At the Toy Industry Association’s annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy of the Year) Awards, over 800 representatives—including toy retailers, manufacturers and industry representatives—attended the ceremony to congratulate winners and receive honors.
Top winners in 14 categories were:
Toy of the Year: Hokey Pokey Elmo (Fisher-Price)
Most Innovative Toy of the Year: Leapster Multimedia Learning System (LeapFrog Enterprises)
Educational Toy of the Year: Leapster Multimedia Learning System (LeapFrog Enterprises)
Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year: Hokey Pokey Elmo (Fisher-Price) and Little Touch LeapPad Learning System (LeapFrog Enterprises)
Vehicle of the Year: Regenerator R/C (Spin Master)
Outdoor Toy of the Year: Bounce ‘Round (Spin Master)
Activity Toy of the Year: CLIKITS (Lego Systems)
Game of the Year: Cranium Hullabaloo (Cranium)
Specialty Toy of the Year: It’s My Life Scrapbook Kit (Creativity for Kids)
Girl Toy of the Year: Bratz Formal Funk Runway Disco (MGA Entertainment)
Property of the Year: Bratz (MGA Entertainment)
Boy Toy of the Year: Electronic Hulk Hands (Toy Biz Worldwide)
Retailer of the Year (under 25 locations): Kazoo and Company
Retailer of the Year (over 25 locations): Target
Market Campaign of the Year: Monopoly (Hasbro Games)
Caring For Children Recognition of Excellence: Crayola Dream-Makers Program from Binney and Smith; Toy Run for Kids from Funrise Toy; Team Hasbro and
TOY Challenge from Hasbro; Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts from
Mattel; Target House and Ready, Sit, Read! from Target
The newest inductees to the Toy Industry Hall of Fame are toy executives Neil
Friedman and George Ditomassi, as well as the late Milton Bradley.
