The finalists for The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards will be revealed in person at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) on Saturday, November 8. The announcement will take place during a live press conference at 11:30 a.m. (Central) on the CHITAG main stage, accompanied by a national press release.

Following the reveal, CHITAG attendees will be among the first to see and play with this year’s innovative and creative toy and game finalists across 16 categories of play in a dedicated TOTY Showcase and play area. Families will also be invited to cast their votes online at ToyAwards.org to help determine the People’s Choice Award, the only TOTY winner decided entirely by consumer votes.

“The Toy of the Year finalist reveal at CHITAG represents an exciting opportunity for kids, families, and play-lovers of all ages to join in on our industry’s excitement at the cusp of the holiday season,” said Greg Ahearn, president & CEO of The Toy Association™. “Unveiling the TOTY finalists in front kids, the very audience these toys are made for, is great reminder of the toy industry’s important role in every child’s life — to spark joy, imagination, and connection through play.”

The TOTY Awards celebrate the year’s most innovative and creative toys, games, and licenses while supporting The Toy Foundation’s mission to deliver the joy of play to children in need.

The winners in each category will be announced at the annual TOTY Awards gala, taking place February 13, 2026 as the official kickoff to the 120th annual Toy Fair®. The ceremony also honors the lifetime achievements of Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductees, and celebrates the industry’s shared vision to create a world where every child experiences the extraordinary benefits of play.

Click here to learn more about the TOTY Awards.