WORLD NEWS

2020 US Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award finalists unveiled

Published on: 12th November 2019

Voting will take place in 16 categories between now and 5th January.

The Toy Association has unveiled 114 toy and game finalists for the prestigious 2020 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Known as the Oscars of the US toy industry, the TOTY Awards programme recognizes the top playthings on the market and is also a vital fundraiser for The Toy Foundation, which annually delivers toys to millions of children in need.

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, considering each product’s creativity, design, play value and marketing.

Between now and January 5th, voters can visit www.ToyAwards.org to select their favourites in each of the 16 categories. They can also be in with a chance to win one of 16 toy prize packages. More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the “About the Awards” section of the website.

Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association, commented: “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. 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, February 21st, 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. Open to toy industry professionals, tickets for the event will be available for purchase on December 2nd, with all proceeds donated to The Toy Foundation.

2020 Finalists:

Action Figure of the Year

  • Bakugan Dragonoid Maximus Transforming Figure by Spin Master
  • Disney Pixar Toy Story Basic Figures by Mattel
  • Heroes of Goo Jit Zu by Moose Toys
  • Jurassic World Destroy ‘N Devour Indominus Rex by Mattel
  • Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro
  • My Hero Academia Katsuki Bakugo Action Figure by McFarlane Toys
  • Power Rangers Beast Morphers Beast-X Ultrazord Figure by Hasbro

Collectible of the Year

  • Blume by Skyrocket Toys
  • Hairdorables Dolls Series 3 by Just Play
  • L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Series by MGA Entertainment
  • Lucky Fortune by WowWee
  • My Singing Monsters Collectible Musical Figures by PlayMonster
  • Pulp Heroes Snap Bots by Far Out Toys
  • Shopkins Real Littles Lil’ Shopper Pack by Moose Toys

Construction Toy of the Year

  • Erector by Meccano, Inventor Set, Intro to Robotics by Spin Master
  • Fisher-Price Wonder Makers design system Build Around Town Starter Kit by Mattel
  • LeapBuilders ABC Smart House by LeapFrog
  • Lego City Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control by Lego
  • Lego Marvel Iron Man Hall of Armor by Lego
  • My Robotic Pet – Tumbling Hedgehog by Thames & Kosmos
  • Vex Catapult 2.0 by Hexbug

Creative Toy of the Year

  • Blinger by Wicked Cool Toys
  • Cool Maker GO GLAM Nail Stamper by Spin Master
  • Crayola Glitter Dots by Crayola
  • littleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit by Sphero
  • Smart Pixelator by Flycatcher
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Droid Depot Custom Astromech Units by Disney Parks
  • Y’Art Craft Kit by Kahootz

Doll of the Year

  • Ballerina Dreamer Dancing Ballerina by Hunter Products
  • Candylocks Basic Doll by Spin Master
  • Creatable World by Mattel
  • Cry Babies – Kristal Gets Sick & Feels Better by IMC Toys
  • Disney Frozen II: “Into the Unknown” Elsa Doll by Jakks Pacific
  • Disney Princess Ralph Breaks the Internet – Comfy Princess Assortment by Hasbro
  • L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Fashion Dolls by MGA Entertainment

Game of the Year

  • Funkoverse Strategy Game by Funko Games
  • Heist by Megableu USA
  • Ms. Monopoly Board Game by Hasbro
  • Orangutwang by PlayMonster
  • Pictionary Air by Mattel, Inc.
  • Ravensburger’s Disney Villainous: Evil Comes Prepared by Ravensburger
  • Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens
  • Uno Braille by Mattel

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year

  • Fisher-Price Linkimals by Mattel
  • InnyBin by Fat Brain
  • KidKraft World of Eric Carle Shape Activity Cube by KidKraft
  • LeapBuilders 123 Fix-It Truck by LeapFrog
  • Mix & Match-a-Saurus by VTech
  • Musical Lili Llama by The Manhattan Toy Company
  • Tinker Truck by Radio Flyer

