TIA Announces 2012 TOTY Finalists

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced the 77 finalists for the 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Through January 15, toy lovers of all ages can vote for their favorite toys by visiting www.ToyAwards.org.

The finalists, representing 67 unique products or properties from 51 companies, were selected from nearly 600 nominees. TIA invites consumers, mass retailers, specialty retailers, media, and members of the toy industry to vote. Each of the five types of ballots will be weighted and used to determine the winners and the overall “Toy of the Year” award. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on Saturday, February 11 as the kick-off to the 109th American International Toy Fair.

The finalists are:

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

Bizu Style Studio by Spin Master Ltd.

Crayola Glow Book by Crayola, LLC

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

Kid-Tough® See Yourself™ Camera by Fisher-Price, Inc.

LEGO® NINJAGO Fire Temple by LEGO Systems, Inc.

Paper Jamz Pro Series Microphone by WowWee

Project Runway® Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio Artist Set by Fashion Angels Enterprises®

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for boys of any age

BEYBLADE: METAL MASTERS PERFORMANCE TOP BATTLE TOP Assortment by Hasbro, Inc.

DaGeDar™ by Cepia, LLC

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.

Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys

Star Wars® Ultimate FX Lightsaber by Hasbro, Inc.

Thomas & Friends™ Trackmaster™ Cranky & Flynn Save the Day! by Fisher-Price, Inc.

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Perplexus Original™ by PlaSmart Inc.

Spectacular Science by Thames & Kosmos

Swish™ by ThinkFun

Tag™ Solar System Adventure Pack by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

GAME OF THE YEAR: Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats.  (NOTE:  All electronic games must have an ESRB “Early Childhood” rating)

Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game by Mattel, Inc.

Hedbanz™ by Spin Master Ltd.

Jungle Speed by Asmodee™

LEGO® HEROICA™ Castle Fortaan by LEGO Systems, Inc.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.

Tetris® Link™ by Techno Source

UNO Roboto™ by Mattel, Inc.

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for girls of any age

Dora Fiesta Favorites Kitchen by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Fijit Friends™ Interactive Figures by  Mattel, Inc. / Radica®

Justin Bieber Rockin’ Tour Bus and Concert Stage Playset by The Bridge Direct

Lalaloopsy™ Silly Hair by MGA Entertainment

Mini Lalaloopsy™ Treehouse by MGA Entertainment

Monster High™ Doll Assortment by Mattel, Inc.

Squinkies® Adventure Mall Surprize™ Playset by Blip Toys

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)

Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro / Playskool

Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool

My Busy Town™ by ALEX®

My Take Along 1.2.3 Noah’s Ark by Playmobil®

Parents® Jungle Pals Stacking Puzzles™ by Manhattan Toy

Pocoyo SwiggleTraks™ Feature Set by Bandai America Incorporated

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that combine innovation and play value

Disney AppMATes™ Mobile Application Toys by Disney Consumer Products and Spin Master Ltd.

Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.

InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America

Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.

Spy Net Stealth Recording Video Glasses by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys designed for outdoor play

3D Twister by Silverlit

Gazillion Bump-N-Go Bubble Bug by Funrise Toy Corporation

Little Tikes® Garden Leaf & Lawn Bubble Blower by Imperial Toy, LLC

Nerf ® Super Soaker Thunderstorm Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.

Nerf ® Vortex lineup by Hasbro, Inc.

Rockboard® Scooter – Mini by M.Y. Products LLC

Xploderz™ XBlaster200 by The Maya Group

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)

Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro/Playskool

Green Toys™ Pizza Parlor by Green Toys Inc.

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool

Little People® Zoo Talkers™ Animal Sounds Zoo™ by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Pirate Ship by Box Creations

Richard Scarry’s Busytown™ Busy, Busy Airport Game by Wonder Forge

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR: Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry

Angry Birds™ (Rovio Entertainment Ltd/ Striker Entertainment)

Cars 2  ( Disney·Pixar ) (Disney Consumer Products )

Chuggington™ (Ludorum)

Monster High™(Mattel)

Moshi Monsters™ (Mind Candy)

Redakai (Spin Master Ltd.)

The Smurfs™ (IMPS)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

Angry Birds™ plush toys by Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

nanoblock® by The Ohio Art Company

Rory’s Story Cubes® by Gamewright/Ceaco

Sticky Mosaics® Happily Ever After Jewelry Box by The Orb Factory Limited

Tilt™ by ThinkFun

Tobbles™ by Fat Brain Toy Co.

This post was originally written by Elizabeth A. Reid and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

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