ChiTAG - Events home

Event Information

"I most enjoyed meeting companies and people that invented my favorite childhood games." - Heather from Cicero, IL

Events for All Ages

(Kids, Adults, and Professionals further down page)

Preview & Play! Interactive Toys & Games

Toy and Game Inventors are coming from all over the world to ChiTAG expressly to meet and play with you. We have board games, building blocks, remote controls, ride-on vehicles, dolls and plush, and life-size games where you can be a game piece on a giant game board. At ChiTAG you can discover and playtest new toys and games from up and coming inventors. Help choose what the next hot toy will be for the holidays!

Holiday Shopping

Bring your shopping list to do some early shopping before Thanksgiving. 90% of the toy and game Inventors and other Exhibitors will be selling directly from their booth. Most exhibitors will take credit as well as cash. ATM's available at Navy Pier. Shopping bags will be distributed at the Fair entrance.

Holiday Toy Drive for the YMCA of Metro Chicago and Kidz Korna
Get into the Holiday Spirit and purchase a toy/game for some deserving kids! Our Inventors and Exhibitors have gift ideas in all different price ranges. Purchase an item and drop it off at the Toy Donation Booth near the entrance of the Fair. The YMCA of Metro Chicago and Kidz Korna will distribute the gifts to the kids that they serve.

Inventor Signings
Come meet the famed inventors of our favorite classics like - The Game of Life, Jenga, and Operation - and get their autographs! As well as get to know toy/game entrepreneurs as they debut their products to the public - for the first time right there at ChiTAG!

Stage Musicals and Theatrical Performances
Visit the ChiTAG stage to catch some great performances from local and international children's dance troops, theater groups, and one-man acts.

Star Wars Character Breakfast (Saturday from 9 - 10am)
Meet and eat with the legendary Star Wars™ 501st Legion: Vader's Fist. Gifts from Hasbro and Top Trumps! Registration opens in September.

The Young Inventor Challenge (Saturday from 10 - 4pm)

The Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) brings together imagination, play and inventive thinking with their sixth annual Young Inventor Challenge. Kids ages 6 to 18 have invented their own toy or game and are exhibiting at the Fair to get your feedback and your votes. Help make a child's dream come true. Come vote for your favorite kid's toy or game invention and help them win a fabulous prize package that is the envy of the adult professional inventors. Click Here for more details.

Events for Kids

Special Preview Hour for Girl and Boy Scouts (Sunday from 9-10am)
Scouts and their families are invited to ChiTAG on Sunday at 9:00am for a special preview of the Fair before it opens at 10am. No registration needed. Scouts in uniform receive free admission to the Fair. Families can buy tickets on-site.

Radio Disney Party Patrol
Have fun with Radio Disney on the ChiTAG stage!

3rd Annual Top Trumps Tournament
Award winning Top Trumps returns to ChiTAG to sponsor their card game tournament for kids ages 6 to 14. Top Trumps is an educational card game that takes favorite topics and themes and turns them into hours of fun. More details to come.

Playing Nicely Together With Others - Everyone has Fun! Workshop
The Polite and Powerful Children's Foundation (PPCF) is excited to offer this educational workshop designed for the whole family. Children will learn various polite expressions in different languages, e.g. "play nicely" "thank you" and "excuse me." Then they will play the PPCF basic table manners game, and the entire audience will be challenged to invent fun and polite games. More details to come.

Events for Adults

Settlers of Catan National Qualifier
Mayfair Games will be hosting a North American Catan Championship (NACC) qualifier at ChiTag. Registration will open in September. Settlers of Catan is an immensely popular game of building and trading, with millions of players worldwide, including numerous corporate executives. If you don't know how to play, you can ask for a demonstration in their booth!

Events for Professionals

Women in Toys Networking Event (Saturday from 8 - 10am)
This event is for all professionals in the toy and game industry. Come meet your peers, share ideas and learn from some of the most experienced people in the industry. Registration will open in September.

Games in Education - Play with Purpose Conference
Sharp-As-A-Tack is hosting our State of Illinois accredited program (CPDU credit awarded) to assist educators on the fine art of incorporating play in the classroom. The Games in Education conference is an inspiring day of workshops to help teachers develop their students' cognitive abilities and inject energy into the learning process through applying games as part of their curriculum. Free giveaways and a chance to win an iPad! Registration will open in September.