The China toys market reached USD 24.76 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 51.69 billion by 2034 — an 8.26% CAGR. Educational toys are growing faster: USD 9.94 billion in 2025 to USD 25.72 billion by 2034 at an 11.14% CAGR, driven by the Ministry of Education’s 2017 STEM curriculum integration and rising per-child spending. Guangdong Province accounts for approximately 21.6% of China’s national toy production (source: iMARC Group).
This guide maps the six toy sub-categories at CBME China 2026, explains three sourcing trends reshaping buyer relationships with Chinese manufacturers, and gives buyers a practical checklist for evaluating toy suppliers on the show floor.
CBME China 2026 at a Glance
- Date: July 15–17, 2026
- Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai
- Scale: 4,500+ brands | 3,200+ exhibitors | 100,000+ trade buyers | 300,000 m²
- Toys category share: 10.7% of exhibitor space
- Concurrent events: CBME Toy & Education Expo | Licensing Expo China (LEC) | CBME Children’s Wear Expo | CBME Food & Health Expo | CBME Supply Chain Expo
- Admission: RMB 100, waived with pre-registration
- Registration: Register online at CBME China official site
Why Toys and Educational Products Are a Key Sourcing Category at CBME China 2026
The China toys market reached USD 24.76 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 51.69 billion by 2034 — an 8.26% CAGR. Educational toys are growing faster: USD 9.94 billion in 2025 to USD 25.72 billion by 2034 at an 11.14% CAGR, driven by the Ministry of Education’s 2017 STEM curriculum integration and rising per-child spending (source: iMARC Group).
Guangdong Province accounts for approximately 21.6% of China’s national toy production — Shantou for plastic and mechanical toys, Dongguan for electronic and tech-integrated products, Wenzhou in Zhejiang for preschool and sensory toys (source: iMARC Group). The CBME Toy & Education Expo concentrates all four sub-segments — toys, study tables, stationery, and education products — in one building.
CBME China has held 25 editions since 2001 under Informa Markets, with a visitor programme targeting Brand Owner, Import and Export Trade, and Licensor profiles (source: CBME China official site). The CBME Toy & Education Expo is explicitly named in the official 2026 hall layout — making it a verified sourcing destination for international buyers.
For a broader view of baby and children’s product categories available at CBME China 2026, explore our comprehensive guide to baby food and infant nutrition suppliers in China, which provides detailed coverage of complementary product categories. You can also discover the latest trends in Toy and educational product manufacturers in China for the complete sourcing framework.
Related: Children’s Shoes and Kidswear Trends in China 2026 (Day 23) and Smart Parenting Tech in China: Baby Monitors, Smart Toys and Connected Nursery (Day 25) provide parallel category coverage to pair with this guide.
Sub-Category Map: What Toy Buyers Will Find at NECC Shanghai
The toy and educational product landscape at CBME China 2026 splits into six sub-categories:
- Plush and stuffed toys — MOQs 500–3,000 pieces per style (Yangzhou, Yiwu)
- STEM and educational toys — coding robots, science kits, adaptive learning platforms; MOQs 1,000+ (Dongguan)
- Wooden toys — puzzles, building blocks, early learning sets; MOQs 500–2,000 pieces
- Ride-on toys — balance bikes, battery-powered vehicles for young children
- Puzzles and games — board games, card games, logic and strategy games
- Action figures and collectibles — licensed and original design character figures
Trend 1: STEM / STEAM Educational Toys
In 2017, China’s Ministry of Education integrated STEM into the primary school curriculum, creating sustained institutional demand for educational robots, coding kits, construction sets, and adaptive learning tools — and the market is growing at an 11.14% CAGR through 2034 (source: iMARC Group).
For international buyers, this creates two sourcing opportunities. Cost-competitive STEM kit production is available from factories in Dongguan and Shenzhen with supply chains for electronics, moulding, and assembly supporting large-volume orders. Several manufacturers also offer ODM capability — original design development for STEM products — enabling buyers to commission proprietary educational toy lines without managing separate design partners.
At CBME China 2026: Ask STEM exhibitors about EN71 and ASTM F963 compliance documentation. Factories with ODM capability will have portfolio examples of proprietary STEM product lines they have developed for other buyers — request these as evidence of design capability.
Our OEM/ODM guide for baby and children’s products in China covers the full OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturing models in more detail, including how to structure your first engagement with a Chinese factory.
