THE TOMMINED 2026

Reasons Given by the Expert Jury

APPS

CUPCAKECATS: COOKING CITY (Blue Ocean Entertainment)

“CupCakeCats: Cooking City” is based on the well-known collectible figures and uses symbols that make it easy for even younger children to play. In a bakery or at a beach kiosk, players must make cupcakes or french fries for hungry cats and collect tips. Customizing the cats and their own restaurant also lets children get creative. The game requires quick reflexes and thus helps improve attention span.

TINY BOOKSHOP (neoludic games)

In the laid-back management simulation “Tiny Bookshop,” players own a mobile bookstore that they set up every day in a small coastal town. The game quickly comes to life: purchasing new books, decorating the store, and advising customers. The focus is on expanding the bookstore, continuously restocking inventory, advising customers, and curating a selection that suits the chosen location. Particularly great are the unhurried gameplay without time pressure and the inclusion of real book titles.

AMY SURFWING – KIDS SURF SMART (SEASON 1) (Aym Vision)

“Amy Surfwing” teaches media literacy through an interactive chat story based on the real-life experiences of children and teens. It addresses topics such as class chats, fake news, AI, FOMO, peer pressure, and how to navigate social media.  Definitions of terms can be accessed directly, and various content sections address current questions and challenges related to digital communication. “Amy Surfwing” combines engaging game design with a playful approach to help children develop a thoughtful and reflective approach to using digital media.

PALINOO (LoomAi)

“Palinoo” is an AI-powered storytelling system that lets children help create audio stories. They provide key terms, which the AI then uses to develop a story. The children can also choose the genre themselves. Of course, the app isn’t meant to compete with real people who come up with stories on their own. But it’s not an either/or situation. Both are possible. It’s an appealing approach in the age of AI.

WILDMANE – FUN WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT HORSES (Daniel Temperli / Elaina Temperli)

“WildMane” is aimed at children who love horses. The app is packed with extensive information about horses and also offers plenty of quizzes, trading cards, games, stories, and songs. As a result, the app is jam-packed with content. According to the developers, the app was created by a daughter and her father and is designed to provide a child-friendly, safe app environment free of ads, tracking, and the like.

PENTU WONDERHUNTER: OCEAN EXPEDITION (Höllinger & Höllinger GbR – mitomito Studio)

Players dive into a beautifully illustrated underwater world with Pentu. “Pentu Wonderhunter” plays like a digital interactive picture book: players tap on colorful fish and other sea creatures to learn more about them. The app features beautifully drawn graphics, offers a wealth of scientific knowledge, and thus encourages a curious and inquisitive exploration of the world’s oceans. Parents will also learn a lot of new things along the way.

AZOA (Harikoah)

“Azoa” is an atmospheric gaming experience for children that focuses on emotions, mindfulness, and relaxation. The lovingly designed game world, the atmospheric music, and the high-quality graphics create a calming atmosphere that invites players to pause and explore, without overwhelming even younger players. The exercises and prompts that help children become aware of their own emotions are particularly well done. A wonderful offering that fosters emotional skills in a child-friendly way.

WALK THE FROG (Walk The Frog)

The idea behind “Walk The Frog” is actually quite simple: To move the story of the main character, Froggo, forward, players must arrange sticky notes in the correct order. Froggo is looking for his best friend, Buddy. Along the way, all sorts of animal encounters await. And even though you only interact briefly with the stork or the mole using your finger or the computer mouse, it still feels like you’ve gotten to know a special character. The game hits the sweet spot: it strikes a balance between offbeat humor and relaxing gameplay, thanks to its easy-to-use puzzle mechanics.

KLEE ART (Roland Zoss / Bitforge)

Want to immerse yourself in Paul Klee’s paintings? The “Klee Art” app makes it possible. Together with little Sophie and the Klee Fairy, players explore six of the artist’s paintings and discover imaginative visual worlds along the way. The lovingly drawn characters guide them through the artworks, where they search for hidden objects, solve little puzzles, or compose their own “water music.” A particularly delightful feature is the opportunity to get creative and design their own pictures. A charming art adventure.

ABC DINO XENEGUGELI (Roland Zoss / Xenegu)

In the animal alphabet app “ABC Dino Xenegugeli,” children learn the alphabet through hearing, seeing, and touching. Tapping a letter causes it to be spoken aloud, and then children trace it to bring an animal to life. Multisensory learning is delivered digitally. The app isn’t overloaded with content; instead, it stands out for its calm, artfully designed learning experience. The songs are recorded with real instruments, which, combined with its hand-drawn illustrations, makes “ABC Dino Xenegugeli” a lovingly crafted work of art.

PC/ONLINE

CHROMAGUN 2 (Pixel Maniacs)

In the futuristic, multidimensional world of “ChromaGun 2,” the physical principle of magnetoid chromatism applies: Colored surfaces on the walls attract objects of the same color. This principle guides you through countless puzzle rooms in first-person perspective. The goal: to keep moving forward while exploring a few hidden nooks along the way. As simple as the basic idea is, the developers vary it in wonderfully inventive and consistently surprising ways, resulting in all sorts of tricky yet clever puzzles throughout the game—puzzles whose solutions leave you with a very satisfying sense of accomplishment.

