NORTH AMERICA–The second annual Play Fair took New York by storm last weekend with host of toy activations, previews and the unveiling of the 2018 Toy of the Year finalists just ahead of the holiday shopping season.

April 6, 2018

5 Min Read

NORTH AMERICA–The second annual Play Fair took New York by storm last weekend with host of toy activations, previews and the unveiling of the 2018 Toy of the Year finalists just ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Hosted by the Toy Association–which also puts on New York Toy Fair in February–in partnership with LeftField Media, the event took place at the Javits Convention Center, welcoming thousands of eager parents and kids.

The inaugural Play Fair took place in February 2016 alongside New York Toy Fair, but this year’s event was moved to an earlier date to allow companies to showcase their brands and holiday offerings in advance of Black Friday.

The two days were filled with brand activations, character meet-and-greets and screenings for a host of brands including “Peppa Pig,” “Ben 10,” Play-Doh, LEGO, “PJ Masks,” WWE and Hatchimals.

During a preview event Friday evening for media and industry professionals, the Toy Association also unveiled the finalists for the 2018 Toy of the Year Awards.

“Play Fair highlights play and entertainment during peak toy season, and is the perfect backdrop to unveil and celebrate the 2018 TOTY nominees,” says Ken Seiter, vice president, marketing communications, the Toy Association. “The TOTYs recognize the year’s hottest toys and games–all of which build important, lifelong skills through play. The nominated toys also highlight great gift ideas for kids of all ages for the upcoming holiday season.”

Among the brands singled out as finalists in the Toy License of the Year category are Disney Pixar’s Cars 3, Hatchimals, Nickelodeon Slime, “PAW Patrol,” “Peppa Pig,” “PJ Masks” and Star Wars.
The 2018 TOTY Finalists are:

ACTION FIGURE:

  • IAmElemental's Series 2/Wisdom Lunch Box Carrying Case with Complete Set of 7 Action Figures & Accessories (IAmElemental)

  • Imaginext “DC Super Friends” BatBot Xtreme (Mattel)

  • Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot Figure (Hasbro)

  • “PJ Masks” Duet Figure Packs (Just Play Products)

  • Star Wars Forces of Destiny Adventure Figures (Hasbro)

  • Stikbot (ZING)

  • WWE Superstars Action Figures (Mattel)

COLLECTIBLE:

  • Disney Pixar Cars 3 Diecast Cars (Mattel)

  • Fingerlings (WowWee USA)

  • Funko's Mystery Minis (Funko)

  • Hatchimals Colleggtibles 4 Pack (Spin Master)

  • L.O.L. Surprise! (MGA Entertainment)

  • Pikmi Pop! Surprise Pack (Moose Toys)

  • The LEGO Batman Movie Minifigures (LEGO Systems)

CONSTRUCTION TOY:

  • K'NEX THRILL RIDES: Web Weaver Roller Coaster Building Set (K'NEX Brands)

  • LEGO Star Wars BB-8 (LEGO Systems)

  • Magformers Log Cabin 87Pc Set (Magformers)

  • Mayka Toy Block Tape (Zuru)

  • Meccano M.A.X (Spin Master)

  • Silent Mary (LEGO Systems)

  • VEX Robotics BattleBots Minotaur (HEXBUG)

CREATIVE TOY:

  • 3Doodler Start Powerpuff Yourself Pen Set (3Doodler)

  • K'NEX Imagine: Power & Play 50 Model Motorized Building Set (K'NEX Brands)

  • LEGO Make Your Own Movie (Klutz)

  • Magnaflex (WowWee USA)

  • Nickelodeon Slime Deluxe Slimy Creations (Cra-Z-Art)

  • Oonies Starter Pack (Moose Toys)

  • Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit (LittleBits)

DOLL:

  • Baby Alive Sweet Tears Baby Doll (Hasbro)

  • Barbie Fashionista Ken Dolls (Mattel)

  • Disney Princess Dance Code Belle (Hasbro)

  • DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free Spirit & Lucky Deluxe Feeding Set (Just Play Products)

  • JoJo Siwa Singing Doll (Just Play Products)

  • Luvabella (Spin Master)

  • Wonder Crew Superhero Will (PlayMonster)

GAME:

  • Beasts of Balance (Sensible Object)

  • Boom Blast Stix (Moose Toys)

  • Hearing Things (Hasbro)

  • Roller Coaster Challenge (ThinkFun)

  • Soggy Doggy (Spin Master)

  • Ultra Dash (PlayMonster)

INFANT/TODDLER TOY:

  • GearZooz Roll & Roar Animal Train (VTech)

  • Little Tikes Light ‘n Go 3-in-1 Sports Zone (MGA Entertainment)

