International Toy Fair

Opening in Nuremberg in Feb.

The Nuremberg International Toy Fair, said to be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, will be held from February 2 through 7, 2006 -- again in Nuremberg, Germany.

The fair is fully booked already, with more than 2,700 exhibitors from over 65 countries represented, say the organizers. The ten product groups offer an overview unmatched anywhere else, the organizers claim.

"The international share of the industry's products has risen again -- to 60 percent," say the organizers. The fair will have 25 international

pavilions from 17 nations creating a platform where some 60,000 new products and improvements will be on show in 155,000 square meters of display space.

The fair will feature the Candy Camp in Hall Four, and the Innovation Center for new products will introduce new lines that are sure to attract

avid attention.

One sure draw for all (male) buyers -- even though it might have nothing to do with them professionally -- is model railways and model construction section.

"Many have retained their fascination with the world of miniatures as adults," say the organizers. Model railways are a whole world, but following

on from static models, many are drawn to working model of just about every type of machine known to man.

Toy figure systems are among toys that have registered above-average sales growth. These often offer children a virtually complete miniature world, in which they can stimulate their everyday live and transport them to fantastic new worlds. New products for the coming year again focus on historical and modern scenes with fascinating details. System toys offer the consumers security when buying toys times of international stress, and the children are offered an increasingly elaborate play world step by step -- ranging up

to gigantic play sets, like knights' castles or dolls' houses.

In the doll and plush toys area, the organizers say these toys are almost universal in Western countries, and it's a sector waiting for its next boom.Another area attracting attention is educational toys.

"Playing is learning. The game is the idea form for children to learn about the world, for which the right toy is an important requirement. The child enjoys an important learning experience with every toy. Now there are toys and media that focus on the learning effect and use the attractiveness of the game to convey learning content better. These are called 'educational toys' or 'didactic materials' and are highly rated by parents and educators," say the organizers.

These toys range form simple wooden puzzle toys in an assortment of shades and colors to experimental kits or so-called 'edutainment' products in software and video format.

Looking to bridge the often slack summer season, the organizers have added an "outdoor and leisure" section. And it is the "coolness factor" that children seek in these outdoor games.

In all, the International Toy Fair is a must-see for all those in the toy industry and many buyers see it as the way to spot trends in toy marketing.