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This February in New York is the 110th annual Toy Fair. This is the big kahuna event for those of us in the toy industry. We get to see what new toys the companies are releasing for 2013, mingle with others who love toys as much as we do and just overall have several filled days doing what we love. Todd and I will be there and we are slightly excited!
Every year around this time, the Toy Industry Association has an event where they announce the nominees for Toy of the Year Awards. There are 84 finalists and from now until January 13, 2013, toy lovers of all ages can visit ToyAwards.org to vote on your favorites in 12 different categories. Not only that, but you can also sign up to win a prize package!
The winners will be announced February 9, 2013, the day before the official kick-off of the 2013 Toy Fair.
Are you ready? Here are the best of the best! This will help you get some great gift ideas for this Holiday season. (We’ve included links to purchase the toy,as well as our review if applicable.)
2013 Nominees for Toy of the Year Awards
ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
Blingles™ Bling Studio by Moose Toys – Buy HERE
Cake Pops By Bakerella Ultimate Cake Pops Set by SRM Entertainment LTD. – Buy HERE, Read our review
Digital Light Designer by Crayola – Buy HERE
LEGO® Friends by The LEGO Group- Buy HERE
LiteBrix™ by Cra-z-Art®- Buy HERE
Monster High® Create-A-Monster Design Lab by Mattel, Inc. – Buy HERE
Symphony in B.™ by B. toys by Battat – Buy HERE, Read our review
BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys developed for boys of any age
Air Hogs Battle Tracker™ by Spin Master Ltd. – Buy HERE, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
HEXBUG® Warriors Battling Robots Battle Stadium by Innovation First International – Buy HERE
Hot Wheels® Ballistiks™ by Mattel, Inc. – Buy HERE
LEGO® Ninjago by The LEGO Group – Buy HERE
Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire blaster by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE
Skylanders Giants™ by Activision Publishing, Inc. – Buy HERE
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser by Playmates Toys – Buy HERE
E-CONNECTED TOY OF THE YEAR
An app-cessory or other physical toy that interacts with a smartphone, tablet or gaming device
Animal Planet Wildlands by Nukotoys
Furby by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE, Read our review, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Kurio7 by Techno Source, a division of LF Products (a Li & Fung Company)
Life of George by The LEGO Group
Skylanders Giants™ by Activision Publishing, Inc. – Buy HERE
Sphero® by Orbotix – Buy HERE
StoryBots™ Starring You® StoryBooks by JibJab Media Inc. – Read our feature HERE
EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play
InnoTab® 2 by VTech Electronics North America, LLC – Buy HERE
LeapPad2™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. – Buy HERE, Read our review, This made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Leapster GS Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. – Buy HERE
LEGO® Architecture by The LEGO Group – Buy HERE
Roll & Play™ by ThinkFun Inc. – Buy HERE
Spectacular Science by Thames & Kosmos – Buy HERE
Zingo!® Sight Words by ThinkFun Inc. – Buy HERE
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)
Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates Never Land Challenge Game by Wonder Forge, Inc – Buy HERE
Don’t Rock the Boat™ by Patch Products – Buy HERE
Fibber™ by Spin Master Ltd - Buy HERE
Perplexus Epic™ by PlaSmart Inc. – Buy HERE
Skylanders Giants™ by Activision Publishing, Inc. – Buy HERE
Spot It Jr. Animals by Blue Orange Games – Buy HERE
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game™ by Educational Insights – Buy HERE
GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys developed for girls of any age
Disney Princess Cinderella Magic Lights Dress by Creative Designs International (CDI), a division of JAKKS Pacific – Buy HERE
Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check-Up” Doll by Just Play – Buy HERE, Read our review, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Furby by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE, Read our review, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Furreal Friends Baby Butterscotch, My Magical Show Pony by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE
La Dee Da™ by Spin Master Ltd – Buy HERE
LEGO® Friends by The LEGO Group – Buy HERE
Monster High® High School by Mattel, Inc. – Buy HERE
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)
Alphabet Activity Cube™ by VTech Electronics North America, LLC – Buy HERE
Cruise & Groove Ballapalooza™ by Fisher-Price, Inc.- Buy HERE
LEGO® Duplo Creative Sorter by The LEGO Group – Buy HERE
Rock*tivity walk ‘n roll rider by PLAYSKOOL – Buy HERE
Roll & Play™ by ThinkFun Inc. – Buy HERE
Tranquil Turtle™ by Cloud b – Buy HERE, Read our review
Woofer™ by B. toys by Battat – Buy HERE, Read our review
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
4D Cityscape Time Puzzles by 4D Cityscape Puzzles Inc. – Buy HERE
Digital Light Designer by Crayola – Buy HERE
Furby by Hasbro, Inc. - Buy HERE, Read our review, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Illumivor Mecha-Shark by Skyrocket Toys – Buy HERE
LeapPad2™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. – Buy HERE, Read our review, This made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Nerf Firevision Sports Football set by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE
Swish™ by ThinkFun Inc. – Buy HERE
OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys designed for outdoor play
Fuze Wheel Writer by Skyrocket Toys – Buy HERE
Little Tikes® Cozy Couple Go Bubbles by Imperial Toy – Buy HERE
Nat Geo WILD™ Anteater Bug Vac™ by Uncle Milton Industries – Buy HERE
Nerf Firevision Sports Football set by Hasbro, Inc. – Buy HERE
Razor® FlashRider™ 360 by Razor USA LLC – Buy HERE
The Original Big Wheel by JAKKS Pacific – Buy HERE
YBIKE Explorer by National Sporting Goods – Buy HERE
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys developed for preschool-aged children (aged 3-5)
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway by Wilson and TOMY – Buy HERE
Disney Princess Songs Palace by Little People® by Fisher-Price, Inc. – Buy HERE
Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check-Up” Doll by Just Play - Buy HERE, Read our review, This toy made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
LeapPad2™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. - Buy HERE, Read our review, This made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Servin’ Surprises™ Kitchen & Table by Fisher-Price, Inc. – Buy HERE
Switch & Go Dinos™ by VTech Electronics North America, LLC – Buy HERE, Read our review, This made our 2012 ToyXplosion 20 list
Symphony in B.™ by B. toys by Battat - Buy HERE, Read our review
PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry
Barbie® (Mattel, Inc.)
Disney Princess-Cinderella (Disney Consumer Products )
LEGO® Ninjago (The LEGO Group / Ninjago)
Marvel’s The Avengers ™ (Disney Consumer Products)
Monster High™ (Mattel, Inc.)
Skylanders Giants™ (Activision Publishing, Inc.)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
4D Cityscape Time Puzzles by 4D Cityscape Puzzles Inc.
All Duct Out by ALEX Toys
Fashion Angels Color Rox Hair Chox™ by Fashion Angels Enterprises™
Fastrack by Blue Orange Games
LEGO® Architecture by The LEGO Group
Loopdedoo® Kit by Ann Williams
Playmobil E-Rangers Headquarters by Playmobil
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Do you own any of the toys that made the list? Which ones caught your eye? Be sure to visit ToyAwards.org to vote on your favorites!
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