The Toy Industry Association has named its 100 finalists for the 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards.
The finalists were selected from 700 nominees submitted by more than 250 companies. Twenty-five judges—including toy experts, retailers, academics and journalists—made the selections across 14 categories. (New genres this year include Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Vehicle of the Year.)
Mattel and Spin Master lead the nominations with eight and seven nods, respectively. Mattel is a finalist in the Action Figure of the Year, Active/Outdoor Toy of the Year, Game of the Year, Innovative Toy of the Year, Specialty of the Year and Vehicle of the Year categories. Mattel also received two nominations in the Doll of the Year category for its Barbie Fashionista Doll (pictured) and the American Girl WellieWishers line.
Spin Master, meanwhile, was recognized for its entries in the Active/Outdoor, Construction, Game, Infant/Preschool, Innovative and Tech categories. Spin Master’s Hatchimals, nominated for Innovative Toy of the Year, has recently garnered a significant amount of buzz.
Hasbro (five nominations), Lego Systems (four nominations) and Thames & Kosmos (three nominations) also saw success in multiple categories.
“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!”
Consumers can vote for the winners in all 14 categories—and the coveted Toy of the Year award—at www.ToyAwards.org. Voting will be open until January 15, and the winners will be announced at the TOTY Awards ceremony on February 17 in New York. The ceremony will kick off the 114th North American International Toy Fair.
The list of nominations in the major categories is listed below. For the complete list of nomination click here.
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
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.
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
