The Toy Foundation in the US has revealed the winners of the 22nd annual Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), with a number of licensed names picking up accolades.
The big winner was Squishmallows from Jazwares, which picked up the coveted Toy of the Year award, as well as People’s Choice and Plush Toy of the Year.
Jazwares unveiled a major CP drive for Squishmallows at the end of 2021, with entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency confirmed in August 2021 as being on board to grow the brand across key categories.
The winners of the awards were revealed during a special virtual event, attended by play professionals and toy fans from around the world.
“We are thrilled to unveil this year’s much anticipated TOTY winners, all of which are outstanding examples of the toy community’s talent in designing innovative, magical and creative playthings for kids and adults alike,” commented Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “We congratulate Squishmallows, each of the category winners, and all the nominees for their wonderful achievements and thank the industry for coming together in support of The Toy Foundation and its critical work of bringing toys, play and healing to millions of children in need.”
In addition to Squishmallows, Mattel, LEGO, Pokémon and Moose Toys were also among those picking up trophies.
TOTY awards were handed out in 16 categories, with the winners as follows:
- Action Figure of the Year – Masters of the Universe: Masterverse (Mattel)
- Collectable of the Year – LEGO Minifigures MARVEL Studios (The LEGO Group)
- Construction Toy of the Year – LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Daily Bugle (The LEGO Group)
- Creative Toy of the Year – Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron (Moose Toys)
- Doll of the Year – Ada Twist, Scientist Lab Doll (Just Play)
- Game of the Year – A Game of Cat and Mouth (Exploding Kittens)
- Grown-up Toy of the Year – LEGO Botanical Collection Flower Bouquet (The LEGO Group)
- Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year – Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot (Mattel)
- Licence of the Year – Pokémon (The Pokémon Company International)
- Outdoor Toy of the Year – ZURU Crazy Bunch O Balloons (ZURU)
- Play-set of the Year – LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship (The LEGO Group)
- Plush Toy of the Year – Squishmallows (Jazwares)
- Preschool Toy of the Year – LEGO Disney Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana’s Storybook Adventures (The LEGO Group)
- Specialty Toy of the Year – LEGO Everyone is Awesome (The LEGO Group)
- STEAM Toy of the Year – LEGO CREATOR 3-in-1 Ferris Wheel (The LEGO Group)
- Vehicle of the Year – PLAYMOBIL Volkswagen T1 Camping Bus (PLAYMOBIL)
The event also saw four toy industry visionaries officially inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame: the late Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy; the late Lucille King, founder of the Playskool Institute; Jim Pressman, president of Pressman Toy Corporation; and Bob Wann (retired) of PlayMonster.
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