Innovative Toy of the Year

  • comicam the Instant Comic Camera by Hangzhou Rulei Technology
  • Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak by Wow! Stuff
  • Hot Wheels id Smart Track Kit by Mattel
  • Hot Wheels TechMods by Mattel
  • RockIt Twist by LeapFrog
  • Shashibo (The Shape Shifting Box) by Fun In Motion Toys
  • tori Explorer Pack by Bandai Namco

Licence of the Year

  • Baby Shark by Pinkfong
  • Barbie 60th Anniversary Program by Mattel
  • JoJo Siwa by Nickelodeon
  • Marvel Avengers Endgame by Disney / Marvel Licensing
  • Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Super PAWs by Spin Master / Nickelodeon
  • Pokémon by The Pokémon Company International
  • Ryan’s World by pocket.watch
  • Toy Story 4 by The Walt Disney Company

Outdoor Toy of the Year

  • Crazy Cart Shift by Razor USA
  • Create A Castle by Create A Castle
  • EzyRoller Drifter X by EzyRoller LLC
  • Globber GoUp COMFORT by Incredible Novelties
  • My Buddy Wheels by Yvolution
  • Toilet Paper Blasters Sheet Storm by Jakks Pacific
  • Zuru X-Shot Fast-Fill by Zuru

Playset of the Year

  • Beyblade Burst Turbo Slingshock Cross Collision Battle Set by Hasbro
  • Disney Frozen Ultimate Arendelle Castle Playset by Hasbro
  • Hape Fire Station by Hape
  • Hot Wheels Colossal Crash Track Set by Mattel
  • L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Chalet by MGA Entertainment
  • Playmobil Mars Space Station by Playmobil
  • Timber Tots by Fat Brain

Plush Toy of the Year

  • Cutetitos by Basic Fun!
  • Dolce Safari Adventure by Magformers/Dolce
  • Little Live Scruff-A-Luvs Real Rescue Electronic Pet by Moose Toys
  • Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppets with Tempo Control by WowWee
  • Pomsies Lumies by Skyrocket Toys
  • Shimmer Stars by KD Group
  • Zuru Rainbocorns Ultimate Sequin Surprise Series 2 by Zuru

Pre-school Toy of the Year

  • Demo Duke by Spin Master
  • Coding Critters by Learning Resources
  • Kid Trax Rideamals Unicorn by Pacific Cycle
  • Kindi Kids by Moose Toys
  • Myla the Magical Unicorn by VTech
  • Peppa Pig’s Magical Parade Floats by Jazwares
  • Wild Ones by Razor USA

Specialty Toy of the Year

  • AirFort by AirFort
  • Hape Emergency Services Headquarters by Hape
  • Lego Ideas Central Perk by Lego
  • Lego Stranger Things – The Upside Down by Lego
  • littleBits Space Rover Inventor Kit by Sphero
  • OombeeBall by Fat Brain
  • ThinkFun’s Thinking Putty Puzzle by ThinkFunsmos

STEM/STEAM Toy of the Year

  • Amazing Rescue 50Pc Set by Magformers
  • Artie 3000 by Educational Insights
  • Beaker Creatures Alien Experiment Lab by Learning Resources
  • Crayola Color Chemistry Arctic Lab by Crayola
  • Gumball Machine Maker by Thames & KoLego Boost Star Wars Droid Commander by Lego
  • Mech-5 Mechanical Coding Robot by Elenco

Vehicle of the Year

  • Grrrumball by Alpha Group US
  • Hot Wheels Mario Kart Die-Cast Vehicle Assortment by Mattel
  • L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper by MGA Entertainment
  • Monster Jam Mega Grave Digger Remote Control Vehicle by Spin Master
  • PJ Masks PJ Seeker by Just Play
  • Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid by Hasbro
  • X-Power Dozer by Jakks Pacific

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