British Toy & Hobby Association, which turns 80 this year, marks the opening of Toy Fair’s 70th Anniversary with an unveiling of 27 Hero Toys for 2024
Affordability a key trend with 15 out of the 27 Hero Toys priced under £25, starting at £4.99
Record-breaking number of entries with over 330 products submitted
TV Personality and long-standing presenter of Toy Fair’s Toy Fair TV, Anna Williamson, selects her “Top Hero Toy” for 2024 out of the Hero Toys winners
London – Organisers of the Toy Fair, The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) is thrilled to reveal its highly anticipated 27 Hero Toys for 2024. Carefully selected by an independent panel of retailers, the winners of this year’s Toy Fair’s Hero Toys represent a selection of the most exciting toys launching at Toy Fair. The winners were unveiled on January 23rd at this year’s Toy Fair held at Olympia London, with the presence of broadcaster and presenter, Anna Williamson.
As the BTHA celebrates its 80th anniversary, these Toy Fair Hero Toys are a key part of the association’s commitment to promoting excellence and innovation in the toy industry.
Key Trends:
The Hero Toys line up showcases an extensive range of toy categories, including games and puzzles, plush and collectibles, sectors which all saw growth throughout 2023. Arts and crafts, outdoor toys, and licensed toys provide something for every interest and imagination.
The emphasis on providing great value to consumers is evident, with 15 out of the 27 Hero Toys priced under £25, starting at just £4.99. This focus on affordability is particularly relevant in helping families navigate the challenging economic landscape. While the trend of ‘new nostalgia’ products, including the Rubik’s 50th Anniversary Retro Cube by John Adams Leisure Ltd, and the Paddington in a Phone box Soft Toy by Rainbow Designs Ltd, breathe new life into familiar playthings.
Television personality, Toy Fair TV presenter, and mother of two, Anna Williamson, who hosted the unveiling of the Hero Toys today (Tuesday 23rd January 2024), also selected LeapFrog’s Magic Adventures™ Binocular Camera, as her “Top Hero Toy” for 2024 from the stellar Hero Toy line up, adding: “As a mum of two I am always looking for ways to entertain my children for longer periods of time that doesn’t just involve a tablet and Youtube! Engaging with my kids during play is so important, and finding a toy that is also subtly educational, lasts more than 5 minutes, and is interesting for them is a win-win. The ‘magic adventures binoculars camera’ is the perfect ‘Hero Toy’ to aid and encourage children’s curiosity of nature and the world we live in, particularly when the environment is such a hot topic in schools now.’”
Insights and reflections
Reflecting on the exceptional line up of Hero Toys at this year’s Toy Fair, Rebecca Deeming, Communications & Events Manager at the BTHA, acknowledges the record-breaking number of entries (over 330 products) and the diversity across the Hero Toys categories.
“We are thrilled with the breadth and quality of this year’s entries,” says Rebecca Deeming. “The Hero Toys winners represent a fantastic cross-section of the toy industry, showcasing some of the best new toys launching in 2024.
“Toys that offer multi-generational play have always been popular with families, as they allow for children to bond and learn with their parents and grandparents. At a time when cost is a continuing concern for many households in the UK, toys that can bring a family together for entertainment and offer a cost-effective way to make memories, have fun, and learn together are becoming more popular, and many of this year’s selection of Hero Toys offer this.”
Toys offer an opportunity for families to reconnect and provide entertainment for all generations, two great examples of which that have made it onto the Hero Toys 2024 list include “Fart Yoga” by Golden Bear Toys and Cartamundi’s “Surrounded By Idiots Game.”
Notably 4 of the 27 winners are available to buy now with prices starting at £10.00. The other winners will be released into retail throughout the year. The complete list of Toy Fair’s Hero Toys 2024 can be found in the product guide attached and will be on display outside of the Press Office for the duration of Toy Fair 2024.