Commotion Ltd Q1 2026 roundup:
An exciting time filled with new product launches, photoshoots and bustling trade shows.
Foreword from our CEO, James Shepherd
"As we move into the second quarter of 2026, I am delighted to reflect on an exciting first quarter at Commotion. Our mission remains clear: to provide high-quality educational resources that inspire learning through play. This quarter has highlighted the strength of our tickit® range, marked by double-digit growth that demonstrates our expanding influence in the market.
I am proud to announce that we achieved our best performance ever at the Nuremberg trade show, securing over 300 appointments, which showcases our commitment to meaningful connections. Our UK performance has also developed at an unprecedented rate, reflecting the effectiveness of our strategies in this key market.
This quarter has been bustling with new product launches that enhance educational experiences for children, alongside vibrant trade shows and photoshoots to promote our latest offerings. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Commotion team for their hard work and dedication during this busy period; your efforts are invaluable in achieving our goals.
I also want to express my gratitude to our partners, retailers, and educators for your continued collaboration and support. Together, we are helping children explore, create, and grow through play in learning environments across the globe. Let’s continue to build on this momentum as we move forward into the next quarter.
Take a tour of our Spielwarenmesse 2026 virtual stand and explore the exciting tickit range for yourself:
https://commotion.co.uk/virtual-space"
James Shepherd
CEO, Commotion Ltd
January: New Educational Toys, Studio Photoshoots and Industry Features
We began 2026 by launching the Commotion 2026 Catalogue and the tickit Lookbook, introducing 38 exciting new product lines. Vibrant photography showcased our FSC-certified wooden playsets, sensory toys, loose parts and other carefully designed educational resources, all created to support open-ended, child-led play.
The catalogue launch sets the tone for the year, reinforcing our focus on high-quality, durable products that meet real developmental needs while inspiring creativity, curiosity and exploration.
The tickit Lookbook highlights a curated selection of key educational toys, providing an accessible overview for educators, retailers and partners looking to explore the range.
January also brought valuable industry recognition, with our tickit brand featured across several leading trade publications ahead of the international toy fair season. Our new products were highlighted in Toy World’s January Nuremberg Supplement and Toys n Playthings’ Toy Fairs Preview, both showcasing what’s new for 2026. We were also pleased to contribute to Progressive Preschool’s Toy Fairs Issue.
International coverage followed too, with ToyStore Italy including a tickit brand profile in its Nuremberg preview.
Alongside these features, we partnered with Families Magazine on an exciting Treehouse competition, offering families the chance to engage with our play resources in a fun and memorable way.
In January, we also welcomed two young models into our studio for a photoshoot. These sessions capture children engaging naturally with our educational toys, demonstrating curiosity, joy and authentic play experiences.
Spielwarenmesse 2026
Our team was thrilled to present the tickit range at Spielwarenmesse 2026 in Nuremberg at the end of January. The event was a great success, with both returning customers and new contacts visiting our stand.
Visitors experienced first-hand how our educational resources support sensory development, fine motor skills and early STEM learning, bringing our philosophy of learning through play to life.
February: Location photoshoots and celebrating science through play
February was a busy month with two photoshoots, one on location in Sevenoaks, Kent, and another in our studio, where we welcomed children from eight weeks old. These sessions provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our educational toys in authentic play settings.
These photoshoots highlighted the open-ended nature of many tickit resources. The same product can captivate a baby and a five-year-old in different and meaningful ways, demonstrating the long-term value of investment toys that grow with the child.
During British Science Week, we highlighted STEM-focused activities using tickit products. From simple cause-and-effect experiments to early problem-solving tasks, we celebrated the practical ways to integrate learning through play and scientific exploration across all ages.
March: Industry events, toy trends and charity donations
We started March by posting our latest blog highlighting key trends for 2026 within the toy industry, noting a strong shift towards screen-free, hands-on play that supports creativity, focus, and social interaction. This month also saw growing emphasis on sustainability, with environmentally responsible materials and packaging becoming standard. We highlighted a clear move towards creative mindfulness toys that promote emotional wellbeing and problem-solving, along with renewed appreciation for nostalgic, classic toys that encourage imaginative storytelling without digital or licensed prompts. Read the full article here.
During March, we partnered with the RPD Foundation and were delighted to see our donation of sensory resources being used at The SMILE Group at Outreach 3 Way. Find out more here.
We returned to the Childcare and Education Expo at Olympia London, giving our team the opportunity to meet educators and discuss how tickit resources are used daily in classrooms, nurseries, and early learning environments. In the same month, we also partnered with C2 Group at Fiera Didacta Italia in Florence, a leading Italian education trade fair bringing together educators, institutions, and companies to explore new teaching tools and digital learning solutions. At the fair, visitors experienced firsthand how tickit educational resources enhance learning through play and support hands-on, child-led learning experiences.
Additionally in March, we were also thrilled to be recognised as part of the Office Angels Grove, with a tree planted in our name. This highlighted our ongoing commitment to sustainability, from FSC® certified wooden toys and responsibly sourced materials to recyclable packaging and renewable energy at our UK headquarters, while continuing to create high-quality educational resources that support learning through play.
We received highly positive feedback in the Good Play Guide Review of our tickit Wooden Building Gem Blocks, learning from experts about all the ways they played with this beautiful open-ended toy. In March, we also celebrated receiving the Product Innovation Excellence Award from one of our longest-standing partners, Findel, recognising our innovative tickit range and reflecting our ongoing commitment to designing thoughtful, high-quality resources that inspire learning through play. Find out more here.
Q1 2026: Supporting Child-Led Learning Through Play
The first quarter of 2026 has been an inspiring start to the year. We have attended key industry events, developed and launched innovative educational toys, and spent time researching key trends and gaps in the educational toy market so we can continue to provide high-quality, sustainably produced educational resources.
We are proud to support learning through play worldwide and helping educators and partners provide children with creative, curiosity-driven experiences that last a lifetime.