Melissa & Doug Receives its First Toy of The Year® Award for Sort, Stock, Select Wooden Vending Machine

WILTON, Conn., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Melissa & Doug, the #1 preschool brand for wooden and sustainable toys, has won the Preschool Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award for Sort, Stock, Select Wooden Vending Machine Play Set, presented at the 2025 Toy Foundation's TOTY Awards Gala in New York City. This marks the first TOTY award given to a Melissa & Doug product.

The TOTY ceremony was held in New York City, kicking off the 2025 Toy Fair at the Javits Center. Winners are chosen by votes from Toy Association members, retailers, and media, and were named in 16 categories.

The Preschool Toy of the Year Award was accepted by Sofia Dumery, Senior Vice President of Design, and Brett Almstead, Senior Product Designer and Lead Designer for the Vending Machine.

"It's an honor to be recognized for our commitment to creating innovative toys that inspire the kind of kid-powered, wholesome play that will help children develop the confidence to take on the world," said Dumery. "This esteemed award is a true reflection of the exceptionally talented teams at Melissa & Doug, who are constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity to deliver extraordinary play experiences for kids and families."

Kids can load the Melissa & Doug Sort, Stock, Select Wooden Vending Machine Play Set with double-sided play candy, snacks, and drinks then drop a color-matching play coin into a slot or insert the play credit card, press the corresponding button, and watch the snack drop into the collection drawer, no batteries required! The play set helps teach kids about cause-and-effect and encourages letter, number, and color recognition as well as sorting, matching, and fine motor skills.

The fully functioning wooden vending machine has become a viral hit during the past year. On social media, parents, caregivers, and teachers have posted about filling the vending machine with real snacks and small toys to use as a rewards system.

In addition to winning Preschool Toy of the Year, Melissa & Doug received a nomination in the Creative Toy of the Year category for Sticker WOW!®.

"The TOTY Awards celebrate the best of what the toy industry has to offer — innovation, imagination, and the ability to bring joy to kids and families. Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees on their tremendous achievements," said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. "The toy industry is deeply passionate about bringing play to all children, and we are proud to unite this collective philanthropy at the TOTY Awards and year-round to deliver comfort and positively impact children when they need it most."

About Melissa & Doug 
Timeless Toys. Endless Possibilities.^® 
From classic wooden toys to crafts and pretend play, Melissa & Doug products provide a launch pad to ignite imagination and a sense of wonder in all children so they can discover their passions and their purpose. Recognized by parents as the #1 preschool brand for wooden and sustainable toys, Melissa & Doug is committed to its vision of making timeless, sustainable toys for a thriving and inclusive world. Melissa & Doug is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY), a leading global children's entertainment company.  

Press Contact 
Rosalie Sellman 
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SOURCE Melissa & Doug