Toy Fair, the annual showcase of playthings to come, returned to New York City this past weekend. And since we at ToughPigs have an almost supernatural ability to detect when Muppet-related things are present in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, of course we were on site to discover the latest in Muppet merch.
One of the most impressive things about this year’s event was that we were able to find things for the Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, and even a little Dinosaurs! (Once again, we apologize to fans waiting for a plush of the dog from The Storyteller.) Let’s dive right in and see what’s new!
Naturally, we had to kick things off at NECA for our first look at the Muppets figures. They were displayed in a really neat replica of the Muppet Theater’s stage, but sadly, it seems it was only made to show them at Toy Fair, and isn’t currently being planned to sell to consumers.
Still it was nice to see them up close. The display consisted of the first wave of figures: Miss Piggy with Foo-Foo, Gonzo with Camilla, and Mahna Mahna with the Snowths.
The detailing on the Miss Piggy figure is really neat. The texture on the “skin” looks a lot like the flocking that the puppet would have beginning in the third season of The Muppet Show.
Meanwhile, Camilla is much more to scale with Gonzo than she was in the Diamond Select pack.
Meanwhile, this is the first time the Snowths have ever been released as a figure of this size. While they were part of Palisades Toys’ Mini-Muppets line, they never got the Diamond Select treatment.
All of the figures will be offered with accessories, and most of them will come with Muppet fruits and vegetables. The Ultimate Mahna Mahna and Gonzo sets are expected to release in the fourth quarter of 2026, with Miss Piggy making a fashionably late debut in the first quarter of 2027.
We made sure to ask about the absence of a certain green, flippered character, and we were assured that additional waves are in development, including Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear. The figures will be to scale with NECA’s Sesame Street figures, so if things are successful enough, we can make our own displays for A Muppet Family Christmas! Figures slipping on an icy patch is what the holidays are all about!
Speaking of Sesame, we also got a look at the upcoming Super Grover figure!
The figure will come with a display stand, along with the letters “S” and “G.” Oh, I get it, those stand for Steve Guttenberg, Super Grover’s favorite actor!
We also got to see the nifty box art. This should hit store shelves in the first quarter of 2026.
But that wasn’t the only big thing. We also got to see the Ultimate Big Bird figure.
Big Bird will come with a scarf (for colder weather), a necktie (for formal affairs), and the letter “B” (for Boston, the capital of Massachusetts).
But that’s not all! You can also swap out his hands and head to make him look like he did in the early years of the show.
Big Bird is expected to release in the third quarter of 2026.
The already-released Bert, Ernie, and Count von Count figures also were also on display.
Had enough Sesame figures yet? I hope not, because Super7 was also in town with their merchandise! Here’s a display for the “Big Bird Around the World” blind box set. Meanwhile the mystery of the secret figure was answered, since it was out in full view: it’s Big Bird from the USA! Or China’s Da Niao! (They’re identical cousins, so take your pick.)
And here’s the Elmo blind box set, available now!
For those with more expensive taste, there’s also a SuperSize vinyl figure of Oscar the Grouch, set to release in the second quarter of 2026. Suggested retail price: $350! If I were Oscar, that’d make me mad, which would make me happy, which would make me mad, which would make me…
By the way, one non-vinyl part of the figure is the sock he holds. Think of it as the karmic repayment for all the socks you’ve lost in the dryer.
There was also a set of figures that were smaller than the ReAction line.
Want to go even smaller? They’ve got you covered with a set of blind bags.
We also got a look at the latest wave of ReAction figures, which just went on sale earlier this week. The word on the street with this wave: pajamas. The Count, Bert, and Ernie, are all ready for bedtime, along with Typewriter Guy, who seems to sleep in the nude.
Also coming soon: a set of Sesame Deluxe Cl!cky Caps, which have lights and sounds. Each figure stands on a platform with their catchphrase. Cookie Monster says “Om Nom!” Elmo says “Ha! Ha! Ha!” Oscar says “Scram!” Big Bird says “Big Bird!”
“But what of the Fraggles,” you might ask. Fear not, because Teddy Mountain showed off a new set of Fraggle Rock plush!
You might’ve noticed that they only had four characters on display, but we do have word from Teddy Mountain that Red will be part of the set releasing sometime this year. And thanks to our friend Chris Stulz at Muppet Stuff, we also know that Sprocket and Princess Gorg should also be joining the set this year, and next year, the Doozers should be represented as well.
Meanwhile, TeeTurtle showcased their Sesame plush, including their Elmo and Cookie Monster Cloudheads and their reversible plush of Ernie and Bert (who can be reversed into each other) and Oscar (who can be reversed into Grover).
