2020 TOTY Nominations See Uptick, Recognize New Category of Play

September 26, 2019 | Nominations for the 2020 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards closed with submission numbers up from 2019 and a new category of toys set to be recognized.

The Toy Association received 635 submissions (in comparison to 553 submissions in 2019) from more than 200 companies that ranged from long-time toy manufacturers to start-ups. The submission period ran from August 1 through September 19.

While the show will continue to recognize toys and games across many classic categories such as Action Figure of the Year, Construction Toy of the Year, Doll of the Year, and others, 2020 marks the introduction of the new STEM/STEAM Toy of the Year category.

"The addition of the STEM/STEAM category speaks to the important role a good STEM/STEM toy can play in fostering kids’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics," said Ken Seiter, executive vice president of marketing communications at The Toy Association. "It also highlights toymakers’ commitment to aiding child development through play in these areas, a topic The Toy Association has also covered extensively in its latest report, 'STEM/STEAM Formula for Success .'"

Adding to the uniqueness of this category, all the toys submitted for consideration for this award undergo two rounds of judging. Submissions were first screened by a panel of STEM/STEAM experts, who pre-qualified the nominations, before moving on to the nomination committee. Review by this committee, comprised of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts, is currently underway.

The official TOTY 2020 finalists will be announced November 11, at which time voting will open to retailers, media, and Toy Association members through January 5, 2020. Consumers who wish to cast their votes can do so at ToyAwards.org .

Winners in each category, along with the “People's Choice" award (based solely on consumer votes) and the overall "Toy of the Year" winner (chosen by a panel of experts), will be announced at the TOTY Awards ceremony on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Known as the "Oscars of the toy industry," the TOTY Awards gala returns to New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom after a sell-out 2019 event. Serving as the kick-off for Toy Fair New York, those looking to attend are encouraged to save the date and keep an eye out when TOTY tickets go on sale in December. The gala will also recognize the inspiring work of The Toy Foundation and industry luminaries being inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame .