Play Time at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to this year's Chicago Toy & Game Fair. All thoughts, opinions, and fun times are our own. 

The Fandads are lucky to attend to many fun events throughout the year, but the one event that we always look forward to attending is the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. I mean, how can you not like going to an event where you can play with the toys and just be a kid again with your kids? Here is our recap of the event and some of the toys we played with at the event. 

Fandads and The Chicago Toy and Game Fair

The Fandads have been attending the Chicago Toy and Game Fair since 2012. Every year our children have a lot of fun playing with all of the cool toys that are available to play with. We always have fun seeing them enjoying themselves, and we have fun playing with the toys ourselves, too. Here is a quick rundown as to why you should attend the show and maybe there will be something for those of you that read until the end. Let's begin! 

Having an "ACE" of a time at ACE Comic Con....see what I did there?

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with passes to attend ACE Comic-Con. All thoughts, opinions, and tired feet are our own. 

I've been going to comic-cons in Chicago since the Chicago Comic-Con days at the Ramada Inn near O'Hare and I have seen a lot of cool things. I remember seeing most of the Image team unite for the first time. That was like seeing your favorite rock stars all in one room. I remember watching as the Chicago Comic-Con became Wizard World and going to the first C2E2 and just seeing the Chicago comic conventions get bigger and bigger. 

Blue Man Group Debuts New Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Package

Photo Courtesy of Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations 

Blue Man Group, continuing its open run at Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted), is thrilled to announce its fall performance schedule, along with the debut of a new ticket package in partnership with Navy Pier. Chicago guests can now take advantage of a special package to experience unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago from the city’s most iconic year-round attraction, the Centennial Wheel, in addition to Blue Man Group’s critically hailed production.

A lot to play with at this year's Chicago Toy & Game Fair!

Disclaimer: The Fandads were given free passes to attend the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and received a few items for review purposes. All thoughts, opinions and good times are our own. 

One of the events that my family is always excited about toward the end of the year is the Chicago Toy and Game Fair. This is a great time for my children to see what games are out in the stores for Christmas and what games we might enjoy for family game night. This year we found more than enough, but we will share our top three with you later on down the post.

Oh the Fun we Had at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.

(Disclaimer: The Fandads received complementary passes for these events. All thought, opinions and good times we had are out own.)

Last year the Fandads were invited to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and here is our recap of the fun we had there.

Chicago Toy and Game week is one of our favorite times of the year and we have written about it numerous times. I mean, how many times can you go to an event and play with all of the toys that you see there? It's like Christmas morning, except there is no clean up to do after you play with the toys. So what did the Fandads play with this year? What toys stood out to us? Keep reading to find out. 

Meet Mario this weekend in Chicago!

Hey friends, looking for something fun to do this weekend? If the answer is yes, get ready to power-up and head to Navy Pier this Saturday, October 21st for Mario's Journey Across the Country comes to Chicago

Chicago Toy and Game Week is Coming! #chitag

It's our favorite time of year again! It's almost time for the annual Chicago Toy and Game Fair and the Fandads will be there to cover all the fun and games that there will be on display. 

The Fandads + Navy Pier = Shared Memories!

Last Friday, we teased the above image on our Facebook page with an ominous "Well this just happened. We'll have more details on a post to come." What are we doing in this picture? Are we part of a new reality show about dad bloggers? Were we auditioning as a family for the new Star Wars movies? (more on that later).

Well, the answer is pretty cool and it is something that A LOT of people will see later this year, that's if they don't mind staring at me on a television screen.

Playing in the Snow at Navy Pier!

Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is one of the attractions that my family looks forward to every year.  Since my daughter has been old enough to walk on her own we have attended the fest. Last year was the one year we did not go, but this year was my son's first year to go.

Playing with toys at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair #ChiTAG

A few weeks ago the Fandads took part in Chicago Toy and Game Week and it was a blast like always.  We saw some amazing fashions and played with some pretty cool toys. Here is a quick recap of what went down that fun filled weekend. 

Toys and Star Wars go hand in hand.

Every since I first starting going to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair I have always wanted to attend the Star Wars luncheon.  Every year, for some reason or another I do not attend.  If I remember correctly, it was a breakfast first and then they moved it to a luncheon.  This year again I am not going to be able to make it, but that does not mean you should miss it.  You can purchase your tickets here.

Would you like to go to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair?  Leave us a comment below telling us which is you favorite Star Wars toy of all time for a chance to win a family pass. (Note: Winning a pass does not gain you entrance to the Star Wars Luncheon. Tickets for that event must be purchased separately in the link above.)  A winner will be chosen by noon tomorrow.  Good luck everyone. 

