What do the classic board game Risk, American Girl dolls, and sand have in common? In November, they became the latest toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame!
The Hall of Fame is part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. Since the Hall opened in 1998, more than 70 toys have been honored, including LEGO bricks, Candy Land, and rubber ducks.
Each year, members of the public list their favorite toys online. A group of experts from the museum choose the inductees from that list. The inductees are selected based on a number of factors, such as how long they’ve been around and how popular they are. Toys are also judged on how much they encourage kids to use their imaginations.
This year, sand beat out classic toys like Cabbage Patch Kids and toy fire engines. Why? Experts at the Hall of Fame point out that people around the world play with sand. Also, what else can you use to build a castle and (safely) bury your friends?