Let’s face it: ten years ago, toys weren’t exactly a headline topic in India. They were imported, overpriced, and often irrelevant to local culture. But walk into Toy Biz International 2025 and it’s clear things have taken a sharp turn. The toy industry in India isn’t just catching up, it’s setting the pace.
Toy Biz isn’t your average trade show. It’s a full-blown celebration of childhood, creativity, and serious business. In a massive Delhi exhibition hall, you’ll find everything from old-school wooden puzzles to app-powered science kits. But what makes it special isn’t just what’s on display. It’s what’s changing behind the scenes — and that’s where the real story lies.
Why the Expo is More than Just a Showcase
Every year, Toy Biz brings together thousands of industry folks, like retailers, manufacturers, designers, buyers, and educators. It’s loud, colorful, and packed with possibilities. Think less boardroom, more playground.
But don’t let the bright booths and cheerful mascots fool you. What’s happening here is big. Big for local business. Big for the economy. And even bigger for kids across the country.
This isn’t just about flashy launches. Toy Biz is where deals are made, networks are built, and trends are born. And in 2025, it feels like the industry’s ready to turn a serious corner.
Why India? Why Now?
The timing couldn’t be better. India has the youngest population in the world. Over 350 million children under the age of 15, that’s a market begging for attention. And parents today aren’t like the last generation. They want more than just toys. They want toys with purpose.
Add to that a major shift in policy. The government has been pushing hard to build a domestic toy industry. Import duties have gone up. Quality standards have tightened. Local manufacturing is being actively supported. There’s even a national toy cluster plan. It’s no wonder global buyers are now looking at India with fresh eyes.
And let’s be honest, the old model (cheap imports, zero quality checks, and one-size-fits-all products) isn’t going to cut it anymore. Parents are smarter, kids are tech-savvy, and everyone’s looking for something meaningful. That’s exactly the space Toy Biz is leaning into.
Bringing Local Talent to the Forefront
Walk through the aisles at Toy Biz 2025, and one thing stands out immediately: this isn’t just about big brands. Smaller Indian companies are taking center stage. These are folks who know what Indian kids actually like, and it shows.
You’ll find toys that use regional stories and characters, games that mix tradition with tech, and kits designed around real-world skills. There’s a Marathi alphabet memory game in one corner, and a solar-powered car kit made in Gujarat in another.
These brands aren’t just guessing. They’re talking to parents, working with teachers, and building things that reflect local realities. And thanks to platforms like Toy Biz, they’re finally getting noticed.
Learning While Playing — Finally, the Norm
For years, Indian parents separated study and play, like oil and water. That mindset is shifting fast. With the new education policy encouraging activity-based learning, toys are no longer just time-fillers. They’re tools for growth.
And the industry is responding. Toy Biz is packed with educational kits, such as STEM toys, robotics for beginners, logic puzzles, and language games. But what’s nice to see is that they aren’t just “smart” for the sake of it. They’re fun, accessible, and built with Indian classrooms in mind.
Some companies are even creating toys with input from teachers and child psychologists. That kind of collaboration didn’t exist a few years ago. Now it’s not just welcomed, it’s expected.
Not Just for the Big Cities Anymore
The toy boom isn’t confined to metros. One of the best signs of progress is how much interest is coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Buyers from places like Bhopal, Coimbatore, and Lucknow are walking the floors, making orders, and asking smart questions.
That means toy makers have to rethink their approach — price points, packaging, even language. A toy that sells in Bengaluru might need tweaks for Jaipur. And that’s a good thing. It pushes everyone to design with empathy and flexibility.
Retailers and distributors are catching on too. E-commerce platforms like FirstCry and Flipkart now have dedicated teams scouting for unique, India-first products at the expo. If a toy does well here, there’s a good chance it will pop up in your feed next month.
The Push for Greener Play
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword, it’s a necessity. And Toy Biz 2025 reflects that shift in attitude. You’ll see booths showcasing biodegradable packaging, toys made from recycled materials, even upcycled fabric dolls.
Makers aren’t just ticking boxes. They’re telling stories. One brand explained how their cardboard puzzles are made by women in a local co-op. Another uses only locally sourced wood to reduce their carbon footprint. These aren’t marketing gimmicks, they’re value-driven choices.
Parents, too, are asking better questions: What’s this toy made of? Who made it? What happens when it breaks? That kind of awareness is pushing the entire industry to grow up fast.
Challenges that Still Need Tackling
Of course, not everything’s perfect. One major concern is knockoffs — cheap copies that flood the market and undercut quality brands. Small manufacturers also face tough hurdles like BIS certification, complex tax systems, and limited access to funding.
And let’s not forget exports. Indian toy makers have global potential, but shipping costs, compliance paperwork, and changing rules can slow them down. Toy Biz is trying to bridge that gap by inviting international buyers and holding policy panels, but there’s a lot more work to be done.
Still, the fact that these conversations are even happening shows progress. A few years ago, no one was even asking these questions.
The Human Side of the Story
Beyond all the business and branding, what stands out most at Toy Biz is the heart behind it all. A woman from Kerala who started making handmade plushies during the pandemic now has buyers from Singapore. A young design graduate has built a game that helps children with learning disabilities communicate better. These aren’t one-off stories, they’re everywhere.
You can see it in the pride of a father explaining how he built a toy company after failing to find safe toys for his daughter. Or in the joy of a kid test-driving a toy train made in his own city. It’s moments like these that give the event real meaning.
Looking Ahead
Toy Biz International 2025 isn’t just a trade event. It’s a turning point. It shows what’s possible when policy, creativity, and people come together with purpose.
The Indian toy industry still has a way to go, but for the first time in decades, it’s moving with direction and energy. Local makers are getting their moment. Kids are getting smarter, safer, and more meaningful toys. And the world is finally starting to look our way. That’s not just progress. That’s a revolution in play, and Toy Biz is helping lead it.
And hey, if you’re in Pakistan and on the hunt for toys that do more than just sit on a shelf, check out MomYom. Our Odeez Collection brings puzzles that spark ideas, games that teach (without being boring), and all the fun stuff for the entire family.
