Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.National Toy Hall of Fame
Explore some of the best and most important toys of all time!
About
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.
The National Toy Hall of Fame is housed at The Strong museum in Rochester, NY.
Top
Inducted Year: 2022 Ancient peoples of Greece and Rome amused themselves with toys resembling the spinning tops we know today. Archaeologists have found 5,000-year-old clay tops in Iraq and 3,000-year-old whip tops in China. […]
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Lite-Brite
Inducted Year: 2022 In 1966, a New York City window display featuring hundreds of colored lights inspired toy creators Marvin Glass, Henry Stan, and Burt Meyer. Convinced they could design and build a plaything […]
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Masters of the Universe
Inducted Year: 2022 The story of Masters of the Universe begins in 1979 when Ray Wagner of Mattel formed a Male Action Team to explore creation of the company’s next big action figure line. […]
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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 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
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
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!
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Visit a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play.
