Just this past weekend, The Chronicles of Piercing Ken attended the 2nd Annual Play Fair over at the Javits Center. The event ran on Saturday and Sunday but during the Friday media preview night we learned what the nominees for the 2018 “Toy Of The Year” awards were and are now sharing them with you so you can toss your views into the mix as well. I’ve lined up all of the categories and items below and the website to vote will be at the close of the piece. Let’s take a look.

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that include action figures and their playsets/accessories

IAmElemental’s Series 2/Wisdom Lunch Box Carrying Case with Complete Set of 7 Action Figures & Accessories(IAmElemental)
Imaginext® DC Super Friends™ BatBot Xtreme (Mattel, Inc.)
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot Figure (Hasbro, Inc.)
PJ Masks Duet Figure Packs (Just Play Products)
Star Wars Forces of Destiny Adventure Figures (Hasbro, Inc.)
Stikbot (ZING)
WWE® Superstars Action Figures (Mattel, Inc.)

COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.

Disney Pixar Cars 3 Diecast Cars (Mattel, Inc.)
Fingerlings (WowWee USA, Inc.)
Funko’s Mystery Minis (Funko, LLC)
Hatchimals Colleggtibles 4 Pack (Spin Master Ltd.)
L.O.L. Surprise! (MGA Entertainment)
Pikmi Pop! Surprise Pack (Moose Toys)
The LEGO Batman Movie Minifigures (LEGO Systems, Inc.)

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets

K’NEX THRILL RIDES: Web Weaver Roller Coaster™ Building Set (K’NEX Brands)
LEGO® Star Wars BB-8™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Magformers Log Cabin 87Pc Set (Magformers)
Mayka Toy Block Tape (Zuru)
Meccano M.A.X (Spin Master Ltd.)
Silent Mary (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
VEX Robotics BattleBots Minotaur (HEXBUG)

CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that allow kids to build an/or make items that are unique to them

3Doodler Start Powerpuff Yourself Pen Set (3Doodler)
K’NEX Imagine: Power & Play 50 Model Motorized Building Set (K’NEX Brands)
LEGO Make Your Own Movie (Klutz)
Magnaflex (WowWee USA, Inc.)
Nickelodeon Slime Deluxe Slimy Creations (Cra-Z-Art)
Oonies Starter Pack (Moose Toys)
Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit (LittleBits)

DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories

BABY ALIVE SWEET TEARS BABY Doll (Hasbro, Inc.)
Barbie® Fashionista™ Ken Dolls (Mattel, Inc.)
Disney Princess Dance Code Belle (Hasbro, Inc.)
DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free Spirit & Lucky Deluxe Feeding Set (Just Play Products)
JoJo Siwa Singing Doll (Just Play Products)
Luvabella (Spin Master Ltd.)
Wonder Crew Superhero Will (PlayMonster)

GAME OF THE YEAR
Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)

Beasts of Balance (Sensible Object)
Boom Blast Stix (Moose Toys)
Happy Salmon (North Star Games LLC)
HEARING THINGS (Hasbro, Inc.)
Roller Coaster Challenge (ThinkFun Inc.)
Soggy Doggy (Spin Master Ltd.)
Ultra Dash (PlayMonster)

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 0-3

GearZooz™ Roll & Roar Animal Train™ (VTech)
Little Tikes Light ‘n Go 3-in-1 Sports Zone (MGA Entertainment)
Magformers My First Pastel 30Pc Set (Magformers)
Mega Bloks Elephant Parade (Mattel, Inc.)
Mirari Shellby (PlayMonster)
Pop-a-Balls™ Push & Pop Bulldozer™ (VTech)
Strolly Bike (Yvolution)
Teddy Ruxpin (Wicked Cool Toys)

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value

DROPMIX Music Gaming System (Hasbro, Inc.)
HEXBUG BattleBots Arena (HEXBUG)
Hot Wheels MindRacers (Osmo)
Klask (Buffalo Games Inc.)
Lightseekers Starter Pack (TOMY International)
Rubie’s Jurassic World T-Rex Inflatable Costume (Rubie’s Costume Company, Inc.)
Think & Learn Teach ‘n Tag Movi™ (Mattel, Inc.)

LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry

Disney Pixar’s Cars 3 (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)
Hatchimals™ (Spin Master Ltd.)
Nickelodeon Slime (Nickelodeon Consumer Products)
PAW Patrol (Spin Master Ltd.)
Peppa Pig (Entertainment One)
PJ Masks (Entertainment One)
Star Wars (Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media)

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons

Bunch O Balloons Filler Soaker (Zuru)
Disc Jock-e (Tucker Toys)
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder (Radio Flyer)
NERF N-STRIKE ELITE ACCUSTRIKE ALPHAHAWK Blaster (Hasbro, Inc.)
RECOIL (Skyrocket)
Sky Viper V2450 GPS Streaming Video Drone (Skyrocket)
Watermelon Ball (PlaSmart Inc.)

PLAYSET TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed to work together to enact some action or event

Ben 10 Rustbucket Transforming Alien Playset (Playmates Toys)
Fisher-Price® Shimmer and Shine™ Magical Light-up Genie Palace (Mattel, Inc.)
Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Race & Play Adventure Park™ (VTech)
HEXBUG nano Space Cosmic Command (HEXBUG)
Hot Wheels® Super Ultimate Garage (Mattel, Inc.)
My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage (PlayMonster)
PLAYMOBIL Pharaoh’s Pyramid (Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.)
Shopkins Shopville Super Mall (Moose Toys)

PLUSH OF THE YEAR
Toys that are made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or similar filling

Disney Junior Minnie’s Walk and Play Puppy (Just Play Products)
Dolce Activity Zebra (Magformers)
Funko’s SuperCute Plushies (Funko, LLC)
Peppy Pets (Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.)
Pikmi Pops Surprise! Mega Pop (Moose Toys)
Storytime Rhymes Sheep™ (VTech)
Surprizamals (Beverly Hills Teddybear)

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for ages 3-5

Beat Bugs™ Musical Submarine (Blip Toys LLC)
Disney Junior Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery (Just Play Products)
PAW Patrol My Size Lookout Tower (Spin Master Ltd.)
PLAY-DOH MAGIC OVEN Set (Hasbro, Inc.)
Racing Adventures Mickey (Just Play Products)
Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart™ (LeapFrog)
Thomas & Friends™ Super Station™ (Mattel, Inc.)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy

Beach House Group (Antsy Pants™ Build & Play™ Kits)
Pai Technology Inc. (Circuit Conductor)
Move2play (Fuzzy Flyers)
Bevy & Dave (History Makers Puzzle Block Set)
YULU Toys (Operation: Escape)
FlyCatcher Inc. (smART sketcher)
WeCool (WeCool)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

American Girl® Logan™ Doll (Mattel, Inc.)
Creative Cosmetics Lab (Thames & Kosmos)
Fidget Spinner (TopTrenz)
HEXBUG CuddleBots (HEXBUG)
LEGO® Star Wars™ Millennium Falcon™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Mirari Juballees (PlayMonster)
SmartMax My First Animal Train (Smart Toys and Games, Inc.)
Zipes™ Speed Pipes (Neat-Oh! International, LLC)

TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device

Circuit Cubes (Circuit Cubes)
Cue (Wonder Workshop)
LEGO® BOOST Creative Toolbox (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Piper Computer Kit (Piper)
Robotics Workshop (Thames & Kosmos)
SoundMoovz (Cra-Z-Art)
VRSE (Skyrocket)

VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their playsets/accessories

Air Hogs Hyper Drift Drone (Spin Master Ltd.)
Anki OVERDRIVE: Fast & Furious Edition (Anki)
Automoblox SC1 Chaos and HR5 Scorch 2-Pack (PlayMonster)
Drone Force Angler Attack (Alpha Group, US LLC)
NERF NITRO MOTOFURY RAPID RALLY Set (Hasbro, Inc.)
PAW Patrol Sea Patroller (Spin Master Ltd.)
PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters™ Ecto-1 (Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.)

Piercing Ken Thoughts: Since I don’t want to influence your decision at all, I’m going to hold back on the items that I chose as a member of the press. I will say that a few of the categories were tricky to decide on since I ended up liking a couple of the items that were up for the prestigious award. We love being able to help make the nominee become the winner and while some of these items are out of our wheelhouse, we were able to see them at Toy Fair, Sweet Suite and TTPM so had a good enough background to help cast a ballot. The only harder ones for me was the Action Figure, Collectible and Innovative Toys since I liked so many of them. Okay, now I mentioned not disclosing my own votes just yet, but you can surely make mention of the ones that you spoke up for down in the comments. Click the link below to make your voice count. See you next time.

Official Website: http://www.toyawards.org/