The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced the 77 finalists for the 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Through January 15, toy lovers of all ages can vote for their favorite toys by visiting www.ToyAwards.org.

The finalists, representing 67 unique products or properties from 51 companies, were selected from nearly 600 nominees. TIA invites consumers, mass retailers, specialty retailers, media, and members of the toy industry to vote. Each of the five types of ballots will be weighted and used to determine the winners and the overall “Toy of the Year” award. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on Saturday, February 11 as the kick-off to the 109th American International Toy Fair.

The finalists are:

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

Bizu Style Studio by Spin Master Ltd.

Crayola Glow Book by Crayola, LLC

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

Kid-Tough® See Yourself™ Camera by Fisher-Price, Inc.

LEGO® NINJAGO Fire Temple by LEGO Systems, Inc.

Paper Jamz Pro Series Microphone by WowWee

Project Runway® Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio Artist Set by Fashion Angels Enterprises®

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for boys of any age

BEYBLADE: METAL MASTERS PERFORMANCE TOP BATTLE TOP Assortment by Hasbro, Inc.

DaGeDar™ by Cepia, LLC

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.

Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys

Star Wars® Ultimate FX Lightsaber by Hasbro, Inc.

Thomas & Friends™ Trackmaster™ Cranky & Flynn Save the Day! by Fisher-Price, Inc.

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Perplexus Original™ by PlaSmart Inc.

Spectacular Science by Thames & Kosmos

Swish™ by ThinkFun

Tag™ Solar System Adventure Pack by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

GAME OF THE YEAR: Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats.  (NOTE:  All electronic games must have an ESRB “Early Childhood” rating)

Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game by Mattel, Inc.

Hedbanz™ by Spin Master Ltd.

Jungle Speed by Asmodee™

LEGO® HEROICA™ Castle Fortaan by LEGO Systems, Inc.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.

Tetris® Link™ by Techno Source

UNO Roboto™ by Mattel, Inc.

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for girls of any age

Dora Fiesta Favorites Kitchen by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Fijit Friends™ Interactive Figures by  Mattel, Inc. / Radica®

Justin Bieber Rockin’ Tour Bus and Concert Stage Playset by The Bridge Direct

Lalaloopsy™ Silly Hair by MGA Entertainment

Mini Lalaloopsy™ Treehouse by MGA Entertainment

Monster High™ Doll Assortment by Mattel, Inc.

Squinkies® Adventure Mall Surprize™ Playset by Blip Toys

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)

Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro / Playskool

Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool

My Busy Town™ by ALEX®

My Take Along 1.2.3 Noah’s Ark by Playmobil®

Parents® Jungle Pals Stacking Puzzles™ by Manhattan Toy

Pocoyo SwiggleTraks™ Feature Set by Bandai America Incorporated

INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys that combine innovation and play value

Disney AppMATes™ Mobile Application Toys by Disney Consumer Products and Spin Master Ltd.

Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks™ by Mattel, Inc.

InnoTab™ by VTech Electronics North America

Lazer Stunt Chaser™ by Thinkway Toys

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure™ by Activision Publishing, Inc.

Spy Net Stealth Recording Video Glasses by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys designed for outdoor play

3D Twister by Silverlit

Gazillion Bump-N-Go Bubble Bug by Funrise Toy Corporation

Little Tikes® Garden Leaf & Lawn Bubble Blower by Imperial Toy, LLC

Nerf ® Super Soaker Thunderstorm Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.

Nerf ® Vortex lineup by Hasbro, Inc.

Rockboard® Scooter – Mini by M.Y. Products LLC

Xploderz™ XBlaster200 by The Maya Group

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)

Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro/Playskool

Green Toys™ Pizza Parlor by Green Toys Inc.

LeapPad™ Explorer by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Let’s Rock Elmo by Playskool

Little People® Zoo Talkers™ Animal Sounds Zoo™ by Fisher-Price, Inc.

Pirate Ship by Box Creations

Richard Scarry’s Busytown™ Busy, Busy Airport Game by Wonder Forge

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR: Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry

Angry Birds™ (Rovio Entertainment Ltd/ Striker Entertainment)

Cars 2  ( Disney·Pixar ) (Disney Consumer Products )

Chuggington™ (Ludorum)

Monster High™(Mattel)

Moshi Monsters™ (Mind Candy)

Redakai (Spin Master Ltd.)

The Smurfs™ (IMPS)

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

Angry Birds™ plush toys by Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.

