Applications Open for Creative Factor Inventor Day at Toy Fair® 2026

September 5, 2025 | Have a game-changing idea or the next big thing in play? Toy inventors and designers are now invited to apply for a chance to pitch their ideas to top toy and youth entertainment professionals and manufacturing partners at Toy Fair® this February. The Creative Factor Inventor Day program is now accepting submissions through Friday, October 31.

The pitch event will be held Tuesday, February 17 at the Javits Center in New York City. To apply, an online form and a 90-second video to support the written application must be submitted by the October 31 deadline. If selected, applicants will be notified by December 8.

Past companies that inventors have pitched to include Basic Fun!, Crayola, Fat Brain Toys, Goliath Games, Hasbro, Jazwares, Melissa & Doug, Spin Master, and more. In some cases, those conversations have led to partnerships and licensing deals that brought new products to market.

“Supporting innovation is at the heart of Toy Fair. After all, every iconic toy started as someone’s idea, and we’re proud to nurture these big ideas from the next generation of inventors and creators,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global experiences at The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair. “Inventor Day gives emerging talent the chance to be seen, be heard, and potentially bring their innovations to life with the support of leading manufacturers and partners."

Questions about applications for Creative Factor Inventor Day may be directed to Emily Brown, The Toy Association’s global experiences manager of programs and communications.

Toy Fair® will take place February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City. Attendee registration will open in October. Visit ToyFairNY.com to learn more.