content surrounding the same topic or product. Then we have a domino effect across social media, which can lead to viral products, brands and trending videos.

As to what products are creating the biggest buzz at the moment, it’s safe to say the NeeDoh brand has been the buzz of 2026. Distributor BigJigs Toys deserves every ounce of success that brings.

Your business began with your daughter Alex selling fidget toys during lockdown. Did you ever imagine that would be the start of something bigger? Absolutely not. Not because it wasn't a brilliant idea, but because I thought this was just another one of my then 11-year-old daughter's business ventures. Growing up, she'd tried everything from lemonade stands and cake sales to slime-making and more, so I assumed this would be no different. As a parent,

you support and encourage them, never imagining that one of those ideas would one day grow into a business employing 14 people!

Your bricks-and-mortar store has become something of a destination. What do you think makes the in-store experience so special?

I think social media has been responsible for much of its popularity. Our store is tiny, and I'm sure there are plenty of bigger, more impressive stores out there. But because we've built such a strong presence on social media, people want to come and experience it for themselves. They want to meet the team and see the products they've watched us talk about online, which helps build trust in both us and the brands we stock. We regularly have customers driving

Best-selling brands

NeeDoh – Bigjigs Toys

Funky – Own-brand products

Crazy Aaron’s Putty – DKB Toys

Speks – Baby Republic

Scrunchems – One For Fun

from London, which is around five hours away, and from Glasgow, around three and a half hours away. But I think our most impressive visitors were a woman and her daughter who flew all the way from Malta! It's wonderful for our local town that we're able to bring so much tourism.

As specialists in sensory toys and tools, how have you seen awareness and demand for these products evolve over the past few years?

For the last five years, we’ve been constantly advocating the importance of sensory toys and tools, not only for children but adults too. It's great that others are also adopting this and raising awareness of the need for people of all ages within the SEN community.

Are there plans to diversify your product offering?

We've always stuck to what we know – all things sensory. Many people said it wouldn't last and that we'd eventually need to expand into the wider toy industry. I guess only time will tell, but we have no plans to change course yet.

Who do you see as your competitors and peers?

” “The NeeDoh brand has been the buzz of 2026. Distributor Bigjigs Toys deserves every ounce of success that brings

Melissa Brunskill, Director, Funky Fidgets Shop

I tend not to focus on competitors. It may sound bold, but I genuinely don't feel we have any direct competitors because we're so unique and very much in our own lane. There are many fantastic toy stores, both online and bricks-andmortar. But to date I've never come across another that specialises solely in sensory products, so there's no one we can truly compare ourselves to.

What does the future look like for Funky Fidgets Shop?

A bigger premises is definitely on the cards. We would love to give our customers the tourist-attraction-meetstoy-store experience that I think they deserve after all the travelling and queuing. That’s the dream, and it’s getting closer. It's just a case of finding that perfect building, which so far doesn’t exist. Manifest it for us, folks!

Trade talk

Mark Jones Sales Director

University Games and

Halfway through 2026, how has trading been to date, and what are your expectations for the second half?

Trading has been positive and in line with our expectations, with strong performances across a number of our core categories including family games, preschool learning and licensed products. We have also received very positive response to our new launches introduced throughout the year. Looking ahead, we are well prepared for Q4, with a strong pipeline of new products, significant marketing investment behind key brands and excellent retailer support, giving us every confidence in delivering a successful second half of the year.

What’s one product retailers should be stocking as we head into A/W26?

Choosing just one is incredibly difficult from a range of more than 500 products! Looking at this year's launches, however, our new Pocket Dice collection, particularly the Sports Pocket Dice and Licensed Football Club editions, has all the ingredients for success.

Counterfeits have become an increasingly pernicious problem for legitimate toy businesses. To what extent

Lee Crocker CountryManagerUKandIreland

CobiToys

Lagoon

do copycats and IP infringement impact your business?

As a business built around well-known brands, licensed properties and original product development, protecting intellectual property is extremely important. Counterfeit products not only undermine the investment made by manufacturers and licensors, but they can also compromise product quality and consumer confidence.

We work closely with our licensing partners, retailers and online marketplaces to identify and report infringements. Education also plays an important role, helping consumers and retailers recognise the value, quality and safety that comes with purchasing genuine products.

With the growth of social selling, do you see this becoming a key channel in the coming years?

Absolutely. Social selling complements traditional retail rather than replacing it, targeting consumers we cannot advertise to in the traditional media spaces, creating additional demand, driving trends and helping direct consumers to our retail partners as well as online channels. It is becoming an increasingly important part of the retail landscape, and is an area we are actively investing in and see as a key growth channel.

We’re halfway through 2026. How has trading been to date, and what are your expectations for the second half?

The first quarter of the year was booming. We surpassed all our goals, however trading has been challenging in the second quarter due to the energy prices, conflicts, the World Cup and the weather. The second half of the year has started well and I expect us to come in on plan. The economic climate will continue to be tough, but we have some great product launches in the last quarter, which will steer us home.

What’s one product retailers should be stocking as we head into A/W26?

This month suppliers talk counterfeits, social selling and H1 performance

Abel Dzienciolski Founder AncoryToys

Halfway through 2026, how has trading been to date, and what are your expectations for the second half?

The first half of 2026 has focused on strengthening our foundations, expanding our licensed portfolio and developing new product ranges for the UK and key international markets. Trading has been encouraging, although the wider retail environment remains challenging and buyers continue to be cautious with commitments and stock levels. We expect the second half to be significantly stronger.

I think there are two ranges that retailers should be stocking as we head into A/W26. Our British Icons and Historical ranges, which include Concorde and Titanic. Plus our range of Retro Rally Cars: Audi Quattro, Subaru, and Lancia.

Counterfeits have become an increasingly pernicious problem for legitimate toy businesses. To what extent do copycats and IP infringement impact your business?

We do have copycats and IP infringement, but not to the extent that we have seen with brands like NeeDoh. Unfortunately, most of these come from the Far East, where it is extremely difficult to enforce. So, like many of us, we have to be vigilant when out and about, speak with our customer base and educate others.

What’s one product retailers should be stocking as we head into A/W26?

Our Angry Birds range is the one retailers should watch closely for A/W26. With renewed consumer attention around the brand and the upcoming movie release, we believe it has strong momentum across multiple categories.

Counterfeits have become an increasingly pernicious problem for legitimate toy businesses. To what extent do copycats and IP infringement impact your business?

Counterfeiting and IP infringement are a growing concern, particularly as products can now be copied and listed online extremely quickly in the main online marketplaces that operate in the UK. For legitimate businesses, the impact goes beyond lost sales. It can damage consumer trust, undermine licensors and create serious safety and compliance risks. We work closely with our licensing partners, factories and online platforms to protect our own brands and designs.

With the growth of social selling, do you see this becoming a key channel in the coming years?

I believe social selling will become an increasingly important part of the toy industry. Toys are naturally visual, interactive and demonstration-led, which makes platforms such as TikTok particularly effective for discovery and impulse purchasing. We are already exploring social commerce through TikTok Shop, but I do not believe social selling will replace traditional retail.

The power of showing up

Following her induction into ASTRA’s Specialty Toy Hall of Fame, Imagine That Toys owner Gwen Ottenberg reflects on this year’s ASTRA Marketplace & Academy event, why relationships are at the heart of independent toy retail, and what international brands need to know about succeeding in the US market

Gwen, congratulations on your induction into ASTRA’s Specialty Toy Hall of Fame. For readers who may be less familiar with ASTRA, tell us a little about the organisation and what this recognition means to you. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the leading trade association for the speciality toy industry in the US. It brings together independent retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, industry affiliates and students entering the business. What makes ASTRA unique is that it gives everyone a seat at the same table, allowing us to learn from one another and work together for the greater good of the speciality toy industry.

For me, ASTRA has always been much more than a trade association. When I opened Imagine That Toys in Wichita, Kansas, in 2007, I was a new retailer in a market that wasn't on many people's radar. ASTRA was where I found my community. For the first time, I wasn't just the owner of a toy store in Wichita - I was part

Gwen Ottenberg, owner, Imagine ThatToys ” “

The demand for squishytoys has been extraordinary -honestly, it reminds meoftrying to find toilet paperduring thepandemic

of an industry. Experienced retailers, manufacturers, and mentors welcomed me, shared their knowledge, and helped shape both me and my business. I truly don't know if Imagine That Toys would be what it is today without the relationships I built through ASTRA.

I value that someone who has been in business for one year can sit down next to someone with 40 or 50 years of experience, and both can walk away having learned something. Today, I have the privilege of giving back by mentoring people, just as others once did for me.

Professionally, induction into the ASTRA Specialty Toy Hall of Fame is one of the highest honours our industry can bestow. The recipients are selected by ASTRA's Board of Directors, who have dedicated their careers to making our industry stronger, and recognise those who have made a lasting contribution. Personally, that’s what means the most to me. If I’ve helped strengthen independent toy retail, encouraged collaboration, or inspired someone else to build a better business, then I’ve accomplished something worthwhile.

You received the honour during this year's ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, held in June. How was that experience? It was one of those nights I’ll never forget, and not because of the award itself. It was because of the people I was able to share it with.

What made the evening truly special was looking around my table and seeing so many of the people who have been part of my journey. Those relationships have become genuine friendships, and that meant more to me than anything else that night.

One of my closest friends introduced me, and hearing someone who knows me so well tell my story was incredibly moving. The evening also had plenty of laughter.

