Chicago Toy and Game Fair

It’s back! The Chicago Toy & Game Fair, in its 11th year,  is slated to hit Navy Pier November 23 and 24th from 10am – 5pm and it’s sure to be as big a hit as it was last year!

I attended The Chicago Toy and Game Fair, affectionately known as ChiTAG,  last year with the ladybug and we had a blast! It’s literally an exhibit hall full of toys and reasons for adults and children to run around like it’s Christmastime for an ENTIRE WEEKEND! Trust me, it’s that good of a time, and if you think that there won’t be anything for grown ups to do, you’d be wrong. I went an entire day, by MYSELF because I wanted to check out toys ALONE.

For those of you that don’t know, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair is the largest public toy and game show in the nation. It will feature the holiday season’s newest offerings from some of the bestselling brands in the world, as well as critically acclaimed, award-winning games from independent retailers. This would be a FANTASTIC time to get a heads up before all your friends as to what toys and games will be HOT this season! Since it’s the weekend before Thanksgiving, you’ll have your shopping list ready nice and early!

One of the best things that we took away were the Bananagrams, which I now use in our homeschool activities, for letter recognition for the twizzlers and for sight words for the ladybug. They are awesome! The photo below shows the ladybug playing with some of them last year. I can’t wait to see what they come up with this year!

Here’s the schedule for Saturday, just in case you still need motivation

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Star Wars Character Lunch & Top Trumps Tournament Meet and eat with your favorites from Star Wars 501st Legion: Vader’s First. | Try your hand at a Stars Wars-themed rendition of the award-winning card game based on “War” for the chance to win a medal | Registration required. | Cost: $30 per child, $36 per adult | Tournament for children ages 6 to 14. http://www.chitagfair.com/events/501st.htm
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) Open to boys and girls ages 6 to 18; this showcase exhibits imaginative original toys or games from aspiring inventors. Prize packages are awarded to “Best in Show” in junior and senior categories, along with two runners-up and one “People’s Choice” recipient. | Registration required. | Rules & regulations listed on website. http://www.chitagfair.com/events/yic.htm
3 p.m.

Girl Scouts Rally To Attempt World Record
Make history and experience a lifelong Girl Scouts Memory. Come and play the Top Trumps Moshi Monsters deck to set the Guinness World Record for the “Most People Playing a Card Game at the Same Time in the Same City.” | Registration required for Girl Scouts.
http://register.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/ (code 88889)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Official Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest on ChiTAG Stage Perfect your technique with a dynamic performance competition featuring hands-on tips for all skill levels. The immensely entertaining contest is open to all ages with the longest standing yo-yo participant taking home the title of champion.

You can (and should) attend the fair this month, and I have a $2 off coupon for those of you who want to go!

BUT – I will be giving away FOUR family passes from now until the weekend before the fair. Are you ready?

If so, leave a comment below telling me why YOUR family NEEDS to go the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.