NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From a doll hidden behind a magic mirror to a sound-sensing robot, to dozens of toys that innovate beloved play patterns, the 2025 Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Award finalists, announced today by The Toy Foundation™ (TTF), represent the most sought-out toys just in time for the holiday season. Known as the "Oscars of the toy industry," the TOTY Awards celebrate the creativity of the global toy community and serves as a key fundraiser for TTF's year-round philanthropic work supporting children in need.
Between now and January 10, 2025, play-lovers of all ages can visit ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings in each of the 16 categories, browse toys, and make shopping lists for the holidays. Finalists were announced this morning by a group of well-known content creators who serve as TOTY ambassadors. See the full list of finalists below.
Winners in each category, as well as the coveted overall Toy of the Year winner and the People's Choice winner (based solely on consumer votes), will be announced at the TOTY Awards gala on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The celebration kicks off Toy Fair® 2025 (March 1-4, 2025) and includes the induction of seven trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
All event proceeds (including TOTY nomination fees) benefit TTF's initiatives, including the Children's Hospital Play Grants program to bring the healing power of play to children in hospital settings; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program to reach all communities with play; and The Toy Bank program to deliver the comfort and security of a toy to children in need around the world. The TOTY celebration will spotlight each of these program areas and the impact of bringing the benefits of play to children in need, as well as serve as an opportunity to donate and further its mission.
"This year's TOTY finalists exemplify our industry's talent for delivering joy, encouraging exploration, and enhancing learning through the power of play," said Pam Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. "We are proud to not only celebrate these innovative playthings but also the philanthropic impact fundraising for the TOTY Awards celebration will have in supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of children in need around the world. We invite everyone to have a say in the next TOTY winners and cast their votes!"
2025 TOTY FINALISTS
Additional details on each finalist is available at ToyAwards.org
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based play.
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set and are designed to be collected in multiples; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
CONSTRUCTION TOY/PLAYSET OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building as the primary play pattern and/or playsets with pieces that are designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play.
CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them.
DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls.
EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
Recognizing that all toys have learning benefits, this category is meant for toys and games that go above and beyond and are designed specifically to meet an educational purpose such as helping a child develop a particular skill or teaching a child about a particular subject area (including but not limited to STEM).
GAME OF THE YEAR
For families and children's (ages 0-14) games including board, card, electronic or other physical game formats and puzzles, exclusive of video or app games.
GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys 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 mature humor.
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 0-3 (0-18 months infant/18 months-3 years toddler).
LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character 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 YEAR
Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons, i.e. motorized vehicles, bicycles, scooters, wagons, bubbles, sports toys, role play etc.
PLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with soft filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features.
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 3-5.
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys from manufacturers that primarily do business through independent retailers (neighborhood toy stores, museum shops, vacation destinations and similar venues) or in limited quantities online. Voted on exclusively by specialty retailers through Astra.
TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys created in any category that have a meaningful tech element involved, that is directly related to or extremely enhances the play pattern.
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toy cars, trucks, trains, and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles but exclusive of ride-ons.
For more information about the TOTY Awards voting and selection process, visit ToyAwards.org.
The TOTY Awards gala is open exclusively to toy industry professionals. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase on December 2; all TOTY proceeds are donated to The Toy Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies throughout the year to bring brand-new toys to children who are sick, at-risk, in foster care, impoverished, or otherwise in need.
About The Toy Foundation™ toyfoundation.org
The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is a 501 (c)(3) children's charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™. The uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need, TTF works with small, medium, and large companies 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 Bank, Play Grants, and Talent Pipeline Program. Thanks to the toy industry's support, TTF has delivered play to more than 33 million children in need around the world.
SOURCE The Toy Foundation