For more than a decade, my family has packed up the car each November and headed to Chicago for one of our most anticipated weekends of the year, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. What started as a fun little road trip to see some toys before the holidays has become a full-blown family tradition. It’s the one time of year my kids get to explore, touch, test, and play with hundreds of the latest toys and games, meet the people who invented them, and build their holiday wish lists in the most hands-on, joy-filled way possible. For me, it’s also a sneak peek at what’s going to be under our Christmas tree, and which toys are actually worth the investment.
The 2025 Chicago Toy & Game Fair, also known as CHITAG, takes place November 8–9 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, thanks to the debut of People of Play’s first-ever Wishlist Weekend. Families are encouraged to make the most of this ultimate play experience and start their holiday shopping right there on-site. With more than 200 exhibitors, live entertainment, and endless opportunities to play, there’s no better way to jump-start the holiday season.
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When we walk through the convention center doors each year, my kids light up. It’s not like walking into a store; it’s like walking into a playground built just for them. Everywhere you look, there are bright displays, demo tables, and kids laughing as they try new things. At the 2025 event, the ribbon-cutting ceremony alone sets the tone for all the fun to come. Chicago mascots like Benny the Bull and Skates will join the excitement, along with the 501st Legion Star Wars characters, the Chicago JEDI, and the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. It’s pure spectacle and such a joyful way to kick off the weekend.
One of the best things about this fair is how interactive everything is. You don’t just look at toys in boxes, you play with them, build them, and experience them. My kids love getting their hands on the E-Blox XOIOX magnetic cubes, creating new designs, and testing their engineering skills. They race over to the Scouting America 40-foot Pinewood Derby racetrack to build their own cars and see how fast they can go. And who can resist the Pudgy Penguin claw machine or a chance to win a giant Jenga game? Every booth is designed for hands-on fun, and even after hours of exploring, my kids never want to leave.
One of the most heartwarming parts of the weekend is watching kids dream big at the Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship. Celebrating its 20th year in 2025, this event invites kids ages 6 to 18 to pitch their original toy and game ideas to major industry leaders, media, and the public. The creativity on display is incredible. You see young inventors presenting prototypes, taking questions, and sharing their stories with such confidence. My kids love sitting in the audience, imagining what kind of inventions they might come up with one day. The award ceremony takes place Saturday afternoon, and it’s one of those feel-good moments that make you realize how powerful play can be.
Of course, one of the biggest highlights for families this year will be the Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) finalists reveal, happening live at the fair. It’s so much fun to see which toys and games are crowned as the best of the year, especially when you can try them right there on the show floor. My kids take this part seriously — they’ll test every finalist, debate which one deserves the top spot, and add a few to their wishlists on the spot.
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The fair floor itself is packed with excitement and a who’s who of toy brands. You’ll find the hottest holiday toys and games from companies like Goliath, Just Play, LEGO, Plus-Plus, Scentco, Smart Toys & Games, TOMY, and Wigglitz, plus some of our favorite Chicago-based inventors like Gray Matters Games, Baby Paper, and E-Blox. There are also amazing photo ops and meet-and-greets. My kids are looking forward to meeting Crazy Aaron from Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty and Dan Klitsner, the inventor of Bop It. If you time it right, you might even snag a free Flip 7 card game from The Op!
This year, there’s also a Gabby’s Dollhouse activity zone hosted by the Girl Scouts, and special competitions like the Root Beer Float Challenge by A&W, plus the Duncan Yo-Yo and Sweets Kendama Championships that always draw a crowd. Everywhere you look, kids are cheering, trying new tricks, and soaking up the contagious energy of play.
Parents will appreciate the thoughtful touches, too. Families with children who have special needs can register for Super Power Sensory Hour, a quiet, low-stimulation experience that takes place from 9–10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday before the crowds arrive. It’s a wonderful option that makes the fair more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.
Tickets are easy to grab on Eventbrite; just $12 for adults and $6 for children, making it one of the most affordable family events of the season. With sponsors like Disney, Amazon, Mattel, Hasbro, Crazy Aaron’s, and Educational Insights, you know it’s a world-class event. The fair is designed to be as much fun for parents as it is for kids. I love watching my children explore new games, but I also love chatting with toy inventors and discovering what goes into creating the next big thing.
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The Chicago Toy & Game Fair has this magical way of pulling families together. There’s something about watching your child light up when they meet the creator of a game they love or when they finally master a trick toy that makes the long drive completely worth it. My family always stays the whole weekend because one day is never enough. We spend Saturday playing and shopping, then go out for dinner in Rosemont before coming back on Sunday to revisit favorite booths and catch the live competitions we missed. It’s like Disneyland for toy lovers, but with a Midwestern charm that feels personal and nostalgic.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips for making the most of your Wishlist Weekend. Bring a rolling bag or small suitcase; you’ll be surprised by how many goodies you collect and how many deals you get on toys from your children’s wish lists. Plan for breaks; there are food options on-site and plenty of space to rest between play sessions. Give your kids a set budget and let them decide what to spend it on. They’ll feel empowered, and you’ll avoid impulse buys. Most importantly, take photos! There are so many fun character meet-and-greets and colorful displays, it’s a great opportunity for family pictures you’ll actually want to frame.
I always tell other parents that this weekend is more than just a shopping trip, it’s an experience. It’s about spending quality time as a family, learning together, and sharing in the joy of play. My kids come home talking about their favorite toys, but what sticks with me are the moments in between, the laughter, the teamwork, and the genuine excitement that comes from discovering something new.
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The Chicago Toy & Game Fair is one of those events that grows with your family. When my kids were toddlers, they loved the soft play zones and colorful sensory activities. As they’ve gotten older, they’ve become mini-critics and inventors in their own right, testing games, analyzing design, and even coming up with their own ideas. I love seeing their creativity come alive in an environment that celebrates imagination.
If you’re looking for a memorable way to kick off the holiday season, make Wishist Weekend part of your family’s tradition. Whether you’re there to find the year’s hottest toys, cheer on young inventors, or simply spend a day playing together, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair offers something for everyone. You’ll leave with your arms full of goodies, your heart full of joy, and a head start on your holiday shopping, all while creating memories that last long after the toys have been unboxed.
So, load up the car, grab your wish lists, and head to Rosemont this November. The fair runs Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., the Toy of the Year Awards reveal at 11:30 a.m., and the Young Inventor Challenge awards at 2 p.m.), and Sunday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trust me — you’ll want to experience every minute of it. This is more than a weekend of toys and games; it’s a weekend of imagination, connection, and play, and there’s no better way to start the holiday season than that.
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