LEGO and Squishmallows rule the 2022 TOTYs

The Danish brickmaker led the field with five wins, and Jazwares nabbed two coveted awards with its popular Squishmallows brand.
September 21, 2022

LEGO and Jazwares were big winners at the Toy Association’s 2022 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) ceremony last night in Dallas, Texas, taking home five and two awards, respectively.

LEGO and Jazwares also dominated at the 22nd edition of the TOTYs presented earlier this year. (The annual awards program was previously held in February during Toy Fair, but has now shifted to fall timing.)

For this year’s 23rd edition, LEGO’s wins were all third-party licenses, including Construction Toy of the Year for the I am Groot set (Marvel, pictured) and Playset of the Year for Super Mario Adventures with Peach Starter Course set (Nintendo).

Meanwhile, Jazwares’ Squishmallows plush brand took home the coveted License of the Year award, and also grabbed Plush of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.

Other notable wins included JAKKS Pacific nabbing the brand-new Ride-On Toy of the Year award with its Mario Kart 24V Ride-On Racer; World of EPI Company winning Doll of the Year for its Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Fresh Fierce Collection by The Fresh Dolls; and Just Play walking away with the Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year trophy for the CoComelon Ultimate Learning Adventure Bus.

The overall Toy of the Year and People’s Choice award winners will both be announced on November 21.

Out of 122 finalists, category winners were selected based on votes from toy retailers (mass and specialty), media, Toy Association members and consumers.

The complete list of winners of the 2022 Toy of the Year Awards are as follows:

Action Figure of the Year: Jurassic World Dominion Super Colossal Gigantosaurus (Mattel)

Collectible of the Year: LEGO Minifigures The Muppets (LEGO Systems)

Construction Toy of the Year: LEGO MARVEL I am Groot (LEGO Systems)

Creative Toy of the Year: Magic Mixies Magical Crystal Ball (Moose Toys)

Doll of the Year: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Fresh Fierce Collection by The Fresh Dolls (World of EPI Company)

Game of the Year: Pokémon Trading Card Game: Pokémon GO Elite Trainer Box (The Pokémon Company International)

Grown-Up Toy of the Year: LEGO Ideas The Office (LEGO Systems)

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year: CoComelon Ultimate Learning Adventure Bus (Just Play)

License of the Year: Squishmallows (Jazwares)

Outdoor Toy of the Year: Twister SPLASH (WowWee)

Playset of the Year: LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Peach Starter Course (LEGO Systems)

Plush Toy of the Year: 16″ Squishmallows (Jazwares)

Preschool Toy of the Year: Crayola Color & Erase Reusable Mat (Crayola)

Ride-On Toy of the Year: Mario Kart 24V Ride-On Racer (JAKKS Pacific)

Specialty Toy of the Year: Ann Williams Craft-tastic Nature Scavenger Hunt Potions (PlayMonster Group) and Snap Circuits: Green Energy (ELENCO)

STEAM Toy of the Year: Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit (Abacus Brands)

Vehicle of the Year: LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car (LEGO Systems)

The next TOTYs will take place September 29, 2023, kicking off Toy Fair week in New York from September 30 to October 3.

About The Author
Jeremy is the Features Editor of Kidscreen specializing in the content production, broadcasting and distribution aspects of the global children's entertainment industry. Contact Jeremy at jdickson@brunico.com.

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