Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Consumers invited to vote for their favorites at ToyAwards.org - now until January 15, 2017
Dash and Dot is one of the toys nominated for Tech toy of the Year.
Superhero Will is one of the toys nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Imhotep is one of the toys nominated for Game of the Year.
Tonka Tinys is one of the toys nominated for Collectable of the Year.
Fossil Hunter Lottie is one of the toys nominated for Action Figure of the Year.
Meccano Micronoid is one of the toys nominated for Construction toy of the Year.
From innovative tech toys and licensed characters to enriching playthings that teach and inspire, 100 finalists for the prestigious 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards have been unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA).
Between now and January 15, 2017, consumers can visit http://www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite toy picks in each of the 14 categories – including new categories for 2017, like Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Vehicle of the Year. The TOTY winners will be announced in February.
"This year's TOTY finalists represent the finest examples of play value, originality and innovation across the hundreds of companies that make the U.S. toy industry the strongest in the world," said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Toy Industry Association. "Perhaps most importantly, these outstanding nominees have brought joy, laughter and learning to millions of children and families around the globe. We send each TOTY finalist good wishes and look forward to honoring the top toys of the year at the TOTY Awards gala in just a few months!"
This year's finalists were selected from 700 nominees submitted by more than 250 companies of all sizes. A more rigorous and transparent judging method was introduced this year, with 25 judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewing and ranking products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to debate any categories that did not draw an undisputed roster of finalists during the judging period. They considered each product's creativity, originality and innovation; design and promotion; excellence; and marketplace acceptance before narrowing the field to the slate of finalists.
The winners in each of the 14 categories and the coveted "Toy of the Year" will be selected based on votes from mass and specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members, and consumers. The "People's Choice" award winner will be selected solely by consumer votes cast at http://www.ToyAwards.org.
The honorees will be announced at a TOTY Awards ceremony held on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum as the kick-off to the 114th North American International Toy Fair. The celebration will include the induction of toy industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
The TOTY Awards gala is open to industry stakeholders only. Tickets for the event are available for purchase through February 10th. Proceeds will benefit the Toy Industry Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies throughout the year to bring brand new toys to children in need.
See the finalists in each category below. Online images are available at ToyAwards.org/Press
More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the "About the Awards" section of http://www.ToyAwards.org.
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that include action figures and their play sets/accessories
DC Super Hero Girls™ Action Figure Assortment by Mattel, Inc.
Fossil Hunter Lottie by Arklu, Ltd.
IAmElemental Series 1/Courage Lunch Box Carrying Case With Complete Set of Action Figures by IAmElemental
PJ Masks Headquarters Playset by Just Play
Pokémon Throw 'n' Pop Poké Ball Duel Set by TOMY
Stikbot by ZING
Transformers Generations Titans Return Fortress Maximus Action Figure by Hasbro, Inc.
ACTIVE/OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for active/outdoor play
3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon by Radio Flyer
Air Hogs Helix Sentinel Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
Bunch O Balloons by Zuru
Hot Wheels® Sky Shock™ RC Vehicle by Mattel, Inc.
Nerf N-Strike Modulus Tri-Strike Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.
Sky Viper v2400FPV HD Streaming Drone with FPV Headset by SkyRocket Toys
VEX Robotics Zip Flyer by HEXBUG
Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam by WickedCoolToys
ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Arts and crafts, construction and other indoor toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
Circuit Scribe Maker Kit by CircuitScribe
Crayola Air Maker Sprayer by Crayola, LLC
K'NEX 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set by K'NEX Brands
Lionel Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos Master Set by Lionel
Mighty Makers Directors Cut Building Set by K'NEX Brands
Mover Kit by Tech Will Save Us
My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage by Play Monster
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
Dorbz by Funko, LLC
Gift 'ems™ by JAKKS Pacific
LEGO Minifigures - The Disney Edition by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Num Noms by MGA Entertainment
Pop! By Funko, LLC
Shopkins Season 6: Chef Club by Moose Toys Pty Ltd
Tonka Tinys by Funrise
CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets
Arckit Go Colours by ARCKIT Div. of MBM Building Systems
Grippies® Builders by Guidecraft USA Inc.
LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Marine Rescue Center by Build & Imagine
Meccano Micronoid by Spin Master Ltd.
Tinkerbots by Tinkerbots
Walking Robot 45PC Set by Magformers, LLC
DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories
Barbie® Fashionista™ Doll by Mattel, Inc.
Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa by JAKKS Pacific
Elena of Avalor Adventure Dress Doll by Hasbro, Inc.
Project Mc2 Experiments with Doll Sets by MGA Entertainment
Shopkins Core Shoppies by Moose Toys Pty Ltd
Stargazer Lottie Doll by Arklu, Ltd
WellieWishers™ by Mattel, Inc.
GAME OF THE YEAR
Children's board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)
Bloxels™ by Mattel, Inc.
Circuit Maze by ThinkFun Inc.
Escape Room the Game by Spin Master Ltd.
Imhotep by Thames & Kosmos
Maze Racers by FoxMind Games
Simon Air Game by Hasbro, Inc.
Speak Out by Hasbro, Inc.
Yeti in My Spaghetti by PlayMonster!
INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for infants/preschoolers (up to 5 years)
Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital Care Cart by Just Play
Go! Go! Smart Friends® Enchanted Princess Palace™ by Vtech
IO Blocks® Vehicles by Guidecraft USA Inc.
Razor Jr. T3 Scooter by Razor USA LLC
Robot Engineer by Thames & Kosmos
Wash 'N Go Wooden Car Garage by KidKraft
Zoomer Marshall by Spin Master Ltd.
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
CHiP by WowWee USA, Inc.
Cozmo by Anki
Fisher Price® Think & Learn Code-a-pillar™ by Mattel, Inc.
Hatchimals by Spin Master Ltd.
Mebo by SkyRocket Toys
Project Mc2 H2O Car by MGA Entertainment
Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band™ by Sphero
LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry
DC Super Hero Girls
Disney's Elena of Avalor
Paw Patrol™
Pokémon
Shopkins
Star Wars
Trolls
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy
3DoodlerStart Essentials Pen Set by WobbleWorks
Acids, Bases and pH Chemistry Kit by Yellow Scope
CogniToys Dino by CogniToys
Geometry Strategy by Games by Bright of Sweden
IAmElemental Series 1/Courage Lunch Box Carrying Case With Complete Set of Action Figures by IAmElemental
Malia's House by Build & Imagine
Superhero Will by Wonder Crew
SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
Automoblox C9 Sportscar by PlayMonster!
Design & Drill® BrightWorks™ by Educational Insights
Flappy Animated Elephants by Gund a Division of Enesco LLC
LEGO Disney Castle by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Melody™ Doll and Book by Mattel, Inc.
Nano Nitro Slingshot by HEXBUG
Perplexus Q-bot by PlayMonster!
TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device
Air Hogs Connect: Mission Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
CodeGamer by Thames & Kosmos
LUMI by WowWee USA, Inc.
MOTA JETJAT Ultra Streaming Nano Drone by MOTA
Sky Viper Hover Racer by SkyRocket Toys
Wonder Workshop's Dash & Dot by Wonder Workshop
Zoomer Chimp by Spin Master Ltd.
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their play sets/accessories
Air Hogs – Star Wars X-wing vs. Death Star, Rebel Assault - RC Drones by Disney Consumer Products
Disney Princess Carriage by Dynacraft
Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Treasure Mountain Train Adventure™ by Vtech
Hot Wheels® A.I. Intelligent Race System by Mattel, Inc.
LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3RS by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Telsa Model S for Kids by Radio Flyer
XPV® RC Skateboarding Mikey by JAKKS Pacific
Follow TOTY on Twitter at #TOTY2017
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