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Market Availability

All 2026 TOTY nominated products must have been introduced to the marketplace within the last two years and be available at retail in the United States on or before November 1, 2025. This can include a new version of an older product line, if the “new” product or reiteration has been introduced within the last two years.

If submitting a crowd-funded item, the product must be fully funded by June 1, 2025 with retail availability by November 1, 2025.

Intellectual Property Rights & Originality

The product manufacturer, private labeler, importer, or licensor of every product submitted for consideration for the 2026 TOTY Awards must own or have been granted permission to use all intellectual property rights. The submitted product must not infringe upon any other party and/or another party’s intellectual property rights. Court Orders involving infringement of intellectual property rights, the originality or lack or originality of a product submission will invalidate the product for TOTY consideration. A further qualification of an award can require verification at any time that the product submission is not in breach of this representation or is not subject to such Order(s).

Safety Reports

If a product is selected as a 2026 TOTY finalist, the manufacturer, private labeler, or importer of record must agree to provide copies of all relevant safety test reports to The Toy Association for reference should any safety issues be called into question by regulatory or consumer groups during the fourth quarter holiday shopping season or beyond.