Tonight, familiar faces from across the toy industry gathered at Pier Sixty in New York City for the 2026 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards.
Hosted by The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association, this year’s TOTY Awards and gala raised more than $1 million to benefit the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support children in need through programs including the Play Fund and Toy Chest.
The TOTY Awards celebration is a powerful reminder of the impact play has in children’s lives. Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists for raising the bar on what it means to deliver meaningful, imaginative play experiences, and to the toy community for collectively raising more than $1 million to support The Toy Foundation’s mission. We are proud to channel the industry’s incredible passion for play into creating a momentous impact on children in need.”
And the TOTY winners are…
Action Figure of the Year
- Primal Hatch Jurassic World T. Rex | Spin Master
Collectible of the Year
- Wigglitz | ZB Designs
Construction Toy of the Year
- LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Set | LEGO Systems
Creative Toy of the Year
- ChompSaw | Chompshop
Doll of the Year
- American Girl Disney Moana Collection | Mattel
Educational Toy of the Year
- My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon |Thames & Kosmos
Game of the Year
- Exploding Kittens: The Board Game | Exploding Kittens
Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year
- Play Tab | Fat Brain Toy Co.
Kidult Toy of the Year
- LEGO Game Boy | LEGO Systems
License of the Year
- Bluey | BBC Studios Americas
Outdoor Toy of the Year
- PoppinColorz Galactic Color Bubble Machine | South Beach Bubbles
Playset Toy of the Year
- Bluey Supermarket Playset | Moose Toys
Plush Toy of the Year
- Disney Stitch Ultimate Stitch Interactive Feature Plush | Just Play
Preschool Toy of the Year
- Mini Farmstand Sorting Set | Learning Resources
Specialty Toy of the Year
- Anywhere Sports — Silent Basketball 9.5-inch Regulation Size | Thin Air Brands
Vehicle of the Year
- BRIO World Pull Back Train Set | Ravensburger North America
Toy of the Year
- Primal Hatch | Spin Master
The People’s Choice Award
- The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box | The Pokémon Company International
Celebration met legacy as Melissa and Doug Bernstein, Founders of Melissa & Doug, and Isaac Larian, Founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, were formally welcomed into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The evening also honored the late Stanley Weston — the visionary behind the original G.I. Joe action figure and Founder of Leisure Concepts — as this year’s posthumous inductee. Each honoree now holds a permanent place in the Hall of Fame exhibit at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
The night also marked the introduction of the Alan G. Hassenfeld Humanitarian Award, created in honor of the late Hasbro leader and tireless advocate for children. Beginning this year, the award will recognize an individual or organization whose compassion, leadership, and philanthropic spirit reflect Hassenfeld’s lifelong mission: putting smiles on kids’ faces around the world.
While the spotlight shone on industry icons, the evening’s impact reached far beyond the ballroom. Proceeds from the TOTY Awards will help The Toy Foundation expand global toy distribution, grow funding for play-focused programs in children’s hospitals, and reinforce disaster response efforts for families in crisis. Supporters can make an immediate difference through the Foundation’s online auction, open through February 17, featuring curated travel and family experiences, or through direct donations.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
