Get a Sneak Peek of the 2018 Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) That's This Weekend at Navy Pier! by Renee
30Seconds.com was excited to partner once again with the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) at our annual #30Seconds Twitter Party featuring ChiTAG Week! When ChiTAG is in the house, the fun factor ramps up even more! We talked about play with our influencers, learned about the hottest new toys, what you can expect at this year's ChiTAG and how to get your holiday shopping done early.
Meet and follow our chat co-hosts:
- Katy: @indywithkids
- Elisa: @elisatalk
- ChiTAG: @ChiTAGWeek
- Cheryl: @CJAllDressedUp
- Annie: @kidlist
Prizes from our amazing sponsors included:
- Brain Fart – one winner with PlayMonster Fun
- Table Top Shuffleboard – one winner with University Games
- Sculptapalooza – one winner with Educational Insights
- Yoee Baby – one winner with Yoee Baby
- Keva Junior – one winner with MindWare
- babu Stacker – one winner with Mindware Toys
- Greedy Granny – one winner with Goliath Games U.S. & Pressman Toy Corp
- Screen Time Yoyo Pack with Extra String – three winners with YoTricks
- I-Top Game – two winners with Goliath Games & Pressman Toy
- GraviTrax Starter Set – one winner with Ravensburger
- Sky Track Play 44-piece set – one winner with Magformers
- Home Alone Game – one winner with Big G Creative
- Stack Pack – one winner with Speed Stacks
- Sky Track Play 44-piece Set by Magformers
- Galactiquest by Pressman Toy (available in January 2019 at Target)
Follow all the brand sponsors on Twitter:
- Playmonster: @PlayMonsterFun
- University Games: @UniversityGames
- #Playfoam: @ed_insights
- Yoee Baby: @YoeeBaby
- Mindware Toys: @MindWareToys
- Goliath: @goliathgamesus
- Magformers: @MAGFORMERSLLC
- Target: @Target
- Pressman Toy: @pressmantoy
- Big G Creative: @biggcreativellc
- Princess Etch: @PrincessEtch
- Yoyo Tricks: @TheRealYoTricks
- Speed Stacks: @SpeedStacksInc
- Goliath: @goliathgamesus
- Ravensburger: @RavensburgerPC
- Spot Hero: @SpotHero
- Razor: @RazorWorldwide
- PopJam: @PopJam
Q: Can you please tell us a little more about the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG)?
We are so excited that this is the 16th year for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair! Have you ever been to ChiTAG? Thirty thousand people are expected to attend ChiTAG at Navy Pier on November 17 and 18. ChiTAG was started by Mary Couzin who thought the world should know the people behind the toys and games they love. ChiTAG is one of the only events in the world that connects toy and game inventors with consumers!
Mary recently talked about ChiTAG with Steve Grzanich on WGN Radio's The Opening Bell. Check it out! She had some great insight about how Toys R Us has affected the toy and game industry.
Last year, I loved the EPIC giant Soggy Doggy game! I mean, my KIDS loved it! :) #chitag #chitagweek #30seconds pic.twitter.com/uuLAdqv9R6
— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 8, 2018
Q: That’s amazing! We’re so excited to be part of it. What’s new at ChiTAG this year?
So much to share! New this year is a Beer Garden with grownup games! Adult games are a growing trend that ChiTAG celebrates! Have some sudsy pints with friends while playing Brain Fart by Play Monster. In this game, silence is deadly! You can also compete against your friends University Games table-top shuffleboard. Over 5 feet long, bring the fun of pub games home! Or take on expert Sculptapalooza, Ken Mcgraw, improv artist and comic from Upright Citizens Brigade. Check out their promo video! It’s hilarious!
From beer to babies? Also new this year at ChiTAG will be a Baby and Toddler PlaySpace. Did you know that playing with your baby from day one is not only possible, but beneficial? Toy inventor Jillian Lakritz believes babies are born to play and created the Yoee Baby! Parents will get to try it out. They’ll also get a chance to let their littles play with Mindware Toys Keva Junior and babu Stacker that gives a modern twist on toy blocks!
Beer Garden at #chitagweek sounds awesome! So does the brain fart game!
This is a fav of my beer drinking age friends and I found it at #chitag - #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/gc8fn6A6ka— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 8, 2018
Q: There are so many incredible games for the holidays. What are some of your favorite games?
My kids love Greedy Granny by Goliath Games! This year, at ChiTAG you can get a photo with her! Try and take her cookies! Guess who else is coming to ChiTAG? The foremost toy inventor himself – Santa Claus! Magformers LLC is creating a special toy workshop for the jolly old elf made of Magformers. Come get a photo!
That PIZZA on #navypier is epic! Tons of things to do near #Chitagweek #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/z7vhOSIahv
— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 8, 2018
Q: Tell us about the Young Inventor Challenge. We heard it is even more exciting this year!
This year’s Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) is bigger than ever! The grand prize winner takes home an all-expenses paid trip for four to Target headquarters in Minn. Last year’s big winner was 11-year-old Ellie Skalla of Chicago. Pressman Toy manufactured her game, Galactiquest, and you’ll find it Target in January 2019. Ellie told pro inventor Kim Vandenbrouke at The Game Aisle all about it. Check it out! Someone on this chat is going to win Galactiquest and be one of the first to have it in January! We can’t wait to see all the entries and who wins this year! The 2018 YIC is sponsored by Target, Pressman Toy, SpinMaster, Razor, Play Monster and LEGO.
