Candy, Ducks & Demon Hunters: 5 Trends We Saw at Toy Fair | Pamela Brill

How to describe this year’s Toy Fair? Electric. The show floor buzzed with an energy not felt since pre-pandemic times. Although we couldn’t turn a corner without running into K-Pop Demon Hunters or Disney’s Stitch, there were plenty of other playful trends afoot.

I Want Candy

Despite the healthy eating movement, there’s no denying kids their sweets. The latest toy designs allow them to curb their cravings with sugar-free creative alternatives. With Kinetic Sand Sweet Station from Spin Master, crafters can prepare, squish and slice pretend colorful confectioneries. Satisfying a sweet tooth is the focus for Vango Toys’ Gummy Grab, a fast-paced matching game that awards the player who collects the most pretend wiggly worms. One whiff of the KessCo Candy Bouncy Scented Ball (now supersized and available in lemon, blueberry, strawberry and grape) or the Candy Scented Swirl Hoop (bubble gum and cotton candy), and kids won’t need any coaxing to head outdoors.

Growth Potential

After a never-ending winter, hope for a springtime warm-up has generated a rush for toys that are anything but garden variety. Thames & Kosmos SolarFlower affirms the power of the sun, enabling kids to assemble their own floral arrangement with petals that spin. Mamas-in-the-making can nurture Luvibubs, Moose Toys’ first entry into the baby doll aisle. Simply plant the “seedling,” add water and watch what develops. Preschoolers can practice sustainable living as they cultivate pretend fruits and veggies inside the Blooming Greenhouse, part of the Build-a-Garden line from PlanToys.

It’s a Date

Advent calendars have become a seasonal staple, but designers are now celebrating all occasions with new giftable options. Relatable‘s Emotional Support Pals now have their own Birthday Countdown Calendar, complete with six plush party-ready collectibles. Fans of Schylling’s NeeDoh fidget toys are in for a Halloween treat with 13 squishy toys packaged in the Trick or Treat Calendar Countdown. Trendy teens can get their fix of fashionable finds with 24 collectible surprises inside the Juicy Couture Countdown Calendar from Make It Real.

Food Fight

An ever-changing menu of culinary delights have found their way into the toy aisle, and this year, there are plenty of choices fighting for shelf space. We can’t declare a winner in this category, but we noticed a few standout picks. Thanks to the growing popularity of pickleball, quirky cukes have been marinating in the toy space for quite some time. One company in particular, Pickle Everything Games, has gone all in, with themed card games, plush with personality and Jolly Ole Picklelaus, a fun take on a traditional Christmas ornament. On the softer side are butter-themed playthings, including Crazy Aaron’s Better Butter Buttercream Thinking Putty and the butter stick-shaped squishy Squeeezy line from Sunny Days Entertainment. Excitement for boba tea has bubbled over into board games (Boba Blast from Exploding Kittens), slime (SlimyGoop Boba Pop from Horizon Group USA) and beginner crafts (Sewing Kit with a boba-themed lacing card from Educational Insights).

Just Ducky

While last year’s cows are still out grazing, we have ceded the 2026 animal of the year crown over to the duck. Resembling the yellow rubber duckie variety, these sunshine-colored creatures are popping up in craft sets, infant/toddler developmental toys, games and fidget toys. Of note are DIY Chenille Cuties from Bright Stripes, an all-in-one kit containing fluffy materials and extra thick pipe cleaners to create a duck-themed bag charm; Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Cuddle ‘n Crawl Duck, which promotes tummy time and gross-motor skills; University Games’ laugh-out-loud Don’t Say Duck game; and Sugar Skwisheez Noods Pearly Ducks from Toysmith.