The Strong Inducts Four Classics into National Toy Hall of Fame

The following article is based on a press release issued by The Strong National Museum of Play on November 10, 2023.

November 10, 2023 | The Strong National Museum of Play inducted baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids, NERF, and the Fisher Price Corn-Popper into its National Toy Hall of Fame.

The Strong typically inducts three toys to the Hall of Fame each year, but included a special fourth inductee in honor of the museum’s 25th anniversary. The Fisher-Price Corn Popper was chosen by a public vote from a group of “Forgotten Five” finalists, which was made up multi-time finalists that have failed to make the cut in previous years, including My Little Pony, PEZ, pogo stick, and Transformers. The other three inductees were chosen from guidance of a National Selection Advisory Committee made up of historians and educators.

The Strong typically inducts three toys to the Hall of Fame each year, but included a special fourth inductee in honor of the museum’s 25th anniversary. The Fisher-Price Corn Popper was chosen by a public vote from a group of “Forgotten Five” finalists, which was made up multi-time finalists that have failed to make the cut in previous years, including My Little Pony, PEZ, pogo stick, and Transformers. The other three inductees were chosen from guidance of a National Selection Advisory Committee made up of historians and educators.

“These four deserving inductees represent a great blend of types of play for people of all ages,” says Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections and chief curator at The Strong National Museum of Play. “Baseball cards encourage lifelong playing and collection. Cabbage Patch Kids continue to encourage imagination and storytelling for kids. Fisher-Price Corn Popper, which is a forgotten finalist no longer, is a great activity for toddlers. NERF toys are designed for indoor and outdoor activity, and they often find kids and grownups playing together. This is an excellent class to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Toy Hall of Fame.”

Click here to learn more about each inductee.