Istanbul’s toy industry can be best characterized as innovation-driven. The city has organically set itself up as a home base for startups and young companies, which have ambitious goals to pioneer new approaches to play and learning. Istanbul’s toy makers are redefining fun and how education can fit in it for children of all ages. Toyi, one of the frontrunners in this movement, designs play experiences that inspire creativity and imagination in children. Their mission is to empower children to explore their imagination. Toyi offers play kits that allow children to transform everyday objects into toys. Using patent-pending silicone connectors, children can unleash their creativity by building anything they can imagine. Toyi holds accessibility in high regard as the company uses its profits to make its products accessible to disadvantaged children. Similarly, TwinScience aims to revolutionize the way kids perceive science through innovative educational kits. By partnering with B2B organizations that share their vision, TwinScience provides science kits to economically disadvantaged, refugee and visually impaired children, offering them the chance to discover the wonders of science. Through hands-on experimentation and exploration, TwinScience is nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. On the forefront of technology-driven learning is Toyji, a personalized smart toy platform designed for fun learning experiences. Toyji manufactures customizable, 3D-printable, and interactive smart toys, which engage children in educational games set in a fictional universe. Unlike traditional gaming devices, Toyji’s technology integrates seamlessly with families’ daily routines and preferences, providing a unique and immersive learning experience. Then there’s the SmartBlock, which revolutionizes building and programming robots with its user-friendly kit. SmartBlocks features a variety of sensors, actuators and accessories, which enable children to construct and customize their own robots effortlessly. With its patented design, SmartBlocks offer a hassle-free building experience, allowing users to snap blocks together without the need for adapters or cables.