Blue's Clues & You Peek-A-Blue
from Just Play
Blue's Clues & You Really Smart Handy Dandy Notebook
from LeapFrog
Care Bears Collectible Plush
from Basic Fun!
Disney Frozen 2 Adventure Storytelling Dolls
from Playmates Toys
Imaginext DC Super Friends Super Surround Batcave
from Fisher-Price
PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Dino Patroller
from Spin Master
PJ Masks Transforming 2 in 1 Mobile HQ
from Just Play
Ryan's World Mystery Spy Vault
from Just Play
Ryan's World Road Trip Mega Micro Egg
from Bonkers Toys
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition
from Hasbro
100 Animals Book
from LeapFrog
ArmoGear Boxing Battle
from Nesstoy
Baby Alive Baby Grows Up
from Hasbro
Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers
from Spin Master
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage
from Mattel
KidiZoom Creator Cam
from VTech
Little People Community Champions and Thank You Heroes Action Figures
from Fisher-Price
Little Tikes First Fridge, First Washer-Dryer, and First Oven
from MGA Entertainment
Minnie Mouse Party and Play Pup
from Just Play
Nerf Ultra Three Blaster
from Hasbro
Backyard Adventure Set
from Magformers
Colors of the World Crayons
from Crayola
Cool Maker Hollywood Hair Extension Maker
from Spin Master
Drone Home
from PlayMonster
LEGO Art Sets
from LEGO
LEGO DOTS
from LEGO
LEGO Gear Bots
from Klutz
LEGO Super Mario Construction Sets
from LEGO
Na! Na! Na! Surprise 3-in-1 Backpack Bedroom
from MGA Entertainment
Shimmer 'n Sparkle Gemex Gel Creations Studio
from Cra-Z-Art
Barbie Color Reveal Slumber Party Fun Set
from Mattel
Blume Rainbow Sparkle Surprise
from Skyrocket Toys
furReal Mama Josie the Kangaroo
from Hasbro
Little Live Pets Gotta Go Flamingo
from Moose Toys
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Super Surprise
from MGA Entertainment
Rainbocorns Sweet Shake Surprise
from Zuru
Rainbow High Dolls
from MGA Entertainment
Squeakee the Balloon Dog
from Moose Toys
VIP Pets
from IMC Toys
Did you know that there are more than 160,000 toys on the market in the U.S. at any given time? That's a lot of toys! They range from the simplest collectibles and impulse toys to the most sophisticated electronic marvels.
At TTPM, we see more than 10,000 new toys every year. The process starts a year or more before our lists are revealed and the toys hit the shelves. Our teams attend Toy Fairs in the U.S. and overseas, and we visit with toy companies, getting exclusive backstage peeks at toys that are in development. Over the next months, we follow the progress of these toys as they get ready to come to market, and we review them almost as soon as they come off the assembly line.
We also spend a lot of time in toy stores—not a bad gig when you think about it. It's important to see what finally makes it to the shelves, the many ways a toy may be changed from when we saw a prototype and get an early sense of what's selling. The fact of the matter is, not every toy makes the cut. As with many industries, many more ideas are developed than ever to get to the toy shelves. Along the way, manufacturers may find things are too expensive to make, a great idea in the design studio may not appeal to kids, or retailers just may not want to take a chance on it.
Even for the toys that do make it through the process, it's not always clear sailing. There are a lot of things for parents to choose from, and in many cases kids are the ones who can make or break a toy. As we always say, it can be challenging to be in a business where your success or failure depends on what a kids wants at any given time.
Then, too, every kid is different. Over the years, we've seen again and again that every child has a different play style, as unique as his or her personality. Kids also never play with just one thing. When we've interviewed kids about what they like to play with, more often than not, they'll talk about toys in many different merchandise categories—from action figures to games and almost every category of toys they play with.
As quickly as kids tastes change, so too do the toys. We continue to see more and more technology introduced into toys, allowing them to do things that are surprising in their sophistication. While those innovations are amazing to parents and grandparents, those that are successful have one thing in common: good play.
The process of selecting toys for the TTPM Most Wanted lists takes months. Our editorial team reviews the toys. We take them out of the box, assemble and play with them. We talk to retailers and, of course, track trends in the culture from play to entertainment to fashion and more.
Here are some of the key criteria we use in making those tough choices:
Over the years we've also learned that this is a lot more an art than a science, as with anything that has such an element of fashion involved. At the end of the day, our lists are a snapshot of a moment in play time—a sense of what's inspiring imaginations and letters to Santa.
And, most importantly, one thing we always say is that no list will ever encompass the wonderfully diverse nature of the toy business—or every kid. The best thing that parents and toy buyers can ever do is know the kids that they're buying for, what excites them and stimulates their imaginations. As we say every time we announce a list, "The hot toy is only hot if it's hot for your kid."
So, check out the lists, get playing, and be sure to come back often to see our latest toy reviews.