LIFTED (Adventure Works L.L.C.)

"Back to the Future" meets "Indiana Jones": In this platformer, players accompany a young boy named Ari and a mad professor on a time-travel adventure. One moment Ari is hopping through an Egyptian tomb; the next, he’s in a pirate cove. While the jumping sections can be quite challenging at times, they remain fair. There are also some minor puzzles along the way. It would have been nice to hear the well-written, funny dialog in a German voiceover. But the subtitles in no way detract from the fun of the game.

WOODO (Daedalic)

These building blocks inspire quiet wonder: “Woodo” transports players into a fairy-tale world where colorless, incredibly three-dimensional dioramas are brought back to life in a riot of color. And all it takes is dragging the right wooden blocks from an inventory bar—filled with a wide variety of blocks—onto the corresponding element in the game scene. It sounds simple, but combined with the story unfolding in the background and the gentle music, it creates a soothing atmosphere that transports you from everyday life into a soothing on-screen world. “Woodo” is a gem of a cozy game and an enchanting puzzle experience.

UNRAILED 2! BACK ON TRACK (Indoor Astronaut)

The train has no brakes! It starts moving, picks up speed, and the tracks ahead of it don’t even exist yet. So up to four players chop down trees, break rocks, forge rails, and lay them down, while the locomotive pushes forward behind them—and because everyone can do everything, but no one can do it all at once, that productive chaos—the very reason party games were invented—emerges within minutes. The second installment of “Unrailed” impresses with permanent upgrades, character specializations, boss battles against a giant spider and a sandworm, and a track editor. That’s train madness!

MUMINTROLL: THE WÄARM OF WINTER (Hyper Games)

Winter has set in in Moomin Valley, and the Moomins are settling in for their well-deserved hibernation. However, after a short while, Little Moomin hears strange noises in the house and sets out to investigate. Thus begins the adventure, and he soon finds himself outside the house in an unfamiliar wintry world. Moomin is supposed to bring spring and must complete various tasks to do so. You’ll explore the fairy-tale-like game world, find objects, and use items to clear obstacles out of the way. The game world and characters have been brought to life with great attention to detail.

CROSS-BORDER COMMUTERS – FROM THE GDR TO THE WEST (Gießen Emergency Reception Camp: A Place of Learning and Remembrance)

“Border Crossers – From the GDR to the West” is a game in the field of historical media education that explores the history of German reunification. Players accompany people who want to leave the GDR in the 1980s. They explore the characters’ lives, engage in conversations, and make decisions that influence the course of the story. The stories and characters encourage players to engage not only with history but also with issues of state control, democracy, freedom, and flight.

HOT WHEELS™ INFINITE RUSH (Milestone/Plaion)

This is what the world has been waiting for: a fast-paced and absolutely beginner-friendly open-world arcade racing game. In short, a “Forza Horizon” for kids. It delivers an amazing sense of speed and makes drifting—and, of course, loop-the-loops—a blast. For anyone who’s had enough of “Mario Kart” and prefers something a little faster-paced. On top of that, there’s an awesome editor for building your own tracks, online multiplayer, and most importantly: 4-player split-screen for the couch at home. Not even the big-name games have that!!!

MONOWAVE (Studio BBB Inc.)

Why didn’t anyone think of this before? “MONOWAVE” is based on a simple yet ingenious idea: Mono, the protagonist of this puzzle-platformer game, is controlled through the levels by his emotions. When Mono is sad, he wants nothing more than to hide from the world—and can then slip through small openings in the floor. When he’s full of joy, Mono can make bigger jumps. And when he’s angry, he can even climb up walls. All of this is presented in a beautifully sketchy art style. Heartfelt and fantastic!

EGGLETS – THE LONG 10 DAYS (Yifan Zhou – wieLuft)

In this ten-day crisis management simulation featuring simple point-and-click elements, players take on the role of an administrative officer on the alien planet Eggon. Every day, baffling or contradictory orders arrive from above, while players must manage the chaos in the residential district and weigh information against rumors. The goal of the game is to make decisions over the course of ten days—such as monitoring residents, maintaining order, filtering news, and curbing rumors—while finding your own balance between obedience and humanity. An accessible exploration of media literacy, misinformation, and moral courage in times of crisis.

WILD WOODS (Daedalic)

The title lives up to its promise. Even when playing solo, the frantic resource-gathering and fending off vicious rabbits and badgers in “Wild Woods” is fun, but this colorful, charmingly animated action game truly reveals its full entertaining potential when four players work together. As feisty cats, the quartet wanders alongside a cart that rumbles continuously through the winding landscape, gathering wood, flowers, and gold, and fending off monsters—especially on dark nights. Branching paths and a constant stream of new upgrades for the cart and characters provide plenty of motivation to venture out into nature time and time again.

