By Fatma Younis
The National Toy Hall of Fame has inducted four new toys for 2026: bingo, Care Bears, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the playground slide. The announcement was made Thursday, adding to the 90 toys already enshrined at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
New inductees
Bingo, tracing its roots to a 16th-century Italian lottery, is now played worldwide and has gained popularity among young adults in bars and nightclubs, according to curator Mirek Stolee. The Care Bears secured their spot after a social media campaign that attracted nearly one million followers. Pokémon trading cards were propelled by anime enthusiasts and manga readers. The playground slide was honored for helping children develop motor skills and encouraging exploration, with Jeremy Saucier, vice president for collections, noting the universal memory of racing down a slide.
Selection process
The four winners were chosen from a shortlist 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 qualify, toys must be considered icons, have engaged multiple generations, fostered creativity, or profoundly changed play or toy design. Nominations are open to the public.
