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US Toy of the Year shortlist revealed

November 10, 2025

A total of 113 products have made the shortlist for the 2026 US TOTYs, celebrating the best toys across 16 categories

A total of 113 products have been shortlisted for the US Toy of the Year Awards 2026, announced on Saturday during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.

The unveiling of the TOTY finalists, which represent this year’s most sought-after toys across 16 categories of play, coincided with the fair’s first-ever Wishlist Weekend, a new annual tradition that encourages families across the US to play, discover, and start building their wishlists for the gift-giving season.

“There is no better way to kick off Wishlist Weekend at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair than by sharing this moment of excitement with kids, families, and toy fans of all ages,” said Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association. “Each TOTY finalist is a testament to the creativity that defines the toy industry, which is always innovating to create products that spark joy, learning, and social connections through play.”

Winners of the the TOTY Awards will be announced during a gala event on the eve of New York Toy Fair 2026, Friday 13 February 2026 in New York City.

The US Toy Association Toy of the Year shortlist is:

Action Figure of the Year

Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products
Doom: The Dark Ages Doom Slayer McFarlane Elite Edition #1 Action Figure by McFarlane Toys
How to Train Your Dragon Interactive Tame & Train Toothless by Spin Master Ltd.
Jurassic World Rebirth Dolores Aquilops Interactive Shoulder Pal by Universal Products & Experiences
Ninjombie Action Figures by MGA Entertainment
Primal Hatch by Spin Master Ltd.
Super Mario Big Bad Bowser by Jakks Pacific

Collectible of the Year

Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game – Fabled Set by Ravensburger North America, Inc.
Hot Wheels Premium Formula 1 Die-Cast Vehicles by Mattel, Inc.
Lego F1 Collectible Race Cars by Lego Systems, Inc.
Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Bundle by Hasbro, Inc.
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box by The Pokémon Company International, Inc.
Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys
Wigglitz by ZB Designs

Construction Toy of the Year

GeckoBot 2.0 by Thames & Kosmos LLC
Jelly Blox Construction Site Set by Goliath
Lego Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex Set by Lego Systems, Inc.
Lego Wicked Welcome to Emerald City by Lego Systems, Inc.
Magna-Tiles Fire Station 50-Piece Set by Magna-Tiles
Melissa & Doug Blockables by Spin Master Ltd.
Rail Cube Magnetic Monorail Deluxe Set by Meekins Corp. on behalf of Sankyo Toys

Creative Toy of the Year

Barbie Basics: You Create Doll Kit by Mattel, Inc.
ChompSaw by Chompshop, Inc.
Clixo Dino Adventure Pack by Toyish Labs, Inc.
Crayola Marker Airbrush by Crayola LLC
Gui Gui by Moose Toys LLC
Play-Doh Barbie Fashion Show Playset by Hasbro, Inc.
Swift Clicks Heishi Bracelet Maker by Make It Real

Doll of the Year

American Girl Disney Moana Collection by Mattel, Inc.
Bratz Stylin’ Fashion Dolls by MGA Entertainment
Disney Darlings by Jakks Pacific
Disney Doorables Adoorbs Dolls by Just Play LLC
Love, Stella Sleepy Time Set by Sassy Baby, Inc.
Monster High Scary Sweet Birthday Cupid Asteria Doll by Mattel, Inc.
Woof & Co by Sunny Days Entertainment LLC

Educational Toy of the Year

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set by 3Doodler
Connetix 70 Piece PRO Constructor Set by Connetix, part of Brave Toys Pty Ltd.
Cooper the STEM Robot by Learning Resources, Inc.
ESPN Virtual Reality by Abacus Brands, Inc.
Magna-Tiles Rail Racers Deluxe 90-Piece Set by Magna-Tiles
My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon by Thames & Kosmos LLC
Ollyball STEAM Accredited Master Artists Edition by Victury Sports LLC
Snap Circuits Spy Kit by Elenco Electronics LLC

Game of the Year

Connect 4 Frenzy by Hasbro, Inc.
Cows in Space by Relatable
Dumpster Dice by Big Discoveries
Exploding Kittens: The Board Game by Exploding Kittens, Inc.
Pokémon Trainer Expert by Ultra Pro
Simon Jump Game Mat by Just Play LLC
Tetris Tumble XL by Buffalo Games, Inc.

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Activity Table & Easel by Mattel, Inc.
Micro Mini Rock & Go LED Scooter by Micro Kickboard
My First Tonies: Farm Set by tonies
Play Tab by Fat Brain Toy Co.
Shape & Color Garden by Learning Resources, Inc.
VTech Get Growing Tractor & Mower Ride-On by VTech Electronics North America LLC
Yookidoo Pour ‘N’ Grow Pop-Up Garden by Yookidoo

Kidult Toy of the Year