The Toy Industry Association has unveiled the 100 finalists for the 2017 Toy of the Year Awards, approximately a quarter of which are licensed.

April 6, 2018

5 Min Read

Winners will be announced in February to kick off the 114th annual NY Toy Fair.

The Toy Industry Association has unveiled the 100 finalists for the 2017 Toy of the Year Awards, approximately a quarter of which are licensed.

This year’s finalists were selected from more than 700 nominees, submitted by more than 250 companies. A selection of 25 toy and play experts, retailers, academics and journalists made up the nomination committee.

Through Jan. 15, consumers can vote for their favorite toys in 14 different categories. The winners in each category and the overall Toy of the Year will be selected based on votes from mass and specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members and consumers. The People’s Choice Award winner will be selected solely by consumer votes.

The winners will be announced at the TOTY Awards ceremony, Feb. 17, which will kick off the 114th North American International Toy Fair. The celebration will also include the induction of industry innovators into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

“This year’s TOTY finalists represent the finest examples of play value, originality and innovation across the hundreds of companies that make the U.S. toy industry the strongest in the world,” says Steve Pasierb, president and chief executive officer, TIA. “Perhaps most importantly, these outstanding nominees have brought joy, laughter and learning to millions of children and families around the globe. We send each TOTY finalist good wishes and look forward to honoring the top toys of the year at the TOTY Awards gala in just a few months!”

Action Figures of the Year

  • “DC Super Hero Girls” Action Figure Assortment by Mattel

  • Fossil Hunter Lottie by Arklu

  • 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

Active/Outdoor Toy of the Year

  • 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon by Radio Flyer

  • Air Hogs Helix Sentinel Drone by Spin Master

  • Bunch O Balloons by Zuru

  • Hot Wheels Sky Shock RC Vehicle by Mattel

  • Nerf N-Strike Modulus Tri-Strike Blaster by Hasbro

  • 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 of the Year

  • Circuit Scribe Maker Kit by CircuitScribe

  • Crayola Air Maker Sprayer by Crayola

  • 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

  • Dorbz by Funko

  • Gift ‘ems by Jakks Pacific

  • LEGO Minifigures – The Disney Edition by LEGO Systems

  • Num Noms by MGA Entertainment

  • Pop! by Funko

  • Shopkins Season 6: Chef Club by Moose Toys

  • Tonka Tinys by Funrise

Construction Toy of the Year

  • Arckit Go Colours by Arckit, division of MBM Building Systems

  • Gripples Builders by Guidecraft USA

  • LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster by LEGO Systems

  • Marine Rescue Center by Build & Imagine

  • Meccano Micronoid by Spin Master

  • Tinkerbots by Tinkerbots

  • Walking Robot 45PC Set by Magformers

Doll of the Year

  • Barbie Fashionista Doll by Mattel

  • Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa by Jakks Pacific

  • “Elena of Avalor” Adventure Dress Doll by Hasbro

  • Project Mc2 Experiments with Doll Sets by MGA Entertainment

  • Shopkins Core Shoppies by Moose Toys

  • Stargazer Lottie Doll by Arklu

  • WellieWishers by Mattel

Game of the Year

  • Bloxels by Mattel

  • Circuit Maze by ThinkFun

  • Escape Room the Game by Spin Master

  • Imhotep by Thames & Kosmos

  • Maze Racers by FoxMind Games

  • Simon Air Game by Hasbro

  • Speak Out by Hasbro

  • Yeti in My Spaghetti by PlayMonster!

Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year

  • "Doc McStuffins” Toy Hospital Care Cart by Just Play

  • Go! Go! Smart Friends Enchanted Princess Palance by Vtech

  • IO Blocks Vehicles by Guidecraft USA

  • Razor Jr. T3 Scooter by Razor USA

  • Robot Engineer by Thames & Kosmos

  • Wash ‘N Go Wooden Car Garage by KidKraft

  • Zoomer Marshall by Spin Master

Innovative Toy of the Year

  • CHiP by WowWee USA

  • Cozmo by Anki

  • Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar by Mattel

  • Hatchimals by Spin Master

  • Mebo by SkyRocket Toys

  • Project Mc2 H2O Car by MGA Entertainment

  • Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band by Sphero

License of the Year

  • “DC Super Hero Girls”

  • Disney’s “Elena of Avalor”

  • “Paw Patrol”

  • Pokémon

  • Shopkins

  • Star Wars

  • Trolls

Rookie of the Year

  • 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 Toy of the Year

  • Automoblox C9 Sportscar by PlayMonster!

  • Design & Drill BrightWorks by Educational Insights

  • Flappy Animated Elephants by Gund, a division of Enesco

  • LEGO Disney Castle by LEGO Systems

  • Melody Doll and Book by Mattel

  • Nano Nitro Slingshot by Hexbug

  • Perplexus Q-bot by PlayMonster!

Tech Toy of the Year

  • Air Hogs Connect: Mission Drone by Spin Master

  • CodeGamer by Thames & Kosmos

  • LUMI by WowWee USA

  • 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

Vehicle of the Year

  • 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

  • LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3RS by LEGO Systems

  • Tesla Model S for Kids by Radio Flyer

  • XPV RC Skateboarding Mikey by Jakks Pacific

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry Article
Join 62,000+ members. Yes, it's completely free.

You May Also Like