More than anything, I walked away feeling grateful. Being recognised by your peers is different because they understand the challenges, sacrifices, and passion that go into building a career in this industry.

Knowing they believe I’ve made a positive contribution is incredibly humbling.

What do you consider to be your most meaningful contributions to the industry so far?

When I think about my contributions, I don’t immediately think about the positions I’ve held or awards I’ve received. Those are wonderful honours, but they’re the result of something much simpler.

I’ve always believed in showing up. I’ve learned that opportunities come from being in the room. One of the things I enjoy most is connecting people. I love introducing someone with a challenge to someone who has the answer. Those introductions often lead to friendships, partnerships, and opportunities that might not have happened otherwise.

I’ve always tried to build our industry by bringing people together. Great things happen when the right people meet at the right time, and if I’ve been able to play a small role in creating those moments, I consider that one of my greatest contributions.

Looking back, I don’t measure success by titles or committees. I measure it by whether I left the industry a little stronger than I found it, and whether I helped someone else find their place within it.

A growing number of British brands are prioritising ASTRA. What advice would you give non-US-based brands looking to enter the US market?

One of the things I love most about the speciality toy industry is that great ideas can come from anywhere. Some of the most creative products in my store have been designed in the UK and across Europe. Innovation isn't limited by geography.

The US market isn’t necessarily harder than other markets - it’s just different. American consumers shop differently, and retailers often have different expectations around packaging, merchandising, pricing, and even how a product’s story is told.

Many brands finding success in the US have invested in building a local presence,

whether through a distributor, sales team, or partner that understands the market. The US is also incredibly diverse. There isn't one ‘American customer’, which is why understanding the market at a deeper level is so important.

My advice to international companies is: ask questions before you jump. Talk to retailers, distributors and sales representatives. Visit stores, attend ASTRA, and be curious. The companies that succeed are usually those that spend time learning before they spend money expanding.

What were your highlights from this year's ASTRA Marketplace & Academy?

One of the reasons I value ASTRA Marketplace & Academy is that it brings together the people who can truly move ideas forward. Some of my favourite conversations aren’t necessarily about placing orders. They’re about asking:

“What if?” What if we created an exclusive event? What if we launched a special promotion? What if we introduced a product in a new way? Those kinds of ideas become much easier to develop when you’re sitting across the table from someone who shares your excitement.

This year, one of the biggest topics was inventory, production timelines, and product availability. The demand for squishy toys has been extraordinary - honestly, it reminds me of trying to find toilet paper during the pandemic. Conversations weren’t just about what was new, but about what was available, when it would ship, and how retailers could realistically plan their businesses around reliable timelines.

Having accurate information is just as valuable as having a great product. Honest conversations help retailers make smarter buying decisions. Products fill shelves. Relationships build businesses. That's what keeps me returning to ASTRA Marketplace year after year.

The jeep display is custom painted with the Wichita Flag to represent Gwen’s local community

Which toy categories are currently performing especially well in your store?

Schylling has been the standout performer...In fact, it's the first time I can remember a vendor outperforming Lego Gwen Ottenberg, owner, Imagine ThatToys

Without question, squishy toys have been the defining story of our year. I’ve never experienced anything like it. We receive more than 100 phone calls a day from children asking if we have the latest squishies in stock. They’re asking by product name, style, and colour. They know exactly what they’re looking for. What’s been especially interesting is that many purchases are made with children’s own money. That’s one of my favourite parts of owning a toy store: we get to slow down and let kids count their dollars, and make their own purchasing decisions. Those moments may seem small, but they're incredibly meaningful. In my store, Schylling has been the standout performer in this category. In fact, it's the first time I can remember a vendor outperforming Lego in both sales and profitability. That’s something I never thought I’d see, and it shows just how significant this trend has become.

Do you expect this to continue into the second half of 2026?

Looking ahead, I believe the squishy category will remain strong through the holiday season. Manufacturers continue to introduce new products, and the excitement doesn’t appear to be slowing. That said, I also expect the fourth quarter to return to a more familiar balance. Families will begin to think about gift-giving, and we’ll see renewed strength in classic categories like arts and crafts, science, games, puzzles, and construction toys.

Trends will always come and go. Great play doesn’t. Children will always be drawn to toys that engage them, challenge them, spark their imagination, or simply make them smile.

Our job isn't to predict the next trend. It's to recognise when a toy is creating real moments for children and families. That's what speciality retail has always done best, and it's what will continue to set us apart long after today's hottest trend has passed.

Gwen and supporters at the ASTRA Gala. In front: Nadav Maoz, Nova Toys, and Gwen. Back (L-R): Kevin Sack, License 2 Play; Tres Patten and Corey Funkey, Smart Toys and Games; Lenny Breeden, Scentco; Ron Weizman, South Beach Bubbles + Toys

FEATURE

Pocket money and blind box lines have become one of the defining toy segments of the 2020s. Trading card games, chase figures, blind bag licensed novelties, viral play patterns and, importantly, a price point everyone can afford, is driving sales across categories.

In its full year report on 2025, Circana found that trading cards and keenly priced collectible figures ranked among the fastest growing segments. Collectibles grew 32 per cent and now account for almost 19 per cent of all dollar sales globally. Just last month Hasbro reported a strong Q2 driven largely by a record performance from Magic: the Gathering. The blind bag TCG topped $500m in quarterly revenue for the very first time – and with several high-profile licensed sets still to launch later this year, it shows very little sign of slowing down.

For independent retailers, pocket money lines offer fast-moving, impulsepurcase stock that encourages repeat visits. For many, it has become the main driver of both footfall and sales.

“By far our strongest category is pocket money toys, which has been a standout performer outside of the Christmas period,” said Usman Ali Ahmed, Director, Toys4you. “We’ve actually seen sales in this area grow significantly year-round, and in many cases they skyrocket during everyday trading rather than being purely seasonal.”

Usman Ali says the growth of pocket money lines is unsurprising given the broader reality of family economics

The price is right

Accessible pricing and the thrill of chase rares has made pocket money toys and blind boxes the great success story of the past few years. With parents feeling the pinch and viral trends pushing low-cost toys to the top of the algorithm, retailers are struggling to keep stock on shelves

“By far our stronget category is pocket money toys, which has been a standout performer outside of the Christmas period

Usman Ali Ahmed Director, Toys4you

”and the impact of the on-going cost of living crisis.

“This reflects a wider trend of parents and families making smaller, more frequent purchases to reward children, keep them entertained, or provide affordable gifts,” he said.

Pocket money toys have always been a winner at retail for one simple reason, says David Mordecai CEO , One for Fun: “Price point makes it a child-led purchase rather than needing adult participation.”

Usman Ali says that adding online virality into the mix has supercharged this.

“We think this is driven by TikTok and other social media platforms, where viral trend toys seem to be getting more tracking than anything else.

“While online retail remains important for us, many customers and kids still prefer to come and look at options for toys before making a purchase. With pocket money toys becoming more popular, kids and parents prefer to feel the toys before buying. Also, when they see viral toys in person, they often make an instant purchase and leave with toys that day.”

Sensory sensations

EDUK8 WORLDWIDE

sabrina@eduk8worldwide.co.uk

eduk8worldwide.com

Sensory products continue to be an important part of the toy and education markets, offering children fun and engaging beneficial tactile experiences.

Eduk8 Worldwide has expanded its range with a new sensory ball collection featuring a colourful range of textures, from soft and squidgy, to spiky and textured, alongside balls that can be submerged in water and squeezed out, for an added sensory dimension.

With sensory play now extending far beyond traditional SEN settings, these products have broad appeal, not only for children but for parents looking to support and develop their child’s fine motor skills. Their accessible price points also make them perfect pocket-money purchases, impulse buys and gifting options for retailers looking to introduce affordable sensory products to their ranges.

Ahead of the craze

CRAZE TOYS

+34 697 928 308 | manuel.longo@craze-group.com | craze.toys

Collectable crafting

CRAFT BUDDY

trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk

craftbuddyltd.co.uk.

Pocket money products remain one of the most important categories in the toy industry, but today’s shoppers are looking for much more than an affordable impulse purchase. Craft Buddy has seen a growing demand for products that combine collectability, creativity and value, giving consumers an experience that continues long after they’ve left the shop.

Craze entered the pocket money and blind box market at London Toy Fair this year with the launch of Inkee, its own bathtime inspired brand that combines fizzing bath bombs with collectible figures from some of the world’s most popular licences, including Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, SpongeBob SquarePants and Hello Kitty. With the wow factor of the scented bath bombs dissolving to reveal a hidden character inside, the surprise blind bag packaging format helps drive repeat purchase as children strive to complete a full collection of their favourite characters whilst also having sensory fun in the bath. Each licensed series includes highly detailed collectable figures of all the classic characters that can also be used as ink stampers, meaning the play value is extended and children can play creatively once bathtime is over. With other pocket money priced bath and beauty items in the Inkee range, such as face masks, fizzers and bubble bath sachets, retailers interested in stocking Inkee can benefit from eye-catching FSDU and CDU merchandising options and excellent margin opportunities.

Glamour then meets slime in Glime, Craze’s dazzling new revolution in the compound category that also combines collectability with a surprise factor for a premium unboxing experience. The slime used in Glime is enhanced with various toppings, each individually packaged in glittering sachets, and a surprise cute collectable figure is hidden in each box to bring added play value. Launching in September, there will be 16 cosmetic inspired pots to collect in the introductory blind box range, with young fashionistas invited to choose from beauty vibes such as Velvet Fusion, Fairy Twist, Moon Glow and Crystal Pop. An entry price point Glime Mini is also being introduced to support the Glime launch and will hit a pocket money sweet spot, with each colourful miniature slime pot coming with a keychain for clip and go fun.

