200+ media, influencers and kids gather to play with this season’s hottest toys
TORONTO, ON, October 20, 2026 – The Let’s Play Holiday Media Showcase, Canada’s premier event connecting leading toy brands with the country’s most influential media and social content creators, takes place today.
Hosted by Swerve Strategic Marketing, the exclusive event will welcome more than 200 media representatives and influencers for a first look at some of the season’s most exciting toys and games from many of the world’s leading toy manufacturers. Let’s Play happily welcomes the children of registered media and influencers today, October 20, between 3 and 7 PM at The Symes in Toronto.
“We are thrilled to kick off the holiday season with our annual showcase again this year,” says Andrew Wagar, President and CEO, Swerve Strategic. “Let’s Play provides media and influencers with endless inspiration for their upcoming gift guides and helps generate buzz for the brands involved in the event during their most important season. It also provides toy brands an opportunity to present their products in person to the most influential media in the country, all in one place at one time.”
Canada’s Top Holiday Toy Picks for 2026
The team behind the Let’s Play Holiday Showcase has selected the following products as Canada’s Top Holiday Toy Picks for 2026, listed in alphabetical order with their suggested Canadian retail prices.
- Blooms by Play-Doh, Hasbro | Ages 8+ | $49.99 | Walmart, Amazon.ca
- Disney’s The Elf on the Shelf Special Edition Claus Couture Collection, The Lumistella Company | Ages 3+ | $29.99 | Indigo, Walmart, Amazon
- Gabby’s Dollhouse Gabby’s Meow-mazing Dollhouse, Spin Master | Ages 3+ | $89.99 | Walmart, Amazon, Canadian Tire
- LeapFrog® LeapMove™, LeapFrog | Ages 4–7 | $79.99 | Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Staples, London Drugs
- Little Tikes Ice Cream Scoot ’n Serve, MGA Entertainment | Ages 2+ | $79.99 | Walmart, Amazon
- Manimo Sleepies by FDMT, FDMT | Ages 3+ | $49.95 | FDMT.ca and select retailers across Canada
- NHL Hockey Arena, Playmobil | Ages 5+ | $109.99 | Playmobil.ca, independent and mass retailers
- SpyX Spy Gear, Imports Dragon | Ages 6+ | $49.99 | Mastermind Toys
- The Next Step: Cheer on CBC Gem, Boatrocker | Season 1 | Available to stream on CBC Gem
- Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max, Just Play | Ages 18 months–3 years | $59.97 | Walmart, Canadian Tire
- Toniebox 2, tonies | Ages 1+ | $199.99 | Tonies.ca
- VTech® Count On Me Self-Checkout, VTech | Ages 3–6 | $44.99 | Walmart, Amazon, Canadian Tire, Staples
- VTech® Kidi Star™ Rockstar Guitar™, VTech | Ages 5+ | $59.99 | Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Indigo
Toys for the North
This year, Swerve has once again partnered with the Canadian Toy Association’s charitable program, Toys for the North. Toys featured at the Let’s Play Holiday Showcase will be boxed up and flown to surprise children in Canada’s most remote northern communities. Toys for the North is a partnership between the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals and the RCMP.
About Swerve Strategic Marketing
Swerve Strategic Marketing is an integrated marketing agency for toy, baby and family brands in the United States and Canada. Public relations, influencer and affiliate marketing, digital marketing and events run as one program, so a launch, its press and its creators pull in the same direction. Founded in 2010 by Andrew Wagar, Swerve is based in Burlington, Ontario, in the Greater Toronto Area. Learn more at swervestrategic.com.
Media contact
Swerve Strategic Marketing
Email: connect@swervestrategic.com
Phone: 416-593-5628
