Toy Hall of Fame: The National Toy Hall of Fame has announced 12 finalists vying for the honor of induction this November.
Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame is located in Rochester, NY. Each fall, officials announce 12 finalists, and allow fans to vote from Sept. 11 -18.
This year’s 12 finalists are: Care Bears, coloring books, Fisher-Price corn popper, Jenga, Magic the Gathering, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox Cars, My Little Pony, Nerf Blaster, Risk, smartphone and top.
Yes — the smartphone has made the list.
“These 12 toys represent the wide scope of play—from the simple, traditional spinning top that has been played with since pre-history to the ultra-modern smartphone which has dramatically changed how people of all ages play and connect,” says Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections. “Whether old or new, or imaginative or physical, all 12 of these toy finalists share an undeniable ability to inspire people to learn, create, and discover through play.”
A visit to www.toyhalloffame.org will allow fans to vote for their favorites.
According to the website, “The three toys that receive the most public votes will be submitted on one ballot and will join the other top-three submissions from members of the 23-person National Selection Advisory Committee.
The public will collectively act as one member of the committee.”
Visitors can make one vote per day.
Uno, the Magic 8 Ball and Pinball won the nominations and were inducted in 2018.
In 2017, the lucky inductees were Clue, the Paper Airplane and Wiffle Ball.
The Rubber Duck was an inductee in 2013 and Little Green Army Men were in the top three and inducted in 2014.
The museum was established in 1998. According to the website, anyone can nominate a toy to the hall of fame. However, the final selections come down to the discretion of historians, educators and others who exemplify creativity in their lives.
A visit to the museum means enjoying a walk up the exhibit staircase and viewing — and interacting with — 21 portraits of toys deemed classic. Visitors can also create virtual bubbles at a 20-foot bubble tower — then move or pop them, thanks to motion capture technology.
