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The Toy Association Reveals 2018 Toy of the Year Finalists

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Right on time to usher in the gifting season, The Toy Association’s Toy of the Year 2018 (TOTY) finalists have been officially announced. Speaking from the Toys “R” Us stage at New York’s Jacob Javit’s Center The Toy Association’s President and CEO Steve Pasierb opened voting for the top toy choices in 17 categories. Three new categories have been added this year. Creative Toy of the Year, Playset of the Year, and Plush of the Year join the mix for a total of 122 products in the running for best of the best.

The TOTY announcement complimented a press preview for the Second Annual Play Fair family event. Following the opening statements by Pasierb and colleagues Ken Seiter, The Toy Association’s Executive Vice President, Marketing Communications and Richard Barry Executive Vice President, Global Chief Merchandising Officer for Toys R Us, attendees were guided to a special display section where the nominated products could be viewed and votes could be cast on-site via iPad stations.

toy of the year, toty, the toy association, play fair
Toy Association President & CEO Steve Pasierb (center) along with Richard Barry Executive Vice President, Global Chief Merchandising Officer for Toys ‘R’ Us (Left) & Ken Seiter, Toy Association Executive Vice President, Marketing Communications, (right) opened voting for the 2018 Toy of the Year at a special Pre Play Fair Press Event.

For over a century The Toy Association has advocated for the industry on many levels. The philanthropic Toy Industry Foundation, the standards developing PlaySafe.org and developmental and teaching initiative Genius of Play are all components of the association’s work. The Toy Halls of Fame at the Strong Museum highlight the history of play and beloved toys of the past.

As is the not-for-profit association’s tradition, TOTY winners will be named at a gala fund raising event in February which also heralds the opening of the North American International Toy Fair. CEO Pasierb noted, “The TOTY Awards program supports the Toy Industry Foundation’s work to deliver toys to millions of children in need – whether they are living in foster care, impoverished, recovering in hospitals from a traumatic illness, or facing other difficulties. We are thrilled to continue this time-honored tradition and look forward to celebrating the big winners and the meaningful work of the Foundation…”

In addition to the separate category winners, the overall Toy of the Year and “People’s Choice” awardees will be named and toy industry trailblazers will be inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

toy of the year, toty, the toy association, play fair
Play Fair Press Preview attendees got a jump start on Toy of The Year voting.

THE TOY ASSOCIATION TOY-OF-THE-YEAR 2018 FINALISTS

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that include action figures and their playsets/accessories
IAmElemental’s Series 2/Wisdom Lunch Box Carrying Case with Complete Set of 7 Action Figures & Accessories (IAmElemental)
Imaginext® DC Super Friends™ BatBot Xtreme (Mattel, Inc.)
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot Figure (Hasbro, Inc.)
PJ Masks Duet Figure Packs (Just Play Products)
Star Wars Forces of Destiny Adventure Figures (Hasbro, Inc.)
Stikbot (ZING)
WWE® Superstars Action Figures (Mattel, Inc.)

COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
Disney Pixar Cars 3 Diecast Cars (Mattel, Inc.)
Fingerlings (WowWee USA, Inc.)
Funko’s Mystery Minis (Funko, LLC)
Hatchimals Colleggtibles 4 Pack (Spin Master Ltd.)
L.O.L. Surprise! (MGA Entertainment)
Pikmi Pop! Surprise Pack (Moose Toys)
The LEGO Batman Movie Minifigures (LEGO Systems, Inc.)

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets
K’NEX THRILL RIDES: Web Weaver Roller Coaster™ Building Set (K’NEX Brands)
LEGO® Star Wars BB-8™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Magformers Log Cabin 87Pc Set (Magformers)
Mayka Toy Block Tape (Zuru)
Meccano M.A.X (Spin Master Ltd.)
Silent Mary (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
VEX Robotics BattleBots Minotaur (HEXBUG)

CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that allow kids to build an/or make items that are unique to them.
3Doodler Start Powerpuff Yourself Pen Set (3Doodler)
K’NEX Imagine: Power & Play 50 Model Motorized Building Set (K’NEX Brands)
LEGO Make Your Own Movie (Klutz)
Magnaflex (WowWee USA, Inc.)
Nickelodeon Slime Deluxe Slimy Creations (Cra-Z-Art)
Oonies Starter Pack (Moose Toys)
Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit (LittleBits)

DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories
BABY ALIVE SWEET TEARS BABY Doll (Hasbro, Inc.)
Barbie® Fashionista™ Ken Dolls (Mattel, Inc.)
Disney Princess Dance Code Belle (Hasbro, Inc.)
DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free Spirit & Lucky Deluxe Feeding Set (Just Play Products)
JoJo Siwa Singing Doll (Just Play Products)?Luvabella (Spin Master Ltd.)
Wonder Crew Superhero Will (PlayMonster)

