People of Play has announced the winners of the 18th annual Young Inventor Challenge held in November last year.

Catastrophe of Hairballs, Hike the Spike and Blanket Kingdom were among the top place finishers at People of Play’s 18th Annual Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) held on 4th November at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.

The YIC is a yearly competition where students between the ages of six and 18 have the opportunity to create an original play product and pitch it to professional toy and game inventors for a chance to win big prizes. Past winners have seen their entries licensed, manufactured and sold in both speciality toy stores and in major retailers including Target and Amazon. Leading up to the competition, regional events are hosted at independent toy stores, day camps and summer school programmes to inspire and engage kids to create toys and games to be judged in the annual competition.

“The Young Inventor Challenge has a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators, but I find the kids are the inspiration. It is a joy to be a part of their journey from start to finish and watch their creativity unfold,” said Young Inventor Challenge director, Ahren Hoffman.

The Young Inventor Challenge has assembled more than 10,000 kids globally since its inception to compete. The 18^th annual competition sponsored by Mattel, Crazy Aaron’s, Boogie Board, The Toy Association, Fun in Motion Toys, Spielwarenmesse, Reyn Guyer Creative Group, Goliath and The Playmakers, included 106 ‘kidpreneurs’. The 78 unique YIC projects were submitted for judging in the virtual showcase and reviewed online by more than 50 professional inventors and executives from many well-known companies around the world.

Tim Walsh, board chair and judge of the Young Inventor Challenge, commented: “The highlight of my trade show circuit is the Young Inventor Challenge. The creativity of these kids is unreal. The entire toy industry rallies around and encourages them. It’s awesome to see.”

Each year, Young Inventor Challenge competitors have the option to pitch their project in person. This is not a requirement for participation, but an exciting opportunity for kids to present and watch the award ceremony live. In 2023, the YIC had 44 projects pitched at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and four of the eight winners were presented with trophies on stage.

Below is the official list of winners of the 2023 Young Inventor Challenge:

Best Game – Sponsored by Mattel

Senior Winner: Endless by Keegan Franck (8th grade) of Belmont, MA

Junior Winner: Catastrophe of Hairballs by Carol Pack (4th grade) of Palos Heights, IL

Most Creative – Sponsored by Crazy Aaron’s

Senior Winner: Pirates of the Spinning Sea by Analise Potsander (7th grade) of Goshen, IN

Junior Winner: Hike the Spike by Shaurya Shah (4th grade) of Chicago, IL

Most authentic – Sponsored by Boogie Board

Senior Winner: Blanket Kingdom by Wolf Danzer (7th grade) of Superior, CO

Junior Winner: Zombie Zania by Shea Curran (4th grade) of Palos Heights, IL

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Best Pitch – Sponsored by The Toy Association

Senior Winner: Delivering Presents by Claire Schmitt (7th grade) of Evansville, IN

Junior Winner: Makeover by Marley McCall (4th grade) of Palos Heights, IL

The 19^th Annual Young Inventor Challenge registration is set to open this summer. Interested participants are encouraged to check out the resources and rules at www.younginventorchallenge.com for inspiration. Guardians, teachers and other adults can sign up to be notified when registration is live.

Readers can explore photos of 2023 winners and past published toys and games here.

Sambro International has appointed Marian van der Oord as European account director to support its ongoing pan-European growth strategy.

The newly created role will support the expansion of Sambro‘s European sales team and Marian will work closely with the European Managing Director Michiel Das to build the company’s presence in key European markets, and to grow relationships with new and existing licensors and retailers. Marian’s main focus will be on four key customers: Action, A.S Watson, Lidl and Aldi.

Bringing with her a wealth of experience and knowledge from her 20-year career in the toy industry, Marian has previously worked with companies such as Mattel, Disney and KidKraft, managing major international retail accounts.

Marian’s key objective is to work closely with these customers to define clear channel strategies and to work with Sambro’s buying, sourcing and creative teams to ensure that all product opportunities are maximised. In addition to this, working alongside the licence and marketing teams, Marian will look for opportunities to provide incremental support and develop appropriate retail activation plans. This is a key recruitment and illustrates Sambro’s ongoing commitment to cross-market European expansion with our key players.

“With Sambro really looking to focus and push EU operations to new heights this year, it’s a very exciting time to join the team, with so many amazing products set to launch for 2024,” said Marian. “I have already hit the ground running with Nuremburg International Toy Fair being a great opportunity to showcase our extensive ranges. The coming months will provide the pivotal moments to establish best working practices and create strong relationships with my customers. I am super excited to be joining the team and the business as it continues to evolve.”

