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Museum will be closed Friday, October 25 for the Play Ball gala.

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.

2024 Finalists

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples

From its debut in 1999, Apples to Apples was a commercial success and reshaped the field of party games. By encouraging a group to offer creative or provocative answers to the questions posed […]

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Red balloon

Balloons

From a single balloon on a string to glittering foil balloon arrangements to intricate balloon sculptures of clouds, play with balloons is something everyone can enjoy. Blowing up a balloon improves lung capacity. […]

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Choose Your Own Adventure Books

Choose Your Own Adventure Gamebooks

With their roots in oral storytelling that asked listeners for their input, and the branching stories and role-playing simulations of the mid-20th century, Choose Your Own Adventure gamebooks gave kids new opportunities to […]

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Hess Truck

Hess Toy Trucks

Since 1964, the Hess toy trucks have signaled the beginning of the holiday season. For many, the trucks (and their iconic TV jingle) evoke memories of times past and the fun of playing […]

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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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Digital screen on Toy Halls of Fame elevator with exhibit logoimage decoration top leftimage decoration bottom right

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.