Got a @YoeeBaby from a family friend who owns a toy store and it was one of my fav newborn items! My daughter loved it! #30Seconds #chitag
— Rachel A (@raaone1122) November 8, 2018
Q: So incredible! What else is happening at ChiTAG this year?
First off, Scouts get in FREE! So do grandparents, military, police and fire! ChiTAG does this as a way to honor your service. You’ll find tons of new toys and games that you may not have seen on the shelves yet, including Home Alone Game by Big G Creative LLC. It hits store shelves on November 4. Big G Creative are the people behind the popular Bob Ross official games. We love everything about Bob Ross! You can even watch a certified Bob Ross instructor at work and win the painting in booth 615.
Kids can also attend a workshop with Princess Etch and learn the art of Etch A Sketch! Take a spin on Razor Worldwide’s new DriftRider with 3D steering technology. You will definitely want to stop by one of their booths #411 and #507 as they will be raffling off all of the scooters that they are bringing to the event! Plus, design your own Automoblox from Play Monster and race your friends at booth 707! Check out their brand-new sets! Enjoy a show from WTTW Big Idea Traveling Lab on Saturday! This is their first year at ChiTAG. We are so excited for them to come!
I heard Santa Claus is making an appearance this time! Our kids got a kick out of the balloon Santa last year. #chitag #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/enzffHSRpL
— Kidlist • Annie (@kidlist) November 8, 2018
Q: We heard there’s a ton of new competition happening all weekend long at ChiTAG. Please tell us about it!
The Illinois state Yoyo Championship returns and will take place on Saturday sponsored by YoYoTricks.com. Plus, YoYoTricks.com is asking parents to take the Screen Time Challenge and learn 10 classic yoyo tricks with your kids. It’s not hard! Check out this video of the Fizz Yoyo in action! Then challenge your friends to a sport stacking battle courtesy of Speed Stacks You won’t believe how fast some of these kids can sport stack!
Take the ITop Challenge from Goliath Games! These new generation of tops actually keep track of the number of spins. The competition wraps up on Sunday with the Stratego National Championship sponsored by Play Monster and the North American Stratego Federation. Also on Sunday, take the GraviTrax Challenge by Ravensburger PC. Prizes awarded for building a track that keeps a marble running for the longest. One of the best parts about ChiTAG is that we created a special time for kids with special needs. Thanks to Playfoam and Neighborhood Parent's Network's Super Sensory Power Hour is happening again.
She is awesome! @PrincessEtch !#30seconds #chitagweekhttps://t.co/kSplrSFrgr
— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 8, 2018
Q: Phew, that’s a lot of fun! What are the final details (and any deals?) we need to know about this year’s ChiTAG?
Doors open 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (one hour early) for families with these kids so that they can enjoy the fair. Grab your tickets for ChiTAG here. You can also buy them at the door in case you decide to go last minute!
Special offer! Get 50% off when you use the code CHITAGPLAY.
While your there, be sure to enter all the giveaways with including Timeout Toy Box. Win a $100 Amazon gift card if you have the right key! More giveaways from Safari Ltd. and Goliath Games. Hop on to the Giveaway Throne! During the event be sure to follow @ChiTAGweek everywhere to see photos and share yours! Your kids can even follow along on @PopJam. Look for ChiTAG on the PopJam app. We’ll be hosting daily challenges and more!
A7: Grab your tickets for #ChiTAG here >> https://t.co/JJGmmDgo6O You can also buy them at the door in case you decide to go last minute! #30seconds
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 8, 2018
Q: Let’s talk about why play is so important for all ages! What are you doing in your daily life to #playeveryday?
A8: For me, play means getting outside! I love to walk with my family and get them to do yoga with me. Indoors, we also play games together and love watching movies! #30Seconds
— Elisa All Schmitz (@elisatalk) November 8, 2018
A8. Family game night. Its so important to play and enjoy your kids! @MindwareToys! #30Seconds #ChiTagWeek
— michelle weaver (@shellyw1978) November 8, 2018
A8. It is even for adults. I think it's important for family time, and it is all in minds on the game, and lots of laughter. We all need more of that! #30Seconds #ChiTAGWeek
— Wendy Meek (@wendykrafferty) November 8, 2018
A8 it is important to pay at all ages because it allows you time to interact and communicate with others. As good as technology has been to us it has also taken away the joy you get when you interact in person with others #30Seconds
— diva_lois (@DaQueen_MrsDIVA) November 8, 2018
A8: Play is important to healthy brain development!! #30seconds
— Anitha Kuppuswamy (@anikuppu) November 8, 2018
A8 We spend a lot of time playing together inside and outside with toys, games, materials, and our imaginations. #30Seconds
— Stacey Yeager (@AGYsmama) November 8, 2018
A8 we love to play basketball in the backyard and fun dance parties at night before bed #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/gTLs31f7dn
— Phylicia (@PhyliciaSP) November 8, 2018
A8. We play plenty of educational board and card games #30seconds
— Lovemymunchkins00 (@MinionMommy2Be) November 8, 2018
a8: we played family board games.. we have tons of it here at home. Yes every day and night when it was new.. right now, not everyday but still playing them. #30Seconds #ChiTAG2018 #ChiTAGWeek
— CaielFavStuff (@CaielFavStuff) November 8, 2018
A8 i still do game nights and when my kids and I are all together, one of them eventually goes into the game closet. Its good fun. Lotsa laffs #30seconds #chitag
— pat (@ppre732) November 8, 2018
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