DC Super Hero Girls versus Pokemon. Funko Pop! vinyls versus LEGO Disney minifigures. Fossil Hunter Lottie versus Fortress Maximus. We’ve got some tough choices to make to determine the winners of the Toy Industry Association’s 2017 Toy of the Year awards.
The TIA probably doesn’t have a special group that just sits around playing with toys and games all year to come up with picks for its annual awards, but if it did I would volunteer. Instead, nominees this year were chose from more than 700 submissions from 250 different companies, from the largest toy empire to tiny independent operations.
As it turns out, I’ve already played with many of this year’s nominees. In fact, in the list below I bolded anything I’ve purchased and/or played with over the past year.
Highlights of this year’s nominees include Hasbro’s remake of the biggest Transformer ever, Fortress Maximus, reborn for the Titans Return line; Anki’s Cozmo, which is an actual robot friend for you to love forever; and DC’s Super Hero Girls line, which brings together doll fans and comic fans in a whole new way.
Now it’s up to store owners, toy media, TIA members and consumers to hit up the official website and vote for their favourites. Winners will be determined by popular vote and announced on Friday, 17 February 2017 at a ceremony held at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in New York.
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 Div. of MBM Building Systems
- 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
- 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 utilise 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
LICENCE 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 Lunch Box Carrying Case With Complete Set of Action Figures 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.
- 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 Disney Consumer Products
- 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
Looking over the bolded entries, it’s clear I need to get out more.
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