The Press Release:
The Toy Association unveiled plans today for Toy Fair Everywhere, a new series of virtual market weeks to help toy businesses connect with their customers, suppliers, and the global play community during these uncertain times when in-person meetings and events may not be possible.
As previously mentioned, the Media High Command of “The Chronicles” AND the PiercingMetal.com website were in attendance at the annual Toy Fair and believe it or not this was our 10th time attending as a member of the press. One of the highlights of the Toy Fair is the unveiling of the products that were given the title of “Toy Of The Year” and this is a feature that I post exclusively on “The Chronicles”. Its mostly because of the age-groups of the products so let’s have the envelope please and see these winners. Some narrative and links will be interspersed as I find inspiration. Enjoy.
When I was growing up I always loved the miniature cars from both Matchbox and Hot Wheels. I am always happy to see the Mattel brand coming up with creative items year after year.
Good morning my dedicated readers, I am here nice and early to announce that for the next four days, the PiercingMetal Media Command HQ will be a mobile unit and exploring the always amazing Toy Fair which will be taking place at the Javits Center from Saturday to Tuesday.
This years event will mark my 10th annual visit to the trade show as a part of the press and comes in advance of this websites own 10th anniversary so I feel there is much cause for celebration. The Toy Fair coverage used to be solely done on PiercingMetal but once “The Chronicles” started getting a lot of attention, I expanded some of the adventures here. I’ve scheduled quite a few appointments and am looking forward to seeing what the folks at Crayola, Tokidoki, Playmobil, Schleich, Safari Limited and so many more have in store for us. You’re going to want to tune into our Official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the awesome as fast as we do.
As usual with this annual alert, the means to comment on the post has been turned “off” and instead we encourage you to leave your topical notions on the individual posts when they go live. They’ll be going online as soon as we can attend to them. Let us play……
Over 100 Innovative and Exciting Toys & Games Are the Judges’ Top Picks for the Holiday Season!
The Press Release: The Toy Association today unveiled the 123 finalists for the prestigious 2019 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Known as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, the TOTY Awards program recognizes the top toy, game, and licenses in the industry, and supports children in need by serving as a critical fundraiser for The Toy Foundation.
Finalists were announced this morning by prominent online influencers who serve as TOTY Ambassadors. Between now and January 6, families can visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings in each of the 17 categories, including Action Figure of the Year, Innovative Toy of the Year, and Collectible of the Year.
“If you’re wondering what to get the kids and ‘kidadults’ in your life this holiday season, this year’s TOTY finalists are the hottest toys and games on the market. Whether you are looking for a doll, a board game, or the latest youth electronics, you’ll find great gift ideas for children of all ages. Every one of the TOTY finalists has been carefully screened by judges for its outstanding ability to deliver joy and wonder, while facilitating key developmental benefits of play,” said Steve Pasierb, The Toy Association’s president & CEO.
“Importantly, the TOTY Awards program supports The Toy Foundation’s important mission focused on serving children in need – whether they are living in foster care, impoverished, dealing with a traumatic or life-threatening illness, or facing other adversities,” added Pasierb.
The finalists were selected from more than 550 nominees submitted by over 200 companies of all sizes. Nineteen judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewed and ranked the products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to determine the finalists in each category. They considered each product’s creativity, design, play value, and marketing.
One winner in each category, as well as the coveted “Toy of the Year” award winner and the “People’s Choice” winner (based solely on consumer votes), will be announced at the TOTY Awards gala to be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The celebration will kick-off the 116th North American International Toy Fair and will include the induction of toy industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR Toys that include action figures
DJ Bumblebee (Hasbro, Inc.)
Mattel Jurassic World™ Dinosaur Action Figures (Mattel, Inc.)
Pokémon 4.5” Battle Feature Figures (Wicked Cool Toys)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Deluxe Ninja Action Figure Assortment (Playmates Toys)
Stikbot Monsters (Zing)
Treasure X (Moose Toys)
WWE® Sound Slammers™ Figures (Mattel, Inc.)
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
Beaker Creatures™ (Learning Resources)
Disney Doorables (Moose Toys)
LEGO® Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ Minifigure Series (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Series (MGA Entertainment)
Lost Kitties Blind Box Multipack Assortment (Hasbro, Inc.)
Pikmi Pops: Pikmi Flips (Moose Toys)
Polly Pocket (Mattel, Inc.)
Twisty Petz (Spin Master)
CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that include building and engineering sets
Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion (Learning Resources)
GeoSmart Flip Bot (SMART Toys and Games, Inc.)
