We couldn't be more excited to announce that our Love, Stella Sleepy Time Set has been nominated as a finalist in the Doll category for this year’s Toy Of The Year awards (TOTYs)—an annual award program hosted by The Toy Foundation. Every year, the TOTYs recognize the top toys, games, and licenses across 16 play categories. This prestigious awards program is known as the "Oscars of the toy industry". Forgive us for our enthusiasm - we're bursting with excitement!
Voting ends January 7, 2026.
So, what are the TOTY awards? What is their importance?
Glad you asked! The TOTY Awards support the impactful philanthropic work of The Toy Foundation, including its Children’s Hospital Play Grants program to offer play in children’s hospital settings; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program to bring the joy of play to everyone around the world; and Toy Bank program to deliver the comfort of a toy to children around the world. One hundred percent of the award program's proceeds support the work of The Toy Foundation.
The Toy Foundation describes them as celebrating "the 'best of the best' in the toy, game and children’s entertainment industry and honor the toy community’s vision to create a world in which every child can experience the power of play."
What's the nomination process and criteria for entry?
Toys can be submitted for consideration by any "authorized individual on behalf of the manufacturer, licensor, company, or person." - toyfoundation.org
How do they decide the finalists?
A panel of judges, comprised of play experts, journalists, retailers, academics, and toy experts, reviews all submitted entries in each of the 16 play categories. Judges rank products in each category on a scale of 1-10 against the following criteria:
- Innovation & Originality
- Design & Quality
- Play Value/Play Experience
- Market Success/Relevance & Consumer Appeal
What are the award categories? Can a manufacturer win in more than one category?
There are 16 different play categories. A manufacturer entering multiple products can have up to 2 finalists, as long as they are not within the same brand or category.
Award categories include:
Action Figure of the Year, Collectible of the Year, Construction Toy of the Year, Creative Toy of the Year, Doll of the Year, Educational Toy of the Year, Game of the Year, Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year, License of the Year, Outdoor Toy of the Year, Playset of the Year, Plush Toy of the Year, Preschool Toy of the Year, Specialty Toy of the Year, Vehicle of the Year
Who can vote to determine the winners?
Toy of the Year Award: "The Toy of the Year winner will be chosen by a panel of industry representatives who, using their professional expertise, will consider multiple factors in making their decision, including Toy of the Year votes, 2025 sales through December 31, 2025, and media buzz (traditional, online, and social). The winner will be announced at TOTY on February 13, 2026."- toyfoundation.org
People's Choice Award: Any general consumer can cast their vote for their favorite product across all 16 categories. Cast your vote today to make our Love, Stella Sleepy Time set the 2026 People's Choice Winner!
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