Getting hands on at the Chicago Toy & Game fair. #Giveaway

The Chicago Toy & Game Fair comes to town next weekend and the Fandads will be there again to see and play with all the new and exciting toys that will be available this holiday season.  We have two family passes that we are giving away and $2 off coupons, but we'll talk about that a little later.  So what can you expect to see at this year's ChiTag? Keep reading to find out.

Saying Good-Bye to Summer

(Disclaimer: Lee Jeans provided some of the clothing to the Fandads for this post. All opinions and thoughts are our own.)

At the end of summer a few things usually run through my head; did we do enough this summer and did we have a great time? Usually it feels like our summer was just right, but I think this past year things went a little better than usual. As with any summer there are always a few moments or milestones that tend to stay with you.

Chicago Toy & Game Fair is Coming Soon. Want to Go?

The Chicago Toy and Game Fair is coming up, November 23 & 24, and the Fandads will be there again this year and we want to take some of our readers with us...not in the same car of course, but we can all meet up there.  This year marks the 11th anniversary of CHiTag so it's planning out to be bigger than the previous years.  Never been to the fair? Keep reading to see some highlights of our previous visits, events taking place that weekend and a chance to win a family pass.  Ready, let's go.

Chicago Toy and Game Fair

Last year Fandads went to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and we had a blast. (Read about our visit here). This year the Fair is heading to the bigger Hall H at Navy Pier on November 17-18 and Fandads has family passes to giveaway to two lucky readers on our Facebook page and our Blog.  Before we let you know how you can score passes let us tell you a little about the Toy and Game Fair.

Bane Poster Released

Yesterday was a big day for fans of the Batman films.  If you have been following the the alternate reality game, yesterday Operation Early Bird was released.  If you followed the link it showed a map of the United States and depending on your area you could have claimed passed to get into an early screening of the new 6 minute prologue.  This sneak screening is going to take place on December 13, but if you didn't get a pass, the prologue will be show in front of the IMAX screenings of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.  If that wasn't enough Dark Knight news for you, today a new poster was released showing the new villain Bane with an ominous crushed cowl in the foreground.  What could all this mean?

Playing at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair

On the weekend of November 19 & 20, the Chicago Toy & Game fair was held at Navy Pier and hundreds of different toy manufacturers were on hand to promote their new toys and give everyone a sneak peek at what will be hot this holiday season.  If you were unable to attend, don't worry, Fandads was on hand to see all the great toys and I even brought my professional toy tester, my daughter, with me to partake in the festivities. 

Happy Thanksgiving from Us!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Fandads.  We are very thankful for the exciting past few months.  We saw our first sponsored giveaway from Rockabye Baby and from the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.  We also want to say thanks to all our friends and family that have supported the site.  We have a couple of interesting stories coming soon, including my mini adventure with the Chevy Sonic I was given for three days through Klout.  Thank you all very much and enjoy your Thanksgiving with your families today.

Your Friends,
Gil & Vic
The Fandads

Time to Play and have Fun!! Updated Again!

Next weekend Navy Pier is hosting the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and Fandads will be there to preview all the upcoming toys and report it back to you.  This will be a great opportunity for us to see what the hot toys will be this holiday season and also talk to the manufacturers/inventors of these new toys. 

Tickets for the show are: $5 for children (3-13) & $10 for adults. 
Show hours are:  Saturday, November 19 - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
                         & Sunday, November 20 - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Complimentary admission is available to Educators, Military, Police Officers and Firefighters (with ID).

Star Wars fans on Saturday there will be a Star Wars Breakfast with members of the Star Wars 501st Legion: Vader's Fist at 9am and there is still time to register for it.  Pricing for this is $30 for children (12 and under) and $36 Per adult.  These prices include one day admission to the Toy and Game Fair, giveaways from Hasbro and Top Trumps, breakfast and photo opportunities with the 501st.

We are currently trying to see about getting passes to give out to our readers, so stay tuned for that information.

Update.
Great news Fandads!  Want to attend the show this coming weekend?  We have two offers for you.  We are giving away a family pass to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair to one of our lucky readers.  To win this pass, just leave a comment below telling us what you're excited to see at the fair and we will choose a winner by 5pm on Thursday, Nov. 17.

In addition, we have a $2 off coupon available for you to print and take to the show courtesy of Fandads and The Chicago Toy & Game Fair.  Click on the coupon or the link below to get your coupon and we'll see you at the fair.

http://www.chitag.com/_literature_106480/ChiTAG_Coupon

Updated Again! We asked and were given the okay to give out a few more passes.  We will give two passes away on the website.  Just leave a comment saying what you're excited about seeing at the show.  Also, if you are a fan of our Facebook page,  we are giving away one pass on there.  All you have to do is like ChiTag's page and leave a comment telling us you "liked" them.  Winners will be chosen on Thursday November 17, by 5pm.