CONSOLE

RUFFY AND THE RIVERSIDE (Zockrates Laboratories)

At first glance, “Ruffy and the Riverside” looks like a classic, colorful 3D adventure, but it quickly reveals its unique approach: Ruffy can swap properties of the environment, replacing one surface with another, thereby opening up new paths and solutions. For kids, this mix works really well: wild experimentation is actively encouraged. The friendly world with its likable characters, the collection challenges, and the jumping sections are also a lot of fun. Extraordinary!

UNRAILED 2! BACK ON TRACK (Indoor Astronaut)

Railroad chaos is back. The train is running, but the tracks aren’t finished yet? Grab your friends and fix it. You’ll have to work together to get everything you need—it won’t work without teamwork. A crazy game with a time limit and lots of fun. With more locomotives, more opponents, more routes, and more players, the madness is even bigger than in the first game. Rail-tastic.

POKÉMON POKOPIA (Nintendo)

"Pokémon"meets "Animal Crossing" and "Minecraft." In "Pokopia," players build a cozy world for themselves and the other Pokémon. It's not about battling, but about rebuilding and making things beautiful. Players can put the skills they've learned from other Pokémon to good use. It’s great that the island features many different areas. It’s sure to be a lot of fun for Pokémon fans who want to really let their creativity run wild.

TINY BOOKSHOP (neoludic games)

A cozy game for all book lovers. Players design their own bookmobile, get to know their customers, and give book recommendations. Visually, this game invites you to daydream: Give your bookmobile a fresh coat of paint, place a little cactus in the window, and pet the neighbor’s dog. The book recommendations are where things get tricky. To get them right and keep your customers happy, you’ll need to know your way around the world of books. But reading is a good thing, after all.

RHYTHM PARADISE GROOVE (Nintendo)

"Rhythm Paradise Groove" is all about pressing the buttons at the right moment, listening, and finding the rhythm—and letting yourself be surprised by constantly changing rhythm games. Kids pick it up quickly, while perfect timing challenges even older players. This very well-designed game masters one of the most important principles of game design: easy to learn, but hard to master. It also includes a full-fledged rhythm role-playing game called “Beat Spell” as a bonus, drum lessons, and a soundtrack by Japanese producer Tsunku, who has shaped the series from the very beginning.

MOONLIGHT PEAKS (Marvelous)

In “Moonlight Peaks,” a night-owl teenager falls out with his tradition-bound father and moves to the eponymous village to build a life there that, while lacking excitement, is by no means devoid of substance. At its core, “Moonlight Peaks” is a classic life simulation game in which you take over an old, overgrown patch of land in the countryside and, through painstaking, meticulous work, develop it into a functioning farm—so far, so classic. What makes the game special is its whimsical supernatural twist, whether it’s the villagers—drawn from the classic “creatures of the night” menagerie—the magical crops and tools, the occasional spell, or the fact that work is done only at night while the day is spent sleeping in a coffin.

MUMINTROLL: THE WÄARM OF WINTER (Hyper Games)

For all fans of “Snufkin: The Melody of Moominvalley,” here’s a new Moomin adventure. Everyone is actually getting ready for their well-deserved hibernation so they can dream of spring. That goes well at first, but Moomin wakes up early. A freezing-cold adventure begins. In the lovingly drawn landscapes, you’ll chat with old and new friends and solve little puzzles. A charming little game that’s perfect for the winter season.

YOSHI AND THE MYSTERIOUS BOOK (Nintendo)

In this Yoshi adventure, players explore various chapters of a talking book, and there are plenty of funny moments. Each chapter offers its own game world filled with new, imaginative creatures. The focus is on how these creatures interact with one another and how we can use them to unlock the end of each level. To unlock all the discoveries in the different levels, you have to return to worlds you’ve already visited, armed with new knowledge from later worlds—which significantly increases the game’s replay value. Although it’s a single-player game, discovering and figuring things out together is also a lot of fun.

TOMODACHI LIFE: WHERE TRÄCOME TRUE (Nintendo)

Even though there’s no real gameplay goal in “Tomodachi Life” to strive toward with determination, Nintendo’s life simulation still manages to captivate you regularly and consistently. The independent lives of the virtual characters—who frolic on an island and are cared for by the player as their guardian—never cease to surprise, and the possibilities for shaping these virtual lives and communities are endless. But the fact that these Nintendo Sims also have a will of their own only makes them even more endearing and fun to play with.

PUMUCKL AND THE PIRATE KING'S CROWN / FULL VERSION (Quantumfrog)

Wherever the little goblin shows up, trouble is practically guaranteed. In “Pumuckl and the Pirate King’s Crown,” he finds himself in a magical pirate world where a cursed ship must be rescued. To do this, players must explore islands, move crates, and master mini-games. The tasks are easy to understand, so even younger players can quickly get into the game. The typical Pumuckl humor is a must: cheeky one-liners, mishaps, and a parrot who loves to make fun of Pumuckl. A straightforward introduction to video games.

YOUTH GAMES AWARD

ORBITALS (Nintendo)

"Orbitals" is all about teamwork! In this co-op adventure, Maki and Omura face a wide variety of cosmic dangers to save their space colony from destruction. And whether it’s solving puzzles, defeating bosses, or embarking on high-stakes space missions—nothing works without communication and teamwork. The lovingly crafted retro anime style draws inspiration from the ’80s and ’90s, creating a warm and cozy gaming experience that’s free of frustration and full of wonder.

