While the voting is already done, and the winners of the Toy Of The Year will be announced on February 18th, we wanted to give you our take on what we think should win each of the categories. These our just our opinions and we will see if we match any of the actual winners once they are announced.
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR – Heroes of Goo Jit Zu by Moose Toys because we love the crazy characters as well as the fact they are described as the squishiest and gooiest action figures ever.
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR – 5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands by ZURU because they are real brands and we think that ups the game a bit.
CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR – LEGO Friends Heartlake City Grand Hotel by The Lego Group as large LEGO sets still win the day.
CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR – Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron by Moose Toys because it is magic and what is better than that.
DOLL OF THE YEAR – Baby Alive Lulu Achoo Assortment by Hasbro
GAME OF THE YEAR – GibGab by Fat Brain Toy Co. because we can imagine playing this and laughing and laughing
*NEW* GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEAR – Kinetic Sand Kinetic Kalm Zen Box by Spin Master because we all love playing with kinetic sand, now we can have our own
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR – Crayola Light-Up Activity Board by Crayola
LICENSE OF THE YEAR – Pokémon by The Pokémon Company International, still going strong
OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR – ZURU Crazy Bunch O Balloons by ZURU because kids just love water balloons, but not filling them up
PLAYSET OF THE YEAR – Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle by Hasbro
PLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR – Squishmallows by Jazwares
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR – Fisher-Price B.B. Hoopster by Mattel because our kids loved their version of this hoop
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR – Shashibo Explorer Series by Fun In Motion Toys we have one and no one can put it down
STEAM TOY OF THE YEAR – Candy Claw Machine – Arcade Game Maker Lab by Thames & Kosmos, our kids had a claw machine once and they couldn’t stop playing with it
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR – Air Hogs Jump Fury by Spin Master
These are just our thoughts and you can stay tuned for the announcement of the winners for Toy Of The Year on February 18th at The Toy Foundation’s TOTY Awards gala.
Winners will be announced at The Toy Foundation’s TOTY Awards gala on Friday, February 18, 2022. The celebration will include the induction of four industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame and shine a spotlight on the inspiring philanthropic work of the toy industry and The Toy Foundation.
And the 2022 TOTY Finalists Are…
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based playAkedo – Ultimate Arcade Warriors by Moose Toys
Avengers Hasbro Marvel Mech Strike 8″ Super Hero Action Figure – Ultimate Mech Suit Iron Man and Captain America by Hasbro
Bakugan GeoForge Dragonoid by Spin Master
Heroes of Goo Jit Zu by Moose Toys
Jurassic World Ocean Protector Mosasaurus by Mattel
Masters of the Universe: Masterverse by Mattel
Star Wars Galactic Snackin’ Grogu by HasbroCOLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands by ZURU
Chuckle & Roar Pop It! Family by Buffalo Games
Funko POP! Star Trek: The Original Series Collection by Funko
Got2Glow Fairy Finder by WowWee
Hot Wheels Red Line Club by Mattel
LEGO Minifigures MARVEL Studios by The LEGO Group
Polly Pocket Compacts – Pocket World Assortment by MattelCONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building as the primary play patternArckit 100 by Arckit
Gears! Gears! Gears! Mega Builds by Learning Resources
Gravity Bugs: Free-Climbing MicroBot by Thames & Kosmos
LEGO Friends Heartlake City Grand Hotel by The LEGO Group
LEGO Spider-Man Daily Bugle by The LEGO Group
Snap Circuits MyHome by Elenco
Zig & Go Music by DJECO-USCREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to themConnetix 100 Piece Rainbow Creative Pack by Connetix Tiles
Follies by Follies
Hey Clay by Trendformer Ltd.
Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron by Moose Toys
LEGO VIDIYO The Boombox by The LEGO Group
Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers by Klutz
Pixicade Plus by BitOGenius, Inc.DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dollsAda Twist, Scientist Lab Doll by Just Play
Baby Alive Lulu Achoo Assortment by Hasbro
Baby Bee Doll Collection by Orijin Bees
Barbie Extra by Mattel
Disney Classic Dolls by The Walt Disney Company
Glo-Up Girls by Far Out Toys
Rainbow High Winter Break Dolls by MGA Entertainment
Spirit Untamed Ride Together Lucky & Spirit by MattelGAME OF THE YEAR
For families and children’s (ages 0-14) games including board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats and puzzles, exclusive of video or app gamesA Game of Cat and Mouth by Exploding Kittens
Crossed Signals by Mattel
Disney It’s a Small World Game by Funko Games
GibGab by Fat Brain Toy Co.
