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From AI to Creativity: The ToyTrends for Spielwarenmesse 2026

Business

From AI to Creativity: The ToyTrends for Spielwarenmesse 2026
Business

Business

From AI to Creativity: The ToyTrends for Spielwarenmesse 2026

2025-10-08 16:00 Last Updated At:16:25

  • "AI Loves (to) Play": Intelligent toys for interactive play experiences
  • "Creative Mindfulness": Creative activities, creating special moments

NUREMBERG, Germany, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Which developments will shape the toy world in 2026? With years of experience behind them, the international TrendCommittee of Spielwarenmesse has identified two key ToyTrends for this year. While the first trend, "AI Loves (to) Play", demonstrates how innovative technologies are reshaping play, the second trend, "Creative Mindfulness", focuses on creative approaches towards mindful experiences. The TrendCommittee's selection reflects the most important impulses in the industry and provides retailers with guidance on where play is heading in the coming years. The ToyTrends 2026 will be showcased from 27 to 31 January on the special area at the high-profile Entrance Mitte of the Spielwarenmesse. Visitors are invited to discover and test this year's inspiring products, which will be displayed on themed islands. Further information for product range planning is provided by the ToyTrend lectures in the Toy Business Forum.

 

New interactions when playing in play

Artificial intelligence has been an integral part of our daily lives, from digital voice assistants and personalised recommendations to smart devices at home. Now, this technology is also conquering the world of toys. With the trend, "AI Loves (to) Play", products that can do much more than just react are now taking on centre stage. They recognise individual preferences, support children in solving tasks, tell stories and evolve alongside their young users. From adaptive robots and talking play figures to intelligent learning systems, modern AI toys create a new, interactive play experience that combines both technology and imagination. Plus, many AI toys work without a display, reducing the screen being in the focus.

Creativity and mindfulness as an experience

As a counterpoint to digital innovation, the "Creative Mindfulness" trend focuses on the conscious experience of creativity and craftsmanship. Creative activities open up new perspectives and offer a moment of both relaxation and inspiration. Children immerse themselves in the worlds of colours and materials with curiosity, letting their imaginations run wild, and subsequently they acquire new skills. Adults can use creative activities as a way to leave everyday life behind and clear their minds. "Creative Mindfulness" invites you to explore a wide variety of creative paths, from painting and crafting to upcycling and artisanal techniques, such as woodworking, felting or pottery. The joy of creating something with your own hands promotes concentration, self-confidence and mindfulness.

All information about the ToyTrends can be found at www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/toytrends.

Spielwarenmesse®

The world's leading event for the sector – that's the Spielwarenmesse®. At this B2B event, key players as well as startups present their innovations and trends to retailers from all over the globe, live in Nuremberg. Alongside the extensive range of products, participants also gain a wealth of inspiration for day-to-day business together with valuable knowledge and useful guidance on the market, at what is for them the most significant industry gathering. The event is complemented by year-round coverage of themes, analyses and insights from the multifunctional platform Spielwarenmesse Digital and the e-journal 'Spirit of Play'. Since 2013, the term Spielwarenmesse® has been a protected word mark in Germany.

Fair date: Spielwarenmesse®, Tuesday to Saturday, 27 – 31 Jan 2026

 

  • "AI Loves (to) Play": Intelligent toys for interactive play experiences
  • "Creative Mindfulness": Creative activities, creating special moments

NUREMBERG, Germany, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Which developments will shape the toy world in 2026? With years of experience behind them, the international TrendCommittee of Spielwarenmesse has identified two key ToyTrends for this year. While the first trend, "AI Loves (to) Play", demonstrates how innovative technologies are reshaping play, the second trend, "Creative Mindfulness", focuses on creative approaches towards mindful experiences. The TrendCommittee's selection reflects the most important impulses in the industry and provides retailers with guidance on where play is heading in the coming years. The ToyTrends 2026 will be showcased from 27 to 31 January on the special area at the high-profile Entrance Mitte of the Spielwarenmesse. Visitors are invited to discover and test this year's inspiring products, which will be displayed on themed islands. Further information for product range planning is provided by the ToyTrend lectures in the Toy Business Forum.

 

New interactions when playing in play

Artificial intelligence has been an integral part of our daily lives, from digital voice assistants and personalised recommendations to smart devices at home. Now, this technology is also conquering the world of toys. With the trend, "AI Loves (to) Play", products that can do much more than just react are now taking on centre stage. They recognise individual preferences, support children in solving tasks, tell stories and evolve alongside their young users. From adaptive robots and talking play figures to intelligent learning systems, modern AI toys create a new, interactive play experience that combines both technology and imagination. Plus, many AI toys work without a display, reducing the screen being in the focus.

