Welcome to Creative Factor

Applications for Creative Factor Inventor Day 2026 are now open!
Apply by Friday, October 31, 2025.

Creative Factor Inventor Day is your chance to pitch an original toy or play concept directly to leading manufacturers and youth entertainment companies at Toy Fair 2026.

Apply to Inventor Day

Creative Factor Inventor Day

Your Concept. Your Chance. At Toy Fair® 2026, selected inventors will present their ideas to top toy and youth entertainment companies. In past years, participating manufacturers have included Hasbro, Spin Master, Jazwares, Crayola, and Melissa & Doug, and more.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. (Eastern)
  • Notifications Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025
  • Inventor Day at Toy Fair: Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Eastern)

To apply, submit an online form and a 90-second video demonstrating your product and how it works. All selected inventors must attend Toy Fair in person to pitch.

Submit Your Application

For inquiries or questions about inventor participation or exhibiting manufacturer involvement, contact Emily Brown.

Creative Factor


Stay Connected: Inventor Community Updates

Fill out our Industry Innovators Interest Form to join our inventor updates list and be among the first to hear about:

  • Inventor Day timelines and key dates
  • Networking events and meetups
  • Access to education and resources designed to help bring your ideas to market

Industry Innovators Interest Form

 
 

About the Creative Factor Program

Creative Factor is Toy Fair’s hub for inventors, designers, and creative professionals in the toy and play industry. The program offers an interactive and engaging blend of learning, pitching, and networking opportunities — from educational sessions and meetups to Inventor Day, where selected participants pitch their concepts to industry leaders.

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, Creative Factor provides a space to connect, gain insights, and explore resources to help bring your ideas to market.

Inventor Meetup

Toy Fair 2025 featured the Inventor Meetup, where inventors and creatives gathered to network, share ideas, and discuss the latest trends in the toy and play community. This event provided a space for new and experienced inventors alike to make connections, talk shop, and learn about what’s new in the market.

Stay tuned for updates on Inventor and Creative Factor opportunities for Toy Fair 2026.

Education

Explore Toy Fair University's tailored panel discussions, demonstrations, and experiences for inventors, designers, and the broader creative community.

Creative Factor

Inventor & Designer Guide

Read the Toy Inventor & Designer Guide. This free pamphlet is packed with information outlining every aspect of the creation process from idea to finished product. Jumpstart your career today.

For additional information and resources, visit ToyAssociation.org.

Dr. Lisa

Success Story: From Inventor Day to Licensing Deal

Travis Schattle, an inventor who participated in a previous Creative Factor Inventor Day held at Toy Fair last September, recently finalized a licensing agreement with Crayola for his Spiral Tops product.

entertainment on the show floor

“Creative Factor Inventor Day was an unbelievable opportunity for me to showcase my toy, introduce myself to manufacturers, and have in-depth conversations about my product and lay the path forward toward a licensing deal,” Schattle said. “I cannot thank [The Toy Association team] enough for helping turn my long-shot dream of licensing my toy into a reality, and for such an incredible first experience in the toy world at Toy Fair, where I also got to walk the floor, meet industry leaders, see amazing new toys, and network with other designers.”



Fill out the Industry Innovators Interest Form for updates on Inventor and Creative Factor opportunities for Toy Fair 2026.