Canton Fair 2025 Autumn: Toys & Children Baby and Maternity Guide

Phase 3 overview – “Better Life” consumer goods

The China Import & Export Fair (Canton Fair) runs in three phases each session. Phase 3 of the Autumn 2025 fair takes place October 31 – November 4 2025 and shifts the focus to fast‑moving consumer goods and everyday lifestyle products. It is colloquially dubbed the “Better Life” stage because organisers emphasise products that improve daily living – from apparel and home textiles to personal care, toys, stationery and health products. For international buyers of toys, children’s apparel and maternity goods, Phase 3 is the richest hunting ground. The fair’s halls teem with plush toys, electronic learning devices, strollers, infant clothing and safety products. This Canton Fair 2025 Autumn: Toys & Children Baby and Maternity Guide helps you navigate the categories, understand market trends and apply Yana Sourcing’s higher‑dimensional sourcing framework.

Dates, venue and hall layout

• Dates: October 31 – November 4 2025, 9:30–18:00 daily.
• Venue: China Import & Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) in Guangzhou. The sprawling site comprises Areas A, B and C, connected by covered walkways and shuttle buses.
• Hall layout: According to the official floor plans, toys occupy halls 17.1, 18.1 and 19.1 in Area C. Maternity, baby & children products are concentrated in hall 20.1, while kids’ wear is found in hall 1.1 and the adjoining mezzanine hall 1.1Y. Confirm exact hall numbers via the fair’s app, as organisers occasionally reallocate space.

Categories & product scope

Phase 3 groups toys, children’s apparel and maternity supplies into three broad categories. The table below summarises the official exhibit directory with examples and notes.

Major category	Sub‑category examples	Notes
Toys	Baby & toddler toys (teethers, soft rattles, sensory cubes); Electromotive & remote‑controlled toys (battery‑powered cars, RC drones, clockwork toys); Action toys (building blocks, puzzles, strategy games); Educational games & toys (STEM kits, Montessori sets, science experiment kits); Plush & cloth toys (stuffed animals, fabric dolls); Dolls & figurines (baby dolls, fashion dolls, collectible figures); Riding toys (push cars, scooters, tricycles); Musical toys (toy pianos, xylophones, karaoke mics); Inflatable toys (bouncy castles, swim rings, ball pits); Other toys & accessories	Chinese exhibitors range from OEM factories to brand‑licence holders. Many offer ODM services and can customise designs or packaging for private‑label buyers. Ask about safety certifications (EN 71, ASTM F963) and chemical compliance (phthalate‑free, BPA‑free) during discussions.
Kids’ wear	Tops, skirts, trousers, ensembles and coats for toddlers and older children; Infant and maternity wear for expectant mothers	Products span mass‑market basics to boutique fashion. Look for suppliers with CPSIA compliance and experience exporting to your target market.
Maternity, baby & children products	Infant food – formula, complementary foods, nutritional supplements; Infant clothing & accessories – onesies, shoes, hats, bibs, home textiles; Baby care – feeding supplies (bottles, warmers), toiletries, wipes, diapers and pacifiers; Infant safety products – baby monitors, socket covers, safety locks and corner protectors; Baby strollers & car seats – strollers, walkers, carriers, safety seats; Baby furniture – cribs, high chairs, changing tables, cradles; Maternal & infant electrical appliances – bottle warmers, food processors, electric breast pumps, sterilizers, washing machines and climate‑control devices; Preschool education supplies – electronic reading devices, repeaters, learning machines, children’s smart watches, eye‑protection desk lamps	This broad segment covers everything from feeding to safety. Verify materials for BPA‑free plastics and OEKO‑TEX fabrics. For electronic devices, check battery safety and electromagnetic compatibility reports.

Market trends & innovations

“All‑age” & experiential play

At the last session of the Canton Fair, organisers noted a surge in “all‑age toys”, reflecting a shift toward toys that are experience‑driven and emotionally engaging, attracting both children and adults. These products blur traditional age boundaries and emphasise storytelling, immersion and sensory feedback. For example, plush toys now incorporate augmented‑reality apps, while puzzle games feature cooperative modes suitable for family play. Buyers should explore halls 17.1–19.1 for these cross‑generational hits.

Eco‑friendly & minimalist design

Global demand for sustainable products is reshaping consumer goods. Market analysts highlight eco‑friendly materials, minimalist designs and multi‑functional items as key trends influencing Phase 3 categories. In the toy sector this means biodegradable packaging, wooden toys made from FSC‑certified timber and multi‑use playsets that grow with the child. Baby products increasingly use organic cotton, bamboo fibres and food‑grade silicone to satisfy eco‑conscious parents.

Educational & sensory toys

Parents are prioritising educational and sensory development. Sourcing specialists note that educational & sensory toys for children aged 3–8 will be particularly popular in 2025. These include STEM kits, coding robots, sensory bins and toys designed to improve fine motor skills or emotional intelligence. Many exhibitors also integrate digital components (e.g., NFC‑enabled flashcards or app‑connected reading pens) to blend analog play with interactive learning.

Portable wellness & integrated care

Alongside toys, the maternity and baby product segment highlights portable wellness devices – such as handheld massagers, humidifiers and compact sterilizers – reflecting a broader consumer trend toward at‑home self‑care. Smart baby monitors now feature AI‑powered sleep tracking and air‑quality sensors, while breast pumps and bottle warmers connect to mobile apps for scheduling and remote control. When assessing suppliers, inquire about data security, battery life and cross‑platform compatibility.

