This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

Licensed names among winners as Toy of the Year Awards revealed

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.

Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.

MORE NEWS
SeminalBigPicture500x500
 
The company has appointed Big Picture Licensing to support and represent Seminal as an introducer agent model to identify and develop new innovative licensing partners on a global basis....
Smileypopups500x500
 
The move follows the success of the brand's franchise stores in China....
TomGatesstageshow500x500
 
Dynamic doodler, homework-hater and lover of snacks Tom Gates and his 'brilliant' world are being brought to life for family audiences across the UK in a new live show, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show....
POPMoomin500x500
 
The partnership is part of the Moomins’ 80th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and marks the first of two collection releases, with the second due to debut in spring 2025....
HAAmbassadorsgroupshot500x500
 
The first ever celebratory lunch for the Honorary Achievement winners from The Licensing Awards and the Brand Licensing Ambassadors from the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards took place yesterday (20 November)....
PeugeotWildBrain500x500
 
WildBrain CPLG will represent the Peugeot brand globally across selected lifestyle categories including home and garden, electricals, sports equipment, toys and infant products....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.