GraviTrax Starter Set (Ravensburger)
Kessel Run Millennium Falcon™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
LEGO® Harry Potter™ Great Hall™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Marbleocity Triple Play Archimedes Screw (PlayMonster)
Snap Circuits BRIC: Structures (Elenco)
CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that allow kids to build an/or make items that are unique to them
Antsy Pants Build & Play Kit (Beach House Group)
Avengers Hero Inventor Kit (littleBits)
Building Bricks Play N Store Table (KidKraft)
Cool Maker KumiKreator (Spin Master)
Rock And Roll It Spectrum Drum (MukikiM LLC)
Sew + Glow (Tech Will Save Us)
The Big Engineering Makerspace (Thames & Kosmos)
DOLL OF THE YEAR Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls
GAME OF THE YEAR Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles
Disney Villainous™ Game by Wonder Forge (Ravensburger)
Dr. Biscuits’ Radical Road Trip (Barry and Jason Games & Entertainment)
Fryin Flyin Donuts (Maya Toys)
Monster Match (North Star Games)
Relative Insanity (PlayMonster)
Unstable Unicorns (TeeTurtle, LLC)
Voice Originals: When in Rome (Sensible Object)
INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that are developed for ages 0-3
Dolce Baby Aardvark (Magformers LLC)
Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Smart Learning Home™ (Mattel, Inc.)
Grippies® Shakers – 30 Piece Set (Guidecraft)
HEXBUG Cuddlebots Garden Carousel (HEXBUG)
Kid O Hudson Glow Rattle (PlayMonster)
Learning Friends 100 Words Book™ (LeapFrog)
Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog (Learning Resources)
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
Botley™ the Coding Robot Activity Set (Learning Resources)
Harry Potter™ Wizard Training™ (JAKKS Pacific)
K’NEX Thrill Rides Bionic Blast™ Roller Coaster Building Set (K’NEX, a division of Basic Fun!)
Legend Kit (Infento)
Marvel Legends Series Infinity Gauntlet Articulated Electronic Fist (Hasbro, Inc.)
Mystery Flying Snitch (Wow! Stuff)
Sensors Alive: Bring Physics to Life! (Thames & Kosmos)
LICENSE OF THE YEAR Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry
Hatchimals (Spin Master)
Hot Wheels (Mattel, Inc.)
Jurassic World™ Fallen Kingdom (Universal Brand Development)
L.O.L. Surprise! (MGA Entertainment)
Marvel Black Panther™ (The Walt Disney Company)
Peppa Pig (Entertainment One)
PJ Masks (Entertainment One)
OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that are designed for outdoor play, including ride-ons
PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that are developed for ages 3-5
Design & Drill® See Through Creative Workshop (Educational Insights)
Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Pet Rescue Mobile (Just Play)
Fisher-Price® Think & Learn Rocktopus™ (Mattel, Inc.)
Kid Trax Rideamals Scout (Kid Trax)
LEGO® DUPLO Steam Train (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Little Tikes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab (MGA Entertainment)
Pop Oh Ver Stove Set (Kangaroo Manufacturing Inc.)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy
Massive Monster Mayhem Bash Weapons (Alpha Group US)
Match the Baby Puzzles (Banana Panda, Inc.)
Monsters Lock Box (Tender Leaf Toys)
Ollyball – The Ultimate Indoor Play Ball! (VICTURY Sports)
Tic Tac Tongue (Yulu)
Turing Tumble (Turing Tumble LLC)
What The Film?! (Lethal Chicken Games)
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers and are not sold at mass
Betrayal at Cloud City™ (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Chickapig (Buffalo Games, LLC)
GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Telescope™ (Educational Insights)
GUND Super Pusheenicorn (Spin Master)
HEXBUG Ring Racer (HEXBUG)
LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts™ Castle (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Marbles Otrio (Spin Master)
Pepper Mint in the Great Treehouse Engineering Adventure (Thames & Kosmos)
TECH TOY OF THE YEAR Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device
Arcade1Up (Tastemakers LLC)
Creative Coder (Tech Will Save Us)
Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit (Kano)
Kids First Coding & Robotics (Thames & Kosmos)
LeapStart® 3D Learning System (LeapFrog)
Really Rad Robots: MiBro (Moose Toys)
VEX Balancing Boxing Bot 2-Pack (HEXBUG)
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their playsets/accessories
Automoblox BR100 Hercules (PlayMonster)
LEGO® Technic® Bugatti Chiron (LEGO Systems, Inc.)
Nerf Nitro Doubleclutch Inferno Blaster (Hasbro, Inc.)
PAW Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck (Spin Master & Nickelodeon)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Turtle Tank (Playmates Toys)
TerraSect RC (Alpha Group US)
VEX Robotics OffRoad Truck (HEXBUG)
*** end of list ***
Piercing Ken Thoughts: Historically speaking, I’ve been going to Toy Fair since 2011 for my PiercingMetal.com website and have expanded that coverage over here on “The Chronicles” for a number of years as well. It’s an event that I love sharing with the readers of the two websites and I will be casting my votes for the TOTY by the end of the week. I won’t share what I am selecting because I don’t want to affect your decision about an item. You as consumers and parents or relatives of those who are enjoying these items should be your own so I hope that you will CLICK HERE and let your voice be known on the public voting. This is very important and could help influence future products so take a few minutes and sound your voice. See you next time.
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.) Continue reading Behold The 2018 Finalists For “Toy Of The Year”→