Craft Buddy’s Crystal Art range has been developed with exactly that in mind. By combining globally recognised licences with a simple, engaging craft activity, the collection appeals to children, families, collectors and the growing kidult audience. Rather than simply opening a pack and moving on, consumers spend time creating, displaying, wearing and collecting their favourite characters, adding lasting value to every purchase.

Blind formats continue to be one of the strongest drivers of repeat sales, prompting the expansion of the Crystal Art range with products such as the Care Bears Crystal Art Keyring Blind Bags, along with Harry Potter and Disney Crystal Art Pin Badge Blind Bags. Every pack delivers the excitement of discovering a mystery character, but the experience doesn’t end there. Each design is completed using Crystal Art, creating a finished collectible that fans can proudly display, wear or use every day.

Collectability extends far beyond Craft Buddy’s blind bag ranges. Its Crystal Art Buddies, Bag Charms and Pin Badges offer affordable entry points into some of the world’s biggest entertainment licences, encouraging customers to build collections one character at a time. The accessible price points make them ideal pocket money purchases, while the breadth of licences gives retailers multiple opportunities to appeal to different audiences.

The Harry Potter range is a particularly exciting example. With the new HBO series set to introduce the Wizarding World to a whole new generation while reigniting the passion of existing fans, the opportunity for collectable products around the franchise is significant. It is a licence with remarkable cross-generational appeal, giving retailers the chance to engage established collectors, lifelong fans and younger audiences discovering Harry Potter for the first time.

One of Craft Buddy’s standout successes has been the Hello Kitty & Friends Crystal Art Sticker Album, which has demonstrated just how powerful collecting remains. Rather than a one-off purchase, the album encourages consumers to collect mystery sticker packs, swap duplicates with friends and keep coming back until every page is complete. It’s a format that keeps customers engaged for weeks, driving repeat visits and building longterm excitement around the range.

With hundreds of Crystal Art products... now available across leading licensed brands including Disney, Harry Potter, Care Bears, Hello Kitty and many more, Craft Buddy continues to expand its pocket money offering while ensuring there are products to suit every budget. Whether it’s a first introduction to Crystal Art or the latest addition to an existing collection, there’s always another character to discover.

Ooh la la!

ENESCO

01228 404022

uksales@enesco.co.uk enesco.co.uk

Bear La La combines collectable art toys, sensory fidget play, and creative mix-and-match customisation. At the heart of the collection is an adorable little bear that loves cosplay, dressing up in 12 colourful animal and fantasy costumes - from dinosaurs and sharks to rabbits and more. The unique feature?

The soft, stretchy hoods can be removed and swapped between characters, creating endless new combinations and encouraging repeat purchases.

The range combines ultra-soft, highly stretchable TPR material that is perfect for squeezing, stretching, and stress relief with an exclusive mix-and-match play pattern, allowing users to exchange outfits between figures.

Multiple characters and customisation options enhance its collectable appeal, while an accessible price point makes Bear La La an ideal addition to checkout counters, endcaps, and gift displays.

Retail-friendly merchandising sees Bear La La supplied in an attractive 12-piece CDU designed for maximum visibility. Individual open-stock replenishment is also available, allowing retailers to restock bestselling characters with ease.

Don’t Miss

Tear and reveal happiness

TOMY

01392 281927

ukcustomerservices@tomy.com uk.tomy.com

Collectibles remain a key growth area for Tomy, driven by strong demand from the expanding kidult market. Since launching in May, Momiji has gained strong traction with its blindbox format, collectible characters, and hidden messages celebrating friendship, kindness and connection.

The spring 2026 launch introduced two collections, Magical Meadow and Out of This World, spanning Blind Box Message Dolls, Blind Box Plushies and Large Character Plush, each featuring collectable cards and embroidered stickers.

The brand has quickly built a loyal following among Gen Z and millennial collectors, as well as gift buyers seeking meaningful collectibles. Momentum will continue throughout the second half of 2026 with the launch of Sugar Plum Wood in August, further expanding the Momiji universe with new characters and storytelling.

Further strengthening Tomy’s collectibles portfolio is PeriHapi, a premium blind-box range built around the concept of “tear and reveal happiness”. Following its launch in Japan, the range combines surprise-led unboxing with fan-favourite licences including Disney Princess and Pixar, Haikyu!! and Hatsune Miku.

Surprises for every pocket

JUST PLAY

uksales@justplayproducts.com

When it comes to surprise toys and blind boxes that are suitable for those pocket money purchases, Just Play has the category all wrapped up with something for little ones and older kids and at a variety of price points.

Happy Haul blends pop-culture favourites with mystery plush, figures, and more. Collectors and fans have loved unboxing these limited-drop, mystery ranges that capture the joy of everyday moments. And there are many new ranges to collect coming from July. Retro fun is assured with Happy Haul Good Luck Trolls Vinyl Plush Clip-Ons. The Troll Dolls from the 80s are back on the toy shelf, with seven fiveinch colourful characters to collect - each features a ‘wish stone’ embedded in their tummy.

Taking the surprise toys to a spooky level for older kids is Tiny Nightmares; the horrorinspired lifestyle IP that puts a dark twist on collectables. Successfully launched in 2025, the range has a new third wave of three-inch figures for AW26 each with those statement ‘killer’ features and ‘terrif-eyes’ that hold reflections of their victims. Baby Face, Billy the Puppet from Saw, and Freddy Fazzbear are not to be missed.

Discover them all, and enjoy their retro accessories, including a lava lamp, cassette tape, floppy disk and more! Also new are the SpongeBob SquarePants Many Moods Shifts, and Shrek All Stars that join the classic properties already seeing strong sell through at retail, such as Peanuts, Harry Potter and Duckalooz. Disney Doorables is an evergreen performer that keeps fans coming back for more with new themes, and characters, and as an original blind box surprise brand, Doorables has season after season of successful themes behind it. Collectors can have their very own Ticket to Fun with the latest release, with 50 new characters over five themes to look out for. Based on all the fun of the fair, groups of characters include Amazing Amusements, Enchanted Entertainers and Festival Foodies and more. Available in Mini Peaks of two, or Multi Peaks with 5,6, or seven to find. The favourite Disney characters come with accessories that must be layered or assembled to complete the piece, and what’s even more special is the figures that are translucent, metallic or iridescent which add to the collectability.

Fun on the go

UNIVERSITY GAMES & LAGOON

0207 254 0100

www.university-games.co.uk

Pocket money toys continue to deliver big smiles for small spenders, and University Games has a host of playful, affordable options that combine fun with collectability.

The fun and entertaining Squeeze Poppers are now available in both animal and licensed football club character mascot and player designs. These tactile, pop-and-squeeze toys, which can shoot the foam ball up to six metres, provide hours of indoor and outdoor fun, appealing to children who love interactive play. The Animal range features favourites such as the T Rex, Koala, Penguin, Llama, Axolotl, and Frenchie the Bulldog, while the Licensed Football Club range includes Moonchester from Manchester City, Chirpy from Tottenham Hotspur, and the Official England Lion mascot.

For fans of sporting challenges, the new and available Pocket Dice range offers compact, on-thego gameplay. The Sports range, featuring football, cricket, and tennis, lets children test their skills anywhere, while the Licensed Football Club range, that includes Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and the Official FA England versions, provide added excitement for young supporters eager to roll the dice in

University Games also brings brain-teasing fun with everpopular range of licensed Football Club Rubik’s Cubes. Available for Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, West Ham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham and England, these colourful 3D puzzles combine problem-solving with a love of football, offering an engaging challenge for fans and collectors alike.

For card game enthusiasts, University Games has an extensive selection spanning both preschool and children’s licensed ranges such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and Horrible Histories Battle Cards. These compact card games are perfect for family play, travel, or sharing with friends, helping children build memory, strategy, and social skills, all while staying within a pocketfriendly price point.

In addition, the Magnetic Travel Games range from Purple Cow offers fantastic entertainment for friends and family, whether at home or on the move. It features classic favourites such as Chess, Draughts and Ludo, alongside engaging options including Battlefleet or Animal Bingo. Compact, convenient and easy to play, they are ideal for travel, holidays, or everyday family fun.

Bombz away!

ZIMPLI KIDS

0845 459 1818 | sales@zimplikids.com | zimplikids.com

New to Zimpli Kids’ Baff Bombz surprise range is the Butterfly Ring Surprise. Each bath bomb fizzes into bright, swirling colours before revealing a wearable butterfly ring inside. The rings come in bold, eye-catching shades that children love to collect, wear and swap. With the thrill of a blind surprise built in, this addition taps directly into the collectible toy trend and encourages repeat purchases Snoopy Baff Bombz Surprise adds a touch of timeless charm. Each bath bomb creates a fizzing colour display before revealing a hidden Snoopy-themed toy. Children enjoy the unboxing moment, while parents can trust the skin-safe, stain-free formula for a fun but mess-free experience.

All the products feature bold, colourful packaging that stands out on shelf, offering retailers lines that drive footfall, repeat sales and gift appeal, transforming bath time into a moment children love.

Bright sparks

PEERS HARDY

jbarrett@peershardy.co.uk | peershardy.co.uk

Launching in September, Flashies is an exciting new collectible range that combines some of the world’s most popular licensed characters with a practical everyday function. Designed as character-shaped keychain flashlights, Flashies offers a unique concept that brings together collectability, functionality and strong shelf appeal.