CORSAIR COVE (Limbic Entertainment)

A truly excellent city-building and economic management game that presents itself as a mix of Anno and Frostpunk set in the turquoise-blue South Seas! It captures the pirate vibe very well. The vertical base-building (you build not only on the beach but also up the cliffs of Skull Island) is a unique feature that sets it apart from other big names in the genre and significantly influences your planning. The highly intuitive UI helps you keep track of everything, even though games like this are usually overflowing with information. Thanks to the solid story (and excellent tutorials), even inexperienced players will quickly find their footing and learn the complex economic systems. The naval combat, combined with the map mechanics, adds a tactical element that really enhances the whole pirate-captain experience. The “Support” mode offers a completely relaxed building experience, where the focus is on freely designing your vertical pirate settlement without the time pressure or resource loss caused by battles.

SPLATOON RAIDERS (Nintendo)

Splatoon Goes on a Treasure Hunt. “Splatoon Raiders” is an action RPG that offers plenty of variety and delivers lots of fun with its mix of adventure, combat, and the thrill of collecting. A wide variety of colorful areas invite you to discover and explore, while combat requires quick reflexes. New upgrades and abilities keep you engaged and add depth to the game without leaving newcomers to the genre behind. All in all, it’s a great game that leaves you wanting more!

TIME FLIES (Panic)

A short pixel game with depth: The game “Time Flies” is all about survival, and every single second really counts. As a housefly, we have a lifespan of 60 to 85 seconds, during which we try to work our way through a sort of bucket list. In minimalist, monochrome 2D environments (a house, a museum, the sewers), players must solve puzzling tasks—such as “learn an instrument,” “make someone laugh,” or “find God”—by flying around, bumping into things, and interacting with the environment. There are no quest markers; progress comes through trial and error, observation, and efficient route planning. “Time Flies” offers short, intense gameplay with high replay value. Experimenting, observing, and efficient route planning. “Time Flies” offers short, intense gameplay with high replay value.

THE BERLIN APARTMENT (Blue Backpack)

1933, 1945, 1967, and 1989. “The Berlin Apartment” tells the story of German contemporary history through times of upheaval. The overarching narrative is set in an apartment in the year 2020. “The Berlin Apartment” transforms German history into something deeply personal. Players experience different eras, political upheavals, and a wide variety of people from the perspective of a single location. As a result, history remains anything but abstract; instead, it becomes tangible within a narrative centered on decisions, hopes, and losses. “The Berlin Apartment” possesses a depth of content that is rare to find.

ANNO 117: PAX ROMANA (Ubisoft)

"Anno 117" impresses with its great strategic depth and extremely complex economic and production chains. For budding young strategy enthusiasts, "Roman Anno" is an excellent way to sit down together with parents or older siblings in front of the screen and plan a city as a team. At the same time, it sparks an interest in the Roman Empire while teaching players a great deal about historical construction methods—such as aqueducts—and historical diplomacy.

LEGO® BATMAN™: THE VERMÄTHE DARK KNIGHT'S LEGACY (Warner Bros. Interactive)

While other LEGO games tackle lighter pop culture franchises like Harry Potter or Indiana Jones, “The Legacy of the Dark Knight” brings the famous superhero’s dramatic life story and his gritty setting, Gotham City, to life in interactive brick form. But despite the comic book franchise’s dark tone, this LEGO game is cheerful and humorous, delivering all the lighthearted gameplay mechanics that make these games so successful and popular. Lego Batman smashes hordes of enemies to bits, searches for and collects countless objects in the lovingly designed world, and faces endless variety. One moment you’re behind the wheel of the Batmobile; the next, you’re swinging across the city’s rooftops with your grappling hook and cape—and, of course, plenty of gadgets come into play.

STAR TREK: VOYAGER – ACROSS THE UNKNOWN (Daedalic)

A dream come true for all Trekkies and fans of classic science fiction. Players take on the role of Captain Janeway of the USS Voyager and must guide the ship and its crew thousands of light-years back home—seemingly impossible, or maybe not?! On one hand, the game is a base-building and economic simulation; on the other, it’s a tactical story-driven game in which player decisions have a huge impact on the story and gameplay. We played through the entire game, and it was worth every hour.

TINY BOOKSHOP (neoludic games)

"Tiny Bookshop" is a very relaxing gaming experience that gets by just fine without any action. As the brand-new owner of your very own small, mobile bookstore, you decide which books go on the shelves. As you source new books and decorations, you’ll find yourself in a different location every day in the tranquil town of Bookstonbury. There, you’ll not only get to know the residents but also try to help them by recommending the right books and complete other small tasks to uncover the town’s secrets.

FLICK SHOT ROGUES (Butter By The Fish)

In this turn-based roguelike, you move your characters across the game board to defeat enemy units. Each character has different abilities to help you defeat your opponents. Gradually, you’ll acquire talismans with various properties or level up. By strategically switching between characters and employing a bit of tactics and strategy, you can trigger chain reactions—which are especially crucial during the epic boss battles. If you fail, the adventure must be restarted, as is typical for the genre; however, each playthrough is different, and achievements from previous runs provide advantages. The gameplay and colorful cartoon visuals are engaging and offer high replay value.

