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[1].
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 (a robotics education company), key exhibitors in the area will include:
· FunNest – AI plush toys;
· GHT (Guang He Tong) – 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 – especially those living alone. While AI smart toys can support intelligent interactions and emotional connections, trendy toys and collectibles also play a vital role in fulfilling these sentimental needs.
Exhibitors across three sectors embracing the latest trends
Following its successful debut in the 2025 edition, the Trendy Toys & Collectibles Zone will return with a robust exhibitor lineup and a fresh mix of trend-forward products. The updated list also includes: 52TOYS, CHOUCHOU, DDED (brand: Cat Gods), Dongguan Sure Fun Cultural And Creative Co Ltd, DOTOY (brand: Breath of the wish), Fir Ventures Global Limited (brand: FUGGLER), Handspupu, HSWORKS (brand: UncleMermaid), metazoos Inc (brand: SLUNG), Nanjing Toi Toys Co Ltd (brand: TOi), Tony Electronic (brand: Ryan Animal Toys), Zhejiang Chuangzao Chaoliu Cultural Creativity Co Ltd, Zhongdong Toys and more.
The licensing sector is also benefitting from the same trend momentum. With a strengthened independent positioning this year, Licensing China will present a wide range of domestic and international IPs, including licensed products and licensing categories covering animation and character, brand, celebrity, sports, culture, art, and entertainment. Several publishing houses, such as the People’s Education Press, will make their first appearance at the fair, while other highlighted exhibitors include Legendary East Film & TV Consulting (Beijing) Co Ltd, Pierrot (Shanghai) Co Ltd, YUEWEN GOODS and more.
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 notable brands such as Allek (Tianjin) Tech, Hangzhou Bold Baby Products, Hebei Aierbeisi Childrens Toys, Hebei Little Jelly Children’s Toys, Ningbo Saint Wanbao Baby Products, Shantou Beicola Technology, Wenzhou Youbeichen Toys, Wenzhou Zhibishu Baby Products, Xingtai Qiyue Children's Toys, Zhejiang Jike Industry & Trade, Zhejiang Lebei Children’s Products, and Zhejiang Yooking Technology.
With the six halls (Halls 11 – 16) interconnected on the first floor, the three fairs are poised to offer enhanced access for buyers seeking cross-sector collaboration and a diverse range of products. Complemented by the ‘World of Play’ Summit, the Greater Bay Area Brand Licensing Industry Development Forum – Beyond IP: Synergising the GBA Ecosystem, the Smart Play Ecosystem · AI Ignites a New Era – 2026 AI Toy Trends Forum, and a range of fringe events, Toy & Hobby China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China will provide valuable opportunities to connect and explore the latest trends.
Toy & Hobby China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China are organised by the Guangdong Toy Association, Guangzhou Li Tong Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. For more information, please visit:
• Toy & Hobby China
• Baby & Stroller China
• Licensing China
[1] “AI toys are the 'top trending products for the New Year'! The market is booming in the hundred-billion-yuan range, and this toy city has successfully attracted contemporary young people”, February 2026, time-weekly.com, https://time-weekly.com/post/327560, (Retrieved: February 2026)
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Your contact:
Peggy Sou
Phone: +852 2230 9235
peggy.sou@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd
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Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,700* people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2025 were around € 766* million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.
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*Preliminary figures 2025
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