Of the estimated 7,000 new toys and games that make their debut at the TIA-sponsored American International Toy Fair (Toy Fair) held annually in New York each February, most are created by salaried professional designers and research and development specialists at the Toddler Bounce House For Sale more than 1,000 toy manufacturers based in the United States. New products also originate from toy design firms that sell their ideas to toy companies and from independent professional inventors who use their personal contacts to sell new ideas.
To gain a better idea of what is currently on the market (and whether the item you have invented – or something very similar to it – already exists), research the toy industry at the retail level.
Start by exploring the websites of both toy manufacturers and toy retail outlets. For a more in-depth, hands-on experience, visit as many toy retail outlets as possible (large toy chains and small, local toy stores; discount, variety, gift/novelty, card/stationery and department stores; as well other outlets including bookstores, museum gift shops, drug stores, supermarkets, juvenile furniture stores, sporting goods stores and home supply centers). In-store research may be most productive in the early fall when most new products have arrived at retail stores for the holiday shopping season.