By Basant El-Faramawy
The National Toy Hall of Fame inducted four new honorees on Thursday: bingo, Care Bears, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the classic playground slide. The announcement came from The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, which houses the hall.
Selection from 12 finalists
The winners emerged from a field of 12 finalists that included Bop It!, mahjong, Monster High dolls, Polly Pocket, Tickle Me Elmo, Yahtzee, and the board games Sorry! and Mouse Trap. To earn induction, toys must be considered icons, have engaged multiple generations, fostered creativity, or profoundly changed play or toy design.
Historical and cultural impact
Curator Mirek Stolee noted that bingo descends from an Italian lottery dating to around 1530 and is now played virtually worldwide. While traditionally associated with older audiences, bingo has grown popular among young adults in bars and nightclubs. The Care Bears' induction was bolstered by nearly 1 million social media followers, while Pokémon trading cards benefited from anime and manga enthusiasts. Vice president for collections Jeremy Saucier said the slide helps children develop motor skills and encourages exploration, calling it a simple, satisfying, and energizing experience remembered by people of all ages.
The four 2026 inductees join 90 toys already enshrined, including Cabbage Patch Kids, Dungeons & Dragons, Hot Wheels, and Frisbee.