The collection launches with 15 licensed characters from globally recognised brands, from Minecraft to Minions, encouraging consumers to collect their favourites and complete the series. Each Flashie features a simple activation mechanism: press the character’s head to switch on the LED light and release it to return to its original position. Compact, lightweight and easy to carry, Flashies can be attached to backpacks, pencil cases, keys or bags, making them the perfect companion for everyday use. Combining licensed characters with a useful flashlight function, Flashies offer added value beyond traditional collectibles.

Rev up impulse sales

BIGJIGS TOYS

01303 250400 | orders@bigjigstoys.com | bigjigstoys.co.uk

Leading the pocket money charge at Bigjigs are the beautifully redesigned Wildlife Yo-Yos. Catering to the growing demand for eco-conscious play, these timeless classics are crafted from sustainably sourced wood and feature zero-plastic, 100 per cent recyclable packaging. Available in a pocket-money-friendly twopack featuring adorable, minimalist illustrations of foxes, lions, whales, and crocodiles, these pocket-sized favourites are a hit with parents and children alike

Treasure in the pocket money aisle

MAGICBOX

01293 222500 | sales@magicbox-toys.co.uk magicboxint.com

Ready to rev up impulse sales, the spotlight shifts to Bigjigs’ distribution brand, Tiger Tribe, as three brand-new Presto Racer designs speed onto the market this September. Available in fresh eye-catching colours: Comet (blue/green), Flare (gold/ orange), and Stellar (pink/purple), these battery-free, retrostyle cars offer instant, turbo-speed action. Using a clever, tactile mechanism, kids simply press down on the driver’s helmet to send the nimble little racers zooming across the floor. Designed for children aged three to seven, their highly collectable nature and accessible price point make them the ultimate repeat-purchase pocket money toy for the upcoming season.

Rounding out the lineup with immense play value is the whimsical Shrinkorama –Magical Woodlands kit, also from Tiger Tribe. Part arts-andcrafts project, part fascinating science experiment, this clever set includes everything needed to create custom, whimsical shrink-art jewellery and keychains. Children aged four to eight can colour the 13 beautifully illustrated, pre-cut woodland designs using the included doubleended pencils, pop them in a standard oven, and watch in wonder as they magically shrink to 40 per cent of their original size.

Highlight in Harmonie

SANTORO

August sees the arrival of Superthings Warriors, the latest actionpacked series from the hugely popular Superthings brand.

Designed to encourage collecting from the very first purchase, the range launch includes the new Two Pack, a key focus for AW26, available at an accessible entry price. Each blind pack contains two Superthings characters, helping to drive engagement and repeat sales as children hunt for their favourite characters.

020 8781 1104 | sales@santoro-london.com | santorotrade.com

Magicbox’s pirate-themed collectible brand Piratix continues to perform strongly as an evergreen range. The Piratix Crazy Jungle Series remains popular with young collectors, supported by a range of pocket money price points. At entry level, children can start collecting with surprise Two Packs, while Jungle Cage blind boxes add an extra element of excitement and repeat purchase appeal.

Sweet, colourful and impossible to resist, Harmonie Lane’s Candy-Shaped Highlighter Set is the perfect pocket money pick-up! This delightful set includes six candy-inspired highlighters, each featuring dual-ended chisel and bullet nibs for versatile highlighting and creative fun. Bursting with personality and playful charm, they’re ideal for adding a pop of colour to schoolwork, journaling and creative projects.

Designed around a vibrant community of 10 aspirational girl-next-door characters, Harmonie Lane celebrates creativity, friendship, self-expression, and the joy of hands-on play. Each character has her own distinct personality, interests, and style, creating a rich world that encourages girls to explore their individuality while feeling connected to a positive and relatable community.

The full collection features a mix of craft kits, activity books, design-led stationery, and novelty accessories that inspire imagination and self-expression. With strong early retail support, growing international distribution, and a distinctive product offering that blends storytelling, creativity, crafts, stationery, and music, Harmonie Lane is poised to become one of the most exciting new launches in the children’s lifestyle category.

Clip-on cuties

POSH PAWS

01268 567317 | sales@poshpawsinternational.co.uk poshpawsinternational.co.uk

Posh Paws is launching an exciting range of Minions plush toys, collectable blind boxes and plush bag clips as Illumination’s new Minions & Monsters movie hits cinemas this month.

Posh Paws has brought the thrill and excitement of opening a surprise purchase to its Minions range with brand new blind boxes. Inside each Minions & Monsters blind box is a cute, squishy 5-inch plush Minion bag clip that kids and adults will love the mystery of discovering and collecting. There are five squishy Minions plush bag clips to find and collect, with the new movie characters James, Henry, Dick, Ed and a special edition gold sparkle chase piece. The blind boxes are displayed in a branded CDU and are the perfect pocket money pick-ups at till points and on shelf with their fellow Minions plushies.

Posh Paws has also released a new collection of Karabiner Kuties surprise blind box plush to capitalise on the bag clip trend driving sales and collectibility in the market. There are four collectable 5in plush bag clip charms in surprise blind boxes, featuring Mr Bean and Teddy, each with a metal karabiner bag clip attached.

Cracking collectibles

CHARACTER OPTIONS

0161 633 9800 | sales@charactergroup.plc.uk character-online.com

The Character Options is a one-stop-shop for pocket money blind boxes and mystery toys including boys, girls, and kidult collections.

Goo Jitzu’s autumn launches are stronger than ever, boasting a bold new look and exciting fresh formats including all new Mystery Surprise Eggs. Launching this month and backed by a nationwide viral influencer campaign, the arrival of these eggs will spark a hunt to uncover the elusive golden chase

Designed to boost collectability and refocus attention on the brand’s iconic fillings, figures and hidden ASMR qualities, this cracking new line features six Heroes each with a unique filling to uncover. Discover Squidor with super squelchy water beads, Smashadon packed with super scrunchy

Pocket pick-upsmoney

EPOCH MAKING TOYS

0843 557 4062 epochmakingtoys.com

Sylvanian Families’ new collectible series for autumn will be the Colourful Bunny Costume Babies. The 40th anniversary blind bags will feature five adorable rabbit babies to collect, each in a cute, colourful, polka dot bunny costume.

Also available is the Sylvanian Families Baby Woodland Fairy Costume Series, forming part of the Woodland Fairy range. Dressed in whimsical outfits inspired by the magic of the forest. There are eight babies to collect including one secret character and the Sea Otter baby in an adorable rock outfit who is proving to be a viral sensation! The babies fit neatly into the new Woodland Wonder Fairy Castle, available now.

Epoch Games’ Super Mario Micro Game Series features a series of arcade-style games at pocket money prices. Offering a variety of play patterns, there are multiple games to collect in each series. These include the Jump & Seesaw Series, Skill Shot Series, and the Marble Maze Series. In addition, the Micro Game World Series includes six mystery boxes each featuring a Super Mario scene and a collectible character including Goomba and Green Pipes. The characters can be used in any game within the Epoch Link System.

red boulders suspended in purple gel, Horriglow with a glow in the dark skeleton and fish filling, and more. And for the ultimate treasure hunters, each Hero also has its own Golden chase figure waiting to be unearthed. Since its launch in May, MagMiMi has presented itself as the cutest mystery collectible plush toys that are super soft, adorable, and totally magnetic. Each palm-sized pal features a soft, cuddly body, a stylised roto-cast head, built-in magnets in every limb and premium metal keychain attachment. Place them on a finger, stick them to the fridge, clip them to backpacks, or link them together for an irresistibly cute plush parade. There are nine exotic animals to collect in the first series.

New LamaTama is the voice-activated fortune telling mystery toy. This collection of multi-coloured pocket-sized gurus will aid in moments of decision paralysis. Can’t decide whether to have pizza for lunch? Ask LamaTama! Want to know whether you’re destined for fame? Ask LamaTama! No matter the query, LamaTama will give you an answer

Caylus and Foltyn is a new collection Inspired by two of the hottest rising stars in the video game creator category. With over 18 million combined subscribers, the offering centres around the Gen Z slang concept of aura farming – putting out a vibe that makes something you want inevitable. Included in the range are the Mystery Aura Mini Figures and Mystery Aura Plush, each with differing levels of rarity, including the rarest Admin Abuse characters.

It’s a jungle out therefurReal!

This month the TnP Toy Testers went wild with the latest additions to the interactive furReal range from Just Play: a growing, roaring tiger, and a super chill sloth who loves hugs. Animal-mad Summer and Charlie, both six, and mums Connie and Aimee, tell us why Snuggles the Smiling Sloth and Gabby the Grow & Roar Tiger have become special new members of the family

Just Play has a full range of furReal toys, interactive electronic plush pets that feature realistic sound-and-motion combinations which simulate the nurturing experience of owning a real animal.

Adding to the popular line-up for 2026 is the loveable Snuggles the Smiling Sloth and Gabby the Grow & Roar Tiger. TnP Toy Testers and school pals Charlie and Summer, both six, along with mums Aimee and Connie, had enormous fun getting to grips with their wild new friends.

Mum Connie, daughter Summer (6) Connie: “My daughter absolutely loves FurReal pets and already has a couple of cuties. They’re very soft and fun to play with. This tiger is especially cute and the reason we love these toys in our house is that the kids keep going back to them – win-win! Even though the weather has been very hot and my kids are outdoors a lot, Summer loops back round

to checking in on her new pal, and she really does like to nurture and care for this toy as if she’s real.”

