MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! was awarded the Toy of the Year award.
More than 700 toy, play, and youth entertainment executives gathered at Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York on Friday for the 20th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards and Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Proceeds from the awards programme and event supported The Toy Foundation’s charitable work to bring toys to millions of children in need.
MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! was awarded the Toy of the Year award. The L.O.L. Surprise! brand also won prizes in two additional categories. Zuru’s Rainbocorns Ultimate Sequin Surprise Series 2, the surprise unboxing toy, took home the People’s Choice award for pulling in the most online votes from consumers.
TOTY awards were handed out in 16 categories and given to the following:
- Action Figure of the Year: Disney Pixar Toy Story Basic Figures by Mattel.
- Collectible of the Year: L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Series by MGA Entertainment.
- Construction Toy of the Year: LEGO® CITY Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control by Lego.
- Creative Toy of the Year: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Droid Depot Custom Astromech Units by Disney Parks.
- Doll of the Year: L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Fashion Dolls by MGA Entertainment.
- Game of the Year: Pictionary Air by Mattel.
- Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year: Fisher-Price Linkimals by Mattel.
- Innovative Toy of the Year: Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak by Wow! Stuff.
- License of the Year: Baby Shark by Pinkfong.
- Outdoor Toy of the Year: Create A Castle by Create A Castle.
- Playset of the Year: Mars Space Station by Playmobil.
- Plush Toy of the Year: Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppets with Tempo Control by WowWee.
- Pre-school Toy of the Year: Coding Critters by Learning Resources.
- Specialty Toy of the Year: Lego Stranger Things The Upside Down by Lego.
- STEM/STEAM Toy of the Year: Lego Boost Star Wars Droid Commander by Lego.
- Vehicle of the Year: Hot Wheels Mario Kart Die-Cast Vehicle Assortment by Mattel.
During the ceremony, three visionaries were inducted into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame – Thomas Chan, founder & CEO of Playmates Toys; Thomas G. Murdough, Jr., founder of Little Tikes, Step2, and Simplay3; and the late Harry Kislevitz, founder of Colorforms Corporation. They join an impressive roster of 74 toy industry luminaries, such as Milton Bradley and Walt Disney, who have been inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984.
“The TOTY’s are renowned as the ‘Oscars’ of the toy industry, independently judged, and recognise the best and brightest products and the people who design, manufacture, and sell them,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association. “We commend this 20th anniversary year’s outstanding TOTY winners and esteemed Hall of Fame inductees who have captured kids’ hearts and inspired millions through play. The over 600 TOTY entrants and the programme itself reflect the toy community’s unmatched passion, innovation, and creativity all while raising vital funding for The Toy Foundation’s philanthropic mission of serving children in need.”
