Sarai Bustamante (Mechanical Engineering) is at a Toy Fair at Javits center, in Manhattan New York.
Take a look at what she said!
There are over 720 exhibiting companies. This includes more than 170 new, first time and returning companies, showcasing thousands of products from 80 countries.
In the last two days I learned that entering the toy industry requires strong networking and persistence. From an engineering perspective, I observed that companies value hands-on problem solvers who can prototype, iterate, and design for manufacturability. Many products emphasized mechanical simplicity and user interaction that help in learning and experimentation, which aligns with current STEM trends. I also noticed the growing “kidult” market, showing that engineering design must balance durability, aesthetics, and long-term engagement. So overall, the toy industry is looking for engineers who can build, test, and solve real problems.
