With Toy Fair New York having been canceled for the second year in a row, The Toy Foundation‘s 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards were revealed virtually this evening. Often hailed as “the Oscars of the toy industry,” the TOTY Awards program recognizes the top toys and games on the market and is a vital fundraiser for The Toy Foundation.
This year’s TOTY ceremony and Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction were set to kick off Toy Fair week during a gala event that was slated to take place tonight at the New York Marriott Marquis. Instead, winners in each of the 16 main categories in addition to the overall Toy of the Year Award and People’s Choice winner were showcased in a virtual event complete with a “metaverse” afterparty.
And now, a drumroll please as we congratulate this year’s winners and inductees!
TOY OF THE YEAR (TOTY) AWARD
- Squishmallows by Jazwares
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
- Squishmallows by Jazwares
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based play
- Masters of the Universe: Masterverse by Mattel
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
- LEGO Minifigures MARVEL Studios by The LEGO Group
CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building as the primary play pattern
- LEGO Spider-Man Daily Bugle by The LEGO Group
CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them
- Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron by Moose Toys
DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls
- Ada Twist, Scientist Lab Doll by Just Play
GAME OF THE YEAR
For families and children’s (ages 0-14) games including board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats and puzzles, exclusive of video or app games
- A Game of Cat and Mouth by Exploding Kittens
*NEW* GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys and games developed primarily for grown-ups/kidults, including party games, board games, collectibles, arts and crafts, and more. These toys are often fueled by fandoms, social media, and adult humor while they are not “adult toys” nor sexual in nature
- LEGO Botanical Collection Flower Bouquet by The LEGO Group
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 0-3 (0-18 months infant/18 months-3 years toddler)
- Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot by Mattel
LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual property
- Pokémon by The Pokémon Company International
OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons
- ZURU Crazy Bunch O Balloons by ZURU
PLAYSET OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play
- LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship by The LEGO Group
PLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features
- Squishmallows by Jazwares
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 3-5
- LEGO Disney Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana’s Storybook Adventures by The LEGO Group
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys from manufacturers that primarily do business through independent retailers (neighborhood toy stores, museum shops, vacation destinations and similar venues) or in limited quantities online
- LEGO Everyone is Awesome by The Lego Group
STEAM TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that encourage kids to develop, strengthen and integrate skills across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics
- LEGO CREATOR 3-in-1 Ferris Wheel by The Lego Group
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toy cars, trucks, trains and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles but exclusive of ride-ons
- PLAYMOBIL Volkswagen T1 Camping Bus by Playmobil
TOY INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
- Jim Pressman, former president of Pressman Toy Corp.
- Bob Wann, former Chief PlayMonster at PlayMonster LLC
- Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy (posthumous inductee)
- Lucille King, founder of the Playskool Institute (posthumous inductee)
For an extensive preview of 2022’s hottest toys and games, check out the February 2022 issue of the Toy Book — aka the BIG Toy Book — on its way to subscriber mailboxes now and available digitally Feb. 19.
