The winners of Speelgoed van het Jaar 2025
Last night was the big night: all the winners of the Speelgoed van het Jaar verkiezing were announced. The Gouden Publieksprijs was presented during the Speelgoed Gala. The public had voted for their favourites. Who did they choose? Read on to find out!
Speelgoed van het Jaar stands for “good toys”. This means that they are safe to play with, come with clear instructions in Dutch and are made from high-quality materials. During the selection process, these are therefore requirements that the expert jury pays particular attention to. Originality, sustainability and playfulness are also assessed.
The competition begins in June. Games can be submitted and are divided into one of the categories. During this year’s competition, there are eleven toy categories and three game categories. In each category, the expert jury selects three winners who can call themselves Toy of the Year.
In September, the public will be able to vote for which of the winners they think deserves the “Gouden Publieksprijs”, a Public’s Choice award. We will tell you who they are in each category:
Public’s Choice Children’s Games: Spy Guy
The Children’s Games category covers games made especially for children. By playing these games, children learn all kinds of skills, such as playing together, thinking ahead, winning and losing. According to the expert jury, this year’s best children’s games are Brick Like This! byAsmodee, Oh No, Volcano! by Asmodee and Spy Guy by OKU.
In Brick Like This!, two teams of two children compete against each other. They have to build as many figures as possible using Lego bricks. Tasks are divided within the team. The instructor has a card with a figure on it. He gives instructions to the builder, who tries to build the figure from Lego bricks. The game presents many challenges: time pressure, creativity, spatial awareness, logical thinking and goal-oriented explanations. Which team has built the most figures after six rounds?
The board game Oh No, Volcano! combines tactics and luck. Each player climbs the board to reach the top. Where do you stand to avoid the lava balls? But even with a plan, the lava ball may take a different route than you expected!
The cooperative game Spy Guy takes home the Golden Audience Award. By working together, children help Spy Guy find the villain Dr. Mortiz. Each turn, a card is drawn with clues that must be found on the busy board. Players must work together, search carefully, and do it all before the hourglass runs out!
Public’s Choice Family Games, ages 10+: Locus
The favourites in the Family Games for Ages 10+ category are Tricky Treats by 999 Games, Strategeti by Asmodee and Locus by Tucker’s Fun Factory. This category includes games that combine fun with thinking. Tactics, adventure, or quick decisions, these games bring the family together around the table.
Tricky Treats is a beautifully designed board game. Using transparent cards, you dress up a group of children to get them ready for Halloween. Keep the neighbours in mind, choose the best costumes and score pumpkin points. It takes a good dose of tactics to combine the right cards and get the most sweets!
The game Strategeti has simple rules, but it’s certainly not easy to win! In this strategic two-player game, the goal is to place four animals in a row, eliminate five of your opponent’s animals or block them. Each animal has different characteristics. Let them work together and win!
However, the public is most enthusiastic about Locus. In this game, you cross off squares and collect as many points as possible. The retro look and Tetris-like shapes immediately grab your attention. The game offers numerous possibilities, but is still easy to understand. Everyone has their own tactics and the outcome remains exciting until the very end!
Public’s Choice Expert Games: Bomb Busters
The Expert and Strategy Games category contains games that often have a longer playing time and set-up time and require insight and tactics. You will never win a good connoisseur game against experienced players the first time you play.
The boardgame Gloomies by Ravensburger has a charming appearance, but don’t be fooled! The game has many tactical possibilities and depth. In the game, you help the Gloomies plant and harvest the most beautiful flowers. The game consists of two phases, with a moment in between when victory points are awarded. Who will lose themselves in scoring points while placing flowers, and who will be forward-thinking and prepare best for the harvest?
Tactical, visually appealing and highly replayable: that’s how the expert jury describes Faraway by White Goblin Games. The principle is simple: you lay your cards from left to right, but the scoring is exactly the opposite! Will your tactics stand up to the cards that are yet to come?
In this category, too, a cooperative game takes the prize. Bomb Busters by 999 Games will keep you and your fellow players on the edge of your seats. Together, you defuse bombs. Each mission increases in difficulty. Can you keep a cool head and work together as a team?
Most of these games will be available at the Spellenspektakel on 8 and 9 November 2025. Will you come and play them too?