We know what your children want for Christmas!
Yes, you read that right. The Galaxus toy team is already thinking about what you could give your children for Christmas this year. We went to the toy fair in Nuremberg to do just that. We show you the two potential top sellers for Christmas 2017.
The trade fair and the ToyAward
More than 2,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries are represented at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. More than 70,000 visitors from 120 countries come to the fair. Over one million products are exhibited there, including 75,000 new products. That doesn't just sound impressive, it is. And we certainly haven't seen everything.
The ToyAward jury selects the best toys. They award a prize for genuine innovations that are both fun and useful for children. The new toys are judged according to these criteria:
- Play fun
- Originality
- Safety
- Processing and quality
- Understandability of the product concept
- Success potential in retail
There is one winner in each of four categories, chosen according to the developmental stages of the children:
- Baby&Infant: 0-3 years
- PreSchool: 3-6 years
- SchoolKids: 6-10 years
- Teenager&Adults: from 10 years
We show you the winners of both the PreSchool and SchoolKids categories and tell you what we think.
ToyAward winner PreSchool: Mighty Mountain Mine
Mighty Mountain Mine from Hape is a railway set mixed with the play world of the mine. The novelty is suitable for children aged 3 and over. The set can be played with on four levels and contains lots of lovely details. These include a waterfall tunnel, a bridge with obstacles and a crane for loading the goods wagon. The innovative set offers a wide variety of play options and allows children to play creatively. The ToyAward jury was particularly impressed:
"New situations and perspectives always arise for the children."
The Product Managers from the Toys division were also fascinated by Hape's new product. The comment from Christian Lang (Product Management Toys):
"This railway would have looked great in my nursery! The Mighty Mountain Mine offers a very high play value. It is also compatible with other wooden railway systems. If the price is acceptable, the product will delight our customers."
Jessica Valloncini (Product Management Toys) says about this eye-catcher:
"The railway offers many different functions and experiences. I really like the details such as the waterfall, bell and conveyor belt. Children will be completely immersed in this role-playing game. They can certainly spend a long time with this product."
ToyAward winner SchoolKids: LEGO Boost
LEGO presented a completely new line at the toy fair: LEGO Boost. Children build a robot from the LEGO set. They can then programme it using the free app. Even schoolchildren can gain their first programming experience in a playful way. At the same time, they bring the LEGO robot to life, making it talk and dance. This convinced the ToyAward jury:
"With Boost, LEGO combines the classic building experience with modern technology - an approach that we honour with the first prize in the SchoolKids category."
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This innovation not only impressed the jury, but also the Galaxus toy team. Christian Lang (Product Management Toys) comments:
"LEGO absolutely surprised me with this! I'm not a fan of app-based toys at all, but this product has won me over. The play possibilities that arise thanks to the app offer great added value. I would even say: LEGO Boost is THE must-have for LEGO fans in 2017! I absolutely have to have it and test it out.
Jessica Valloncini (Product Management Toys) is both enthusiastic and critical:
"I think the new series is very innovative. The app is easy to understand and simple to use. However, I personally still like other LEGO series better. With many building sets, there are no limits to the imagination and children are always coming up with new stories for the models. I wonder whether this will be the case with LEGO Boost.
We will have both products in our range from autumn 2017. And who knows, maybe they will soon make your children's eyes light up too.
I love the strategy game “The Settlers of Catan”, the Ravensburger puzzle “Colourful Cupcakes” and the pink fluffy unicorn that sits on my desk (a birthday present from my workmates). Not only do I have a weakness for toys, I also get excited about good food and comedy TV shows.