Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today the 84 toy, game and property finalists for the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY).  The annual awards program is sponsored by the toy industry itself to recognize the top toys available across 12 categories -- from e-Connected and Activity to Educational and Outdoor toys.  Because the finalists have been nominated from within the industry and winners are selected by a combined vote of toy manufacturers, retailers, media and consumers, the TOTY Awards are known as the "Oscars" of the industry.

"This year's TOTY finalists embody the innovative spirit of the toy industry and transport children to magical worlds through play," said Carter Keithley, TIA President. "The TOTY Awards program also supports the philanthropic work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies to bring brand new toys to deserving kids throughout the year."

The 2014 finalists -- representing 68 unique products or properties from 41 companies -- were selected from more than 520 nominees submitted for consideration by 153 companies. Sixty academics, journalists, toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers staffed the nomination committees that narrowed the field to the slate of finalists. 

Beginning today through January 13, 2014, toy lovers of all ages can visit ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings.  Each vote is a chance to win one of twelve TOTY prize packages filled with the toys and games featured in each category.

Four additional ballots -- for mass retailers, specialty toy retailers, media, and TIA members -- were also launched today and will remain open through January 13, 2014.   All five ballots will be weighted and used to determine each of the category winners. The overall "Toy of the Year" award will be selected based on votes received from journalists and bloggers, retailers and TIA members; the "People's Choice Award" will be selected based on votes solely from consumers on ToyAwards.org. 

See the finalists in each category below. Online images are available at ToyAwards.org/Press

The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 as the kick-off to the 111^th American International Toy Fair.    

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR 
Arts and crafts, construction and other indoor toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

• Hot Wheels® Car Maker by Mattel, Inc.
• Rainbow Loom® by Choon's Design LLC
• Crayola Melt 'n Mold Factory by Crayola
• LEGO® Minecraft by The LEGO Group
• PLAY-DOH PERFECT TWIST ICE CREAM Playset by Hasbro, Inc.
• GLITZI GLOBES™ GLITZI SHOWCASE by Moose Toys
• Spirograph™ Deluxe Kit by Kahootz Toys

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys developed for boys of any age

• Battroborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena by TOMY
• Despicable Me 2™ Special Feature Minion Dave Talking Action Figure by Thinkway Toys©
• DISNEY INFINITY by DISNEY
• LEGO Legends of Chima™ by The LEGO Group
• Skylanders SWAP Force™ by Activision Publishing, Inc..
• TRANSFORMERS™ CONSTRUCT-BOTS by Hasbro, Inc.
• Disney^© Planes U-Command® Supercharged Dusty by Thinkway Toys^©

E-CONNECTED TOY OF THE YEAR 
A physical toy or game that is app-enabled or otherwise interacts with a smartphone, tablet or gaming device

• LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 by The LEGO Group
• Skylanders SWAP Force™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.
• DISNEY INFINITY by DISNEY
• Barbie® Digital Makeover by Mattel, Inc.
• LeapPad Ultra™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
• Kurio Touch 4s Handheld by Techno Source
• Photo Mix & Mash by Crayola

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play

• GoldieBlox™ and the Spinning Machine by GoldieBlox™ Inc.
• LeapPad Ultra™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
• LeapReader™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
• LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 by The LEGO Group
• Demolition Lab: Triple Blast Warehouse by SmartLab Toys
• Magformers® 62 Piece Set by Magformers, LLC
• Nancy B's Science Club MoonScope™ and Sky Gazer's Activity Journal by Educational Insights®

GAME OF THE YEAR 
Children's board, card, electronic or other physical game formats and puzzles  
(does not include video games or apps).

• BOOM BOOM BALLOON™ by SPIN MASTER LTD
• Chain Letters® by Patch Products
• DRAW SOMETHING™ PARTY Game by Hasbro Inc.
• HEDBANZ ACT UP by SPIN MASTER LTD
• Settlers of Catan® by Mayfair Games
• Skylanders SWAP Force™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.
• WordARound™ by ThinkFun

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys developed for girls of any age

• Disney Princess Palace Pets: Furry Tail Friends by Blip Toys
• FLUTTERBYE FAIRY by SPIN MASTER LTD
• FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY by Hasbro, Inc.
• LEGO® Friends Heartlake High by The LEGO Group
• Monster High® 13 Wishes Doll Assortment by Mattel
• NERF REBELLE HEARTBREAKER Bow by Hasbro Inc.
• Rainbow Loom® by Choon's Design LLC

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)  

• BIG HUGS ELMO by Playskool
• Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn™ Crawl Around™ Car by Mattel
• Go! Go! Smart Wheels™ Train Station Playset by VTech®
• Lamaze® Franky the Hanky Whale by TOMY
• Farm Mash-Up by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
• Mirari® Pop! Pop! Piano® by Patch Products
• Skwish® Stix by Manhattan Toy

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value

• Barbie® Digital Makeover by Mattel
• Battroborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena by TOMY
• FLUTTERBYE FAIRY by SPIN MASTER LTD
• GoldieBlox™ and the Spinning Machine by GoldieBlox™ Inc.
• Laser Maze™ by ThinkFun
• Skylanders SWAP Force™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.
• Zoomer by SPIN MASTER LTD

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys designed for outdoor play

• Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk by Crayola
• Razor® Crazy Cart™ by Razor USA LLC
• SKY RIPPERZ™ by Zing
• Sky Viper Stunt Quadcopter by Skyrocket Toys
• SkyTrix® by Daydream Toy
• Y Glider 3 in 1 by Yvolution
• Ziggle™ by Radio Flyer®

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR 
Toys developed for preschool-aged children (aged 3-5)

• BIG HUGS ELMO by Playskool
• Dino Construction Company™ by Educational Insights®
• Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Center by Just Play
• FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY by Hasbro Inc.
• Go! Go! Smart Wheels™ Airport Playset by VTech®
• Shelby's Snack Shack Game™ by Educational Insights®
• Sofia the First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends by Mattel

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR   
Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry

• Despicable Me 2™ (Universal Partnerships & Licensing)
• Disney Junior's Doc McStuffins (Disney Consumer Products)
• Disney Junior's Sofia the First (Disney Consumer Products)
• Minecraft™ (Mojang AB)
• Monster High® (Mattel)
• Skylanders SWAP Force™ (Activision Publishing, Inc.)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR   
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

• Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle by BeginAgain
• Bunny Peek A Boo™ by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.
• Laser Maze™ by ThinkFun
• Nanoblocks Deluxe Space Shuttle by Ohio Art
• Rainbow Loom® by Choon's Design LLC
• Spirograph™ Deluxe Kit by Kahootz Toys
• Magnetic Wooden Blocks 42-Piece Set by Tegu®

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA) 
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and bringing toys and youth entertainment products to kids of all ages, representing more than 600 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including the development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. For more information, please visit www.toyassociation.org or www.toyinfo.org.

Follow TOTY on Twitter at #TOTY14

Media Assets Available at www.ToyAwards.org/Press

SOURCE Toy Industry Association