15 years of TicToys

From shared apartment kitchen table to sustainable toy factory

We never planned to become toy manufacturers. To be honest, we had quite a few ideas around our shared kitchen table in Chemnitz – some brilliant, some pretty far-fetched. But one idea stuck: that small, wooden ball-catching game that Tony had received as a gift from a Mexican in 2010. The simple dexterity game was transformed into a juggling game by the curved double handle – and that's how Ticayo was born! 

All our friends wanted one. The only problem was – you couldn't buy it anywhere. So we decided to simply make it ourselves. Not because we thought it would become a business. But because we were convinced: This is fun. This is good. This has to be shared with the world.

The Beginning: 1,000 Pieces and a Lot of Sawdust

An experienced woodturner from the Ore Mountains crafted 1,000 pieces for us. We knotted, packaged, and labeled them in the band's rehearsal room—friends helped, music played, and eventually, everything smelled of wood and adventure. 

Our first market stall: a hand-painted sign, a folding table, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. People played, laughed—and the spark ignited. Ticayo even received the "SpielGut" (Good Toy) seal of approval. What began as an experiment suddenly felt like a real idea.

Our conviction: There has to be another way. 

At the Nuremberg Toy Fair, we found ourselves surrounded by mountains of plastic – and realized how important our approach truly is. Sustainable. Encouraging movement. Fairly produced. Since then, this has been our guiding principle. 

The first Ticayo has grown into an entire product line: Tualoop, myFibo, myRoodi, das.Brett, Binabo – games that engage both body and mind. Each one shares the same core idea: toys that are good for you.

Craftsmanship, attitude, and a bit of courage 

With the das.Brett balance board, we landed a real hit and expanded our small woodworking shop. We experimented a lot, refined the design, discovered cork as a sustainable material, and ventured onto international stages – from the Tokyo Gift Show to the New York Toy Fair. 

Our own toy store in Leipzig also became a reality – a passion project that connected us directly with our customers. Of course, not everything was easy: We had to overcome crises, close stores, and start anew. But every time someone tries one of our games and laughs, we know: This is exactly why we do it.

News from the workshop: corkolores & more 

With the support of our community, we launched corkolores in 2023 – juggling balls and boules variations made entirely of natural cork, completely manufactured in Germany. A project that demonstrates what's possible when you stay true to your values ​​– and believe in yourself. 

And today? Today you can find us at Erich-Zeigner-Allee 64, with our workshop, shop, and factory outlet all under one roof. Sawdust in the air, ideas swirling in our heads – and still that feeling from back then, when we sat around the kitchen table in our shared apartment and thought: Let's make something that will last.

15 Years of TicToys – and the Game Continues 

A lot has changed since 2010. But our philosophy remains the same: Quality over quantity. Movement over screens. Heart over hype. We believe that sustainable, high-quality toys not only make children happy but also inspire adults. And we're certain: The future is here – and it's a sustainable one.