ELECTRONIC TOYS

CARRERA HYBRID – HYPERDRIVE FURY (Carrera Toys)

“Carrera Hybrid – HyperDrive Fury” is a new set in Carrera’s innovative hybrid racetrack series. Instead of traditional metal tracks with a power supply, the system runs on smooth surfaces—the cars are controlled via a smartphone app and supported by AI. The app offers two driving modes: “Arcade” for immediate, accessible fun and “Simulation” for realistic handling. The cars feature artificial intelligence that keeps them on track but allows for free lane changes and position battles. A driving assistant helps beginners, while driving profiles can be customized. The system combines motor skills with strategic planning and encourages exploration of modern hybrid technology.

CRASHY (Franckh-Kosmos Publishing)

“Crashy,” the robot panda. His movements can be programmed using two command wheels before the little panda is sent on a collision course. Games like “Obstacle Ahead!” or “Bull’s-Eye!” suggest possible programming options. It gets funny when “Crashy” hits an obstacle, because then the panda tumbles off his car. Assembly is challenging; adult assistance may be needed here. However, the subsequent programming is easy to understand and promotes logical thinking.

FUN PLAY AND LEARNING WITH MAJA AND WILLI (Edurino)

Join Maya the Bee’s friend Willi on a journey of discovery through the world of numbers and letters. The new Edurino characters are designed for children and combine early basic math and literacy skills with a variety of mini-games. Children count objects, compare quantities, recognize letters and sounds, and practice their first writing strokes. The app draws on the proven Edurino concept, transforming the various learning topics into small, motivating game-based activities. It’s a rock-solid addition to the Edurino world that combines playful learning with the joy of doing.

Boss Fighters QR (Pegasus Spiele)

“Boss Fighters QR” is a cooperative card and app game for two to four players ages ten and up. Players take on the roles of heroes and heroines and team up to face ten different boss enemies, whose abilities and reactions are tailored to the group’s actions. QR codes link the cards to digital content; the app handles calculations, instantly evaluates the bosses’ reactions and attacks, manages enemy sequences, and supports the campaign, while tactical decisions, teamwork, and incremental deck-building take place at the table. The central element is the mandatory use of a smartphone app via QR code scanning on the cards—this works reliably, and four scalable difficulty levels keep the barrier to entry low, making the game suitable for families as well as experienced gaming groups. “Boss Fighters QR” is an entertaining, action-packed hybrid game for families and casual groups that successfully brings the thrill of digital boss battles to the gaming table.

VR4KIDS TRAFFIC SAFETY (QM Interactive)

“VR4Kids Traffic Safety” uses the unique capabilities of virtual reality to prepare children for real-life traffic situations in a safe and hands-on way. The selected scenarios address real-world and curriculum-relevant challenges in traffic education and allow children to practice their perception, orientation, and appropriate behavior without exposing them to actual dangers. The combination of hands-on experience and subsequent reflection is particularly compelling. The program’s design offers an exciting, immersive approach to an important area of education.

COLLECTIBLE FIGURE: THE THREE ??? 001 AND THE SUPER PARROT (Sony Music Entertainment Germany)

The collectible figures from “The Three Investigators” are interactive toys designed for fans of the popular detective series. The design is based on the cover art of the audio drama series—for example, there’s the Super Parrot, the Silver Spider, the Talking Skull, and several other highly decorative figures. Once placed on compatible playback devices or paired with a corresponding app and a smartphone or tablet, the respective audio drama can be played.

SCHNAPPT HUBI—Relaunch (Ravensburger)

Together, two to five players chase the little ghost Hubi through a magical haunted house whose walls are constantly changing. The magic compass—the central electronic control unit—guides players through the game with voice prompts and audio cues, providing clues about the ghost’s whereabouts. This revamp of the game from the early 2010s features an optimized soundscape and intuitive controls. While playing, it’s important to listen carefully, process information as a team, and develop strategies together. The difficulty level is fair and ensures high motivation without frustration. With this relaunch, a timeless classic has been pleasantly revamped—all without the need for additional app or screen integration.

PLAYMOBIL HI! (geobra Brandstätter Stiftung & Co. KG/PLAYMOBIL)

New to the Pirate Ship is the interactive audio backpack from the “Playmobil hi!” product line. This backpack contains a speaker and technology that allows it to interact with NFC chips. Anyone familiar with read-aloud pens like Anybook, tiptoi, or BOOKii will understand how it works: In this case, when you bring the backpack close to a small radio-frequency chip (NFC)—which can be found, for example, in small adhesive stickers—it triggers specific sounds, digital interactions, game suggestions, or audio stories. The sounds can enhance the play setting and create the right atmosphere. You can choose from a variety of sounds, stories, and interactive tasks, making it a great addition to playtime.

THE LITTLE ALCHEMISTS (HeidelBÄR)

"The Little Alchemists!" is a standalone, family-friendly adaptation of the complex expert-level game "The Alchemists." It gradually introduces children and families to the genre of deduction games—board games in which players use deduction, logical thinking, and often teamwork to solve puzzles or uncover a mystery and advance step by step through the game’s story. As alchemy apprentices, two to four players explore ingredients and brew potions. With the help of the app, ingredient combinations are scanned to reveal their mysterious effects. In addition, the app provides new game content and rules through accompanying audio explanations. The game deliberately starts out with a low barrier to entry and gradually increases in complexity; this allows children to first intuitively learn the basic game mechanics, such as combining ingredients, brewing potions, and interpreting results. A successful hybrid game.

MY MAGICAL DRAGON SKYE (Moose)

Small, cute, and fluffy. That’s what the friendly dragon Skye looks like. The goal of this electronic toy is to learn what Skye needs and collect diamonds. The digital display on the dragon’s belly helps with this. There, you can see what’s going on with Skye at any given moment. The diamonds are easy to collect and invite you to play.

EDUCATION

TINY BOOKSHOP (neoludic games)

“Tiny Bookshop” is a charming ode to books and reading that makes literature accessible in a playful and surprisingly original way. As the owner of a small bookstore, your task isn’t just to organize and grow your business, but also to get to know books, make appropriate recommendations, and understand your customers’ wishes. In this way, the game combines its well-crafted management elements with a curiosity about stories and literature. Warm, laid-back, and with great attention to detail, “Tiny Bookshop” shows that a game about books can do one thing above all else: inspire a love of reading.

AMY SURFWING (Aym Vision)

“Amy Surfwing – Kids Surf Smart” addresses situations that children encounter in their daily digital lives. The first season simulates a typical school day in a class chat, where players must actively make decisions and can switch perspectives. Through short, interactive chat stories and challenges, children learn to reflect on online situations on their own—without being lectured by parents or teachers. A classic educational app that promotes media literacy in a playful way.

UEBERSTORIES: STORY GAME APP – SEVEN-STAR MAGIC ACADEMY (Ueberreuter Verlag)

Welcome to the Siebenstern Magic Academy. One of the stories available in the “ueberstories” story game app. No matter which adventure they choose, kids decide for themselves how the story unfolds. An interactive reading adventure for children that combines reading and play and is supported by the Stiftung Lesen. At the Siebenstein Magic Academy, children take on the role of a sorcerer’s apprentice, find animal companions, and create their own magic wand. Through their own active participation, children are encouraged to read.

LUKAS AND LARA ON TOUR – AN EXTRAORDINARY WORLD TRIP FOR CHILDREN (lulatour)

In “Lukas and Lara on Tour,” children regularly receive personalized mail from two young world travelers who share stories about their adventures in different countries. The letters include cultural highlights, information, and small gifts. Sometimes the children learn Austrian terms; other times, they get to assemble a dinosaur from Argentina themselves. The extensive and diverse collection of materials provides various opportunities to explore the countries visited. At the same time, the program harnesses the joy of receiving real mail to motivate children to read. It’s an interestingly executed concept that combines reading promotion with geographical and cultural learning.

VR4KIDS TRAFFIC SAFETY (QM Interactive)

VR4Kids is a virtual reality project that aims to promote inclusion and participation for children and adolescents with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. German Sign Language is generally available and used in the individual VR worlds. There are various things to discover in the three areas of sports, training, and experiences. Training modules are available on the topics of road traffic, hospital stays, and ambulances—with modules on bullying and sign language to follow. The road traffic module is designed to let users experience and practice dealing with hazards. The VR environment allows users to turn in all directions, and informational texts appear when buttons are clicked.

THE MEDIA LICE FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS (OnlineCrew DBP – Digital Education and Preventionvention)

The Media Literacy Certificate is a comprehensive course designed to teach media literacy to children, equipping them with the fundamental skills needed to use digital media safely and thoughtfully. Key topics are covered in short learning modules. Through the course, children learn how to respond in challenging and difficult situations. Badges are awarded, and both teachers and parents are involved. It can be effectively used as a teaching method in the classroom setting.

READING DETECTOR (Sterntaler Educational Games/Martin M. Klöckener)

 “Reading Detector” convincingly demonstrates how digital reading instruction can be designed to be playful, personalized, and diagnostically sound all at once. The app combines a playful assessment of reading speed with exercises designed to improve reading skills and provides adaptive feedback based on each child’s individual performance. A particularly successful feature is that the diagnostic and instructional elements are woven into a charming story about the inventor rats, so they don’t come across as mere testing procedures. In this way, “Reading Detector” effectively combines diagnostic assessment, individualized support, and playful motivation.

NEWSMAKERS (SWR)

“Nachrichtenmacher” gives young people a fresh perspective by taking them behind the scenes of journalistic work: Through a simulated day in the newsroom, they make decisions, set priorities, and gain insights into the processes and challenges of news production. In this way, the fundamental principles of journalism are not only explained but also made tangible through a concrete scenario. The app stands out for its realistic approach to a topic of great social relevance. “Newsmakers” thus provides a vivid starting point for discussions about journalistic decisions, how news is created, and students’ own media consumption.

