Construction set:Nanoblock Set: Blue Parakeet

Kids don't have to be engineers to create with Nanoblock sets. With micro-sized building blocks, tiny animals like this blue parakeet take shape beneath the builder's fingers, right down to the smallest details. Nanoblock building sets competed for the coveted 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) award for the best Specialty Toy of 2012. The Toy Industry Association (TIA), the trade association for toy manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, created the TOTYs to honor the best new toys on the market. Since 2000, TOTYs have signaled out the top toy in 11 categories including activity toy, boy toy, educational toy, game, girl toy, infant or toddler toy, innovative toy, outdoor toy, preschool toy, property of the year, and specialty toy. From among the winners in each TOTY category, TIA officials select one, single, best overall Toy of the Year. Award winners receive their honors at a celebration in New York City held at the start of TIA's annual trade show, ToyFair.