Product finalists will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts.
The judges will receive all completed product category nominations submitted for review and individually rank each on a scale of 1-5 against the following criteria:
- Creativity and Originality
- Design and Quality
- Play Value
Following the individual evaluation, the panel of judges will meet to discuss and decide the 2025 TOTY finalists for each category.
No brand will be allowed to have more than one (1) finalist in a single category. Companies can have up to two (2) finalists, as long as they are not the same brand.
2025 TOTY finalist seals will be available for purchase by product category finalists when they are announced on Monday, November 25, 2024. TOTY finalist seals are to be used exclusively and only for the marketing & promotions of TOTY finalist products (product packaging, e-commerce, and social media).
Every product finalist must be represented in-person by either the nominator or a designee at the TOTY Awards on February 28, 2025 in New York City.