Inventors Dinner – UK Toy Inventors' Dinner

Welcome to the 41st UK Toy Inventors’ Dinner

The annual get-together of inventors, designers, product-pickers and other toy business professionals from around the world.

Wednesday, 21st January 2026

116 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ED, United Kingdom

Welcome to the 41st
UK Toy Inventors’ Dinner

The 41st annual UK Toy Inventors’ Dinner will take place during London Toy Fair on the evening of Wednesday, January 21st at 116 Pall Mall.

The event is an annual get-together of inventors, designers, product-pickers and other toy business professionals from around the world.

Since the first Dinner in 1984, thousands of inventors and manufacturers have taken the opportunity to get to know each other and catch up with old friends over a good meal, awards, fun challenges and an after-dinner casino in aid of a children’s charity.

The event is held at a different London location each year, with 2026’s event taking place at 116 Pall Mall. A magnificent Georgian building in the heart of London, just moments from some of the city’s most sought-after spots. Opened in 1828, it’s now home to the Institute of Directors.

The Dinner also plays host to the W.I.T.T.Y. Prize – given to the inventor of a product introduced in the preceding year and judged by Inventors’ Dinner attendees – and the prestigious I.D.I.O.T. award (I.D.I.O.T. standing for International Designer and Inventor of Toys). This award is given as a tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions to the toy industry.

Venue directions/details will be provided upon purchase of your ticket(s).

We look forward to welcoming you in January; The Inventors’ Dinner committee: Mary Danby, Kirstin Knox, Billy Langsworthy, Lizzy Moody, TJ Morrison, Gary Pyper, Simon Skelton and Nicola Wastie.

There’s no better way to kick off the toy fair season than with the UK Toy Inventors’ Dinner – a night of frivolity and celebration where the industry’s most talented gather to crown the next great I.D.I.O.T.

David Winter, Senior Director, New Product Acquisition & Inventor Relations, Jazwares

Reasons to attend

Join us at our annual get-together of inventors, designers, product-pickers and other toy business professionals from around the world.

A bit of light relief during the hustle and bustle of the London Toy Fair, the UK Toy Inventors’ Dinner is a relaxed, informal gathering.

The W.I.T.T.Y. Prize is presented to the inventor(s) of a product introduced in the preceding year and judged by Inventors’ Dinner attendees

The I.D.I.O.T. Award is given as a tribute to luminaries who have made outstanding contributions to the toy industry.

Each year, one of our dinner guests is invited to nominate a children’s charity. Guests are asked to support the charity by buying vouchers to take part in an after-dinner entertainment.

We are grateful for the support of generous sponsors who help us each year to offer you a special evening and raise funds for our chosen children’s charity.