Toy Fair began in February 1903. The first event featured less than ten toy companies; with
model trains from
Lionel among the featured products. As the event expanded, more space was needed. As a result toy companies started occupying 200 Fifth Avenue, then known as the Fifth Avenue Building, in 1910. By 1925, the concentration of toy companies led to the building name changing to the
International Toy Center. The 117th annual Toy Fair, held February 22–25, 2020 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, attracted tens of thousands of play innovators (manufacturers, distributors, importers, sales agents, inventors, entrepreneurs, licensors, retail buyers) to preview toys and games across 445,817 net square feet of exhibit space. Nearly 1,000 members of the press attended to report on the top toy trends. Overall, approximately 100 countries were represented at the show. The 2021 Toy Fair was cancelled to the
COVID-19 pandemic. While the show planned to return in 2022, the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 for a second year in a row in January 2022, after multiple major exhibitors announced that they would not participate due to concerns over the
Omicron variant. The Toy Association CEO Steve Pasierb stated that they were obligated to "make the best decision in everyone's interest no matter how heartbreaking for so many and potentially damaging some business’ future prospects." The event returned in 2023, but it was held instead from September 30 to October 3 instead of the usual February schedule, while the 2025 event was held in March. The 2026 event returned to its February schedule. ==Venues==