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Risk, Battleship, American Girl Doll among 12 finalists for Toy Hall of Fame
Risk, Battleship, American Girl Doll among 12 finalists for Toy Hall of Fame
One dozen toys have been named finalists in the Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame, but just a handful will be inducted in November when the museum announces the winners.
The 12 finalists include American Girl Dolls, Battleship, billiards, Cabbage Patch Kids, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Mahjong, Masters of the Universe, piñata, Risk, sand, the Settlers of Catan and toy fire engine.
“These 12 toys represent the wide scope of playthings — from one of the most universal playthings in the world like sand to a game-changing board game like Risk to the popular adult game of billiards,” said Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections. “Whether old or new, for kids or adults, all 12 of these toy finalists greatly influenced the world of play.”
The Toy Hall of Fame receives thousands of nominations each year, which are narrowed down and then voted on by members of the National Selection Advisory Committee, as well as the public. Fans may vote for their favorite finalists from September 15 to 22 as part of a “Player’s Choice” ballot at toyhalloffame.org. The three toys that receive the most public votes will be submitted and will join the other top-three submissions.
Criteria for induction include icon-status (the toy is widely recognized, respected and remembered); longevity (the toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations); discovery (the toy fosters learning, creativity or discovery through play); and innovation (the toy profoundly changed play or toy design).
Past inductees include sidewalk chalk, Star Wars action figures, the Frisbee, chess and more. Established in 1998, the Toy Hall of Fame includes 74 inductees.
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