UPDATE: We have released our Top Toys for the 2011 Holiday Season Gift Guide! Please click here to see the List of Top Toys for the 2011 Holiday Season!

Nothing like getting the International Toy Fair 2011 started with a big gala award ceremony!  On Saturday night, 2/12/11, the 2011 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Ceremony was held and the best toys from 2010 were celebrated.  Before we announce the winners, let’s go over what toys qualify -

All 2011 TOTY nominated products must have been:

(1) available at retail in the United States on or before November 22^nd, 2010, and
(2) introduced to the marketplace within the last two years.

In total there were 11 categories plus the much coveted Toy of  The Year Award.

How Are The Winning Toys Picked?

Finalist in each category were selected by nomination committees and voting for the TOTY 2011 was launched on November 22^nd during a national press conference held in New York City.  Five weighted ballots – one each for consumers (25%), mass and specialty retailers (40% combined), journalists and bloggers (20%), and members of the Toy Industry Association (15%) – were closed in mid-January.  Winners were just announced at the TOTY 2011 awards presentation ceremony.

Enough of the Suspense Let’s Get To The Award Winners!

Activity Toy of the Year

Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

And The Winner Is…

Crayola Color Wonder Sound Studio

Boy Toy of the Year

Toys developed for boys of any age

And The Winner Is…

NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS blaster

Read Our Full Review of the Nerf N-Strike Blaster

Educational Toy of the Year

Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play

And The Winner Is…

Leapster Explorer Learning Experience

Read Our Full Review of the Leapster Explorer

Game of the Year

Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats (all electronic games must have an ESRB “Early Childhood” rating)

And The Winner Is…

Scrabble Flash

Read Our Full Scrabble Flash Review Here

Girl Toy of the Year

Toys developed for girls of any age

And The Winner Is…

Squinkies Cupcake Surprize! Bake Shop

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year

Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)

And The Winner Is…

My Own Leaptop

Innovative Toy of the Year

Toys that combine innovation and play value

And The Winner Is…

The Sing-a-ma-jigs!

Read Our full Sing A Ma Jigs Review Here

Outdoor Toy of the Year

Toys designed for outdoor play

And The Winner Is…

Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast

Preschool Toy of the Year

Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)

And The Winner Is…

The Sing-a-ma-jigs!

Read Our full Sing A Ma Jigs Review Here

Property of the Year

Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry

And The Winner Is…

Toy Story 3

Specialty Toy of the Year

Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

And The Winner Is…

HEXBUG® Nano Habitat Set

Toy of the Year

The very best toy of the year!

And The Winner Is…

The Sing-a-ma-jigs!

Read Our full Sing A Ma Jigs Review Here

Congratulations To The Winners

A big congratulations to all the winning toys!  Dad Does will be covering the Toy Fair 2011, in search of Fun Toys that kids will love!  Hopefully we will see some great toys that may go on to be winners of  TOTY 2012!

What Do You Think About the Winning Toys? Leave Us A Comment And Let Us Know!

Tagged as: American International Toy Fair, awards, Best Toys, tf11, TOTY, toy fair 2011, Toy of The Year Awards 2011