She added: “Sambro already has such a strong base of key supplier and retailer relationships and as part of my role, I will work alongside Michiel and Sambro’s extensive team to drive growth through existing licensor relations, as well as identifying new opportunities across the market.”

Michiel Das, managing director, Europe at Sambro said: “It is my great pleasure to welcome Marian to our European team as one of our key new hires for the start of this year. Marian offers a hugely in-depth knowledge of the European toy market, including good knowledge of our strategic accounts and has a highly strategic skill set which will be an asset to the Sambro team as we look to continue our extensive growth throughout this year and beyond.”

Sambro’s innovative products span the categories of Plush, Creative Play, Arts & Crafts, Novelties, Stationery and Outdoor, and has numerous exciting new launches in the pipeline for 2024.

The Toy Association has unveiled the top trends expected to drive consumer spending on toys, games, and youth entertainment products in 2024.

From spooky, sustainable and anime-inspired toys, to holistic products that give young minds and bodies a boost, the announcement was made during The Toy Association’s annual Toy Trends Briefing, a virtual press conference that gave retailers and media a first look at the latest developments in toys and play.

“With budgets continuing to be carefully curated, today’s toy shoppers seek more than just playthings; they seek enduring play experiences — and the toy industry is delivering,” said Adrienne Appell, executive vice president of Marketing Communications at The Toy Association. “This year’s top toys will prioritise consumer budgets, durability and sustainability, while also emphasising how toymakers are broadening their product ranges in ways that lean into cultural trends and make play more accessible for all ages and abilities.”

The Toy Association’s team of trend experts meets with hundreds of global toy companies throughout the year to track the latest developments in toys, play and youth entertainment, as well as parallel industries. Today’s press briefing represented the culmination of this work and featured many sneak peeks of top products which will be hitting stores in time for the festive season, from companies of all sizes.

45% of parents under the age of 40 consider a toy’s environmental impact when making buying decisions, according to a Toy Association survey of US parents. In 2024, toymakers will prioritise sustainability, not only as a commitment to using eco-friendly materials, but also as a holistic approach aligned with these evolving consumer values. And what consumers care about most when it comes to sustainability and purchasing products is durability (58%), according to a Deloitte 2023 Sustainable Consumer report.

Beyond being environmentally friendly, this trend centers on toys and brands that stand the test of time, emphasising craftsmanship, heirloom qualities, extended play value and a toy’s ability to adapt and grow with children as they age.

Mystical, magical and supernatural toys transport kids and kidults on an enchanting journey, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Thanks to a resurgent cultural interest in spooky, mystery and horror genres across movies, TV and literature, the industry can expect to see an array of toys which leverage new technologies, hidden features, secret codes and unfolding narratives that tap into kids’ natural curiosity, explore the thrill of the unknown and lead children to new discoveries. Among the properties driving this interest is Wednesday, a licence to watch this year and the top-viewed English-language Netflix series (racking in 341m hours watched in its first week, surpassing Stranger Things’ previous record of 335m hours, according to the streaming service).

In this era of mindful parenting, the toy industry is offering a diverse range of toys that aid both mind and body. Fusing emotional intelligence, screen-free active play and sports-inspired fun, this trend is set to redefine the landscape of children’s play, as toymakers deliver more toys that not only promote physical fitness but moreover stimulate creativity, healthy emotional expression and social interaction. This trend recognises holistic child development and play’s role in the equation. In fact, some US states are now mandating play-based learning, with research indicating that “playing with a purpose” leads to a deeper understanding of the curriculum. Bolstered by expected fanfare surrounding the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the Toy Association also anticipates sports toys to surge in popularity.

A fervent global fandom is bringing anime to the forefront in 2024, and its impact on the toy space is expected to reach unprecedented heights. Teens and kidults are engaged in the anime community through conventions, online forums and social media, with fans actively participating in discussions, fan art creation and cosplay tied to anime content. This enthusiasm coupled with increased accessibility of anime through streaming channels (Crunchyroll, Netflix, Max, etc.) has propelled the genre from niche to mainstream, creating a cultural ripple effect that extends beyond entertainment and kidult audiences into various consumer product categories, including children’s toys.

Last year, Netflix adapted One Piece into a live-action series; Bandai opened a flagship Tamashii Nations store in Times Square which sells a diverse selection of figures, including many popular anime characters; and the marketing teams at Disney and Spy X Family in Japan teamed up for crossover promotions of their films Wish and Code: White. In 2024, the toy world can expect to see more crossover partnerships and toymakers leveraging the distinct, beloved stories and aesthetics of anime to create toys that resonate with hardcore and casual fans alike.

