With the 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair having been canceled for the second year in a row, the organizers at Spielwarenmesse eG are casting a spotlight on one big trend that they’d planned to showcase this year: sustainable toys.
The Toys Go Green “megatrend” was first revealed last October by the Spielwarenmesse TrendCommittee and comprises four key parts:
MADE BY NATURE: BAMBOO, CORK, AND MORE
Wooden toys such as building blocks and sorting games have long been firm fixtures in countless children’s playrooms. The “Made by Nature” section demonstrates that toys can also be made from many other natural materials. The range of raw materials that nature has to offer is broad and diverse and includes products such as maize, rubber, bamboo, wool, and cork.
INSPIRED BY NATURE: THE PLASTICS OF THE FUTURE
The “Inspired by Nature” segment likewise revolves around renewable raw materials. The production of plastics is heavily dependent on fossil resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. This product category demonstrates that there are other ways, too. It presents toys made from bio-based plastics that are environmentally friendly.
RECYCLE & CREATE: NEW FROM OLD
Sustainably manufactured products are at the heart of the “Recycle & Create” category. On the one hand, it showcases toys made of recycled raw materials; on the other, it focuses on creating new toy ideas with upcycling.
DISCOVER SUSTAINABILITY: LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
Toys can help children to understand complex situations by simplifying and clarifying them. The segment displays toys that use play to explain topics such as environment and climate and to make children aware of the issues.
In lieu of the physical show, special Toys Go Green video presentations are being highlighted on the Spielwarenmesse Digital website. The content is being streamed from the Toy Business Forum.
