T.O.T.Y. Awards

There's Emmy, Tony, Oscar and now Toty! It's the Toy of the Year Awards and the nominees have been announced by the Toy Industry Association, the folks that put on the awards each year. Check out all the nominees at Playthings Magazine.

Here are the toys that got my vote!

INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Weebles Weebly Wobbly Tree House — Playskool
Playskool goes old school with the ones that wobble but don't fall down!

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
Pixel Chix — Mattel
I first saw these "virtual girlfriends" at Mattel's toy fair last year. Very cool!

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
Star Wars Ultimate Darth Vader Voice Changer — Hasbro
"Luuuuke! I am your FAAATHER!"

GAME OF THE YEAR
Apples to Apples — Out of the Box
You've got to check this game out. So simple. So fun.

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Banzai Falls Water Slide — Toy Quest
What says "fun" more than a 19' inflatable water slide in your own backyard?

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
FLY Pentop Computer — LeapFrog Enterprises
A pen that coaxes and encourages kids as they learn to write? WRITE ON!

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Magic Glow Doodle Bear — Play Along
Who would have thought to mix a drawing toy with plush? Neat!

ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT TOY OF THE YEAR
20Q — Radica Games
It's almost eerie how well this thing can guess what you are thinking.

MOST INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
FLY Pentop Computer — LeapFrog Enterprises
Sorry to be repetitive, but this thing is way cool. I just wish it came with more paper.

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Uglydoll — Prettyugly
I love the muted colors and shapes. They are very well made and so UGLY, they're cute.

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
Star Wars — Hasbro Inc./LucasFilm
May THE FORCE be with you in 2006 like it was in 2005.