Last year was a powerhouse year for kids’ entertainment and toyetic content, but in 2024 we’ll see more toys inspired by evergreen characters of the past and small screen entertainment that has cross-generational appeal. With new pre-school entertainment rolling out, keep an eye out for toys inspired by both edutainment and entertainment properties that entice little ones as well as many anniversary celebrations. Toys inspired by social media trends, video games and digital worlds (such as Minecraft and Roblox) will also continue to carve out a bigger piece of the pie.

A video of the Toy Trends Briefing will be available online in the coming days (www.ToyAssociation.org/trends).

Aoife McCarthy of the Ethical Supply Chain Program tells Toy World how businesses can stay compliant with global ESG standards.

In a world where business practices are under increasing scrutiny, ensuring you have the correct processes in place to safeguard workers’ rights has never been more important. Across the globe, ever more governments are requiring companies to disclose the impacts of their business activities on human rights and the environment. Organisations of all sizes must evaluate their impact across a spectrum of Environmental, Social and Governmental (ESG) factors, and finding a trusted partner to help ensure your company meets these changing requirements is fast becoming a priority.

The term ESG is now commonplace. In its simplest terms, it’s about how businesses impact the world. While environmental concerns have long taken centre stage, the ‘S’ in ESG – referring to social responsibility – is increasingly being recognised for its importance. ESG due diligence is no longer an expectation, but a global, legal requirement

Last year, global regulations regarding ESG advanced significantly, leaving many companies unsure where to begin. Some legislative examples include: the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG); the US Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA); and the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Organisations doing business in any of these regions are required to implement comprehensive due diligence programmes that demonstrate their understanding of the negative impacts their business activities might have on human rights and the environment. Companies are also expected to prove they have measures in place to prevent and remedy these impacts.

Even the smallest companies can be indirectly affected. Regardless of the size of a company, failure to comply carries with it a real risk of financial and/or reputational harm.

To find out more about existing and upcoming ESG due diligence legislative requirements and discover how businesses can stay compliant with global ESG standards, click here to access the full article from the Ethical Supply Chain Program, which appeared in the February 2024 edition of Toy World.

This September, the Toy Association will host a market week and associated events in LA, with rental space available at a building in El Segundo.

The US Toy Association has announced it has secured a presence to conduct an LA Fall Preview, scheduled to take place this September. The objective is to provide toy companies in need of showroom space with a convenient forum to share long-lead lines during the important autumn/fall time period via a collective by-appointment marketplace. The move is reflective of the association’s goal to be of greater service to its members by meeting the evolving needs and buying cycles of the industry, based on feedback from the toy community at large.

“We have heard loud and clear the desire for a Toy Association-hosted market week that will bring the industry together and accommodate its needs as it continues to grow and evolve,” said Aaron Muderick, chairperson of The Toy Association Board of Directors and founder and executive chairman of Crazy Aaron’s. “This solution is designed to be beneficial to those who are looking for a temporary space to conduct important presentations and meetings, as well as those looking to network with industry friends and colleagues.”

The Toy Association will promote the September 9th to 13th market week to buyers and other industry professionals, although companies are encouraged to secure their own appointments to ensure maximum visibility and success. Additionally, to provide optimal flexibility, the space, which will be contracted by marketplace participants, can be utilized for appointments during the full month of September to accommodate ongoing meetings with buyers beyond the specifically identified preview dates.

Additional information about the market week and associated events will be announced in the coming months. These events, including a free networking party hosted by The Toy Association, are expected to bring the industry together and facilitate relationship-building.

Rental space will be available over three identical and consecutive floors at 2250 East Imperial Highway in El Segundo, CA. Rental options will include private offices and open spaces. For more information, companies are invited to contact the appropriate account executive: company names beginning with A–G contact Simon Yung, H-P contact Stacy Liebensohn and Q-Z contact Michael Lynch.

Toy World will bring readers more information as it becomes available. Meanwhile, interested parties can consult the Toy Association’s FAQs which will be updated as further details are confirmed.

The agreement will see the Nordic importer and marketer of toys and games, Amo Toys, distribute Orchard’s product range in Scandinavian markets.

Orchard Toys managing director, Simon Newbury

Orchard Toys has confirmed a distribution agreement with Amo Toys to expand the Orchard Toys brand in Scandinavian markets.

The partnership will support existing and new retail opportunities in the region, and develop the eCommerce business, in a bid to replicate Orchard Toys’ success in the UK market. Amo Toys will offer localised distribution in Norway, Finland and Denmark, with local language instructions in the games and jigsaws it distributes.

Orchard Toys’ managing director, Simon Newbery, said: “There’s enormous sales potential in the Scandinavian market, and we’re confident Amo Toys will take the Orchard Toys brand and grow it in the region.”

