The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association once again hosted the 2026 Toy of the Year Awards and gala to nearly 800 toy and play professionals at Pier Sixty in NY City (including Toys n Playthings), honouring the most creative and innovative toys and games of the year. More than $1 million was raised to benefit the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support children in need through programs including the Play Fund and Toy Chest. 

In addition to the Toy of the Year and People’s Choice awards, TOTY Awards were handed out in 16 categories and given to the following:

Action Figure of the Year – Primal Hatch Jurassic World T.rex (Spin Master)

Collectible of the Year – Wigglitz (ZB Designs)

Construction Toy of the Year – Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Set (Lego)

Creative Toy of the Year – ChompSaw (Chompshop)

Doll of the Year – American Girl Disney Moana Collection (Mattel)

Educational Toy of the Year – My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon (Thames & Kosmos)

Game of the Year – Exploding Kittens: The Board Game (Exploding Kittens)

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year – Play Tab (Fat Brain Toy Company)

Kidult Toy of the Year – Lego Game Boy (Lego)

License of the Year – Bluey (BBC Studios Americas)

Outdoor Toy of the Year – PoppinColorz Galactic Color Bubble Machine (South Beach Bubbles)

Playset Toy of the Year – Bluey Supermarket Playset (Moose Toys)

Plush Toy of the Year – Disney Stitch Ultimate Stitch Interactive Feature Plush (Just Play)

Preschool Toy of the Year – Mini Farmstand Sorting Set (Learning Resources)

Specialty Toy of the Year – Anywhere Sports: Silent Basketball 9.5” Regulation Size (Thin Air Brands)

Vehicle of the Year BRIO World Pull Back Train Stet (Ravensburger North America)

Toy of the Year – Primal Hatch (Spin Master)

The People’s Choice Award – The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (The Pokémon Company International)

Melissa and Doug Bernstein, founders of Melissa & Doug, and Isaac Larian, founder & CEO of MGA Entertainment, were celebrated with their formal inductions into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame. 

“The TOTY Awards celebration is a powerful reminder of the impact play has in children’s lives,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists for raising the bar on what it means to deliver meaningful, imaginative play experiences, and to the toy community for collectively raising more than $1 million to support The Toy Foundation’s mission. We are proud to channel the industry’s incredible passion for play into creating a momentous impact on children in need.”

At the gala, The Toy Association also introduced the Alan G. Hassenfeld Humanitarian Award in honor of the late Alan Hassenfeld, former CEO of Hasbro and prominent industry philanthropist. This award will annually honour an individual or company in the toy and play industry, or a child-focused field, that truly embodies Hassenfeld’s spirit, recognizing bold leadership grounded in humanitarianism, philanthropy, and an unwavering commitment to put a smile on every child’s face.