LearnClash (Pluxia GmbH)

In the digital quiz app LearnClash, players compete against each other or against AI opponents in turn-based trivia duels. What makes it special is the freedom to choose topics: In addition to predefined categories, players can create their own categories, and an AI generates questions on those topics upon request. The goal is to climb the rankings by answering questions correctly, fill in knowledge gaps, and build your own topic libraries. The app’s mechanics are intuitive and smooth. A built-in chatbot explains incorrect answers directly within the game. In solo mode, you can play without time pressure. The app points in a new, interesting direction and demonstrates what’s already possible with AI.

BOOOST PRO (Prof. Dr. Alfred Effenberg)

“Booost Pro,” a learning app for teaching writing through listening comprehension, stands out for its simple design and easy navigation. With its clear layout, children can choose how much they feel like practicing today. They can then select from different difficulty levels. The app plays back words and letters clearly and distinctly, and the input function correctly recognizes even imperfect handwriting. This results in few errors, making the app suitable even for children with hard-to-read handwriting.

EDUCATION AND YOUTH

CROSS-BORDER COMMUTERS – FROM THE GDR TO THE WEST (Gießen Emergency Reception Camp: A Place of Learning and Remembrance)

“Border Crossers – From the GDR to the West” approaches German-German history in a pleasantly unconventional way: sassy, punk-inspired, and without a museum-like moralizing tone. The game is particularly compelling when historical conditions are not merely recounted but can be experienced through play. The element of chance powerfully illustrates just how much escape attempts were shaped by uncertainty, external circumstances, and uncontrollable factors. “Border Crossers” offers an accessible, original, and thought-provoking perspective on the GDR, the FRG, and the division of Germany. Well-suited for use in schools.

THE BERLIN APARTMENT (Blue Backpack)

“Berlin Apartment” isn’t just impressive because of its truly stunning, pastel-hued visuals. It’s the stories of the individual residents, in particular, that quickly captivate players. The attention to detail and the small gameplay interludes provide enough variety during the narratives to keep boredom at bay. Also particularly noteworthy is the superb German voice acting combined with the music. This makes it easy even for younger players to follow the story without getting lost in reading subtitles. A nomination in the Youth Games Award category is fully justified, as the game exemplarily combines historical education with emotional storytelling and makes both accessible.

COUNTDOWN FREIBERG (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)

A mysterious crystal threatens Freiberg. In “Countdown Freiberg,” players become part of a research team and must figure out how to prevent the impending disaster. To do so, they explore the city, mines, and university facilities, gather resources, and develop a stabilizer. This Minecraft adventure combines familiar game mechanics with scientific questions and, through the three characters—Finn, Dr. Chen, and Rio—offers different approaches to problem-solving. In the process, players explore raw materials, building materials, and their practical applications. All in all, it’s a remarkable game that sparks curiosity about scientific questions and provides insights into the world of research.

FEATURE: RADICAL! (Studio Zweisiedlerkrebs)

“Characteristic: Radical” takes an unusual and bold approach to addressing right-wing extremism and radicalization. By combining role-playing with playful disinformation, the game not only describes the mechanisms of extremist rhetoric but also allows participants to experience and reflect on them from different perspectives. The guided session creates a safe space for addressing a socially relevant and sensitive topic. This digital educational resource stands out for its action-oriented approach and its potential to spark reflection and discussion. A game couldn’t be more timely.

DILEMMAx (QM Interactive)

“DilemmaX” is a game that includes three different interactive decision-making games. In a futuristic graphic novel world, teenagers are faced with controversial moral dilemmas. Players can choose from the scenarios “Pet App,” “Student Exchange,” and “AI Friendship.” In each scenario, players can influence the plot through their choices, but ultimately, each scenario culminates in a dilemma that requires personal reflection. A brief description of the consequences of each decision is provided. The three scenarios are accompanied by cool animations that are fun to click through. The game’s website offers further explanations of the game’s content as well as accompanying educational materials (available as a PDF download), which allow players to contextualize the experience beyond the game itself.

PROMPTABLES – THE AI DUEL (SWR)

“Promptables – The AI Duel” is a turn-based fighting game that lets you experiment with AI. The abilities of small, imaginative combat creatures can be creatively modified using prompts. The AI tests the created abilities for plausibility. In the duel between the combat characters, the AI decides which ability prevails. Afterward, you evaluate the AI’s decision, its language, and the context. Through play, you explore the influence of AI and learn that AIs can make mistakes or make decisions that are incomprehensible to humans. The game’s fun factor is quite high thanks to its creative potential. This is further enhanced by the ability to meet up with friends for private duels.

DESIGN IN LINE (Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum)

What do a chair, a camera, and a poster have in common? In “Design in Line,” players explore the collections of the Neue Sammlung alongside the little mascot Smik, learning about various aspects of design along the way. To do this, they must figure out what characteristic connects the three exhibited objects and add a fourth object that fits the series. Sometimes clues help; other times, they need to look closely. In this way, players engage with shapes, colors, materials, and functions and develop an eye for common design elements. As a reward, they unlock a gallery with over 200 exhibits, where they can revisit the objects they’ve already discovered. An entertaining game that raises awareness of design in everyday life in a simple and accessible way.