  • Magformers My First Pastel 30Pc Set (Magformers)

  • Mega Bloks Elephant Parade (Mattel)

  • Mirari Shellby (PlayMonster)

  • Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer (VTech)

  • Strolly Bike (Yvolution)

  • Teddy Ruxpin (Wicked Cool Toys)

INNOVATIVE TOY:

  • DROPMIX Music Gaming System (Hasbro)

  • HEXBUG BattleBots Arena (HEXBUG)

  • Hot Wheels MindRacers (Osmo)

  • Klask (Buffalo Games)

  • Lightseekers Starter Pack (TOMY International)

  • Rubie's Jurassic World T-Rex Inflatable Costume (Rubie's Costume Company)

  • Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi (Mattel)

LICENSE:

  • Disney Pixar’s Cars 3 (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)

  • Hatchimals (Spin Master)

  • Nickelodeon Slime (Nickelodeon Consumer Products)

  • “PAW Patrol” (Spin Master)

  • “Peppa Pig” (Entertainment One)

  • “PJ Masks” (Entertainment One)

  • Star Wars (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)
     

OUTDOOR TOY:

  • Bunch O Balloons Filler Soaker (Zuru)

  • Disc Jock-e (Tucker Toys)

  • Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder (Radio Flyer)

  • Nerf N-Strike Elite Accustrike Alphahawk Blaster (Hasbro)

  • Recoil (Skyrocket)

  • Sky Viper V2450 GPS Streaming Video Drone (Skyrocket)

  • Watermelon Ball (PlaSmart)


PLAY SET:

  • “Ben 10” Rustbucket Transforming Alien Playset (Playmates Toys)

  • Fisher-Price “Shimmer and Shine” Magical Light-up Genie Palace (Mattel)

  • Go! Go! Smart Wheels Race & Play Adventure Park (VTech)

  • HEXBUG Nano Space Cosmic Command (HEXBUG)

  • Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage (Mattel)

  • My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage (PlayMonster)

  • Playmobil Pharaoh's Pyramid (Playmobil U.S.A.)

  • Shopkins Shopville Super Mall (Moose Toys)


PLUSH:

  • Disney Junior Minnie’s Walk and Play Puppy (Just Play Products)

  • Dolce Activity Zebra (Magformers)

  • Funko's SuperCute Plushies (Funko)

  • Peppy Pets (Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co)

  • Pikmi Pops Surprise! Mega Pop (Moose Toys)

  • Storytime Rhymes Sheep (VTech)

  • Surprizamals (Beverly Hills Teddybear)


PRESCHOOL TOY:

  • “Beat Bugs” Musical Submarine (Blip Toys)

  • Disney Junior “Doc McStuffins” All-in-One Nursery (Just Play Products)

  • “PAW Patrol” My Size Lookout Tower (Spin Master)

  • Play-Doh Magic Oven Set (Hasbro)

  • Racing Adventures Mickey (Just Play Products)

  • Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart (LeapFrog)

  • “Thomas & Friends” Super Station (Mattel)


ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

  • Beach House Group (Antsy Pants Build & Play Kits) 

  • Pai Technology Inc. (Circuit Conductor)  

  • Move2play (Fuzzy Flyers)

  • Bevy & Dave (History Makers Puzzle Block Set) 

  • YULU Toys (Operation: Escape)

  • FlyCatcher Inc. (smART sketcher)

  • WeCool (Compound Kings Makin' Station)


SPECIALTY TOY:

  • American Girl Logan Doll (Mattel)

  • Creative Cosmetics Lab (Thames & Kosmos)

  • Fidget Spinner (TopTrenz)

  • HEXBUG CuddleBots (HEXBUG)

  • LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon (LEGO Systems)

  • Mirari Juballees (PlayMonster)

  • SmartMax My First Animal Train (Smart Toys and Games)

  • Zipes Speed Pipes (Neat-Oh! International)


TECH TOY:

  • Circuit Cubes (Circuit Cubes)

  • Cue (Wonder Workshop)

  • LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox (LEGO Systems)

  • Piper Computer Kit (Piper)

  • Robotics Workshop (Thames & Kosmos)

  • SoundMoovz (Cra-Z-Art)

  • VRSE (Skyrocket)


VEHICLE:

  • Air Hogs Hyper Drift Drone (Spin Master)

  • Anki OVERDRIVE: Fast & Furious Edition (Anki)

  • Automoblox SC1 Chaos and HR5 Scorch 2-Pack (PlayMonster)

  • Drone Force Angler Attack (Alpha Group, US)

  • Nerf Nitro Motofury Rapid Rally Set (Hasbro)

  • “PAW Patrol” Sea Patroller (Spin Master)

  • Playmobil Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (Playmobil U.S.A.)

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