With this year’s New York Toy Fair wrapping up today, the Toy Industry Association kicked off the event on February 16 by honoring the top playthings at the 18th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards ceremony. WowWee’s Fingerlings and MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! were crowned the big winners of the night, both taking home the coveted Toy of the Year distinction.
WowWee’s Fingerlings also won Collectible of the Year after a breakout launch that saw the interactive plaything became one of the top holiday toys in 2017, according to The NPD Group.
The Star Wars brand also scored four awards, with LittleBits winning Creative Toy of the Year for its Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit, while License of the Year went to Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, Specialty Toy of the Year was handed to LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon by LEGO Systems, and Construction Toy of the Year also went to LEGO for its Star Wars BB-9 offering.
Spin Master and Hasbro received the most nominations, which were announced in November, with 10 apiece. Hasbro ended up winning one prize for Action Figure of the Year for Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot Figure. Spin Master, meanwhile, snagged three awards though for Game of the Year for Soggy Doggy, Preschool Toy of the Year for PAW Patrol My Size Lookout Tower, and Vehicle of the Year for PAW Patrol Sea Patroller.
Consumers voted for the winners across 17 categories at ToyAwards.org starting on January 5. The full list of this year’s winners are as follows:
Toy of the Year – Fingerlings by WowWee USA & L.O.L. Surprise! by MGA Entertainment
People’s Choice Award – Funko’s Mystery Minis by Funko
Collectible of the Year – Fingerlings by WowWee USA
Action Figure of the Year – Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot by Hasbro
Creative Toy of the Year – Star Wars Droid Inventor Kits by LittleBits
Construction Toy of the Year – LEGO Star Wars BB-9 by LEGO
Game of the Year – Soggy Doggy by Spin Master
Doll of the Year – Wonder Crew Superhero Will by PlayMonster
Innovative Toy of the Year – Rubie’s Jurassic World T-Rex Inflatable Costume by Rubie’s Costume Company
Infant/ Preschool Toy of the Year – Teddy Ruxpin by Wicked Cool Toys
Outdoor Toy of the Year – Bunch O Balloons Filler Soaker by Zuru
License of the Year – Star Wars by Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media
Plush Toy of the Year – Disney Junior minnie’s Walk and Play Puppy by Just Play Products
Playset of the Year – Hot wheels Super Ultimate Garage by Mattel
Rookie of the Year – Antsy Pants Build & Play Kits by Beach House Group
Preschool Toy of the Year – PAW Patrol My Size Lookout Tower by Spin Master
Speciality Toy of the Year – LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon by LEGO
Tech Toy of the Year – LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox by LEGO
Vehicle of the Year – PAW Patrol Sea Patroller by Spin Master