GAME OF THE YEAR
Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)
Beasts of Balance (Sensible Object)
Boom Blast Stix (Moose Toys)?Happy Salmon (North Star Games LLC)
HEARING THINGS (Hasbro, Inc.)
Roller Coaster Challenge (ThinkFun Inc.)
Soggy Doggy (Spin Master Ltd.)
Ultra Dash (PlayMonster)

toy of the year, toty, the toy association, play fair

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 0-3
GearZooz™ Roll & Roar Animal Train™ (VTech)
Little Tikes Light ‘n Go 3-in-1 Sports Zone (MGA Entertainment)
Magformers My First Pastel 30Pc Set (Magformers)
Mega Bloks Elephant Parade (Mattel, Inc.)
Mirari Shellby (PlayMonster)
Pop-a-Balls™ Push & Pop Bulldozer™ (VTech)
Strolly Bike (Yvolution)?Teddy Ruxpin (Wicked Cool Toys)

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
DROPMIX Music Gaming System (Hasbro, Inc.)
HEXBUG BattleBots Arena (HEXBUG)
Hot Wheels MindRacers (Osmo)
Klask (Buffalo Games Inc.)
Lightseekers Starter Pack (TOMY International)
Rubie’s Jurassic World T-Rex Inflatable Costume (Rubie’s Costume Company, Inc.)
Think & Learn Teach ‘n Tag Movi™ (Mattel, Inc.)

LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry
Disney Pixar’s Cars 3 (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)
Hatchimals™ (Spin Master Ltd.)
Nickelodeon Slime (Nickelodeon Consumer Products)
PAW Patrol (Spin Master Ltd.)
Peppa Pig (Entertainment One)
PJ Masks (Entertainment One)
Star Wars (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons
Bunch O Balloons Filler Soaker (Zuru)
Disc Jock-e (Tucker Toys)?Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder (Radio Flyer)
NERF N-STRIKE ELITE ACCUSTRIKE ALPHAHAWK Blaster (Hasbro, Inc.)
RECOIL (Skyrocket)
Sky Viper V2450 GPS Streaming Video Drone (Skyrocket)
Watermelon Ball (PlaSmart Inc.)

PLAYSET TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed to work together to enact some action or event
Ben 10 Rustbucket Transforming Alien Playset (Playmates Toys)
Fisher-Price® Shimmer and Shine™ Magical Light-up Genie Palace (Mattel, Inc.)
Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Race & Play Adventure Park™ (VTech)
HEXBUG nano Space Cosmic Command (HEXBUG)
Hot Wheels® Super Ultimate Garage (Mattel, Inc.)
My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage (PlayMonster)
PLAYMOBIL Pharaoh’s Pyramid (Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.)
Shopkins Shopville Super Mall (Moose Toys)

PLUSH OF THE YEAR
Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or similar filling
Disney Junior Minnie’s Walk and Play Puppy (Just Play Products)
Dolce Activity Zebra (Magformers)
Funko’s SuperCute Plushies (Funko, LLC)
Peppy Pets (Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.)
Pikmi Pops Surprise! Mega Pop (Moose Toys)
Storytime Rhymes Sheep™ (VTech)
Surprizamals (Beverly Hills Teddybear)

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 3-5
Beat Bugs™ Musical Submarine (Blip Toys LLC)
Disney Junior Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery (Just Play Products)
Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower (Spin Master Ltd.)
PLAY-DOH MAGIC OVEN Set (Hasbro, Inc.)
Racing Adventures Mickey (Just Play Products)
Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart™ (LeapFrog)
Thomas & Friends™ Super Station™ (Mattel, Inc.)

toy of the year, toty, the toy association, play fair

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy
Beach House Group (Antsy Pants™ Build & Play™ Kits)
Pai Technology Inc. (Circuit Conductor)
Move2play (Fuzzy Flyers)
Bevy & Dave (History Makers Puzzle Block Set)
YULU Toys (Operation: Escape)
FlyCatcher Inc. (smART sketcher)
WeCool (Compound Kings Makin’ Station)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
American Girl® Logan™ Doll (Mattel, Inc.)
Creative Cosmetics Lab (Thames & Kosmos)
Fidget Spinner (TopTrenz)
HEXBUG CuddleBots (HEXBUG)
LEGO® Star Wars™ Millennium Falcon™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Mirari Juballees (PlayMonster)
SmartMax My First Animal Train (Smart Toys and Games, Inc.)
Zipes™ Speed Pipes (Neat-Oh! International, LLC)

TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device
Circuit Cubes (Circuit Cubes)
Cue (Wonder Workshop)
LEGO® BOOST Creative Toolbox (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Piper Computer Kit (Piper)
Robotics Workshop (Thames & Kosmos)
SoundMoovz (Cra-Z-Art)
VRSE (Skyrocket)

VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their playsets/accessories
Air Hogs Hyper Drift Drone (Spin Master Ltd.)
Anki OVERDRIVE: Fast & Furious Edition (Anki)
Automoblox SC1 Chaos and HR5 Scorch 2-Pack (PlayMonster)
Drone Force Angler Attack (Alpha Group, US LLC)
NERF NITRO MOTOFURY RAPID RALLY Set (Hasbro, Inc.)
PAW Patrol Sea Patroller (Spin Master Ltd.)
PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters™ Ecto-1 (Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.)

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