NEWS

Breaking News: BTHA announces its 25 Hero Toys for 2023

Published on: 24th January 2023

Nostalgia dominates the line-up this year with Playmobil UK, The Lego Group, Care Bears, Sesame Street and Sylvanian Families amongst the winners.

The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) has announced its 25 Hero Toys for 2023, which have been selected by a panel of industry experts and are based on informed predictions for this year’s trends. The winners were unveiled at 9.50am on 24th January at this year’s Toy Fair, with broadcaster and presenter Anna Williamson on hand to congratulate the winners.

The selected toys are aimed at a range of ages, are suitable for a variety of interests and cover a large range of toy categories including plush toys, arts & crafts, action figures and pre-school toys. Toys include a Paddington Bear Tea Set, an RC Transforming Optimus Prime and a Pigs On Trampolines Game. Building sets showed a strong 4% growth in 2022 and are likely to remain popular in 2023.

Rebecca Deeming, Communications & Events manager at the BTHA, commented: “This year’s Toy Fair’s Hero Toys are bigger and better than ever. We received over 250 product entries – the greatest number of entries we have ever had – and the competition was very strong. We are confident that our winners perfectly encompass the wide-ranging categories of toys on display at Toy Fair and they represent everything our industry is about: ensuring every childhood is filled with play.”

Several of the winning toys are based on characters who reigned during the 80’s such as Elmo, Barbie, Sylvanian Families, and Wallace and Gromit, as nostalgia looks set to be a strong theme this year.

Rebecca added: “We know that parents, grandparents and carers love passing on traditions to their children and purchasing toys that remind them of their childhood, such as the Care Bears Dare to Care and the Build Your Own Wallace & Gromit Rocket, both Hero Toys. We expect to see this trend continue in the next year, with the nostalgic trend clearly popular with consumers.”

10 of the 25 winners are available to buy now with prices starting at £12.99. The other winners will be released into retail later this year in the lead up to peak season. Toy Fair’s Hero Toys 2023 can be found in the product guide attached and will be on display outside of the Press Office for the duration of Toy Fair.

The 25 Hero Toys for 2023 are as follows:

    • Bluey Wooden BBQ & Salad Set – 8th Wonder
    • Miraculous Magic Heroez Dolls – Bandai UK
    • Green Science Magic Water Tap – Great Gizmos
    • Sesame Street Potty Time Elmo – Just Play
    • Magic Mixies Colour Surprise Magic Cauldron – Moose Toys
    • Woodland Animal Balancing Game – Orange Tree Toys
    • City Life Ambulance with Lights and Sound – Playmobil
    • Learn to Build People of the World – Plus-Plus
    • Eco Earth Cute Baby Animals plush – Posh Paws
    • Lego Friends Heartlake Downtown Diner – The Lego Group
    • Care Bears Dare to Care Bear – Basic Fun!
    • Obey The Clay – Big Potato
    • Barbie Extra Make Your Own Night & Day Pop-Up Party House – Bladez Toyz
    • Heroes of Goo Jit Zoo: Deep Goo Sea King Hydra – Character Options
    • Sylvanian Familes Baby Mermaid Castle – Epoch making toys
    • Curlimals Flutter Wonders Deer – Golden Bear
    • Rainbow Learning Lights Mixer – LeapFrog
    • Design & Drill Rivet Pop Workshop – Learning Resources
    • Barber Shop Play Set – Melissa & Doug
    • Build Your Own Wallace & Gromit Rocket – Paper Engine
    • Pigs on Trampolines – PlayMonster
    • Taf Toys Urban Garden in Car Activity Centre – Halilit
    • Paddington’s Tea Set – Rainbow Designs
    • Toy RC Hydro Park Racer with Pool – Redlands Distribution
    • RC Transforming Optimus Prime – Simba Smoby Toys

RECENT ARTICLES

Easter treats … it’s the Easter Blog!

INDX Toy & Gift announces heritage theme for 2024 event

L.O.L. Surprise! has ‘smashing’ results with new campaign

Topps unveils giant Andy Robertson trading card mosaic

Hasbro Women Innovators of Play returns

International Day of Play to champion children’s right to play

Hot Wheels unveils Autism-friendly die cast car

Cobi sponsors We Have Ways Fest 2024

Pip and Posy come to life at Bandai Namco Cross Store

Ravensburger to distribute Othello