Everything You Need to Know About the 2019 Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) at Navy Pier by Elisa Schmitz, 30Seconds
30Seconds was excited to once again partner with the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) for for its annual #30Seconds Twitter Party featuring CHITAG Week! When CHITAG is in the house, the fun factor ramps up even more as we talk all things PLAY! Read on to learn more and how to get 50 percent off tickets!
Q: So excited to have you here tonight. Can you please tell us a little more about CHITAG?
We are so excited that this is the 17th year for CHITAG, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair! Have you ever been to ChiTAG? Over 30,000 people are expected to attend CHITAG at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24. CHITAG is North America’s largest toy and game fair open to the public and will feature more than 125 interactive exhibits, immersive events and activities for all ages.
Fairy God-Mother of toys :) #30seconds #chitag https://t.co/hE6GGiVFlU
— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 14, 2019
CHITAG was started by Mary Couzin, who thought the world should know the people behind the toys and games they love. Please follow @MaryCouzin! CHITAG Week is one of the only events in the world that connects toy and game inventors with consumers! It takes place annually the weekend before Thanksgiving, when families kick off the holiday shopping season by experiencing toys, games and entertainment properties first hand.
Thank you for creating this event. Smart idea connecting creators with their customers! #CHITAG #30Seconds #playmatters
— Anna Summitt (@Indyanna63) November 14, 2019
Q: That’s amazing! We’re so excited to be part of it. What’s new at CHITAG this year?
So much to share! This year, we’re taking the CHITAG Week experience to new heights, launching the World’s Largest Kid-Powered Rocket! It’ll officially blast-off to celebrate the kick-off of the Young Inventor Challenge on Saturday morning. Kids can help launch the rocket throughout the weekend. The rocket was created by toy inventors at Kite and Rocket to help inspire kids to be future toy inventors.
Oooh! I was wondering what the kid rocket thing was all about! #chitag #30Seconds https://t.co/LzQDu6Kocm
— Indy with Kids (@indywithkids) November 14, 2019
Also new this year is the Disney Frozen 2 Scavenger Hunt experience, Sven’s Frozen Adventure. We’re expecting Frozen frenzy! Additional new highlights this year include photo ops with the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and an adult-sized Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.
A2: Additional new highlights this year include photo opps with the @OscarMayer Weinermobile and an adult-sized #LittleTikes Cozy Coupe. #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/jMG3DpC4Xo
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
Families with little ones can again enjoy the CHITAG Baby and Toddler PlaySpace. Did you know that playing with your baby from Day One is not only possible but beneficial?
A2: Families with little ones can again enjoy the #CHITAG #Baby and #Toddler PlaySpace. Did you know that playing with your baby from Day One is not only possible but beneficial? #30seconds pic.twitter.com/hahobwtfZ3
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
Q: There are so many incredible games and toys for holiday gifting. What are some of your favorites that families can test out at CHITAG?
- SuperThings is a new collectible toy from Goliath Games. CHITAG attendees will get a sneak peek of the new toys and receive free blind bags before they hit store shelves.
- Fuzzikins is a fun new craft activity from Play Monster. CHITAG attendees can decorate one and take it home with them.
- Also from Goliath Games is the fun new game Gator Golf. Families can test their putting skills at the Gator Golf putting green.
Oh we love all things STEM! #CHITAG #30Seconds
— Wendy (@wendykrafferty) November 14, 2019
Q: Tell us about the Young Inventor Challenge. We heard it is even more exciting this year!
This year’s Young Inventor Challenge will be a blast! The World’s Largest Kid-Powered Rocket will officially launch the challenge this year! The judges and mentors for the Young Inventors Challenge comprise nearly 100 professionals who have volunteered their time to foster the next generation of inventors. The panel includes industry leaders from companies like Hasbro, Mattel, SpinMaster and Target.
Entrants will receive scores and feedback from seasoned product development, acquisition, innovation and marketing professionals. Prizes total $5,000 in scholarships plus the potential for a submitted idea to be developed in partnership with leading manufacturers. Winners will be announced, and prizes awarded at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the CHITAG Fair. We can’t wait to see all the entries and who wins this year! The 2019 YIC is sponsored by Spin Master, Goliath Games, Pressman, Play Monster and Target.
My son created his game for the Young Inventor's Challenge ALL by himself- it was based upon his loose teeth! #30seconds #CHITAG #playmatters pic.twitter.com/aZuPLlTEQC
— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) November 14, 2019
So wonderful. And inspiring for kids across the globe #30Seconds #CHITAG
— Jamie-May King (@JamieJamiemay) November 14, 2019
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.
