Welcome to Creative Factor

Creative Factor is the platform where your inventive concepts meet industry professionals.
Apply Today

Toy Fair is where big ideas come to life, and through the Creative Factor program, selected inventors will have the chance to pitch their groundbreaking concepts to top industry professionals.

Whether you're an inventor, designer, artist, or play professional with a groundbreaking idea, the Creative Factor program is dedicated to offering you an interactive and engaging blend of learning, pitching, and networking opportunities, creating a pathway to shape the future of play.

Apply to Creative Factor Inventor Day! >>

Creative Factor

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.”

 
 

Pitch Your Innovation at Creative Factor Inventor Day

Creative Factor is returning to Toy Fair® 2025, held in New York City from March 1 to 4, with Inventor Day taking place on March 4.

At Creative Factor’s Inventor Day, selected innovators step into the spotlight, presenting their products, concepts, or ideas to top toy and youth entertainment professionals and manufacturing partners. Approved toy manufacturers – which in the past have included Basic Fun!, Crayola, Fat Brain Toys, Goliath Games, Hasbro, Jazwares, Melissa & Doug, Spin Master, and more – will be in attendance to hear these pitches and explore potential new products and playthings!

The application period is now open for toy inventors and designers looking for an opportunity to pitch their ideas at Toy Fair 2025. Don’t miss your chance and submit your application by Friday, November 1, 2024.

For inquiries or questions about inventor participation, contact Emily Brown. Exhibiting manufacturers interested in discovering the next new plaything can reach out to Jackie Retzer for details.

Application Details

Big Ideas—Big Opportunities. Apply Today!

Submit your innovative idea along with a brief video (no longer than 90 seconds) to support your application form. All submissions will be carefully reviewed by the Creative Factor advisory board.

If selected, you’ll pitch your product directly to toy and youth entertainment experts and manufacturers. Notifications for selected participants will be sent out by Monday, December 2, 2024.

We look forward to seeing your innovations and continuing to support the creativity that drives the future of play!

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