Henrik Matilainen, CEO, Amo Toys, added: “This is an exciting opportunity for us, and for retailers in the Scandinavian market, and we’re eager to deliver success for Orchard Toys.”

Last year, Orchard Toys confirmed a distribution and licensed manufacturing agreement with Beijing Foxy, in a move to expand the brand within the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Simon Newbery hailed the move as an exciting opportunity to grow the Orchard Toys brand worldwide.

This year, Orchard Toys has unveiled innovative new products in its expanding portfolio of best-selling educational games and puzzles loved by parents, teachers and children. Amo Toys will be launching the Orchard Toys range from the Orchard Toys stand at Spielwarenmesse 2024 – Hall 10.0, Stand H.13.0.

Product will be available in the Scandinavian region from March 2024.

Gibsons Games has teamed up with fellow British family business Le Toy Van, working with its sales team to support the growth of the Gibsons brand in the USA.

Recently incorporated in the States, Gibsons will be targeting speciality and mid-market with its Gibsons core range and the mass market with its sub brand, World of Puzzles.

Kate Gibson commented: “As a recently certified B Corp, we share many of the same values with Le Toy Van and strongly identify with its exceptional quality and use of ethically sourced materials. I’m hugely excited to begin this new chapter, working alongside Steve Le Van and his team as we grow Gibsons in the USA.”

Le Toy Van also featured on the Gibsons London Toy Fair stand this week as the companies built on their partnership, supporting one another’s growth ambitions in both markets.

Steve Le Van added: “We are thrilled to partner up with our good friends at Gibsons. This collaboration allows us to combine our expertise, resources and creativity to reach a wider audience. This partnership opens up a world of possibilities for both brands, allowing us both to thrive and grow together in the competitive market of children’s toys and gifts.”

The organisers say that Spielwarenmesse this week, taking place from 30th January to 3rd February, is set to be one of the biggest yet.

Spielwarenmesse eG offers participants from around the world the latest trends and innovations, along with valuable expertise in toys and a broad range of networking opportunities. The Spielwarenmesse stands for impetus, ideas and inspiration of the highest quality. At the international gathering, industry and trade have the opportunity to cultivate their business relationships neatly and efficiently and to tap new distribution channels and target groups.

“The positive attitude that we have experienced, not to mention the figures themselves, are noticeably higher than last year’s levels. Interest from overseas in particular is exceptionally high,” said Christian Ulrich, spokesperson of the Executive Board at Spielwarenmesse eG.

From ambitious startups to respected key players, 2,354 exhibitors from 68 countries will be there, providing inspiration for trade visitors’ and buyers’ range selections. 13 product groups in 18 halls are waiting to be discovered, and Hall 12.2, with its fixed stands from familiar companies, has a new design.

A number of themed specials are on offer from Spielwarenmesse. Life’s a Playground – Toys for Kidsters, Kidults & Co. is divided into four categories: Collectibles, Premium Collectibles, Tabletop Games and Creative Fantasy. There are also live demonstrations from Ultra Comix, Nuremberg’s flagship store in the Kidults field. Further specials include the Toys go Green area in Hall 2, where sustainable toys are on display. In the integrated Speakers Corner, experts offer information on the latest materials and production technologies in this field.

In Hall 4 the Insights-X Area – named after the eponymous trade fair – will be displaying products relating to the stationery sector and back-to-school products. In Hall 7A, in the Model Railways and Model Construction sector, there will be presentations of new ideas and a miniature funfair. Spielwarenmesse will open up the hall to consumers on Saturday, paving the way for direct contact with the exhibitors, and for the first time, it will be possible to make over-the-counter purchases – on this day and in this area only.

The new LicenseLounge can be found in Hall 12.0 and houses a networking area and the LicenseTalks. A total of 22 presentations  will be available at the Toy Business Forum in Hall 3A, every day from 1pm to 4pm.

On Wednesday at 10.30 am, at the Toy Business Forum, the winners of the ToyAward will be announced at a media-friendly ceremony. Awards will be presented in six categories: Baby & Infant (0–3 years), Pre-School (3–6 years), School Kids (6–10 years), Teenager & Adults (10+ years) and Startup and Sustainability.

On the Tuesday, PressDay takes place in all halls, where over 60 businesses and brands will be presenting eye-catching activities. Thursday evening welcomes RedNight; from 6pm, more than 100 exhibitors will be inviting visitors directly onto their stands to wind down with a drink and music.

Services for Trade and Industry will enjoy a networking event in Hall 7, while on Friday, the second edition of the Internationale Spieleerfindermesse – Game Inventors Convention will take place, followed by the GamingHour for networking and more gameplaying.

