2020 Toy of the Year Awards Finalists Revealed

2020 Toy of the Year AwardsThe US Toy Association has unveiled 114 toy and game finalists for the prestigious 2020 Toy of the Year Awards, which include Barbie, Marvel character figures, LEGO‘s Stranger Things sets, Meccano, Pokémon, Power Rangers and more.

Known as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, the TOTY Awards program recognises the top playthings on the market – from STEM/STEAM and innovative toys to dolls, action figures, creative toys, and more. The nominees are likely to drive Christmas toy choices for some.

The program is also a vital fundraiser for The Toy Foundation, which annually delivers toys to millions of children in need.

Finalists were announced yesterday by a group of well-known online influencers who serve as TOTY ambassadors and between now and 5th January 2020 play-lovers of all ages can visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favourite playthings in each of the 16 categories, browse toys, download shopping lists for the holidays, and enter for a chance to win one of 16 toy prize packages.

“From an extraordinary field of nominees carefully reviewed by expert judges, this year’s TOTY finalists truly represent our members’ ability to bring fun, laughter, discovery, and learning to kids across America and around the world,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association.

“We are proud to unveil these playthings in advance of the holiday season and celebrate the toy community’s enduring ability to inspire generations of play. Everyone is encouraged to cast their votes at ToyAwards.org and help decide the winners!”

Winners in each category, as well as the coveted overall Toy of the Year winner and the People’s Choice winner (based solely on consumer votes), will be announced at the TOTY Awards gala on Friday 21st February 2020 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The celebration will kick off Toy Fair New York and include the induction of three trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

All embedded links are Affiliate Links to AmazonUK – do note some links are general rather than specific. Do note that some toys may not yet be available in the UK

2020 TOTY FINALISTS

Marvel Legends Series

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR

Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative and narrative-based play

Pulp Heroes Star Wars Snapbots

Pulp Heroes Star Wars Snapbots

COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR

Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that include building as the primary play pattern

CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them

DOLL OF THE YEAR

Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls

GAME OF THE YEAR

For families and children’s (ages 0-14) games including board, card, electronic or other physical game formats and puzzles, exclusive of video or app games

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that are developed for ages 0-3 (0-18 months infant/18 months-3 years toddler)

Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak by Wow! Stuff

Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak by Wow! Stuff

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that utilise innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value

LICENSE OF THE YEAR

Character or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual property

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons

PLAYMOBIL Mars Space Station

PLAYMOBIL Mars Space Station

PLAYSET OF THE YEAR

Toys that are designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play

PLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that are developed for ages 3-5

LEGO Stranger Things The Upside Down

LEGO Stranger Things The Upside Down

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that are distributed through independent retailers, such as neighbourhood toy stores, and not sold at mass brick and mortar stores. Toys that are sold only online do not qualify

STEM/STEAM TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that encourage kids to develop skills (foundational or curricular) in the core disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid

Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid

VEHICLE OF THE YEAR

Toy cars, trucks, trains and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles but exclusive of ride-ons

The finalists were selected from 633 nominees submitted by 236 companies. Eighteen judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewed and ranked the products in categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a discussion to determine the finalists in each category. They considered each product’s creativity, design, play value, and marketing.

The TOTY Awards gala is open only to toy industry professionals. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase on 2nd December. All TOTY proceeds are donated to The Toy Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies throughout the year to bring brand-new toys to children who are sick, at-risk, in foster care, impoverished, or otherwise in need.

Founded in 1916, The Toy Association is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual US economic impact of $110.9 billion, and its 1,000+ members drive the annual $28 billion US domestic toy market.

The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media, and has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

Visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for your favourite playthings in each of the 16 categories

• More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the “About the Awards” section of www.ToyAwards.org

• The Toy Association: www.toyassociation.orgwww.thegeniusofplay.org  | www.playsafe.org

 



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3 replies

  1. How many Invisibility Cloaks get returned because the maker’s Quality Control department is allowing duds to be put on sale? What would my local Trading Standards Officer have to say about such failures? Or is there a disclaimer with each cloak? PS, I never did get my Dan Dare space ship to lift off!

  2. John – well done, you have beaten me on that one!

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