National Toy Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open for 2016    

July 8, 2016 | Play lovers from coast-to-coast are invited to nominate their favorite classic toy or game for induction into The Strong museum’s National Toy Hall of Fame in 2016. Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, July 31^st.     

Located in Rochester, New York, the National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes innovative toys that have impacted and delighted generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and explore through play.  Last year’s inductees – the puppet, Super Soaker, and Twister – are among the 59 classic playthings that have been enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame since 1998. Nominations can be submitted online or by mailing written selections to The Strong at One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607.

Criteria for induction include four key qualities:

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.

An internal museum advisory committee composed of educators, curators and historians will review each nomination and determine which toys and games meet the criteria.

On Thursday, November 10^th the National Toy Hall of Fame will announce the newest toy inductees, followed by a weekend celebration on Saturday, November 12^th and Sunday, November 13^th.

Visit here for the full press release.

The Strong and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) enjoy a partnership housing TIA’s Toy Industry Hall of Fame alongside the National Toy Hall of Fame in a cutting-edge museum installation at The Strong.