HEXBUG® Nano® Hive™ Habitat Set by Innovation First Labs, Inc.

nanoblock® by The Ohio Art Company

Rory’s Story Cubes® by Gamewright/Ceaco

Sticky Mosaics® Happily Ever After Jewelry Box by The Orb Factory Limited

Tilt™ by ThinkFun

Tobbles™ by Fat Brain Toy Co.

This post was originally written by Elizabeth A. Reid and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Last week, the Toy Industry Foundation celebrated Ten Years of the Toy of the Year Awards, and the organization is giving Toy Story and Pixar fans an opportunity to win the event’s drawing prizes.

Contestants can enter to win a complete Toy Story collection donated by LEGO, or a signed, limited-edition print of concept art from John Lasseter’s short, Luxo, Jr. (1986). Luxo, Jr. was the first film produced by Pixar animation studios after its establishment as an independent film studio. Only 86 framed, hand-numbered editions prints were produced, and the prize comes with a certificated of authenticity and is signed by Lasseter.

To qualify, participants make a donation of $100 or more. Donors who make a gift of $250 or more will be recognized as a member of the Foundation’s Leaders Circle. Contributions are accepted online, via mail, or by phone. The drawing has been extended through February 28.

For more info, contact Amanda McDorman, foundation manager, at amcdorman@toyindustryfoundation.org, or (646) 520-4878.

The Toy Industry Foundation is a year-round organization committed to making play possible for children in need.

Catch up on last week’s news! Read The Toy Book Toy Report for 11/24/09.

To view click here.

The nominees for the 2010 Toy of the Year (TOTY) awards have been announced.  The ballot will be sent to TIA members who will vote for the winners of the twelve categories. The winners from those categories will become the nominees for the overall Toy of the Year category, although a product can be named Toy of the Year via a write-in vote by TIA members.

The 2010 categories include:  Activity Toy of the Year, Boy Toy of the Year, Educational Toy of the Year, Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year, Game of the Year, Girl Toy of the Year, Infant Toy of the Year, Most Innovative Toy of the Year, Outdoor Toy of the Year, Preschool Toy of the Year, Property of the Year, and Specialty Toy of the Year. Nominees were selected by members of the TOTY Nominations Committee, a group of industry professionals such as major retailers, academia, toy journalists, and inventors. The nominees can be viewed at www.toyawards.org or below.

All 2010 TOTY-nominated products were available at U.S. retailers at the time the nomination was submitted and were introduced to the marketplace within the last two years. No more than two products from one company may appear in an award category. Companies with multiple divisions may have up to three products on the final ballot. Voting for the categories will run through January 12.

Each TOTY-nominated toy is featured on the TOTY website, www.toyawards.org. Consumers can view the nominated toys, click on links to go to the manufacturer’s website, and download a free gift shopping list. Winners will be announced during the TOTY Awards presentation ceremony on February 13 at Chelsea Piers/Pier 60 in New York City.

The nominees are as followed:

Activity Toy of the Year
1. Harumika by Bandai America (MSRP $5.99-$39.99)
2. Musicolor by Delta Creative (MSRP $49.99)
3. TRIO by Fisher-Price (MSRP $29.99)
4. Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Jewel by JAKKS Pacific (MSRP $29.99)
5. Chixos Design a Luxury Loft by Spin Master (MSRP $29.99)
6. Crayon Town by Wild Planet Entertainment (MSRP Starter Sets: $9.99 mass-$14.99 specialty,
     Deluxe Sets: $19.99 mass-$24.99 specialty)

Boy Toy of the Year
1. Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 by Hasbro (MSRP $29.99)
2. Transformers Constructicon Devastator by Hasbro (MSRP $99.99)
3. Duck Hunter by Interactive Toy Concepts (MSRP $29.99)
4. EyeClops Night Vision 2.0 by JAKKS Pacific (MSRP $49.99)
5. Matchbox® Rocky the Robot Truck™ by Mattel (MSRP $59.99)
6. Bakugan 7-in-1 Maxus Dragonoid by Spin Master (MSRP $39.99)
7. Laser Zero Gravity by Spin Master (MSRP $29.99)

Educational Toy of the Year
1. Desert Biodome by DuneCraft (MSRP $24.99)
2. Mythbusters Weird Water World by Elmers Products (MSRP $19.99)
3. Tag Junior Book Pad by Leapfrog (MSRP $34.99)
4. Super WHY! Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer by Learning Curve Brands (MSRP $34.99)
5. Mindstorms NXT 2 0 by Lego Systems (MSRP $279.99)
6. SmartGlobe 3 by Oregon Scientific (MSRP $159.99)
7. Zippity by Leapfrog (MSRP $79.99)

Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year
1. BOP-IT! by Hasbro Games (MSRP $19.99)
2. Duck Hunter by Interactive Toy Concepts (MSRP $29.99)
3. EyeClops Mini Projector by JAKKS Pacific (MSRP $99.99)
4. Swinxs by Swinxs Inc (MSRP $150.00)
5. Rubik’s TouchCube™ by Techno Source (MSRP $150.00)
6. Mindflex™ by Mattel (MSRP $79.99)

Game of the Year
1. BOP-IT! by Hasbro Games(MSRP $19.99)
2. SCRABBLE SLAM Card Game by Hasbro Games(MSRP $6.99)
3. Mindflex™ by Mattel (MSRP $79.99)
4. UNO Moo!™ by Mattel (MSRP $19.99)
5. Bakugan Trap by Spin Master (MSRP $7.49)
6. Big Buck Hunter Pro TV Games by JAKKS Pacific (MSRP $39.99)
7. Sort It Out! by University Games (MSRP $24.99)

Girl Toy of the Year
1. Harumika by Bandai (MSRP $5.99-$39.99)
2. Barbie® Fashionistas™ by Mattel (MSRP $11.99)
3. Moxie Girlz™Art-titude Doll by MGA Entertainment (MSRP $19.99 and up)
4. BFC, Ink. 18-inch Doll by MGA Entertainment (MSRP $39.99)
5. Liv Dolls by Spin Master (MSRP $19.99)
6. Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia (MSRP $7.99)
7. Princess Tiana 11.5” Doll Mattel (MSRP $24.99)

Infant Toy of the Year
1. Gentle Giraffe by Cloud B (MSRP $24.95-27.95)
2. Crayola Beginnings Color Me A Song by Crayola, LLC (MSRP $24.99)
3. Laugh & LearnTM Learning Farm by Fisher-Price (MSRP $79.99)
4. Seedlings™ Ivy by The Goldberger Company (MSRP $10.00)
5. My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet by Leapfrog (MSRP $19.99 each)
6. Yookidoo Swap-N-Go Snail by International Playthings (MSRP $36.99)
7. Twilight Turtle by Cloud B (MSRP $29.95-$33.95)

Most Innovative Toy of the Year
1. Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS 35 Blaster by Hasbro (MSRP $29.99)
2. EyeClops Mini Projector by JAKKS Pacific (MSRP $99.99)
3. Mindflex™ by Mattel (MSRP $79.99)
4. Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia (MSRP $7.99-$19.99)
5. Air Hogs Switchblade by Spin Master (MSRP $69.99)
6. Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser by Spin Master (MSRP $29.99)
7. Printies™ Design Studio by Techno Source (MSRP $19.99)

Outdoor Toy of the Year
1. My 1st Scooter by Radio Flyer (MSRP $49.99)
2. Razor® RipRider™ 360 by Razor USA LLC (MSRP $129.99)
3. Razor® Spark™ Kick Scooter by Razor USA LLC (MSRP $69.99)
4. Smart Trike Deluxe by Smart Trike, Ltd. (MSRP $99.99)
5. Air Hogs Switchblade by Spin Master (MSRP $69.99)
6. Swinxs by Swinxs Inc. (MSRP $150.00)
7. EA Sports Voice Command Pitching Machine by Toy Island (MSRP $69.99)

Preschool Toy of the Year
1. Handy Manny’s Repair Shop by Disney/Fisher-Price (MSRP $99.99)
2. Tonka Chuck & Friends Chuck My Talking Truck by Playskool (MSRP $34.99)
3. Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Edition by Little Tikes/MGA Entertainment (MSRP $49.99)
4. Imaginext Dragon World Fortress by Fisher-Price (MSRP $49.99)
5. Bilibo by O Kido (MSRP $30.00)
6. Rocky the Robot Truck by Mattel (MSRP $59.99)

Property of the Year
1. Bakugan by Cartoon Network
2. Transformer by Hasbro
3. Lego
4. Barbie by Mattel
5. iCarly by Nikelodeon + Viacom Consumer Products
6. The Princess and the Frog by The Walt Disney Company
7.  Star Wars

Specialty Toy of the Year
1. Twilight Turtle by Cloud B (MSRP $29.95-$33.95)
2. HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures by Innovation First International (MSRP $9.99)
3. Shopping Cart by Melissa and Doug (MSRP $49.99)
4. Captain Owen’s Dolphin Explorer Boat by Sprig Toys (MSRP $29.99)
5. Pentago by Mindtwister USA (MSRP $19.99)
6. The Dangerous Book for Boys—Classic Chemistry by Thames and Kosmos (MSRP $35.95)
7. EcoAquarium by Wild Creations (MSRP $19.99-$50.00)