Creativity and mindfulness as an experience

As a counterpoint to digital innovation, the "Creative Mindfulness" trend focuses on the conscious experience of creativity and craftsmanship. Creative activities open up new perspectives and offer a moment of both relaxation and inspiration. Children immerse themselves in the worlds of colours and materials with curiosity, letting their imaginations run wild, and subsequently they acquire new skills. Adults can use creative activities as a way to leave everyday life behind and clear their minds. "Creative Mindfulness" invites you to explore a wide variety of creative paths, from painting and crafting to upcycling and artisanal techniques, such as woodworking, felting or pottery. The joy of creating something with your own hands promotes concentration, self-confidence and mindfulness.

All information about the ToyTrends can be found at www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/toytrends.

Spielwarenmesse®

The world's leading event for the sector – that's the Spielwarenmesse®. At this B2B event, key players as well as startups present their innovations and trends to retailers from all over the globe, live in Nuremberg. Alongside the extensive range of products, participants also gain a wealth of inspiration for day-to-day business together with valuable knowledge and useful guidance on the market, at what is for them the most significant industry gathering. The event is complemented by year-round coverage of themes, analyses and insights from the multifunctional platform Spielwarenmesse Digital and the e-journal 'Spirit of Play'. Since 2013, the term Spielwarenmesse® has been a protected word mark in Germany.

Fair date: Spielwarenmesse®, Tuesday to Saturday, 27 – 31 Jan 2026

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

From AI to Creativity: The ToyTrends for Spielwarenmesse 2026

From AI to Creativity: The ToyTrends for Spielwarenmesse 2026

  • New framework brings together Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data with public sentiment analysis from Gallup to create a portfolio view of risk
  • Creates further clarity into how risks compound across four megatrends, how resilience is built and activated and where targeted actions can most effectively influence performance
  • DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

    Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

    By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

    "When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

    Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

    To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

    • Realizing the Opportunity of AI: Securing Data Center Growth
      Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy and with nearly $1.3 trillion projected to be invested globally in data centers by 2030, their rapid expansion brings unprecedented risks. Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that resilience varies sharply at the sub-national level, often more than underlying risk. Within the U.S., Iowa emerges as the most resilient destination for data center development, combining very low overall risk with exceptionally strong trade and weather resilience.

      "Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

    DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

    Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

    By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

    "When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

    Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

    To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

    "Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

    • Workforce Transformation: AI Adoption and the Next Generation Workforce 
      The acceleration of AI adoption is transforming the workforce, but most organizations face a critical gap between the demand for AI skills and their readiness to adapt. The Resilience Quotient highlights how workforce engagement, trust and institutional preparedness are essential to harnessing AI's potential, making resilience the key differentiator between organizations that thrive through change and those that risk falling behind.

      "Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

    "Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

    • Rethinking Humanitarian Finance: A New Approach to Forced Migration
      Over 120 million people are currently displaced by conflict, climate and systemic crises, reshaping societies and economies worldwide. Aon's Resilience Quotient highlights Venezuela and Colombia to illustrate the tradeoffs between investing resources at the source of migration — supporting those facing institutional erosion, food insecurity and economic collapse — or directing investment to more stable countries like Colombia that are absorbing people fleeing unlivable conditions.

      "Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

    "Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

    "Resilience is not a single blueprint, it's the way systems mitigate, adapt and transform under pressure. Aon's Resilience Quotient functions as a pressure gauge, surfacing the trade‑offs and early signals that help leaders strengthen resilience where it matters most," said Joe Daly, managing partner at Gallup. "We're proud to collaborate with Aon to combine Gallup's global sentiment analytics with Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data, turning confidence into actionable insight."

    New insights from Aon's Resilience Quotient suggest that going forward, resilience priorities will shift from static risk management to dynamic, localized strategies. As disruptions become more complex and frequent, organizations will need to tailor resilience investments to specific geographies, sectors and even sub-regional contexts. Aon's Resilience Quotient is supported with a real-time analytics and AI-enabled insights platform, built by Quantum Rise, providing deeper visibility into evolving risk and resilience signals as conditions change.

    Aon and Gallup will join global decision-makers at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to advance these critical discussions on restoring confidence and unlocking sustainable growth.

    Learn more about Aon's Resilience Quotient and explore the case studies here.

    About Aon
    Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

    Follow Aon on LinkedInXFacebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

    Media Contact
    mediainquiries@aon.com
    Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114
    International: +1 312 381 3024

    ** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

    Aon's Resilience Quotient Cuts Through Uncertainty and Volatility to Help Businesses Move from Risk to Resilience and Growth

    Aon's Resilience Quotient Cuts Through Uncertainty and Volatility to Help Businesses Move from Risk to Resilience and Growth

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