The Strong announces 12 finalists for National Toy Hall of Fame; Includes Bingo, Battleship, and Connect 4

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bingo, Battleship, Connect 4, and Ken are among the 12 toys that made it to the finals for the National Toy Hall of Fame at the The Strong National Museum of Play.

The Strong announced the finalists on Wednesday morning. Now, a panel of toy experts and votes from the public will decide which finalists will be inducted into the hall of fame. Here is a complete list of finalists:

• Baseball Cards
• Battleship
• Bingo
• Bop It
• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Choose Your Own Adventure Gamebooks
• Connect 4
• Ken
• Little Tykes Cozy Coupe
• Nerf Toys
• Slime
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Seven of the toys this year are first-time finalists. Fans can vote on their favorites from Sept. 13 through Sept. 20 through this link. The public will act as one member of the 23-member committee of toy experts. After a ballot vote from committee members, the finalists will be announced on Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at The Strong.

The National Toy Hall of Fame turns 25 this year. Last year’s three inductees were the spinning top, Lite-Brite, and the action figures Masters of the Universe. So far, about 80 toys have earned their spot in the hall of fame.

The museum say the hall of fame recognizes toys that have inspired multiple generations, reached an icon status, and have brought innovation to play.

The finalist announcement comes three months after The Strong unveiled its 90,000-square-foot expansion, complete with new interactive exhibits and a new home for the World Video Game Hall of Fame.