A5: Kids can test out the fun new My Buddy Wheels by @YvolutionWorld. It’s the cutest balance bike we’ve ever seen! 🦄 #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/n5TVWvrgSt
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
A5: You’ll find tons of new toys and games that you may not have seen on the shelves yet, including Trapper Keeper Game by @biggcreativellc. #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/klyUMjdqut
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
I need this game! My Trapper Keeper was my favorite! I could play with my daughter! #CHITAG #30Seconds @ChiTAGWeek see if you can talk them into reproducing the old Trapper Keepers. All of us 80s kids would love to have them! 😉
— Wendy (@wendykrafferty) November 14, 2019
A5: @biggcreativellc are the people behind the popular @BobRossOfficial games. We love everything about #BobRoss! #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/fOUTRaQK0E
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
A5: Kids can also attend a workshop with @PrincessEtch and learn the #art of #EtchASketch! #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/imSxTQCnAd
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
A5: Enjoy a show from @WTTW @WTTWKids Big Idea Traveling Lab on Saturday! We are so excited for them to come! #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/VPF75JcG8Y
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
Q: We heard there will be lots of excitement at CHITAG around the upcoming blockbuster movies, Disney’s “Frozen 2” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Yes! Disney’s “Frozen 2” premieres next week and there will be loads of Frozen Frenzy CHITAG with the Frozen 2 Scavenger Hunt, thanks to sponsor JAKKS Pacific. Also, we’re expecting lots of little Elsa’s and Anna’s at CHITAG, because kids dressed up in Frozen costumes will get into CHITAG for free on Saturday.
My kids get so excited Disney movies! #30Seconds #CHITAG #playmatters
— Parent Palace (@ParentPalace) November 14, 2019
And Hasbro will be showcasing their new Star Wars toys including the D-O remote-control droid. It’s a new character in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” Speaking of Star Wars, fans can meet Star Wars characters from 501st Legion at CHITAG. Always the best photo ops!
Those are so cool! My son really wants one for Christmas this year -- and I can't lie... So do I! So fun, we love Star Wars!!! 😍😍😍 #CHITAG #30Seconds
— Lori Leal (@LoriLeal1) November 14, 2019
A6: And @Hasbro will be showcasing their new @StarWars toys including the D-O remote-control droid. It’s a new character in #StarWars: The Rise of Skywalker. #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/Fr0tklFaEe
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
A6: Speaking of @StarWars, fans can meet #StarWars characters from 501st Legion at #CHITAG. Always the best photo opps! #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/3fZzmxfG9k
— ChiTAG Week (@ChiTAGWeek) November 14, 2019
One of the best parts about CHITAG is that we created a special time for kids with special needs to experience the fair at the Super Sensory Power Hour, 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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 to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- 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 percent off each ticket when you use the promo code CHITAG50.
Wow!! What a fab deal #30seconds
— Minionmommy2be (@MinionMommy2Be) November 14, 2019
- During the event, be sure to follow @ChiTAGWeek across social media to see photos and share your own! You may even win a prize if you do!
Q: Let’s talk about why play is so important for all ages! What are you doing in your daily life to #playeveryday?
A8. We love doing crafts together! #30seconds pic.twitter.com/xfG08br7Xs
— Minionmommy2be (@MinionMommy2Be) November 14, 2019
#30seconds #chitag A8 family board games
— girlscoutcookies4ever! (@sonlight00) November 14, 2019
For me, play means family fun out & indoors! I love family game night, taking walks & even getting them to do yoga with me. We love watching movies & playing video games together! Mario Kart is always a blast! We can’t wait to see the new Frozen & Star Wars movies! #30Seconds
— Elisa All Schmitz (@elisatalk) November 14, 2019
A8 we have family game night at least once a month, but usually more often! I will be participating in an adult play day later this month! Card games, video games and board games are all important even for adults! #Chitag #30Seconds
— addiecatsmith (@addiecatsmith) November 14, 2019
A8 I take my kids to the park, the science center, nature center, aquarium, and story times all around town so we can get out and #PlayEveryDay. #30seconds #CHITAG
— Happiest Me (@marbb05) November 14, 2019
Here's are the prizes some of the chat participants won:
- Playdate Sven (JAKKS Pacific)
- Star Wars D-O Droid (Hasbro)
- My Buddy Wheels (Yvolution)
- Meltdown (PlayMonster)
- Weekend family pass to CHITAG
- Fuzzikins (PlayMonster)
- Gator Golf (Goliath)
- Frozen 2 Singing Elsa Doll (JAKKS Pacific)
- SuperThings Starter Pack (Goliath)
- Trapper Keeper Game (Big G Creative)
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