With less than one month to go, the stage is set for Toy & Hobby China, Baby & Stroller China, and Licensing China.
More leading brands are gathering in the new AI Smart Toy Area and the high-traffic Trendy Toys & Collectibles Zone, where exhibitors will showcase products and innovations shaping the future of play.
Adding to the extensive toy and baby assortments, Licensing China will present a broad portfolio of domestic and international IPs, with several publishing houses making their debut. The three fairs will be held in Shenzhen from 9 – 11 April 2026. Spanning Halls 11 to 16, the layout is designed to support efficient cross-sector sourcing.
2025 has been dubbed the ‘Year of AI Toys’ by Chinese manufacturers, reflecting a significant market shift. Online sales of AI toys in China soared to RMB 520 million (around USD 75 million) across major e-commerce platforms, marking an impressive year-on-year growth of 394.9% while sales volume surged 960.5%. In February 2026, AI toys also captured the spotlight as one of the top trending Chinese New Year items.
Held in Shenzhen, a major hub for toy manufacturing and high-tech products, Toy & Hobby China is set to introduce the AI Smart Toy Area this year, drawing on the city’s industrial strengths. Showcasing alongside YODO Robot, key exhibitors in the area will include:
- FunNest – AI plush toys;
- GHT (Guang He Tong) – AI companionship solutions;
- Luka Doctor – AI learning cameras, AI plush toys;
- Prism – Aitokii children’s AI companion robots;
- Shifeng – AI toys;
- WardChip – AI toys.
In the current era of emotional consumption, demand is increasingly driven by products that provide emotional value, companionship and personal expression, appealing to a wider demographic from children to adults and even seniors.
Exhibitors across three sectors embracing the latest trends
Following its successful debut in 2025, the Trendy Toys & Collectibles Zone returns with a robust lineup, including: 52TOYS, CHOUCHOU, DDED (Cat Gods), Dongguan Sure Fun Cultural And Creative Co Ltd, DOTOY (Breath of the wish), Fir Ventures Global Limited (FUGGLER), Handspupu, HSWORKS (UncleMermaid), metazoos Inc (SLUNG), Nanjing Toi Toys Co Ltd (TOi), Tony Electronic (Ryan Animal Toys), and more.
The licensing sector is also benefitting from the same trend momentum. Several publishing houses, such as the People’s Education Press, will make their first appearance, joining highlighted exhibitors like Legendary East Film & TV Consulting, Pierrot (Shanghai), and YUEWEN GOODS.
Featured IPs include:
- Alpine F1 Team;
- B.Duck;
- Boonie Bears;
- CATCH! TEENIEPING;
- FC Internazionale Milano;
- Godzilla X Kong: Supernova;
- MEIHOUWANG (Monkey King);
- MINIFORCE;
- My Little Pony;
- The King’s Avatar.
Meanwhile, Baby & Stroller China continues to attract a growing exhibitor base, including brands such as Allek Tech, Hangzhou Bold Baby Products, and Zhejiang Yooking Technology.
The three fairs will offer enhanced access for buyers seeking cross-sector collaboration, complemented by a range of fringe events including the ‘World of Play’ Summit, the Greater Bay Area Brand Licensing Industry Development Forum, and the AI Ignites a New Era – 2026 AI Toy Trends Forum.
