FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Finalists Unveiled by Toy Industry Association

Consumers invited to vote for their favorites at ToyAwards.org – now until January 15, 2017

New York, NY | November 21, 2016 – From innovative tech toys and licensed characters to enriching playthings that teach and inspire, 100 finalists for the prestigious 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards were unveiled today by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). Between now and January 15, 2017, consumers can visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite toy picks in each of the 14 categories – including new categories for 2017, like Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Vehicle of the Year. The TOTY winners will be announced in February.

“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!”

This year’s finalists were selected from 700 nominees submitted by more than 250 companies of all sizes. A more rigorous and transparent judging method was introduced this year, with 25 judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewing and ranking products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to debate any categories that did not draw an undisputed roster of finalists during the judging period. They considered each product’s creativity, originality and innovation; design and promotion; excellence; and marketplace acceptance before narrowing the field to the slate of finalists.

The winners in each of the 14 categories and the coveted “Toy of the Year” will be selected based on votes from mass and specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members, and consumers. The “People’s Choice” award winner will be selected solely by consumer votes cast at www.ToyAwards.org.  

The honorees will be announced at a TOTY Awards ceremony held on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum as the kick-off to the 114th North American International Toy Fair. The celebration will include the induction of toy industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

The TOTY Awards gala is open to industry stakeholders only. Tickets for the event are available for purchase through February 10th.Proceeds will benefit the Toy Industry Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies throughout the year to bring brand new toys to children in need.

See the finalists in each category below. Online images are available at ToyAwards.org/Press
More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the “About the Awards” section of www.ToyAwards.org.

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.

ACTIVE/OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for active/outdoor play

• 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon by Radio Flyer
• Air Hogs Helix Sentinel Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
• Bunch O Balloons by Zuru
• Hot Wheels® Sky Shock™ RC Vehicle by Mattel, Inc.
• Nerf N-Strike Modulus Tri-Strike Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.
• Sky Viper v2400FPV HD Streaming Drone with FPV Headset by SkyRocket Toys
• VEX Robotics Zip Flyer by HEXBUG
• Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam by WickedCoolToys

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Arts and crafts, construction and other indoor toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

• Circuit Scribe Maker Kit by CircuitScribe
• Crayola Air Maker Sprayer by Crayola, LLC
• K’NEX 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set by K’NEX Brands
• Lionel Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos Master Set by Lionel
• Mighty Makers Directors Cut Building Set by K’NEX Brands
• Mover Kit by Tech Will Save Us
• My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage by Play Monster

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

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets

• Arckit Go Colours by ARCKIT
• Grippies® Builders by Guidecraft USA Inc.
• LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Marine Rescue Center by Build & Imagine
• Meccano Micronoid by Spin Master Ltd.
• Tinkerbots by Tinkerbots
• Walking Robot 45PC Set by Magformers, LLC

DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories

• Barbie® Fashionista™ Doll by Mattel, Inc.
• Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa by JAKKS Pacific
• Elena of Avalor Adventure Dress Doll by Hasbro, Inc.
• Project Mc2 Experiments with Doll Sets by MGA Entertainment
• Shopkins Core Shoppies by Moose Toys Pty Ltd
• Stargazer Lottie Doll by Arklu, Ltd
• American Girl® WellieWishers™ by Mattel, Inc.

GAME OF THE YEAR
Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)

• Bloxels™ by Mattel, Inc.
• Circuit Maze by ThinkFun Inc.
• Escape Room the Game by Spin Master Ltd.
• Imhotep by Thames & Kosmos
• Maze Racers by FoxMind Games
• Simon Air Game by Hasbro, Inc.
• Speak Out by Hasbro, Inc.
• Yeti in My Spaghetti by PlayMonster!

INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for infants/preschoolers (up to 5 years)

• Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital Care Cart by Just Play
• Go! Go! Smart Friends ® Enchanted Princess Palace™ by Vtech
• IO Blocks® Vehicles by Guidecraft USA Inc.
• Razor Jr. T3 Scooter by Razor USA LLC
• Robot Engineer by Thames & Kosmos
• Wash 'N Go Wooden Car Garage by KidKraft
• Zoomer Marshall by Spin Master Ltd.

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value

• CHiP by WowWee USA, Inc.
• Cozmo by Anki
• Fisher Price® Think & Learn Code-a-pillar™ by Mattel, Inc.
• Hatchimals by Spin Master Ltd.
• Mebo by SkyRocket Toys
• Project Mc2 H2O Car by MGA Entertainment
• Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band™ by Sphero

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

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy

• 3DoodlerStart Essentials Pen Set by WobbleWorks
• Acids, Bases and pH Chemistry Kit by Yellow Scope
• CogniToys Dino by CogniToys
• Geometry Strategy by Games by Bright of Sweden
• IAmElemental Series 1/Courage by IAmElemental
• Malia's House by Build & Imagine
• Superhero Will by Wonder Crew

SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

• Automoblox C9 Sportscar by PlayMonster!
• Design & Drill® BrightWorks™ by Educational Insights
• Flappy Animated Elephants by Gund a Division of Enesco LLC
• LEGO Disney Castle by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• American Girl® Melody™ Doll and Book by Mattel, Inc.
• Nano Nitro Slingshot by HEXBUG
• Perplexus Q-bot by PlayMonster!

TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device

• Air Hogs Connect: Mission Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
• CodeGamer by Thames & Kosmos
• LUMI by WowWee USA, Inc.
• MOTA JETJAT Ultra Streaming Nano Drone by MOTA
• Sky Viper Hover Racer by SkyRocket Toys
• Wonder Workshop’s Dash & Dot by Wonder Workshop
• Zoomer Chimp by Spin Master Ltd.

VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their play sets/accessories

• Air Hogs – Star Wars X-wing vs. Death Star, Rebel Assault - RC Drones by Spin Master Ltd.
• Disney Princess Carriage by Dynacraft
• Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Treasure Mountain Train Adventure™ by Vtech
• Hot Wheels® A.I. Intelligent Race System by Mattel, Inc.
• LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3RS by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Telsa Model S for Kids by Radio Flyer
• XPV® RC Skateboarding Mikey by JAKKS Pacific