Hedbanz Blast Off! by Spin Master
Marvel Villainous by Ravensburger
Monopoly Builder by Hasbro*NEW* GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys and games developed primarily for grown-ups/kidults, including party games, board games, collectibles, arts and crafts, and more. These toys are often fueled by fandoms, social media, and adult humor while they are not “adult toys” nor sexual in natureDisney Castle Collection by The Walt Disney Company
EXIT: The Game Season 5 Bundle by Thames & Kosmos
Hot Wheels R/C 1:10 Tesla Cybertruck by Mattel
Kinetic Sand Kinetic Kalm Zen Box by Spin Master
LEGO Botanical Collection Flower Bouquet by The LEGO Group
Rambler 16 by Razor
The Beatles Collection Magna-Tiles Structures by CreateOn
The Goonies: Never Say Die by Funko GamesINFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 0-3 (0-18 months infant/18 months-3 years toddler)Classic Push & Play Walker by Radio Flyer
Crayola Light-Up Activity Board by Crayola
Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot by Mattel
LeapFrog Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot by LeapFrog
Musical Whale Fountain by Hape
SpiroKu by Fat Brain Toy Co.
VTech Sort & Recycle Ride-On Truck by VTechLICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual propertyBarbie by Mattel
Blue’s Clues & You! by ViacomCBS
Bluey by BBC Studios
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends by Marvel
Masters of the Universe by Mattel
PAW Patrol: The Movie by Spin Master and ViacomCBS
Pokémon by The Pokémon Company InternationalOUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-onsAerobie Sonic Fin Football by Spin Master
Disney Princess Cinderella 24V Carriage by Dynacraft BSC, Inc.
Fisher-Price Power Wheels Hot Wheels Racer by Mattel
KidKraft Nerf Command Base Battle Fort by KidKraft
Mobo Wobo 2-in-1 Rocking Baby Balance Bike by Asa Products
Step2 Safari Truck Climber by Step2 Company LLC
ZURU Crazy Bunch O Balloons by ZURUPLAYSET OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role playBarbie Dreamhouse by Mattel
Batman Bat-Tech Batcave Transforming Playset by Spin Master
Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle by Hasbro
JUNKBOTS Large Factory Habitat – New Port Power Plant by HEXBUG
LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship by The LEGO Group
LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course by The LEGO Group
Super Mario Deluxe Bowser’s Airship Playset by Jakks PacificPLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic featuresBlue’s Clues & You! Check-up Time Blue by Just Play
Moji The Loveable Labradoodle by Skyrocket
Scruff-A-Luvs Cutie Cuts by Moose Toys
Squishmallows by Jazwares
Star Wars: The Mandalorian The Child Real Moves Plush by Mattel
TeeTurtle Reversible Plushies by Tee Turtle, LLC
ZURU Rainbocorns Fairycorns by ZURUPRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 3-5Big Feelings Pineapple by Learning Resources
Fisher-Price B.B. Hoopster by Mattel
Land of Dough by Crazy Aaron’s
LeapFrog LeapLand Adventures by LeapFrog
LEGO Disney Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana’s Storybook Adventures by The LEGO Group
Tonies by Tonies
VTech KidiZoom PrintCam by VTechSPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys from manufacturers that primarily do business through independent retailers (neighborhood toy stores, museum shops, vacation destinations and similar venues) or in limited quantities onlineAmerican Girl 35th Anniversary Collection Dolls, Books & Accessories by Mattel
Dimpl Pops Deluxe by Fat Brain Toy Co.
Hide Inside: Mixed Emotions by Crazy Aaron’s
LEGO Everyone is Awesome by The Lego Group
Loopdedoo Deluxe by PlayMonster
Shashibo Explorer Series by Fun in Motion Toys
Snap Circuits Discover Coding by ElencoSTEAM TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that encourage kids to develop, strengthen and integrate skills across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematicsBill Nye’s VR Space Lab by Abacus Brands
Candy Claw Machine: Arcade Game Maker Lab by Thames & Kosmos
GraviTrax Speed Set by Ravensburger
Gridopolis by Gridopolis Games
LEGO CREATOR 3-in-1 Ferris Wheel by The Lego Group
Smartivity Pinball Machine by Smartivity Labs/Elenco
VTech Marble Rush Ultimate Set by VTechVEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toy cars, trucks, trains and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles but exclusive of ride-onsAir Hogs Jump Fury by Spin Master
Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures Dinobots Unite Roll N’ Change Bumblebee by Hasbro
Hot Wheels Color Reveal by Mattel
LEGO Creator Expert Porche 911 by The Lego Group
PAW Patrol: The Movie Chase’s Transforming City Cruiser by Spin Master
PLAYMOBIL Volkswagen T1 Camping Bus by Playmobil
VTech Switch & Go Velociraptor Helicopter by VTechAll proceeds from the TOTY program are donated to The Toy Foundation, which delivers the magic of play to millions of children in vulnerable situations through industry-wide toy donations and cash contributions.