“This tiger is especially cute and the reason we love these toys in our house is that the kids keep going back to them – win-win!”

We asked Summer what she liked most about Gabby the tiger. She told us: “When she grows from a tiny kitty into a big tiger [the toy impressively expands in three stages as kids interact with it, from her original size of 32cm to 38cm], and I get to surprise my friends. I like to look after her and feed her. When I roar at her, she will roar back. She’s so cuddly, I love her sparkly eyes and her sounds when I tickle her.”

Connie, mum

Mum Connie added: “This tiger is at the pricier end, but it is so worth it. I’ve never seen a toy grow bigger like it does, it’s really clever and even wowed the adults. This

interactive pet toy does so much on top, with so many sounds and reactions. Gabby was a total hit! I can see that this will be going everywhere with my daughter. I knew Summer was going to like this one but had no idea how much. It’s the best-bang-for-thebuck toy so far this year!”

Mum Aimee, son Charlie (6) Charlie was eager to tell us that a snuggle is the official name to describe a group of sloths (every day is a school day, as they say…), and immediately wanted to play with Snuggles the Sloth and hang out with her, and you can see why there’s an instant attraction.

Aimee: “Charlie loves this cute sloth. As soon as Charlie smiled, so did Snuggles with a huge grin. It’s like this toy recognises him - it’s really special to see. This sloth has big glittery, expressive eyes and is so adorable. There’s lots of reactions, smiles,

“I love how ‘chill’ Snuggles is. She giggles when you tickle her belly and she says a lot of things” Charlie, 6

swings and flips. And the toy really does ‘hug’ you back.”

We asked Charlie what makes Snuggles so special? He said: “I love how ‘chill’ Snuggles is. She giggles when you tickle her belly and she says a lot of things. If I swing her by her arms or legs she squeals with laughter. And she snores, a bit like Dad although not so loud. Snuggles is really cool, she looks like she’s alive.”

Aimee: “Charlie has all kinds of toys, radio control, constructions, bikes – the works. But I can see how this cuddly plushie sloth is so special to him. I think he’s attached because it gives him emotional support and acts as a steady friend, a unique bond. Like all kids his age, he has a lot of new steps to get through like big school and this gives him a piece of home to hold onto.

“The movements are surprisingly realistic and it’s great for kids who want a pet but aren’t ready for the

responsibility of a real one. The size is perfect and it feels durable enough to handle play every day. It’s a lot of fun for kids and is an excellent price for such a great toy.”

Connie concluded: “The furReal toys do keep my kids entertained for hours and are amongst her favourite toys. I would definitely recommend it, and this is definitely a winning birthday or Christmas gift for any animal-loving kid.”

Sustainable, safe, smart

The themes shaping Kind + Jugend 2026

With just weeks to go until Kind + Jugend 2026 opens its doors, we discover the themes and developments that will define this year’s highly anticipated show

From 15 to 17 September 2026, Kind + Jugend in Cologne will bring together the international industry for highquality baby and toddler products. Structured in seven theme worlds, the leading trade fair presents impressive product diversity and is viewed as the central platform for market overview, assortment planning and ordering.

Around 800 exhibitors from 50 countries will attend the coming edition, including: 4Kraft, Artsana, AXKID, Baby Trend, BabyBjörn, Britax Römer, CTP Innovations, CYBEX, Delta Children, Done by Deer, FOPPA PEDRETTI, Hartan, hauck, Ideo, Julius Zöllner, Kids2, Kika Group, Lässig, Little Dutch, Nûby, Joie/Nuna, Peg Perego, roba Baumann, Skip Hop, Smits Assen, Thule, Träumeland and UPPAbaby.

The focus of Kind + Jugend 2026 is on current developments revolving around digitalisation, sustainability, product safety and new regulatory requirements. “The industry is constantly changing. Amid artificial intelligence, tighter regulations and the growing expectations of parents, the demands placed on manufacturers are shifting significantly. At the same time, new opportunities for innovation are emerging,” explains Jörg Schmale, Director of Kind + Jugend. “Kind + Jugend gives exhibitors the ideal platform for presenting their solutions to the international specialised trade, which comes here specifically looking for new products and enhancements for their ranges.”

Smart technologies between comfort and responsibility

A key area for the future is so-called ‘smart parenting’. Wearables that track sleep and breathing, AIpowered baby monitors and digital,

“

Kind + Jugend gives exhibitors the ideal platform for presenting their solutions to the international specialised trade

Jörg Schmale, Director, Kind + Jugend

“

interactive educational toys are increasingly evolving from technical add-ons or convenience products into sought-after essentials for health monitoring and prevention. Meanwhile, there is growing debate about issues such as data protection, cybersecurity and the impact of constant digital monitoring on the parent-child bond. As a result, regulatory pressure on manufacturers is also mounting.

Sustainability: from a trend to the new standard

Sustainability is developing from a trend into a standard.. In demand are durable, reusable and resource-efficient products made from recycled or organically grown materials. A key new development is that consumers are now paying more attention to transparency, the circular economy and verifiability.

Conscious consumption with added value

Parents are consuming more consciously and are paying more attention to highquality products with pedagogical or functional added value that sensibly combines learning and play.

An increased focus on health and product safety

Product safety remains a central industry theme. In the EU, few product categories are reported as dangerous more often than toys. In addition to acute risks, the longterm health impact of materials and ingredients as well as digital security aspects of smart products are gaining in importance.

New EU specifications

The new EU Regulation on the safety of toys (EU 2025/2509) includes stricter rules and explicit prohibitions of certain pollutants, more transparency in the form of a digital product passport (DPP) per QR code and new specifications for networked toys. Online marketplaces and retailers are also facing more stringent requirements.

The EU Regulation on packaging and packaging waste (2025/40) increases the requirements for recyclability and packaging design.

Kind + Jugend 2026: experience trends and help shape the future

As an international platform for business and trends, Kind + Jugend 2026 is where these developments and challenges can be experienced firsthand. It showcases the innovations manufacturers are using to address rising demands and changing needs in sustainability, safety and digitalisation, while also creating space for professional exchange on the future of the industry.

The key theme for Kind + Jugend 2026, “Growing with AI – New opportunities for the baby & toddler products industry”, also focuses on the opportunities and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) for manufacturers, retailers and families. Formats like the Trend Space, the Innovation Award and the New Product Trail provide additional impulses and complement the trade fair offering with inspiration, knowledge transfer and networking.

Families embrace an app-free analogue summer

Asmodee has teamed with Welcome Break to provide families with tabletop fun and a respite from the road this summer. With more parents looking to embrace an ‘analogue entertainment revival’, the Memory Making Break Points pop-ups give families a chance to unwind and try a selection of Asmodee’s tabletop games – and all without an app in sight

Families are shunning screens and embracing an ‘analogue entertainment revival’ this summer, Asmodee has found – and the tabletop game company has teamed with Welcome Break to make that a reality on the road

New research by Asmodee paints a heartwarming picture of shifting priorities in British households as nearly a third (29 per cent) of families now intentionally schedule screen-free nights into the calendar and over two-fifths (41 per cent) say they are playing more screen-free games than they were just a year ago. An overwhelming 86 per cent of parents think playing board games brings families closer together and 85 per cent say games are a great way to unite different generations.

But for the millions opting for a staycation and travelling the length and breadth of Britain during the summer holidays, guilt over digital devices is rising. A quarter of parents admit to feeling guilty about relying on screens to keep kids occupied.

To remedy motorway monotony, Asmodee and Welcome Break have partnered to create Memory Making Break Points: tabletop game pop-ups for families looking to embrace the analogue revival and make lasting memories on the road this summer.

Roger Martin, Marketing Director, Asmodee, said: “These findings reflect something we see and hear from families every day. People genuinely want to connect, and tabletop games

have always been brilliant at creating those moments, whether you’re spending a night in at home, taking a break on a long motorway drive or playing together on holiday.

“At Asmodee, we’re all about creating lasting memories, which is why we’re so proud to launch the Memory Making Break Points, creating natural pause points where families can reconnect.”

is doing with these Memory Making Break Points. It’s all about encouraging families to take a breather, enjoy some proper quality time, and make travel fun. It really shows how one quick game can totally flip the mood in the car and turn those restless, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ moments into, ‘Can we play one more round?’”

People genuinely want to connect, and tabletop games have always been brilliant at creating those moments

Roger Martin Marketing Director, Asmodee “ “

Guests stopping at selected Welcome Break service areas including South Mimms, Hopwood Park, Oxford, Rotherham, and Warwick North this summer can take a break from their journey to play Asmodee tabletop games together. The first 10 families to attend each limited-time pop-up will be able to collect a free game to make the visit even sweeter.

Those inspired to purchase Asmodee games to play in the back of the car on the remainder of their summer travels can head to WHSmiths at each site.

Campaigner, Broadcaster and Lifestyle Influencer Kelsey Parker, who, along with her two children, Aurelia and Bodhi, visited the Asmodee Memory Making Break Points in South Mimms, said: “My absolute favourite memories with the kids are the simple ones; just all of us together, laughing our heads off and getting a little too competitive!

“Summer holidays and long drives can be tough work with young kids, so having something that gets everyone talking and off their screens makes a huge difference. I love what Asmodee

The study also showed parents looking to make lasting memories over the summer holidays should prioritise shared experiences, with half of parents polled saying family holidays make lasting family moments (50 per cent), followed by playing outdoors (31 per cent), family meals (28 per cent) and board games (22 per cent). Phones and tablets were bottom of the pile.

