Just announced are The Toy Industry Association‘s finalists for the coveted 2017 Toy of the Year. 14 categories of finalists have been chosen from over 700 nominees by a pool of 25 judges including toy and play experts, retailers, academics and journalists.
The winners will be revealed at a special industry event on February 17, 2017, to be held on the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in NYC. The winning line-up is traditionally displayed at the annual New York Toy Fair also held in February. See links to our past coverage below.
In the meantime Adrianna and I are thrilled to see so many of our personal favorites on the list. We’re also very happy to see an Action Figure of the Year category has been added to the mix. We congratulate all the creators and companies honored.
TotY DIY…
You can cast your own vote in the “People’s Choice” award via this Toy Awards link. This is a consumer only component and is attached to a Toy of the Year Sweepstakes. Voting is open until January 15, 2017.
(listed below in alphabetical order by category)
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
