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The TOTY Awards will take place on September 20 th in Dallas, TX to Unveil the 17 Category Winners

NEW YORK , Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A magical crystal ball, a giant pyramid climbing tower, and the most diverse assortment of dolls ever are among the 122 innovative finalists for this September's Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. A long-treasured event, The Toy Foundation's (TTF) TOTY Awards celebrate the creativity of the toy and play community and recognize the industry's collective philanthropy for the benefit of children in need.

Following the new fall timeline, the TOTY Awards recognize the top toys, games, and licenses from the past two years across 17 categories of play in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. The finalists (listed below) were selected by a panel of judges comprised of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts, and now it's up to the voters to determine the winners.

All are invited to visit ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorites in each category through September 2, 2022 . The category winners, determined by votes from Toy Association members, retailers, media, and consumers, will be announced at the TOTY Awards on September 20, 2022 at the Dallas Market Center, on opening day of The Toy Association's 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market.

The overall Toy of the Year and People's Choice award winners will be announced November 21, 2022 , adding an element of excitement for the holidays. Voting for the People's Choice Award, uniquely decided by online consumer votes, will remain open through November 11, 2022 . The Toy of the Year will be determined by a panel of expert judges.

"The finalists are marvelous examples of innovation and imagination to deliver the power of play to children and adults alike," said Pamela Mastrota , executive director of The Toy Foundation. "While the TOTY Awards spotlight the best of the best in toys, it's heartening that our toy family chooses this platform to unite behind the TTF's core program areas. Thanks to your collective support, we're able to deliver millions of toys to disadvantaged youth, improve pediatric care in under-resourced communities, and help attract diverse talent to the industry."

The TOTY Awards are a key fundraiser for TTF to support its year-round philanthropic work to deliver the comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play to children in need. All event proceeds (including TOTY nomination fees) benefit its 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.

TOTY Finalists Images available at ToyAwards.org/Press

Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based play.

Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples, including novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.

Toys that include building as the primary play pattern.

Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them.

Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls.

Games for families and children (ages 0-14), including board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats and puzzles. Exclusive of video or app games.

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 adult humor and are not "adult toys" nor sexual in nature.

Toys developed for ages 0-3 (0-18 months infant/18 months-3 years toddler).

Character or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual property.

Toys designed for outdoor play, excluding ride-ons.

Toys designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play.

Toys made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or a similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features.

Toys developed for ages 3-5.

Toys designed to be ridden outdoors, such as motorized vehicles, bicycles, scooters, wagons, etc.

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.

Toys that encourage kids to develop, strengthen and integrate skills across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Toy cars, trucks, trains, and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles.

For more information about the TOTY Awards voting and selection process, visit ToyAwards.org.

The Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 501 (c)3 children's charity whose mission is to provide philanthropic support and the vital commodity of play to children and families in need, across the country and globe. TTF's donations represent the charitable works of TTF and the toy industry. Last year, TTF provided $360K in cash grants to nearly 4 million children severely impacted by the pandemic. Since its inception in 2003, TTF's signature Toy Bank has provided $225 million in toys to more than 26 million underserved children coping with serious illness, enduring temporary home placements in the foster care system, living with domestic violence, and/or dealing with natural disasters. TTF is also broadening its mission to provide grant funding to children's hospitals to encourage healing through play and to foster a diverse and inclusive culture and pipeline of talent for the toy industry.

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