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.