Trend 2: Licensed and Character-Driven Toys (IP-Licensed Frame)
Licensed toys are among the fastest-growing segments in Chinese export manufacturing. Chinese factories typically operate under direct licensing agreements with IP holders, sub-licensing through authorized agents, or production for the domestic market under local IP arrangements.
For buyers, the critical question is documentation — not the product. A factory displaying character-driven designs should provide the licensing chain: the agreement authorising production for specific IP holders in specific target markets.
At CBME China 2026: Licensing Expo China (LEC) brings together IP holders, licensing agents, and manufacturers simultaneously — making it possible to verify the licensing chain during the show rather than after. This due diligence opportunity is not available at most other China toy sourcing channels.
Verification rule: Request the certificate, record the number and issuing body, and verify independently against the issuing body’s public registry. Do not accept verbal assurance.
For comprehensive AI-driven insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping the maternal and baby industry, including smart toys and connected nursery products, visit our guide on AI technology in the maternal and baby industry.
Related: Top 10 plush toy brands rankings and trends for additional context on the licensed plush category, and our private label guide for retailers for structuring OEM arrangements for licensed toy lines.
Trend 3: Plush Toys, Emotional Companions, and Sustainable Materials
Plush and stuffed toys blend manufacturing simplicity with emotional value — creating margins that commodity plastic toys struggle to match. China’s plush manufacturers are concentrated in Yangzhou (Jiangsu) and Yiwu (Zhejiang), with established export supply chains for Western retail. MOQs commonly range from 500 to 3,000 pieces per style.
Leading manufacturers also offer sustainable options: recycled stuffing, organic cotton plush fabrics, water-based dyes, and biodegradable packaging. Ask for GOTS, GRS, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 documentation if sustainability is part of your brief.
Toy Safety Standards Every International Buyer Must Know
The most significant near-term regulatory change is GB 6675-2025, the updated mandatory toy safety standard for the China domestic market, effective November 1, 2026. The 2025 edition introduces stricter chemical limits — formaldehyde, azo dyes, VOCs, and phthalates — and adds electromagnetic compatibility requirements for electronic toys, plus new requirements for food imitation toys, flying toys, yo-yo balls, and neck straps.
For export markets, three frameworks dominate buyer conversations:
- EN71 (EU) — mechanical, physical, flammability, chemical properties
- ASTM F963 (US) — Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
- ISO 8124 (International — broadly aligned with EN71)
- CCC certification — mandatory for electric toys, certain plastic and metal toys, dolls, and ride-on vehicles for the China domestic market
Verification rule: Request the certificate, record the number and issuing body, and verify independently against the issuing body’s public registry. Do not accept verbal assurance.
How to Discover Toy and Educational Product Manufacturers at CBME China 2026
CBME China offers several tools specifically designed to help buyers shortlist exhibitors before arriving in Shanghai.
Before the show
The monthly CBME China Product Spotlight (available on the official website) previews exhibiting manufacturers by category. Download the latest editions to build a shortlist of 10–15 booths.
The Hosted Buyer Programme connects qualified buyers with pre-scheduled 1-on-1 appointments with verified manufacturers — apply early. Register as a Manufacturing Buyer through the CBME registration portal. Admission is RMB 100 and waived with pre-registration (source: CBME China official site).
At the show
The CBME Toy & Education Expo is your primary hall. The Licensing Expo China (LEC) is adjacent — essential for any buyer working with licensed or character-driven toy lines. CBME China Industry Insights also covers toy and education sector trends throughout the year.
After the show
Buying decisions are rarely closed on the show floor. The standard follow-up workflow is: shortlist 5–8 suppliers during the three-day event, request samples within two weeks of returning, and move to bulk quotation for the top 3 within 30 days.
For additional category coverage, browse our children’s shoes and kidswear trends in China 2026 article, or explore smart parenting tech in China to understand how technology is reshaping the nursery and early learning product space.
Questions Buyers Should Bring to Toy and Educational Product Suppliers
Bring this checklist to every toy booth you visit:
- Do you offer OEM or ODM services for this product category?
- What is your minimum order quantity per style per colorway?
- What is your production lead time from sample approval to bulk delivery?
- Can you provide EN71, ASTM F963, or ISO 8124 test reports?
- Are your materials aligned with GB 6675-2025 (for China domestic market orders)?