Four inviting VisitorLounges can be found throughout the exhibition centre, with seating, charging stations and water dispensers (halls 3A, 3, 7 and 11.0). The Spielwarenmesse App, offers practical mobile functions, compact exhibitor information section, interactive hall plans and details of the supporting programme. Integrated networking tools with chat function, audio/video calls and suggested contacts are also available on the app, which is compatible with the year-round industry network Spielwarenmesse Digital.

“The 73^rd Spielwarenmesse offers the perfect mix of new ideas and trends, together with information, networking and entertainment,” concluded Christian Ulrich.

For those Nuremberg-bound, don’t forget the first ever stand-alone Toy World supplement previewing the Spielwarenmesse is available online here.

Sambro International has appointed Michiel Das as European managing director, as the global toy supplier looks to drive forward pan-European growth in 2024.

With more than 20 years of commercial and sales experience in the toy and licencing sector, Michiel joins Sambro’s Amsterdam-based team this month on a permanent basis after undertaking the role on an interim basis since November last year. As European managing director, Michiel will assume the role of leading the organisation’s European sales operation to growth and success.

With his extensive leadership and management experience, Michiel brings with him a wealth of toy industry knowledge, having previously worked for businesses such as Melissa & Doug, Spin Master and Mattel. In previous roles, Michiel has been highly successful in growing in European markets, launching new brands and managing pan-European sales teams. Michiel’s recruitment is seen as key to the ongoing expansion of Sambro’s European business.

Michiel said: “This is a fascinating time to be joining Sambro as managing director of its European operations. Not only has the business experienced one of its most successful years to date, it is also set to embark on a significant year and we start 2024 from a strong base with key retail relationships firmly in place. I look forward to meeting our customers at Nuremberg, and the opportunity to launch our AW24 ranges.

“As part of my role I will work alongside Sambro’s extensive team to drive growth through existing licensor relations and identify new opportunities across the market. In the short term, my immediate plans are to further strengthen our sales presence across Europe with further key recruitments and to start to work more strategically with our key customers. Sambro’s strength has always been its ability to respond quickly to customer demands. I want to ensure that we capitalise on this and bring added value to these relationships.”

Michiel’s appointment follows a series of significant internal promotions and new hires at Sambro in the final quarter of 2023, including Steve Townsley as interim chief financial officer, who has been appointed for an initial six-month period.

Paul Blackaby, CEO of Sambro, said: “Welcoming Michiel to our Dutch office as European managing director is a key hire for us as we look to drive forward growth and build upon our presence across our key European markets. In his interim role, Michiel has already impressed with his knowledge of the sector, and we are confident that he will be a driving force in the growth of our European operation, helping push the team to new heights.”

As a leading global supplier of licensed, as well as own-brand toys, Sambro’s innovative products span the categories of Plush, Creative Play, Arts & Crafts, Novelties, Stationery and Outdoor, and has numerous new launches in the pipeline for 2024.

The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair which ran concurrently with the Baby Products Fair and International Stationery Fair, saw a significant rise in visitors from Mainland China, India and ASEAN countries. 

The 50th HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, 15th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and 22nd Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair have concluded successfully at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. According to the organiser, the four-day physical fairs attracted some 83,000 buyers from 135 countries and regions, and saw international buyers return.

The HKTDC has provided a breakdown of the visiting buyer figure, saying that over 42,000 buyers visited the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, while more than 26,600 buyers attended the Baby Products Fair and some 13,900 came to the Stationery & School Supplies Fair. Asian buyers came from Mainland China, ASEAN, Japan, Korea and India, and European buyers flew from United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Russia. The fairs also received buyers from South Africa, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. Buyer numbers from Mainland China, India and ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore grew significantly.

The fairs adopted the HKTDC’s hybrid Exhibition+ model, which includes the physical shows and virtual access through the Click2Match platform, connecting exhibitors and buyers until 18th January.

Sophia Chong, HKTDC deputy executive director, said: “Stepping into the new year, the HKTDC has been actively boosting international trade in all aspects, stepping up our promotional efforts and strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international trade and convention and exhibition centre. Being one of the longest-standing trade fairs at the HKTDC, Toys & Games Fair entered its 50th edition this year, carrying significance for the industry. Over the decades, it has served as a comprehensive platform for the Hong Kong, mainland and global toy industries, helping businesses expand their networks and explore opportunities. We are pleased to see exhibitors and buyers from Hong Kong, the mainland, Asia, Europe and the United States come to the three exhibitions to promote and launch new products.”

To find out more about the show and read success stories from exhibitors at this year’s Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, click here.