FLASH BOSS (Odiin Developments)

"Flash Boss" wraps language learning in a surprisingly entertaining role-playing setting and combines classic learning content with dungeon-style visuals, game-like progression, and humorous elements. Whether it’s English, Spanish, or Latin, exercises and language challenges become part of the user’s own adventure, creating a motivating framework for learning. While “Flash Boss” does require its players to be willing to read quite a bit, it is precisely this unusual combination of language training and role-playing that sets the app apart from traditional learning tools and shows that even vocabulary and grammar can definitely be part of an adventure.

TRANSGENDEER (Linduva Consulting)

An enlightening game against transphobia. Are players unaware of the major challenges trans people face every day? This game aims to illustrate exactly that in a way appropriate for its target audience. Passive-aggressive characters cross our path in a beautifully designed city. It’s good that you can always get a hug. Through the quiz questions included in the game, we learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community. A very difficult topic has been successfully adapted into a serious game.

ESCAPE THE CRISIS – SAVE THE PLANET! (QM Interactive)

A game for anyone interested in environmental issues who wants to expand their knowledge in a fun way. The character E. I. O. N. (“Extraterrestrial Intelligence for Our Nature”) introduces the game and explains the mission: to restore the planet’s balance. This balance is based on the four elements—air, water, earth, and fire—which form the basis for the game’s various levels. This is followed by challenges centered on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In the first level, “Air,” topics such as healthy eating, consumption, carbon footprint, and sustainability are addressed, and players reflect on these issues based on their own personal lifestyle choices.

BEST FAMILY GAME FOR DAYCARE CENTERS

Palinoo (LoomAi)

Here’s what media educators say: Children love having stories read to them. The question is whether this also applies to stories generated by artificial intelligence. Parents and children can test this out with “Palinoo.” An AI voice asks the children what the story should be like, which characters should appear, where it takes place, and perhaps even how it should end. It only takes a moment, and the voice begins to tell the story. But you can also have existing stories told, such as bedtime stories. When parents want to draw their children away from screens for a bit, stories can spark their interest. And this can happen while playing, when they’re bored, or during a car ride. Listening is a good complement to the many screen-based media that children also enjoy using.

SANDBOX CITY (Hey there!)

Here’s what media educators say: Driving trucks virtually must be mastered well in this app. The tasks involve loading trucks with construction materials and transporting them to construction sites. This requires children not only to have a good grasp of navigation and the virtual controls of the trucks, but also to think about where the trucks need to be taken. This can be achieved either by driving along the roads and searching for the construction site or by hopping into a helicopter and flying over the area to get a good look at everything. Then, houses are built at various locations on the site. So the trucks must be loaded and driven there. This app requires children to develop a sense of space—the terrain—and to estimate the correct amounts of building materials needed to construct the houses. It’s a very complex app, but the many activities—loading and unloading trucks as well as driving them—encourage active engagement.

Xenegugeli – ABC German (Roland Zoss / Xenegu)

Here’s what media educators say: In this app, children learn the alphabet using animals. It starts with the eagle, then the bear, all the way to the zebra. But what about X and Y? The X stands for the game’s character, the Xenegugeli. And the Y stands for Yeti. For each character, there are beautifully illustrated pictures, and the letter is pronounced aloud. The children’s task is to trace the corresponding uppercase and lowercase letters with their finger. If they do it correctly, the next animal or letter appears. If the stroke isn’t quite accurate, it turns red and must be repeated. This helps children learn to write the alphabet. The game is also good preparation for this.

FUN PLAY AND LEARNING WITH MAJA AND WILLI (Edurino)

Here’s what media educators say: Maya the Bee and Willi are well-known characters from television and film among children—and certainly among many adults as well. They now also appear as Edurino characters that children love. The characters’ purpose is to help children develop an understanding of numbers and take their first steps in learning to write. This is achieved through simple games in which children have to count objects and trace letters. All of this leads to playful learning that children enjoy. The familiar characters help children identify with the world of learning and make learning more interesting because it is designed to be playful and hands-on. Once again, Edurino has succeeded in using its characters to expand the educational context in early childhood education without making everything seem too pedagogical or didactic. In this way, learning and playing can motivate children at the same time.

CATCH HUBI (Ravensburger)

Here’s what the media educators say: In this game, the kids first have to set up the playing field—which is fun in itself. It’s a haunted house with 16 rooms. Some of these rooms are connected by doors. But these aren’t ordinary doors—they’re doors that either rabbits and mice can pass through, or only rabbits, or only mice. Hubi, a ghost, is hidden in one of the rooms. Using two rabbit and two mouse pieces, the goal is to catch Hubi in his room. To help, there’s a magic compass that shows which way to go. But it’s not that easy, since not every room has the right door. The first round is all about finding the room where Hubi is hiding. Once one character has found the room, the other character must reach it. Then Hubi is caught. The somewhat complex rules require players to think carefully about how they explore the rooms. Coordinating with each other can also help. The game promotes logical thinking and communication skills in children.