DC Super Hero Girls versus Pokémon. 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 mom and pop 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 favorites. Winners will be determined by popular vote and announced on Friday, February 17, 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 utilize 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
LICENSE 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.
