STEAM-inspired play, sustainability and pop culture licensing have become key themes among the winners of this year’s Independent Toy Awards, revealed this week by awards organizer, Toy Shop UK.
The 14th annual coveted awards, ITA was created to showcase what the nation’s independent toy retailer population considers some of the best products on the market.
The awards are unique in the industry as they are the only ones voted on by independent toy retailers nationwide, who register for free on the popular online directory.
Gold, silver and bronze medal logos were awarded in each of the 30 categories, with a number of suppliers receiving a ârecommenderâ logo for products that narrowly missed out on third place.
Among this year’s gold medal winners, STEAM gaming, sustainability, and pop culture licensing all emerged as strong trends. In the construction category, Arckit’s Greenscape Village took home gold, awarded for providing a building design tool that allows budding architects to explore their own creations while learning about the architecture and the environment. . Meanwhile, it was the Build Your Own Mini Build range that took the win in the Eco category.
Wow! Stuff took another win in the Collectibles category, where its Wow! Pods received praise for allowing kids and fans to build their own collection and connect with other Wows! Pods characters in seconds, while Kidicraft’s Harry Potter Plush & Puzzle won Gold in the Jigsaws & Puzzles category.
In the licensed category, Ginger Fox’s Top Gear board game took top prize, while a solar-powered space exploration kit from Funtime Gifts won in the STEAM category.
Toy Shop UK Founder Michael Hawkins said: âThis year’s winning toy list showcases a truly diverse mix of products that in my opinion perfectly reflect the lives, characters and sometimes the eclectic nature of retailers across Canada. independent toys that bring so much to this industry. . “
The gold medal winners at this year’s Independent Toy Awards are:
Advent calendar: 1,2,3 Advent Calendar of the Nativity Scene – Playmobil
Babe: Family hugs photo book – ses creative
Gifts for children: Bath Time Unicorn World – Buddy and Barney
To collect: Wow! Pods – Wow! Thing
Creative: Illusion cubes – The Happy Puzzle Company
Construction: Arckit Greenscape Village – Arckit
Dolls: Sparkle Girlz Hair Dreams – Zuru
Eco: Build your own mini-build – Build your own
Educative: Toniebox – Tonies
Electronic: Marble Rush Adventure Set – VTech
Games (Action): The sock game – Asmodée
Games (Table): Go For Broke – John Adams
Games (Card): Quiz on the best assets of the stars of world football – winning shots
Educational games) : Memory matching game (Behive Toy Factory)
Puzzles and puzzles: Harry Potter plush and puzzle – kidicraft
Authorized: Top Gear Board Game – Ginger Fox
Music: Mi Mic Mini Disco Cube speaker – Wilton Bradley
Novelty: Magic Stories Pots – Adventure Theme – Magic Stories Pots
Outside: JumpKing 8’x12 “Rectangular Combo Pro Trampoline – YJ Europe
Pocket money: Galaxy Slime Play – Zimpli Kids
Preschool: Stick-O City Set – Magformers
Carrier : TP Trike 4 in 1 – Mookie
Roleplay: Doll Nursing Set – Le Toy Van
Soft, tender: Blues Clues & You Peek A Boo Blue – Flair
Special needs: Creative pack of 100 pieces – Connetix Tiles
TO SMOKE: Solar Space Exploration – Fun Gifts
Vehicles: Fresh Metal Emergency Force Playset with Playmat – H Grossman
In wood: London wooden bus – Jacques de Londres
The full list of silver and bronze medalists can be found here, as well as the list of companies that received this year’s Commendation.