This week I attended a press conference hosted by the Toy Industry Association, the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, to announce their finalists for the 2012 Toy of the Year Awards.
After the unveiling of the finalists, we got to play with all the toys. Here are some of my favorite finalists. And following my picks is the full listing of the finalists in all 11 categories.
The Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera by Fisher Price. Both my under five-year-olds are obsessed with taking photos, especially outside in the park or at parades. This would be a great addition to their list to Santa.
How cool is this LEGO NINJAGO Fire Temple Set? This could be a decoration in my living room. The colors are so vibrant.
For the mom and daughter who want to bond over Project Runway. If Madonna’s daughter could launch a clothing line, why can’t your offspring?
New Leap ad Explorer has a sleeker look than previous models, more like a PDA. I wonder if this toy would make my iPhone less desirable to my sticky-fingered crew.
My Take Along 1.2.3 Noah’s Ark by Playmobil. Adorable and seems like something adults or older kids could entertain a young child with for more than a few minutes.
Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys. I think my husband and three-year-old son would fight over it. SOLD!
Richard Scarry’s Busytown™ Busy, Busy Airport Game by Wonder Forge. Simply because anything by Richard Scarry rocks our world!
– Jill
ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
- Bizu Style Studio by Spin Master Ltd.
- Crayola Glow Book by Crayola, LLC
- HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.
- Kid-Tough® See Yourself™ Camera by Fisher-Price, Inc.
- LEGO® NINJAGO Fire Temple by LEGO Systems, Inc.
- Paper Jamz Pro Series Microphone by WowWee
- Project Runway® Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio Artist Set by Fashion Angels Enterprises®
BOY TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys developed for boys of any age
- BEYBLADE: METAL MASTERS PERFORMANCE TOP BATTLE TOP Assortment by Hasbro, Inc.
- DaGeDar™ by Cepia, LLC
- HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.
- Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.
- Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys
- Star Wars® Ultimate FX Lightsaber by Hasbro, Inc.
- Thomas & Friends™ Trackmaster™ Cranky & Flynn Save the Day! by Fisher-Price, Inc.
EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play
- HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.
- InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America
- LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
- Perplexus Original™ by PlaSmart Inc.
- Spectacular Science by Thames & Kosmos
- Swish™ by ThinkFun
- Tag™ Solar System Adventure Pack by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
GAME OF THE YEAR – Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats. (NOTE: All electronic games must have an ESRB “Early Childhood” rating)
- Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game by Mattel, Inc.
- Hedbanz™ by Spin Master Ltd.
- Jungle Speed by Asmodee™
- LEGO® HEROICA™ Castle Fortaan by LEGO Systems, Inc.
- Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.
- Tetris® Link™ by Techno Source
- UNO Roboto™ by Mattel, Inc.
GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys developed for girls of any age
- Dora Fiesta Favorites Kitchen by Fisher-Price, Inc.
- Fijit Friends™ Interactive Figures by Mattel, Inc. / Radica®
- Justin Bieber Rockin’ Tour Bus and Concert Stage Playset by The Bridge Direct
- Lalaloopsy™ Silly Hair by MGA Entertainment
- Mini Lalaloopsy™ Treehouse by MGA Entertainment
- Monster High™ Doll Assortment by Mattel, Inc.
- Squinkies® Adventure Mall Surprize™ Playset by Blip Toys
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)
- Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro / Playskool
- Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy by Fisher-Price, Inc.
- Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool
- My Busy Town™ by ALEX®
- My Take Along 1.2.3 Noah’s Ark by Playmobil®
- Parents® Jungle Pals Stacking Puzzles™ by Manhattan Toy
- Pocoyo SwiggleTraks™ Feature Set by Bandai America Incorporated
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys that combine innovation and play value
- Disney AppMATes™ Mobile Application Toys by Disney Consumer Products and Spin Master Ltd.
- Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.
- InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America
- Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys
- LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
- Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.
- Spy Net Stealth Recording Video Glasses by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys designed for outdoor play
- 3D Twister by Silverlit
- Gazillion Bump-N-Go Bubble Bug by Funrise Toy Corporation
- Little Tikes® Garden Leaf & Lawn Bubble Blower by Imperial Toy, LLC
- Nerf ® Super Soaker Thunderstorm Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.
- Nerf ® Vortex lineup by Hasbro, Inc.
- Rockboard® Scooter – Mini by M.Y. Products LLC
- Xploderz™ XBlaster200 by The Maya Group
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)
- Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro/Playskool
- Green Toys™ Pizza Parlor by Green Toys Inc.
- LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
- Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool
- Little People® Zoo Talkers™ Animal Sounds Zoo™ by Fisher-Price, Inc.
- Pirate Ship by Box Creations
- Richard Scarry’s Busytown™ Busy, Busy Airport Game by Wonder Forge
PROPERTY OF THE YEAR – Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry
- Angry Birds™ (Rovio Entertainment Ltd/ Striker Entertainment)
- Cars 2 ( Disney·Pixar ) (Disney Consumer Products )
- Chuggington™ (Ludorum)
- Monster High™(Mattel)
- Moshi Monsters™ (Mind Candy)
- Redakai (Spin Master Ltd.)
- The Smurfs™ (IMPS)
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR – Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
- Angry Birds™ plush toys by Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.
- HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.
- nanoblock® by The Ohio Art Company
- Rory’s Story Cubes® by Gamewright/Ceaco
- Sticky Mosaics® Happily Ever After Jewelry Box by The Orb Factory Limited
- Tilt™ by ThinkFun
- Tobbles™ by Fat Brain Toy Co.