And the analogue revival extends beyond time spent travelling, as the research reveals a broader cultural shift. Nearly half of parents (45 per cent) have played a classic board game in the past year, and more than a third (37 per cent) love teaching their children the games they used to play during their own childhoods.

The barriers to families enjoying more time together are lifestyle driven, with 38 per cent of parents citing busy schedules as the biggest obstacle to spending quality time together, followed by tiredness (25 per cent) and phones and tablets (25 per cent).

Research was conducted by Censuswide in July 2026, among a sample of 2000 UK Parents (Aged 18+) with children aged 16 and under

Different Toys

Wooden toys have timeless appeal, blending tradition with innovation – and with parents seeking quality, screen-free play for little ones, the category is on the rise

Wonderful wood

Wooden toys are timeless, straddling the line between tradition and innovation. They’ve been around forever, but have always moved with the times. Today, that means being eco-friendly, sustainable, sensory, sturdy, and supportive of early years development in hand-eye coordination, basic counting and shape sorting. They bring a warmth to the toy box that few other categories can match – and parents and gift givers are increasingly turning to wooden toys to keep kids occupied without the use of a screen.

“Parents are increasingly prioritising quality, longevity, and meaningful play experiences, which makes wooden toys a trusted choice

makes wooden toys a trusted choice,” Liz adds. “And we see that every day in how they perform for retailers and resonate with families. There’s a real confidence in them, and they’re not typically trend-led, so customers often pick these toys off the shelf because they know they last.”

The category has also found an enthusiastic audience in adults, with sustainable, FSC-certified games and puzzles ticking all the right boxes. Gibsons’ games and puzzles designed in partnership with The Art File have won awards for just that.

Timeless appeal

RAINBOW DESIGNS

01329 277300

rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Combining classic play value with cherished storybook characters, Rainbow Designs’ best-selling wooden toy collections inspire little imaginations while supporting important early developmental milestones. Featuring the much-loved worlds of Peter Rabbit, Bing, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, every wooden toy has been thoughtfully created for preschoolers, encouraging learning through joyful, hands-on play.

For little ones discovering the world alongside their favourite preschool friend, Bing, Rainbow’s wooden toy collection captures all the fun and everyday adventures that have made Bing such a beloved character. Designed especially for toddlers, the range combines meaningful play with developmental benefits. The bestselling Bing Wooden Busy Board keeps curious minds and busy fingers entertained with turning cogs, sliding beads, opening doors and hidden surprises, encouraging sensory exploration, creativity and fine motor development.

Liz Ireland Founder and Managing Director, Bigjigs Toys

Liz Ireland, Founder and Managing Director of Bigjigs Toys, said: “Wooden toys are part of our roots, our heritage, our legacy - and they remain the heart and soul of our offering today. We started crafting wooden puzzles and toys over 40 years ago now, but these timeless playthings still continue to guide us.

“Parents are increasingly prioritising quality, longevity, and meaningful play experiences, which

”“Winning a Gift of the Year Award is a huge accomplishment, so we are absolutely over the moon to take home three,” said Gibsons Managing Director, Kate Gibson. “It’s a reflection of the care and attention our team instils into every product.”

Here we share a selection of the best wooden toys on the market, from sustainably made wooden animal figures, to adult games and puzzles, and role-play toys for little ones.

Bringing a splash of colour and plenty of playful learning is The Very Hungry Caterpillar wooden toy range. The bestselling Wooden Pull Along is a wonderful companion for toddlers taking their first adventures, while the Wooden Shape Sorter Puzzle, featuring some of the Caterpillar’s favourite foods, helps develop dexterity, hand-eye coordination and early counting skills. The colourful Picture Dominoes Set encourages matching,

Don’t miss

The enchanting Peter Rabbit wooden toy range has been inspired by the timeless tales of Beatrix Potter. Beautifully illustrated and designed to delight little hands, each toy encourages discovery while helping to develop fine motor skills, early counting, matching and problem-solving. The adorable collection includes the everpopular Peter Rabbit Picture Dominoes, Wooden Shape Sorter, and Wooden Picture Blocks.

Tradition meets innovation

BIGJIGS TOYS

01303 250400 | sales@bigjigstoys.com | bigjigstoys.co.uk

For Bigjigs Toys, making sure its range adapts to and reflects the ways children play is critical. For wooden toys in particular, it’s about balancing tradition with innovation, and the team puts a lot of work into evolving the company’s offering to appeal to the expectations and needs of today’s families. The latest additions really tap into that approach in a way that feels exciting, yet familiar

for children. This is especially true when it comes to the new wooden play food, including the tempting Chocolate Pot for Two, Cutting Pizza, and Deli Set - as well as Tidlo’s stylish new Olive Grove Kitchen. The Bigjigs team is also particularly fond of the new Dippy Egg and Breakfast in Bed Tray! Bigjigs creates toys that inspire this style of play, which is amazing for children’s language development, social skills, and confidence. It’s this blend of learning and imaginative play that kids seem to enjoy and respond well to. Every one of

Inspired by nature

GIBSONS

sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk gibsonsgames.co.uk

The enduring appeal of wooden toys and nature-inspired design continues to resonate with families seeking beautiful, responsibly made products that bring generations together. Gibsons has seen this trend reflected in the success of its Gift of the Year award-winning Art File Classic Games collection, which combines timeless gameplay with elegant botanical and woodland-inspired artwork from The Art File.

sourced wood. These things matter to Bigjigs, because it’s not just about what it makes, it’s about how it’s made and the impact it has for families and, ultimately, the world around us.

And that’s what Bigjigs is here for: to craft toys that families return to time and time again - building memories and learning new skills that last well beyond childhood.

Softi does it

DJECO

export@djeco.com djeco.com

Djeco has reimagined early learning with the launch of Softi, an innovative collection of developmental toys that combines FSC-certified wood with soft felt made from 100% recycled fibres. Created especially for babies and toddlers, the range offers a fresh sensory experience that encourages little ones to explore, discover and play while supporting key developmental milestones.

Made using wood and paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, the collection has become a favourite with consumers looking for games that are as stylish as they are entertaining. Building on this success, the range is expanding this month with two exciting additions: Art File Cribbage and Art File Mahjong. Both titles feature The Art File’s signature botanical illustrations, making them ideal for gifting, family game nights and display within the home.

The Art File Classic Games collection demonstrates how traditional games can be refreshed for today’s consumers through beautiful design, natural materials and engaging gameplay. As demand continues to grow for products that blend quality craftsmanship with nature-

Comprising 10 beautifully designed toys –including stacking games, shape sorters, musical toys and imaginative play sets – Softi is a contemporary collection that perfectly reflects Djeco’s longstanding commitment to exceptional design, educational value and thoughtful craftsmanship.

Unlike traditional early learning toys, which are typically made from hard wood or plastic, Softi introduces the warmth and softness of felt, creating toys that are lighter, quieter and perfectly suited to little hands. The tactile material not only offers a comforting sensory experience but also absorbs sound, making playtime gentler while remaining durable enough to withstand years of use.

Every toy has been thoughtfully designed with simplicity at its heart.

Inspire imaginations

DIFFERENT TOYS

07826 844824 | sabrina@differenttoys.co.uk | differenttoys.co.uk

The Different Toys team has carefully curated a selection of small foot’s best-performing wooden toy themes for the 2026 launch and is focusing on the Montessori, Safari and Dinosaur collections.

The Montessori range includes robust, durable and softly coloured learning toys ideal for early child development. A variety of high-quality shape and sorting games promote fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination and teach children about colours, shapes, balance and problem solving. Highlights include the Montessori Balancing Game with sixteen coloured wooden blocks and the Montessori Sorting Game with three drawers in different colours and six matching insertable elements for shape fitting fun.

The Safari collection also proves popular with customers thanks to the lovingly detailed animal motif decoration in a modern colour scheme. The Noah’s Ark shape fitting game with beautiful animal figures helps inspire children’s imaginations and other key products are the Hammering Game, Wobbly Wall, Dancing Animals with Noises and Hopping Animal Shapes Game.

The Dinosaur themed wooden collection includes the Dino Balancing Game, the Dino Memory Puzzle and the Dinosaur Wooden Building Blocks set that contains a large selection of differently shaped blocks, six dinosaur figurines and two dinosaur eggs all housed in a handy storage tub.

One-of-a-kind creatures

K-PLAY INTERNATIONAL

01469 640 460 | info@k-play.co.uk | k-play.co.uk

Wudimals is a range of ecofriendly, hand-carved and handpainted decorative wooden animals art sculptures, designed to be a safe children’s toy. Aimed at ages four to nine, and made sustainably from wood, the collection includes animals from a variety of themes and global ecosystems, including the forest and field, on the farm, the sea and sky, and even prehistoric dinosaurs such as the T-Rex, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus.

. As all animals are hand carved and hand painted, they are each unique. This is part of the beauty and value of Wudimals: there will always be very slight variations in fine details, so no one child has the exact same Wudimal as anyone else in the world!

The great outdoors

WILTON BRADLEY

01626 835400| sales@wiltonbradley.co.uk www.wiltonbradley.com

Bring excitement to the outdoors with Kapti, a brandnew disc throwing game developed in collaboration with an independent game inventor to create a fresh take on classic lawn games. Made entirely from 100 per cent FSCcertified wood for a durable, sustainable outdoor game built to last through repeated family play, Kapti is designed for kids and families who enjoy active, competitive play together.

