They’re often considered to be the “Oscars” of the toy industry, and on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, the next Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards will be distributed at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City as Toy Fair New York gets underway. After carefully examining hundreds of nominees, a panel of industry experts determined this year’s finalists in 16 categories. One winner in each category, along with the consumer-chosen People’s Choice award and the overall Toy of the Year Award will be presented in February. Now it’s your chance to vote for your favorites.
– Here are the nominees for Construction Toy of the Year! –
Honoring toys that include building as the primary play pattern.
Erector by Meccano, Inventor Set, Intro to Robotics (Spin Master)
This S.T.E.A.M. building kit has everything kids need to tap into their imaginations and bring robotic creations to life: an infrared sensor, high torque motor, micro servo, real tools, parts, and more.
Ages: 10+, $129.99
Buy now on Amazon
Fisher-Price Wonder Makers Design System Build Around Town Starter Kit (Mattel)
Kids can design and build with more than 75 reconfigurable play pieces. Create buildings and towns or use the pieces to connect into tracks for vehicles. Includes wooden pieces, links, characters, vehicles, and accessories.
Ages: 3+, $39.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
LeapBuilder ABC Smart House (LeapFrog)
The centerpiece of the LeapBuilders collection, the LeapBuilders ABC Smart House is a 61-piece set packed with fun features for kids to express their creativity. With 20 double-sided learning blocks, kids will learn about letters, numbers, colors, animals, and shapes while the Smart Star cube provides encouraging words and sounds.
Ages: 2+, $39.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
LEGO City Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control (LEGO Systems)
This set features a modular, multi-stage, NASA-inspired rocket featuring a booster, payload storage, two-minifigure cockpit modules, a rover with an articulated grappling arm, a space telescope with folding solar panels, and a monorail system.
Ages: 7+, $99.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
LEGO Marvel Iron Man Hall of Armor (LEGO Systems)
Featuring a modular lab that can be combined and stacked in many different ways for endless creative play possibilities, kids can stage adventures with Tony Stark. The Iron Man action figure Hall includes a rotating podium with 2 posable robotic arms for Tony to get suited up as Iron Man, a desk, kitchen, weapon storage, tool storage and Iron Man suit storage modules, a radar dish, and more
Ages: 7+, $59.99
Buy now on Amazon
My Robotic Pet — Tumbling Hedgehog (Thames & Kosmos)
Build a working hedgehog robot with this 172-piece kit, then control it by clapping. Watch it tumble, roll, spin, bristle its spines, and scurry. Learn about gears, motors, sound sensors, LEDs, and more.
Ages: 7+, $39.95
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
VEX Catapult 2.0 (HEXBUG)
Kids can launch into a world of fun with the redesigned VEX Robotics Catapult. This construction kit featuring more than 150 pieces is great for budding engineers who want to build, test, and launch projectiles over 20 feet. They can develop their love for physics and STEM concepts, all while letting their imagination loose when they play. Kids simply turn the dial to load the Catapult and pull the launching lever to fire away.
Ages: 14+, $29.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
– VOTE NOW –
Public voting for the 2020 TOTY Awards is open to consumers, retailers, media, and members of The Toy Association through Jan. 5. For full details, rules, and additional information, please visit toyawards.org. Proceeds from the annual event benefit The Toy Foundation in its efforts to bring joy and comfort to children in need through the experience of toys and play.