New this year are their reversible plush from the Sesame Street/Care Bears crossover. Share Bear reverses into Cookie Monster, and Cheer Bear reverses into Elmo.
Elsewhere, the company had a display with even more products, including this Big Bird Cloudhead. But who’s that brown furry creature behind him?
Why, it’s Ludo! This cutie was recently released. Isn’t it such a great coincidence that it’s also Labyrinth‘s 40th anniversary this year?
And coming soon: a Jareth plush in the same style.
You know what I recently learned is still a thing? Beanie Babies. And after more than three decades, Ty is finally getting around to making some based on Sesame Street. Big Bird, Oscar, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Abby Cadabby, and Elmo are all getting the Beanie Baby treatment alongside Beanie Bouncers and mini keychains.
Do you like Sesame Street? Do you like ramen? Do I have a new collectible for you! Rokimoto is releasing a blind cup featuring one of six characters (or two rare variants) enjoying a bowl of ramen.
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, the Count, Bert, and Ernie will be hidden in instant ramen-style cups. Variants are a translucent purple Count or a translucent blue Cookie Monster.
These are set to launch sometime this summer, with more series in the works.
Over at Monogram International, we found this Elmo Airpod case bag clip. Now your Airpods can play the role of Elmo’s eyes! That’s not creepy at all!
They were showing off a trio of Sesame bag clip blind bags, including these from the Care Bears collaboration.
Series 3 of the bag clips were released last year, including such characters as Prairie Dawn, Rosita, the Two-Headed Monster, and Mr. Snuffleupagus.
But we did get a look at Series 4, which will feature Elmo in a variety of different outfits. Personally, I’m excited to see him in his talk show host suit from The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo.
Meanwhile, Monogram will also get prehistoric with a new set of bag clips themed to Dinosaurs. And if they’re made of petroleum products, they’ll even be made from real dinosaur remains!
Moving ahead from dinosaurs to robots, Handmade by Robots will be making a Kermit figure and an Animal one not long after. Luckily, Kermit’s eyes lend itself to the line’s style.
Kids Preferred showed off their line of Sesame baby toys, including blankets, crinkle plush, a block set, and an Elmo jack-in-the-box.
The Martian blanket is so adorable, I’ve got to find a baby to give that to!
It may be freezing now, but summer will be here before you know it. (Unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case summer will be gone before you know it.) Little Kids, Inc. is ready for the season with an Elmo Spinning Sprinkler, This attaches to a regular garden hose, and spins as the water spurts out.
There’s also an Elmo-themed jar of bubbles, or a replacement container of bubble liquid featuring Elmo and Cookie Monster. I can feel the 90-degree weather now. (I should probably see a doctor about that.)
Erik. brought a selection of Sesame housewares, including this Cookie Monster cookie jar. Or if you’re a hardcore fan, a rice cake jar.
Super Impulse also had some items, including the Worlds Smallest Tickle Me Elmo, and Cookie and Elmo Stretchies. Think Stretch Armstrong, but you might feel weird stretching it.
Show your love of Sesame Street and stay safe in the sun with these themed sunglasses from Sun-Staches.
Over at Kidrobot, there were plush of Cookie Monster, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Baby Animal from The Muppets Mayhem. You know, that show you can watch on Disney+ after you’ve watched The Muppet Show for the 754th time.
Diamond Art Club had a decent selection of Sesame art kits, where you add “diamond” studs to create a sparkly picture. Think paint by numbers meets Lite Brite.
When we visited, they were demonstrating with art of Abby and Elmo.
Another way to keep your hands occupied are these QB’s from CreateOn.
Inspired by Minecraft, these magnetic blocks can be separated and put back together again in any combination you like. You could put Tango’s head on Elmo’s body! Only the laws of nature can judge you!
They also have a line of magnetic tile toys that teach about colors, numbers, and shapes. I know, Sesame Street being educational is a big shock.
Kiddieland had a pair of ride-on toys with a variety of Sesame characters. It’s never too early to learn what direction the wheels on the bus go.
Finally, Insight Editions had a copy of The Muppets Official Crochet Amigurumi on display. It’s been out for a while now, but with a new special, you never know when the crochet market will boom.
And that’s all from Toy Fair 2026! With all the different properties represented, maybe next year we’ll get a whole line of Song of the Cloud Forest action figures! Eight series minimum!
A big thanks to Chris Stulz at Muppet Stuff for his additional reoporting.
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by Matthew Soberman – [email protected]
