Construction, collectibles rule US TOTY Awards

Lego Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster took home the coveted Toy of the Year Award at the US Toy Industry Association's Friday gala.
February 21, 2017

The 17th annual US Toy of the Year Awards handed out 14 trophies this past weekend to the industry’s top playthings—and reigning supreme was Lego, which took home the coveted Toy of the Year Award for its Lego Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster (pictured).

Lego’s win comes on the heels of launching a social network for under-13s, The Lego Batman Movie reaching number one at the box office and a new line of consumer products. Amusement Park Roller Coaster also showed up on both Amazon’s and the UK Toy Retailer Association’s prediction lists for the best holiday toys.

Spin Master’s Hatchimals, which recently won the UK Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Award, was given the Innovative Toy of the Year Award at the stateside ceremony. Another big winner of the night was Funko’s Pop! figurines, which scored the People’s Choice Award. (Winners were selected from a pool of 700 finalists that were nominated by 25 judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics and journalists.)

Three industry vets were also inducted in the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, joining 71 members including Jim Henson and Georgre Lucas. Peter Elio, former president of Lego Systems, Ray Larsen, founder of RLA Marketing, and Sydney Rosen, former chairman of Rose-Art Industries, were all inducted.

This year’s winners include:

Action Figure of the Year – DC Super Hero Girls Action Figure Assortment from Mattel

Active/Outdoor Toy of the Year – Bunch O Balloons from Zuru

Activity Toy of the Year – Crayola Air Marker Sprayer from Crayola

Collectible of the Year – Pop! from Funko

Construction Toy of the Year – Lego Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster from Lego Systems

Doll of the Year – Barbie Fashionista Doll from Mattel

Game of the Year – Yeti in My Spaghetti from PlayMonster!

Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year – Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital Care Cart from Just Play

Innovative Toy of the Year – Hatchimals from Spin Master

License of the Year – Paw Patrol from Spin Master

Rookie of the Year – 3DoolderStart Essentials Pen Set from WobbleWorks

Specialty Toy of the Year – Lego Disney Castle from Lego Systems

Tech Toy of the Year – CodeGamer from Thames and Kosmos

Vehicle of the Year – Air Hogs Star Wars X-Wing vs. Death Star – Rebel Assault from Spin Master

About The Author
Alexandra Whyte is Kidscreen's News & Social Media Editor. Contact her at awhyte@brunico.com

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