Players take turns throwing wooden discs to land closest to the central Kapti stakes. Capture and control stakes by landing closer than the other team to score points and win the round.

Inspired by games like boules, cornhole and ring toss, Kapti feels familiar but plays like nothing else, making it easy to learn and endlessly replayable. It’s ideal for players who enjoy frisbee-style games and other party games, offering familiar mechanics with a unique competitive edge.

The range is recommended by The Good Toy Guide, whose expert says: “These wooden collectible animal figures are fantastic for open-ended and imaginative play, which is the superfood of a healthy play diet. The animals also feature beautiful detailing, including ridges and curves, which makes them very tactile and calming to touch.”

The complete set includes a carry bag, 10 wooden discs, four team stakes and three Kapti stakes so families can set up and start playing quickly. Kapti is perfect for gardens, parks, beaches and parties. Fast to set up, quick to play and full of competitive moments, it is an ideal way to get friends and families active together.

The road to Black Friday starts here

Before you finalise your Black Friday and Christmas campaigns for kids and families, read this, says Sophie Tanner , VP Marketing, The Insights Family

Summer’s here and your campaign plans for Black Friday and the holiday season are starting to take shape. Across the industry, this is the moment for marketers when everything comes together: the creative briefs, the media plans and bookings, the products going into production.

The easiest traps to fall into at this stage is to build this year’s campaign on last year’s audience, or even last season. It’s understandable, the results are in, the reports are on file, and the safest move is to run it back. But kids do not stand still for minutes, let alone months, and neither do their parents.

We ask parents every day what most influences their decision to buy a toy or game for their child, and price is not top of the list

Sophie

Tanner, VP Marketing, The Insights Family “ “

What earned attention last holiday won’t earn it this one, and you tend to find out only when it’s too late.

The decisions you are locking now are the ones that matter most. Which message to lead with, which platforms to invest in, which content creators to collaborate with. Get them right and you set yourself up for success. Get them wrong and no amount of optimisation in December will rescue a plan that was pointed at where kids were last year or what parents are no longer prioritising.

Whatever you market to families, the brands that win retail’s golden quarter start from the same place: the latest understanding of the kids and parents they’re targeting. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned tracking family behaviour

every day since 2017, it’s that the signals shaping a family’s choices shift long before they surface in any sales report. So, before you finalise anything, three questions are worth asking: how kids discover what they want, what makes it worth choosing, and what families are really buying.

People still trust people

It starts with discovery. How do kids first come across the things they end up asking for?

For all the noise about platforms and algorithms, the single most common way kids tell us they first hear about a new brand or product is not a feed, it is a friend. In our kids data, 28% say they first discover new things through friends,

ahead of TikTok (24%) and online video such as YouTube (23%). Then come parents (17%) and siblings or other family members (15%), showing that discovery runs through the whole household.

Media still matters, but it works harder when it follows the influence. Recommendation, advocacy and the things that get kids talking deserve more weight in the plan. By the time a kid asks for something for Christmas, the choice has usually been shaped by a handful of small moments: a friend raving about something at school, a brand collab their favourite creator posted, an older sibling’s recommendation, a character they loved from a film.

That is why the smartest kids and family brands rarely treat the child as the only target. They market to the family unit: earning parents’ trust, staying visible to older siblings, and showing up through the creators and communities the household already follows. The child may be who the product is for, but the people around them shape what gets noticed, talked about and asked for.

The practical question for your plan is where your influence sits. Knowing which people, platforms and moments move your audience is what lets you put budget behind the ones that do the work, rather than the ones that simply deliver impressions.

Families want more than a product

Knowing where influence sits tells you how to reach families. The next question is what will make them choose you once you have. One of the challenges with holiday planning is that brands often focus on what they’re selling, when parents are often thinking about something else entirely.

What does this add to our lives? That question feels particularly relevant this year.

Deloitte’s latest Consumer Tracker puts discretionary spending at a threeyear low, with households cutting back on non-essentials. It would be easy to read that as a story about budgets and to compete on discount alone.

We ask parents every day what most influences their decision to buy a toy or game for their child, and price is not top of the list. Educational value (12%), whether the child will find it fun (11%) and product quality (11%) all rank above it being affordable (10%).

And when money is tight, children are the last thing families cut. Around one in five parents now spend £100 or more a month on gifts for their child (19%), up from 12% two years ago. Even as budgets tighten everywhere else, spend on the kids is protected and growing. Families are being more deliberate,

not simply more frugal. They are asking how a purchase enriches their lives, and they are willing to back the thing that keeps earning its place: the toy still being played with in February, the video game that keeps friends coming round, the board game that bonds the family together.

For your plan, understanding what your audience values and prioritises when making purchasing decisions should influence what campaign message you lead with. The strongest campaigns this year won’t just communicate price, they will make the case for why something is worth choosing in the first place.

Connection is becoming part of the value

“

Around one in five parents now spend £100 or more a month on gifts for their child

Sophie Tanner, VP Marketing, The Insights Family “

So, if it isn’t price that decides it, what does? Often, it’s what the product lets a child be part of. Kids increasingly see entertainment, gaming and content as social spaces. One in five kids tell us that spending time with friends is one of the main reasons they game, and another 13% say the same about spending time with family.

This is about far more than the game itself. It tells us something about what younger audiences value: connection, participation, belonging. Gaming is a way into a community, a way of being part of something with other people. The brands that understand this build campaigns that are bigger than the product, because they are offering a shared experience, not just an object.

At a moment when families are weighing every purchase, that becomes a powerful differentiator. Our data can help you understand the communities, creators, platforms and moments that genuinely matter to your audience, so you can show up in them with authenticity.

The window is now, not November

Discovery, value, connection: these are the signals worth planning around. The catch is timing, because the moment to act on them is now, not when the season arrives.

Holiday retail remains one of the biggest commercial moments of the year, with millions of families shopping, gifting and spending across the season. Ad spend is forecast to pass £50bn for the first time in 2026, up 7.5% on the year, according to the Advertising Association and WARC. For many brands, it is the moment the whole year pins on.

What is changing is how those decisions get made. More planning. More

consideration. More scrutiny. And more influence coming from the people families already trust. As Google’s holiday research puts it, families now move into a deliberate, planning frame of mind early, long before the tills get busy.

The most useful signals are not buried in last year’s sales figures. They show up much earlier, in how kids discover brands, who they listen to, and what families value, in what earns attention before a purchase is ever made.

That is exactly why the next few weeks matter. Whether you are refining your media plan, testing campaign messaging, identifying the channels that deserve investment, or understanding the behaviours shaping family purchasing decisions, starting with your audience gives you the confidence to build campaigns around evidence rather than assumptions.

Because the brands that perform best during peak season aren’t simply the ones spending the most, they’re the ones making smarter decisions long before Black Friday begins.

Sources: The Insights Family Survey

Kids UK, ages 6–18, June 2025 to June 2026 (n≈8,788)

Parents UK, ages 0–18, June 2025 to June 2026 (n≈10,789)

Parents UK, ages 0–18, gift spend, Q4 (Oct–Dec) 2023 vs Q4 2025 (n≈2,700 and n≈2,880)

References:

Deloitte Consumer Tracker, Q1 2026 (fieldwork 12–17 March 2026)

Advertising Association / WARC Expenditure Report, January 2026

Think with Google, holiday shopping research

The Insights Family is the global authority for real-time market intelligence on the Family Economy. The company owns the world’s largest independent and continuous dataset on kids and parents, empowering brands, agencies, and IP owners to capture the attention of family audiences and drive measurable commercial impact through dataled decision-making.

Build a bouquet

UNIVERSITY GAMES & LAGOON

0207 254 0100

www.university-games.co.uk

Building on the continued success of its bestselling 3D Puzzles range, University Games is growing its popular Botanicals 3D Puzzle Collection with two beautiful new floral designs, offering retailers an eye-catching gifting line that combines creativity, mindful play and a lasting decorative gift of forever flowers.

Following the strong performance of the bestselling Carnations, Roses and Sunflower 3D Flower Puzzles, the range now welcomes the elegant Tulips & Lilies arrangement alongside the striking Orchid bouquet. Designed to appeal to consumers looking for meaningful gifts and relaxing activities, the expanded collection continues to support the growing demand for products that offer both an engaging experience and a beautiful finished display.

Each floral arrangement is crafted from precision-cut pieces that simply pop out and slot together, with no glue, scissors or tools required. The satisfying construction process encourages mindfulness and creativity, while the completed bouquets become stylish decorative keepsakes, making them a refreshing alternative to traditional flowers.

Combining premium quality, accessible assembly and year-round gifting appeal, University Games’ Botanicals Collection offers retailers a fresh opportunity to attract consumers seeking products that are both meaningful and memorable.

Blooming marvellous

The botanicals trend is taking toys into the gifting aisle and beyond. Inspired by nature and florals, often combining arts, crafts and mindful activities, the trend brings time-tested play patterns to the kidult sector. From buildable bouquets to puzzle piece orchids, here we explore some of the fastest growing lines on the market

Plants and crafts

TRENDS UK

01295 768078

info@trendsuk.co.uk

trendsuk.co.uk

Botanical themes are ever present in the world of arts and crafts, and classic brand Hama Beads is embracing the theme with an intricate 3D kit ideal for older fans.

