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National Toy Hall of Fame

Explore some of the best and most important toys of all time!

View Inductees About The Strong

The National Toy Hall of Fame is housed at The Strong Museum in Rochester, NY.

The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong, established in 1998, recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the prestigious hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.

2025 Finalists

Battleship board game

Battleship

Originally a pencil and paper game, Battleship’s inspiration began with similar two-person strategy games in the late 19th century. Various manufacturers printed paper versions beginning in the 1930s. Television advertising played a part […]

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Settlers of Catan board game

Catan

First published by Kosmos in Germany, Catan (known earlier as Settlers of Catan) is one of the first German-style board games to achieve popularity outside of Europe. It is a strategic, competitive game in […]

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Connect Four board game

Connect 4

Connect Four, also known under non-proprietary names, is commonplace in many U.S. households. Taking turns dropping discs into a vertical grid, players attempt to form a line of four discs in their color. […]

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Corn hole board and bags

Cornhole

Cornhole boards and bean bags are common sights in the backyard or the bar patio. While the game is commonly associated with the American Midwest, it is enjoyed nationally and even internationally. Competing […]

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Player’s Choice Ballot

Make your voice heard! Vote for your favorite 2025 National Toy Hall of Fame finalist. Poll closes at midnight on September 24, 2025.

Inducted Toys

Alphabet blocks

Alphabet Blocks

  Inducted Year: 2003 For centuries, parents understanding the connection between play and development have made alphabet blocks standard equipment of the well-stocked toy box. Alphabet blocks appeared as early as 1693, when philosopher John […]

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American Girl Doll set

American Girl Dolls

Inducted Year: 2021 Following a visit to historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and a Christmas shopping trip for her nieces, educator and newscaster Pleasant Rowland developed and launched a line of 18-inch dolls representing an era […]

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Atari 2600 game system

Atari 2600 Game System

  Inducted Year: 2007 When people play today, chances are very good they’re playing a video game. No company did more to make that true than Atari. Atari did not make the first home video game […]

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Baby doll

Baby Doll

  Inducted Year: 2008 Crying, cooing, sleeping, eating, drinking, and wetting. What aspiring mom (or dad) doesn’t want a lifelike baby doll with all those features? But before the first baby doll appeared in the […]

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Nominate Your Favorite Toy

Is your favorite toy or game missing from the National Toy Hall of Fame? Nominate it now!

Explore More Exhibits


Visit a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play.