- Do you have active licensing agreement documentation for the IP designs you are showing?
- What are your payment terms for first orders versus repeat orders?
Looking ahead to post-show follow-ups? Our comprehensive coverage of toy and educational product trends from CBME China 2026 will help you stay ahead of market shifts and emerging product categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical MOQ for toys and educational products from Chinese suppliers?
Minimum order quantities vary by product category. For plush and stuffed toys, many manufacturers accept 500–3,000 pieces per style. For educational and STEM toys, the range is typically 1,000+ pieces per style, driven by electronics and moulding complexity. Wooden toys start at 500–2,000 pieces, while standard plastic toys may be as low as 300–1,000 pieces. Many factories offer first-order MOQ flexibility — worth discussing directly at the show.
What safety certifications should I look for when sourcing toys from China?
The certifications depend on your target market. For the EU market, ask for EN71 test reports. For the US market, request ASTM F963 compliance documentation. For the China domestic market, verify compliance with GB 6675-2025 (effective November 1, 2026), which introduces stricter chemical limits and new requirements for electronic toys. CCC certification is mandatory for certain toy categories entering the China domestic market. Always verify certifications independently against the issuing body’s public registry.
Can Chinese manufacturers produce STEM and educational toys under OEM or ODM arrangements?
Yes — many Chinese toy manufacturers have moved beyond pure OEM into ODM (original design manufacturing) for STEM and educational products. Factories in Dongguan and Shenzhen have developed capabilities in electronics integration, programming, and curriculum-aligned product design. An ODM arrangement means the factory develops a proprietary STEM product line based on your brief — industrial design, electronics, packaging, and compliance documentation — without separate design partners.
How does Licensing Expo China (LEC) help toy buyers source licensed products?
Licensing Expo China (LEC) is an official concurrent event within CBME China 2026, covering character and entertainment IP, brand licensing, design rights, and art and illustration licensing. For toy buyers sourcing licensed or character-driven products, LEC provides a structured environment to verify IP documentation, licensing agreements, and brand authorization. The venue brings together IP holders, licensing agents, and manufacturers simultaneously — making it possible to confirm the licensing chain during the show rather than after.
Is GB 6675-2025 important for toy buyers sourcing from China?
GB 6675-2025 is critical if you are sourcing toys for the China domestic market. The updated standard takes effect November 1, 2026, introducing significantly stricter chemical limits — formaldehyde, azo dyes, VOCs, and phthalates — plus new requirements for electromagnetic compatibility in electronic toys, food imitation toys, flying toys, yo-yo balls, and neck straps. Ask manufacturers whether their testing protocols are aligned with GB 6675-2025 before placing orders.
What sub-categories of toys are available from China manufacturers at CBME China 2026?
CBME China 2026 covers the full toy and educational product spectrum through the CBME Toy & Education Expo: plush and stuffed toys (Yangzhou and Yiwu), STEM and educational toys (Dongguan electronics and coding robots), wooden toys and puzzles, ride-on toys, action figures and collectibles, and electronic and tech-integrated smart toys. Guangdong Province accounts for approximately 21.6% of China’s national toy production (source: iMARC Group), with Shantou for plastic and mechanical toys, Dongguan for electronic products, and Wenzhou for preschool and sensory toys.
Official Sources
- CBME China About — Event dates, venue, exhibition profile, 25 editions since 2001, concurrent events
- CBME China Why Visit — 4,500+ brands, 3,200+ exhibitors, 100,000+ trade buyers, 10.7% Toys category, admission details
- CBME China Product Spotlight — Monthly previews of exhibiting manufacturers
- CBME China Hosted Buyer Programme — 1-on-1 pre-scheduled appointments
- CBME China Industry Insights — Industry trend coverage
Publisher and Editorial Information
Published by CBME China Editorial Team, a division of Informa
Questions about this article? Contact the CBME China editorial team
Last reviewed: July 4, 2026 | First published: July 4, 2026 | Publisher: CBME China, a division of Informa
Ready to walk the CBME Toy & Education Expo and Licensing Expo China (LEC) at CBME China 2026?
Register to visit CBME China (July 15–17, NECC Shanghai) — admission is RMB 100 and waived with pre-registration. Download the monthly CBME China Product Spotlight before you arrive to shortlist toy and educational product manufacturers by category.
