What Caught My Eye at the 2026 NYC Toy Fair: A Toddler Expert’s Perspective

Every February, the toy industry descends on New York City for the most exciting few days of the year — and I wouldn't miss it for the world. As a professional potty training consultant, I'm always scouting for more than just fun toys. I'm looking for products that support toddler development, promote healthy sensory experiences, and — bonus points — make great potty time lap activities or rewards for little ones navigating the big transition out of diapers. This year, I was honored to be invited back to the NYC Toy Fair, and once again, the show, and the city, did not disappoint.

Here are the vendors and products that had me taking notes and making a beeline back to their booths for a second look.

Learning Resources: Sensory Wins for Little Learners

Learning Resources is always a must-visit for me, and this year was no exception. Two products in particular stood out as total home runs for toddlers and potty learners alike.

First up: the Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles. These sealed, child-safe bottles each represent a different emotion. For example, happy is gold glitter, sad is a slow-motion lava lamp effect, angry is red (duh!), and scared is represented with green. Kids can shake, swirl, and rotate the bottles to help process their feelings. From a potty training standpoint, this is literal gold. Potty training is as much an emotional journey as it is a physical one. Toddlers often feel anxious, frustrated, proud, or excited during the process, and giving them a tangible tool to identify and name those feelings is incredibly powerful. These bottles work beautifully as a potty time lap activity, keeping little hands and minds engaged while they sit and wait.

The second standout was Playfoam Pluffle — the soft, fluffy, never-dries-out sensory bin filler that is truly mesmerizing to play with. It went viral on TikTok for a reason! Non-toxic, gluten-free, and nut-free, Pluffle squishes under pressure and then magically expands and moves when released. It actually looks alive! The tactile stimulation it provides is exactly the kind of calming, regulating sensory input that helps toddlers stay focused and relaxed — and a relaxed toddler is a toddler who can actually sit still long enough to release on the potty. I'm already imagining a small Pluffle sensory station next to the toilet as a potty time activity.

Yookidoo: Making Bath Time (and Water Play) a Sensory Celebration

Yookidoo has long been one of my favorite bath toy brands, and their booth at Toy Fair 2026reminded me exactly why (right after I accidentally squirted an innocent attendee with one of their fun demo stations!). Their award-winning line of bath toys transforms the tub into a hands-on sensory lab for little ones, and from a potty training perspective, bath time is prime time. Many of my clients find that bath time is when toddlers are most relaxed and receptive — making it a wonderful window for a low-pressure conversation about bodies, bathroom habits, and what it feels like to have the urge to go, normalizing the bathroom environment along the way.

Products like the Spin N' Sprinkle Water Lab and the Flow N Fill Spout bring cause-and-effect learning to the bathtub in the most delightful way, helping toddlers build focus, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities— all while having a blast. The sight and sound of running water can also gently remind toddlers of the connection between water and using the bathroom, which can be a helpful, natural prompt during potty training. Yookidoo's entire collection is mold-resistant, safe, and beautifully designed for small hands. A truly exceptional brand.

Plan Toys: Simple, Purposeful, and Perfect for Toddler Hands

I have always had a deep appreciation for Plan Toys, and seeing their collection at the fair renewed my admiration for what they do. Their chunky, sustainable wooden toys are designed with toddlers in mind from the ground up —smooth edges, satisfying weight, and pieces that are just the right size for little hands to grasp, stack, push, and sort.

What makes Plan Toys especially compelling in the context of potty training is the role that open-ended, calm play has in a child's readiness and regulation. Toddlers who have regular access to toys that encourage focused, independent play tend to be better at tolerating the waiting and stillness that potty training requires. A wooden sorting toy or a simple push-and-pull vehicle from Plan Toys placed in the bathroom or used as a potty activity can make a world of difference. Their toddler collection is full of options that are beautiful, durable, and free of plastic, dyes, and toxins —a huge plus for health-conscious families.

Fat Brain Toys: Plip Charms as the Ultimate Potty Training Reward

Fat Brain Toys is one of those brands that makes you feel like a kid again just walking past their booth, and their newest line of Plip Charms Bracelets had me absolutely buzzing with ideas. Each set includes a silicone bracelet, a ring, and eight poppable, swappable squishy charms. Like my daughter said – think Crocs Jibbets but for your wrist! Kids can customize their bracelet with different charms, and when you pop them out, they make the most satisfying “pop”. The charms encourage fine motor skills, self-expression, and creativity.

Now here's where my potty training brain kicked into high gear: Plip Charms could be the perfect reward system for potty training. Instead of a sticker chart (which works great for some kids but not all),imagine letting your toddler earn a new Plip charm every time they successfully use the potty. They get to choose which charm goes on the bracelet, they wear their accomplishments on their wrist, and the tactile, popping experience of adding a charm provides immediate sensory satisfaction. It's motivating, personal, and doubles as a sensory toy. I was immediately sold.

Aurora: Plush, Sensory Toys, and So Much More

Aurora had one of the most vibrant and varied booths at the fair, and I could have spent an hour there alone. As a potty training consultant, I'm always recommending soft, comforting plush toys as part of the bathroom environment — a familiar stuffed animal to act as a child’s “potty buddy” can provide enormous comfort to an anxious toddler so they feel like they have someone to go through the process with. Aurora's plush toys are pretty much THE softest and most beautifully made I've ever encountered (this is coming from a mom of a stuffy lover and collector), and their wide range of animals and characters means there's something for every child's personality. They’ve got everything from Snoopy to Peppa Pig to Dr. Suess characters and pretty much every animal you can think of.

Beyond plush, Aurora's sensory toy line was a revelation. Their Sugar Squeezies are squishy, tactile fidget toys designed for stress relief and sensory play, perfect for ages 3 and up.  Honestly, I wanted one for myself they were so satisfying. Squeezing a Sugar Squeezy during potty time would be a wonderfully calming, self-regulating activity that keeps hands busy and anxiety at bay. Similarly, the Suction Buddies — adorable figurines with suction cup feet that stick to any smooth surface — are perfect for the bathroom tile or the side of the tub, giving toddlers something fun and interactive to focus on while they sit. And their Rotating Maze Game is a compact, handheld activity that is ideal for lap time on the potty — it requires just enough focus to keep a toddler engaged without being overstimulating. Aurora really has thought of it all. Super impressed.

Final Thoughts

Walking the floor of the NYC Toy Fair never gets old, and this year I left more inspired than ever. The commonality I kept seeing across all of these incredible brands was a shared commitment to sensory-rich, developmentally appropriate, beautifully made toys that respect toddlers as the complex little humans they are. Whether it's a set of sensory bottles, a tub full of water play magic, a classic chunky wooden toy, a charm bracelet that makes potty time exciting, or a squishy sensory toy that soothes a nervous child — these are all tools that parents, caregivers, and yes, potty training consultants like myself can use to make one of childhood's biggest milestones feel a little more joyful.

I'll be sharing more finds and potty training tips on the blog soon. In the meantime, I'd love to hear — which of these products is your toddler already obsessed with? 

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