Classic Favorites Join the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Museum of Play

Childhood memories often live inside the classic games and figures we loved growing up. In Rochester, New York, The Strong National Museum of Play preserves that magic through its famous hall. The Museum of Play honors “toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period.” Since 1998, this prestigious institution has celebrated playthings that shaped culture and sparked imagination. Each year, the Museum of Play “inducts new honorees and displays examples in the Toy Halls of Fame gallery.” Visitors can explore decades of history while rediscovering their favorite childhood pastimes.

The 2026 class features four unforgettable favorites: Bingo, Care Bears, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the slide. Outdoor play takes center stage with the humble playground slide. As the Museum of Play explains, “modern slides of wood, steel, and plastic turned inclined planes into toys.” By the early 1900s, slides delighted thrill-seekers at Coney Island before becoming neighborhood park staples. Meanwhile, Bingo traces its roots back to sixteenth-century Italy before becoming a beloved social game worldwide. For collectors, the Pokémon Trading Card Game arrived in Japan in 1996 after the Game Boy phenomenon. The Museum of Play states the game is “renowned for its relative accessibility compared to other collectible card games.”

Plush companions and action figures from the 1980s also hold special places in the hall. Care Bears started as greeting card illustrations before Kenner turned them into iconic plush toys. The Museum of Play describes them as “sweet, pastel-colored teddy bears with personality” that encouraged emotional expression. Furthermore, the Museum of Play adds that Care Bears “promoted caring, sharing, and how to express feelings.” Fellow 1980s icons like My Little Pony and Transformers joined the roster in 2024. Hasbro launched My Little Pony in 1983 with six soft vinyl horses featuring silky manes. A year later, Transformers introduced shape-changing robots battling as heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons.

Recent inductees also highlight how simple chemistry and timeless trivia captivate players of all ages. Mattel introduced Slime in 1976 inside small plastic trashcans, delighting kids with gooey fun. The Museum of Play says Slime “can be stretched, squeezed, broken apart, and molded back together like magic.” The Museum of Play notes that Trivial Pursuit’s “brain-racking questions” have challenged players for over four decades. Speaking of spinning tops, the Museum of Play writes that “Ancient peoples of Greece and Rome” enjoyed them too. Fans everywhere can nominate their own favorite playthings for future induction on the museum’s website.

Sources

• The Strong National Museum of Play – Inducted Toys