The Hama Art Bouquet is a beautiful 3D project for creative over-14s who want to take on the challenge of a detailed project with a stunning result. The set contains around 6,000 beads, three large hexagonal pegboards, a design sheet, instructions and ironing paper. Simply follow the instructions step by step for a light and breezy decorative bouquet.

As with all Hama projects, artistic licence is encouraged to cultivate new flowers and designs whilst keeping the focus on form, composition and detail. This makes the Hama Art Bouquet the perfect project for anyone who enjoys the immersion of building something step by step.

No shrinking violet

THE LEGO GROUP lego.com

The Lego Botanicals Flower Wall is an elegant and highly customisable building set designed to bring lasting floral beauty into the home, with an aesthetically pleasing Lego interpretation of a vibrant floral display. At its heart is a trellis system featuring modular capabilities and rearrangeable flower elements, inviting builders to unleash their creativity and personalise their botanical masterpiece.

A distinctive addition to the popular Lego Botanicals collection, the 879-piece set introduces several all-new flower varieties, including Pink Camellia, Purple Clematis, Dark Red Wild Rose, and Mimosa. The set also debuts new pink and purple colours for the Lego system in 2026, expanding creative possibilities for builders and collectors alike.

The Flower Wall is fully compatible with other, select sets in the collection. Builders can integrate Lego flower heads onto the trellis to create a display tailored to their space and style. The modular trellis can be arranged in various formats or combined with multiple sets to form striking L-shapes or larger floral installations, offering exceptional versatility for home display.

Blooming puzzling!

JUST PLAY

uksales@justplayproducts.com

Presenting a whole new spin on a classic brand and tapping into the botanical trend, Just Play has a collection of Lego Botanicals puzzles that will ignite creativity and imagination while setting a whole new challenge for puzzlers and Lego fans alike.

With four to chose from, each bouquet shaped puzzle sets a 1000-piece challenge using random die-cut pieces that have a satisfying click. Complete with a poster of the finished image, the puzzle depicts an arrangement of flowers created from Lego just as with the new Lego Botanicals brick sets that are already proving so popular. Choose from Red Roses, Wild Flowers or an arrangement of Peonies and Camelias, available as solids or in assortments of four.

Play-Doh reimagined

0208 569 1234 | hasbro.co.uk

Blooms by Play-Doh is the first-ever Play-Doh line designed specifically for adults, reimagining the PlayDoh experience as an elevated way to craft realistic floral arrangements, marking the brand’s entry into the adult crafting and home décor space.

Each Blooms by Play-Doh kit guides users through creating lifelike flowers, from shaping individual petals to arranging a finished bouquet. The process is hands-on and immersive, with step-by-step instructions that make it approachable for beginners while delivering a polished

Each kit includes everything needed to complete an arrangement, including Play-Doh compound, tools, moulds, a vase and finishing spray. How-to videos for each kit are available on the Blooms by Play-Doh YouTube channel. Once complete, creations can be preserved and displayed,

Fun guys

GIBSONS

sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk | gibsonsgamestrade.co.uk

Launched in August, Not Mushroom is a charming new game that sees players competing to build the tallest mushrooms they can on a challengingly small playboard. Designed to appeal to a broad audience of nature lovers and gamers alike, Not Mushroom further strengthens Gibsons offering within the growing botanicals trend.

Go green KEEL TOYS 01233 506363 | sales@keeltoys.com | keeltoys.com

From Keel Toys’ greenhouse, the Keeleco Botanical Garden’s success continues to blossom. This beautiful collection features 12 unique designs, each more vibrant than the next. From sunflowers and pansies to succulents and cherry blossoms, even the most unsuccessful gardener will be able to keep this wonderful collection in bloom all year round. Available also are four Botanical Garden surprise plushies. The mushroom, carrot, bonsai and lily are sure to put a smile on your face when they pop out to say hello!

Each toy is perfect to display on a window cill, bookshelf or desktop to spruce up the home and office. They are also a wonderful gift to give to loved ones.

Despite only being launched at the beginning of this year, this very popular collection has quickly become one of Keel’s best sellers, prompting the design of seasonal Botanical Garden products including the new Keeleco Botanical Garden Roses - perfect for Valentines days.

And make Halloween decorations adorably haunting with three new Botanical Garden Halloween plushies featuring a ghost, pumpkin and gravestone popping out of a colourful pot. Halloween and Valentines Botanical Garden are available for backorder now.

As part of the award winning Keeleco collection, all Botanical Garden products are made from luxuriously soft, 100 per cent recycled polyester derived from plastic waste, giving it a second life and reducing energy consumption.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), examines findings from the trade body’s latest retail crime survey and warns that theft, abuse and organised shoplifting are placing increasing pressure on independent retailers across the UK

The rising cost of retail crime

Every six months, we ask our members about their experiences of retail crime. Every six months, the results make for difficult reading. But our latest survey findings have given me real cause for concern - not just because the numbers are moving in the wrong direction, but because of what lies behind them.

Almost 77 per cent of respondents told us they had experienced theft in the past 12 months. Nearly 90 per cent of those said it had become worse compared with the year before. Those are significant figures in themselves, but what strikes me most is the human reality that our members describe alongside them. Theft that happens weekly, sometimes daily. Thieves who laugh at staff as they walk out of the door. Retailers who told us, simply and bluntly: “We are on our own.”

Independent retailers are absorbing costs and pressures that are not of their making, and they deserve better support than they are currently receiving

Andrew Goodacre, CEO, Bira

That phrase has stayed with me because, in many ways, that’s exactly what our members are being asked to be: on their own. More than 45

per cent of those who experienced theft didn’t report it to the policenot because they didn’t care, but because they have lost confidence that anything will come of it. Of those who did report incidents, police attended in 67 per cent of cases and, of those, just 35 per cent led to a prosecution. When you see those numbers repeatedly, year after year, you stop reaching for the phone.

The financial impact is also growing. More than one in 10 of our respondents estimated their total annual cost from retail crime - including stolen stock, security investments, and staff time - at over £10,000. Many have fundamentally changed how their shops look and feel in response by moving stock behind counters, installing locked cases, and reducing what they put on display. Over a third told us those changes had hit sales or damaged the customer experience. Independent retail is built on the pleasure of browsing, discovery, and personal interaction. When that is stripped away through necessity, something important is lost.

I’m also concerned about the direction of travel. Our members are telling us that theft is becoming more organised, more deliberate, and more targeted. They are describing repeat

offenders known by name, groups using distraction techniques, and incidents they believe are linked to drug dependency and informal resale networks. Staff of all ages are being verbally abused - and, in some cases, physically threatened - simply for trying to do their jobs.

More than two-thirds of respondents said verbal abuse had increased in the past year. That is not a small or isolated problem.

What do our members want?

The answer from this survey is consistent with what we hear every day: stronger sentencing, better police response rates, a more visible presence on our high streets, and clearer guidance on the evidence required to pursue a case. These are not unreasonable asks. They are the basic conditions that allow businesses to trade with confidence.

I want to be clear that we are not pointing fingers without context.

Retail crime is a complex problem, and we know that police resources are stretched and wider social factors are at play. But independent retailers are absorbing costs and pressures that are not of their making, and they deserve better support than they are currently receiving.

We will keep asking. We will keep publishing. And we will keep making the case that the high street cannot thrive if the people who run it feel they are fighting crime alone.

Call: 0800 028 0245

bira.co.uk

BTL Diffusion’s Agent, Will Abigail; MD, Graeme Hargreaves; and Head of Sales, Alan Houghton

At home in Harrogate

More than 500 brands gathered in sunny Harrogate last month for Home and Gift, a curated edit of design-led products spanning gifts, greetings, homewares, seasonal, fashion, food and drink, and, yes, toys and playthings. Among the halls, pavilions and marquees, toy companies welcomed independent retailers, department stores, garden centres and online retailers to explore their latest and greatest. TnP caught up with several at the show

Home and Gift 2027

The show returns to Harrogate 18-21 July 2027

Fiona Thorne, Sales Manager at Le Toy Van was in top gear

Denise Knight, Sales Manager, Floss & Rock helped retailers piece together the perfect order of puzzles

Alexandra Rankin from the S-C Brands sales team had plush aplenty

Hannah Cornish, UK Sales Manager, Pikkii showcased a host of games, novelties and paper crafting lines

Obi Enyi was enjoying Zimpli Kids’ debut at Home and Gift. Buyers were loving Z’s, a brand-new self-care range perfect for gifting

Top man Daniel Charley, Sales Manager UK and Ireland, Depesche UK, with the company’s hit Top Model line

Bloomin’ beauty Gemma Lewington, Marketing Director at University Games and Lagoon, with the fresh 3D Puzzle Botanical Collection

Warmies CEO David Tweedale and Account Manager Tracy Blight were warming up the crowds

DON’T MISS…

Product: Disney YuYus

Company: Simba Smoby

Phone: 01274 765030

Email: sales@simbasmoby.com

Product: British VW Golf GTI (1984)

Company: Cobi Toys

Phone: 07584858978

Email: l.crocker@cobitoys.co.uk

Web: cobitoys.co.uk

Product: National Geographic Earth Science Activity Kit

Company: Kidantics

Phone: 01293 364364

Email: enquiries@kidantics.co.uk

Web: kidantics.co.uk

Product: Santa Takes a Break

Company: Ravensburger

Phone: 01869 363800

Email: sales@ravensburger.com Web: ravensburger.com

Product: Dress Up Nelly

Company: Orchard Toys

Phone: 01953 859539

Email: sales@orchardtoys.com / orders@kayes.co.uk (independent sales)

Web: orchardtoys.com