Navigation & sourcing tips

Plan your route

1. Use the official app or map: Save time by downloading the fair’s mobile app, which includes exhibitor lists, hall maps and indoor navigation. Mark the toy halls (17.1–19.1), baby products hall (20.1) and kids’ wear hall (1.1/1.1Y) to plan a logical walking route. Avoid zig‑zagging across areas – focus each day on one hall cluster.
2. Arrive early and stay hydrated: Crowds build quickly after 11 a.m. Early arrival grants more time with busy suppliers. Bring water, comfortable shoes and a portable phone charger; you will be walking long distances.
3. Pre‑book meetings: Contact selected exhibitors via the Canton Fair’s online platform or their websites ahead of time. Pre‑arranged meetings ensure dedicated attention and allow you to ask detailed questions about certifications and customisation.
4. Use translation tools: While many exhibitors speak English, technical discussions on safety standards and testing procedures may benefit from a translator. The fair provides translation services for a fee, or you can hire a sourcing agent like Yana.

Verify safety & compliance

Toys and baby products are subject to stringent regulations. During booth visits:

• Check certifications: For toys, look for compliance with EN 71, ASTM F963, ISO 8124 or your destination’s equivalent. For baby food and care products, ensure GMP certifications and relevant health‐authority approvals. For strollers and car seats, ask for ISO 9001 and product‑specific safety tests.
• Examine materials: Avoid suppliers using phthalates, BPA or other banned chemicals. For textiles, verify OEKO‑TEX or organic certifications. Inspect seams, fasteners and small parts to ensure they cannot break off and pose choking hazards.
• Request test reports: Serious suppliers can provide lab reports from reputable testing bodies (SGS, Intertek, TÜV). Cross‑check report dates and sample descriptions to confirm they refer to the current products.

Compare suppliers & negotiate

1. Gather information systematically: Keep a spreadsheet or notebook with supplier names, booth numbers, product descriptions, MOQ, lead times, certifications and notes on responsiveness. Photograph booth signs and product labels for later reference.
2. Ask about customisation and IP protection: Many factories offer OEM/ODM services. Discuss intellectual‑property protections for your designs and ensure non‑disclosure agreements are in place before sharing prototypes.
3. Negotiate beyond price: In addition to unit cost, negotiate on packaging options, payment terms (e.g., 30/70 deposits), production schedules and after‑sales support. For baby products, confirm warranty periods and replacement policies.
4. Follow up after the fair: Within one week, send detailed specification sheets to shortlisted suppliers and request formal quotations. Arrange factory audits or third‑party inspections before placing large orders. Keep track of regulatory changes (e.g., EU toy safety directive updates) and confirm suppliers can comply.

Yana Sourcing’s SMART + HEART framework for toys & baby products

Yana Sourcing evaluates suppliers using a multidimensional methodology that balances objective data with human insight. Our SMART (Supplier Basics, Market & Financials, Assurance & Certifications, References & Case Studies, Transparency & ESG) + HEART (History, Execution, Agility, Reliability, Trust) framework ensures that partners meet both technical and relational requirements.

• S – Supplier Basics → We verify company ownership, production capacity and specialisation. For toys and baby products this means ensuring the manufacturer has dedicated lines for children’s items, understands safety testing and invests in design and R&D. We favour suppliers that can grow with your portfolio and offer both standard items and custom development.
• M – Market & Financials → Beyond polished booths, we analyse revenue trends, export markets and spending on innovation. Does the supplier invest in eco‑friendly materials, educational technologies or AI‑enhanced baby monitors? Are they financially stable enough to handle large seasonal orders?
• A – Assurance & Certifications → Safety comes first. We check ISO 9001/14001 systems, audit toy safety certificates (EN 71, ASTM F963, CCC), verify BSCI/SEDEX factory audits and ensure compliance with REACH, CPSIA and other chemical regulations. For infant food, we ensure GMP and relevant health approvals.
• R – References & Case Studies → On‑time delivery, product reliability and supplier professionalism matter. We cross‑check references from buyers in your market, review warranty claim rates and inspect sample orders to gauge workmanship and packaging quality.
• T – Transparency & ESG → We evaluate whether suppliers disclose raw material sources (e.g., FSC‑certified wood, organic fabrics), publish social‑audit results and invest in waste reduction. ESG compliance is increasingly requested by retailers and regulators.

HEART adds the human dimension:

• History – We favour suppliers with a track record in children’s products and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Execution – Can they consistently meet deadlines and specifications? We evaluate communication responsiveness and problem‑solving ability.
• Agility – Toy trends shift quickly. We look for factories that can pivot designs, adjust MOQs and integrate new features without long delays.
• Reliability – We verify quality control processes, after‑sales support and long‑term client relationships. For baby products, reliability also means consistent safety compliance.
• Trust – Cultural fit and openness underpin successful partnerships. We spend time building rapport, aligning expectations and ensuring mutual respect. Trust enables smoother negotiations, faster issue resolution and long‑term collaboration.

By incorporating SMART + HEART, Yana Sourcing transforms a typical trade‑fair visit into a strategic sourcing mission. We help you filter hundreds of Phase 3 exhibitors down to a shortlist of trustworthy partners who deliver safe, innovative toys and infant products, embrace sustainability and align with your brand’s values. Our sourcing tours and advisory services provide translation, negotiation support and follow‑up to ensure that your Canton Fair investment yields lasting value.

Related Links

To explore overall information and information about other categories, please visit our general sourcing guide: Canton Fair 2025 Autumn Master Guide: Dates, Phases, Registration, Travel & Sourcing Strategies.

Or visit the offical Canton Fair 2025 website at: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US