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The Toy Foundation announced 122 finalists for the 2027 Toy of the Year Awards across 17 categories, with products from companies including Mattel, Hasbro and LEGO among the nominees. Winners are scheduled to be announced at a February 19 gala in New York City; public voting is available for the People’s Choice Award.
The Toy Foundation has named 122 finalists for the 2027 Toy of the Year Awards, recognizing products across 17 categories, from action figures and games to educational and technology toys. The finalists were announced Saturday at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair in Rosemont, Illinois; the winners are due to be revealed at a February 19, 2027, gala in New York City.
The categories span toys for different interests and age groups, including Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year, Educational Toy of the Year, Game of the Year and Kidult Toy of the Year. Other categories include dolls, collectibles, construction toys, outdoor toys, playsets, plush and vehicles. The Foundation’s announcement identifies seven finalists in several categories, though the supplied finalist list is incomplete for some categories.
Nominees named in the announcement include Mattel, Hasbro, Spin Master, The LEGO Group, Just Play, Moose Toys, MGA Entertainment and Thames & Kosmos. Examples include Mattel’s Disney and Pixar Toy Story 5 Ultimate Action Figures in the action figure category, The LEGO Group’s LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship in construction toys, and CATAN — On the Road by Asmodee in the game category.
The 2027 gala is scheduled for February 19 in New York City and is open exclusively to toy industry professionals, according to the announcement. It is set to launch Toy Fair 2027, which is scheduled to run February 20-23. The event will also include inductions into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
Awards Put Play and Products in Focus
The finalists offer a snapshot of products the toy industry is putting forward across traditional play, licensed properties and technology. The breadth of categories gives consumers and industry professionals a way to compare products that serve different ages and interests, although being a finalist does not by itself establish a product’s sales, safety performance or suitability for every child.
The Foundation says the awards also raise funds to bring play to children who need it. Executive director Pamela Mastrota linked the awards to that charitable purpose, saying the program celebrates toys and games while supporting access to play. The announcement does not specify the amount raised or the number of children the proceeds are expected to reach.
For shoppers, the People’s Choice Award adds a public-voting element alongside the industry event. The finalist announcement directs readers to toyawards.org to vote and review nominees. The source does not provide voting dates, rules or a separate timetable for announcing that award.
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From Chicago Announcement to New York Gala
The Toy Foundation announced the finalists at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, also referred to as CHITAG, in Rosemont, Illinois. The awards recognize products in 17 named categories, ranging from Action Figure of the Year to Vehicle of the Year. The published list includes nominations from large toy makers as well as specialist brands.
The awards ceremony is scheduled immediately before Toy Fair 2027, a trade event running February 20-23 in New York City. The gala is not described as a public consumer event: the Foundation says it is open only to toy industry professionals. It will include Hall of Fame inductions as well as the announcement of award winners.
““Behind every great toy is the opportunity to spark joy, inspire imagination, and make a child’s day brighter.””
— Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation
Voting Details and Full List Pending
The announcement gives the gala date and says people can vote for the People’s Choice Award, but it does not provide the voting period, eligibility rules or the date that result will be released. The supplied finalist material also cuts off partway through the Playset of the Year list, so it does not establish the complete set of nominees in that category or the full list across all categories.
The source does not identify award winners, judging criteria, category-specific selection methods or how the Foundation calculates funds raised through the program. It also does not provide product prices, release dates or age recommendations for the individual finalists. Those details should be checked with manufacturers and retailers; the finalist status alone does not answer them.
February Gala Sets the Next Milestone
The next scheduled milestone is the TOTY gala on February 19, 2027, in New York City, where winners are expected to be announced and Hall of Fame inductees recognized. Toy Fair 2027 is scheduled to begin the following day and continue through February 23.
Readers can check the awards website for the People’s Choice voting process and finalist information. The Foundation’s announcement does not give a later date for additional finalist details, voting deadlines or the complete awards program.
Key Questions
How many finalists are there for the 2027 Toy of the Year Awards?
The Toy Foundation announced 122 finalists across 17 award categories.
When and where will the winners be announced?
The winners are scheduled to be announced at a gala on February 19, 2027, in New York City. The event is open exclusively to toy industry professionals, according to the Foundation.
Can the public vote on the finalists?
The Foundation says people can vote for the People’s Choice Award at toyawards.org. The announcement does not state the voting dates or rules.
What kinds of products were nominated?
The 17 categories include action figures, collectibles, construction toys, dolls, games, infant and toddler toys, outdoor toys, plush, technology toys and vehicles. Named finalists include products from companies such as Mattel, Hasbro and The LEGO Group.
Does being a finalist confirm a toy is suitable for every child?
No. A nomination is an awards designation, not an age or safety recommendation. Check the product’s age labeling and manufacturer guidance before buying; parents can also check relevant product safety notices and CPSC recall information.
Source: toybook.com
