The Year's Top Toys Showcased at ToyAwards.org

NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Now that the holiday gifts have been unwrapped, families are invited to visit the Toy Industry Association's (TIA) ToyAwards.org website through midnight on Sunday, January 15th, 2012, to vote for their favorite toys and games and register to win fantastic prizes that will be perfect for birthdays and special occasions throughout the coming months.

"From dolls and board games to innovative and specialty toys, the winners of TIA's annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards go down in history as the most influential playthings of our time," said TIA president Carter Keithley. "We invite everyone who loves toys to help decide which toys and games make it to the top of this year's coveted list!"

The 77 TOTY finalists across 11 categories were selected from nearly 600 nominees. Committees comprised of academics, journalists and toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers narrowed the submissions to come up with the current slate of nominees that inspire imagination and creativity, promote learning and active lifestyles, and create fun play opportunities for kids of all ages.

Winners are selected with the input of consumers on ToyAwards.org and via ballots of retailers (mass and specialty), media and members of the toy industry.  Each nominee is described in detail on ToyAwards.org, where voters can also enter to win prize packages containing all of the toys from a given category.

Category winners and the overall Toy of the Year grand prize will be announced during an awards ceremony on Saturday, February 11, 2012, as the kick-off to the 109th American International Toy Fair.

The Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards program is the annual Toy Industry Association-administered event in support of the inspiring work of the Toy Industry Foundation. More information about the TOTY Awards (including product images and descriptions), the Toy Industry Association and the Toy Industry Foundation can be found in the online press room www.ToyAwards.org/Press.

About the Toy Industry Association www.toyassociation.org

TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing more than 535 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales.  Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe play.

SOURCE Toy Industry Association