The Toy Foundation™ Reveals the 2023 Toy of the Year® Awards Finalists

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21 Aug, 2023, 10:00 ET

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Voting Now Open; Category Winners to be Announced September 29

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An animated game to create movie magic, an activity table to drop musical beets, and an 8-foot inflatable obstacle course to spark endless outdoor fun are among the inventive finalists for the prestigious Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards. Today, The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) announced the top 122 toys, games, and properties across 17 product categories (listed below) that are advancing the world of play.

Consumers are invited to visit ToyAwards.org to see the complete list of product category finalists and vote for their favorites to help determine the category winners through September 8.

The product finalists were selected by an independent panel of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts, who narrowed down the pool from the hundreds of nominations submitted by top companies of all sizes. The category winners, determined by votes from consumers, Toy Association members, retailers, and media, will be announced at the TOTY Awards on September 29 in New York City. As the kickoff to Toy Fair®, the TOTY Awards are the biggest night of the year for toys, where the industry gathers to recognize innovation across every category of play. The night is also the ultimate fundraiser to support TTF's work delivering the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need around the world.

The Toy of the Year and People's Choice winners will be announced on November 20, in time to create peak holiday shopping buzz. Voting for the People's Choice Award, uniquely decided by online consumer votes will remain open through November 10. The Toy of the Year will be determined by a panel of expert judges.

New for the TOTY Awards, the achievements of industry trailblazers and outstanding initiatives will be celebrated across four people-focused and two campaign-focused categories. Twenty-seven professionals are recognized as finalists for uniquely advancing the toy industry across sustainability; diversity, equity, and inclusion; packaging design; and PR/marketing. The people-focused category winners will be determined by Toy Association member votes. An independent panel of marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, assembled in partnership with Advertising Week, have evaluated the campaign-focused nominations and will determine the winners.

"This year's TOTY Awards finalists are an unmatched lineup of toys, games, and professionals that represent the best of the best in the toy industry," said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. "We look forward to celebrating all of the finalists at the industry's biggest night of the year, plus advance the industry's collective philanthropy for the benefit of children in need."

TTF aims to be the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need. In 2022, the industry's support helped TTF reach more than 925,000 children and all proceeds generated from the TOTY Awards will help TTF impact even more children through the distribution of toys through The Toy BankSM, support of play therapy programs in children's hospitals, and development of the next generation of diverse talent for the industry.

2023 Toy of the Year Award Finalists

PRODUCT CATEGORY FINALISTS:Images available at ToyAwards.org/Press

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEARToys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based play.

COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEARToys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples, including novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEARToys that include building as the primary play pattern.

CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEARToys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them.

DOLL OF THE YEARToys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls.

GAME OF THE YEARGames for families and children (ages 0-14), including board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats and puzzles. Exclusive of video or app games.

GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEARToys 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 and are not "adult toys" nor sexual in nature.

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEARToys developed for ages 0-3. (Infant is defined as 0-18 months. Toddler is defined as 18 months-3 years)

LICENSE OF THE YEARCharacter or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual property.

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEARToys designed for outdoor play, excluding ride-ons.

PLAYSET OF THE YEARToys designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play.

PLUSH TOY OF THE YEARToys made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or a similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features.

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEARToys developed for ages 3-5.

RIDE-ON TOY OF THE YEARToys designed to be ridden outdoors, such as motorized vehicles, bicycles, scooters, wagons, etc.

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEARToys from manufacturers that primarily do business through independent retailers (neighborhood toy stores, museum shops, vacation destinations and similar venues) or in limited quantities online.

STEAM TOY OF THE YEARToys that encourage kids to develop, strengthen, and integrate skills across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

VEHICLE OF THE YEARToy cars, trucks, trains, and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles.

PEOPLE-FOCUSED CATEGORY FINALISTS:Headshots and bios available here

CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSIONRecognizes an individual who has shown a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry by promoting and celebrating diversity.

CHAMPION OF SUSTAINABILITYRecognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions or acted as a change catalyst to develop purposeful, environmentally friendly, and mission-driven programs that lead the way in creating a better future for the toy industry.

PACKAGING DESIGNER OF THE YEARRecognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional creativity in designing packaging for toys, including originality, innovation, and iconic value.

PR/MARKETER OF THE YEARRecognizes an individual who has achieved outstanding and proven results in promoting toys to consumers.

For more information about the TOTY Awards voting and selection process, visit ToyAwards.org.

About The Toy Foundation™ www.toyfoundation.orgThe Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is a 501 (c)(3) children's charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™. Our mission is to be the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need. In collaboration with the toy industry, TTF aims to create a world where every child experiences the comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play through three program areas – The Toy BankSM; Play Grants; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program. TTF's signature program, The Toy Bank, has delivered more than $284 million in toys to 31 million children around the world. In 2022, TTF provided $1.9 million in Play Grants to children's hospitals nationwide and global partner organizations actively assisting thousands of Ukrainian refugees. TTF launched its DEI program in 2022 working with a network of colleges and universities to attract diverse talent to career pathways in the toy industry.

SOURCE The Toy Foundation