EVENT FOCUS: SPIELWARENMESSE
RETURN TO TOYCITY
Left: The 75th Spielwarenmesse will once again be a hub for new preschool product.
History Museum Dinosaur plush toys and Elmer and Paddington puppets. There will also be new plush from its sister brand, Wilberry Toys including the Wilberry Water Wonders Sealife collection, Wilberry Jungle Friends wild animals, Wilberry Plush Dancers and Wilberry Dolls (including baby dolls in bassinets). On top of this, The Puppet With 2026 marking its 75th anniversary, the trade is Company will also be celebrating gearing up to return to Nuremberg for Spielwarenmesse its 25th anniversary in 2026. “Nuremberg has always been hugely from 27-31 January. PPS catches up with a selection of important to us,” says product and exhibitors with preschool product to find out just how marketing director, Katy Rugman. important the show is to them, while also getting “It gives us the opportunity to meet new and potential customers, as an update on the popular UK Pavilion. well as distributors and magnetic tile his is our fourth year agents. We are currently formats, says Glenn. exhibiting, and the in over 40 countries, so There will also benefit lies in being the international visitor be a preview of able to bring the presence at the show is the Pastel Portal play experience to life,” says Glenn incredibly important. Pack, which brings Harrison, director of sales and growth “Exhibiting is enormously the Portal concept at CONNETIX, when asked what beneficial, especially as a into earthy pastel the company gets out of being at way of showcasing new lines tones and supports Spielwarenmesse. “Exhibiting allows and getting feedback on early STEAM partners to see, touch and build upcoming designs. Meeting Above: CONNETIX will be learning alongside with the range, which is especially our agents and distributors, highlighting several of its 2025 MESH outcomes. releases including Light. important for a hands-on product like which I mentioned earlier, In addition, several Below left: The tickit CONNETIX. It’s also an opportunity is very important; it helps Lighthouse Island set will be a new packs are to strengthen existing relationships us to get a better feel for key focus for Commotion. in development, and gather direct market feedback.” current market trends. with further releases planned The company will be highlighting We’ve exhibited for nearly 20 years, throughout 2026. several of its key 2025 releases and the show continues to be one of “The show provides a valuable including Glitter, Light, Portal and the most significant on our calendar.” platform to showcase innovation CONNETIX Pro – all of which For Commotion, the highlight of and demonstrate how our product demonstrate how the company its Nuremberg stand will be the tickit development continues to push continues to evolve beyond traditional Lighthouse Island set, which has construction play forward,” says Glenn. been shortlisted for a ToyAward. “It allows us to share what’s next with “This nomination reflects the our retail partners and have deeper creativity and strong educational conversations about how learning focus behind our designs,” says through play is evolving globally.” Honor Davidson, head of marketing For The Puppet Company, new at Commotion. “We're introducing products will range from its Seasonal new lines to our Sensory Steel range Finger Puppet Decorations, the Cute - a very strong seller for us, highly Commutes travel-inspired finger tactile for sensory exploration and puppets and My Cuddly Puppets for suitable from birth. We also have babies and toddlers, through to its new products for sand and water licensed collection including Natural play, including the fabulous light-up
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