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 Creative Toy of the Year! –
Honoring toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them.
blinger (Wicked Cool Toys)
Blinger is a safe and easy-to-use styling tool that quickly adds a bit of bling to your hair, fashions, and accessories. Following the simple and clear instruction booklet that’s included, kids can load the Blinger with the gems of their choice and get ready to get glam.
Ages: 6+, $19.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
Cool Maker GO GLAM Nail Stamper (Spin Master)
The Go Glam Nail Stamper comes with everything kids need to make salon-quality nails with super cute designs, and considering that they’re getting a full manicure, it’s really easy to use.
Ages: 8+, $24.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
Crayola Glitter Dots (Crayola)
Crayola’s Glitter Dots are glitter-infused dots that stick to a variety of surfaces so you can make sparkly designs without the mess. The Glitter Dots Sparkle Station allows kids to roll out Glitter Dots into different shapes and sizes, and use them to decorate their masterpieces — tons of fun, zero hassle.
Ages: 5+, $19.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
littleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit (Sphero)
Creative kids build and customize a rockin’ synth guitar using littleBits electronic building blocks, then transform it into new electronic instruments of their own. Over 12 activities in the free inventor app guide kids through building musical inventions, like an electric keytar or air drums, learning steam (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) skills, and drawing inspiration from real-world musical inventors.
Ages: 8+, $99.99
Buy now on Amazon
smART Pixelator (Flycatcher)
Kids can create pixelated, beaded masterpieces out of any photo they have on a smart device with the smART Pixelator. smART Pixelator creations are made out of those iron-together beads you may remember from any summer camp that existed in the late ‘90s/early aughts.
Ages: 7+, $59.99
Buy now on Amazon | Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Droid Depot Custom Astromech Units (Disney Parks)
Guests to Black Spire Outpost’s industrial depot at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge can build a Custom Astromech Unit — a remote control, interactive Droid that’s built and customized at the Droid Depot. The builder selects from a variety of R-Series or BB-Series components (450 BB-Series and 278,528 R-Series possible combinations) to create their Droid! Each includes authentic lights, sounds, and integrated BLE technology to interact with the environment.
Ages: 3+, $99.99
Available only at Disney Parks
Y’Art Craft Kit (Kahootz)
The Y’Art Craft Kit offers kids a whole new way to create textile art by coloring with yarn. A signature Grip-N-Stick Y’Artboard holds the yarn in place as kids fill in numbered areas with colored yarn to create fun, textured masterpieces.
Ages: 8+, $14.99
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.
