Last month, Nerf toys, Cabbage Patch Kids, and baseball cards became part of a special club. They were all 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 opening in 1998, the Hall has honored more than 80 toys. Past inductees include everything from Lego bricks and the Super Soaker to Crayola crayons and dollhouses.
How does the Hall select its new inductees? Throughout the year, anyone can nominate a toy. This year, members of the public sent in hundreds of suggestions. A group of historians, educators, and other experts reviewed the list and narrowed it down to 12 finalists.
The judges consider a few factors when picking the winners. They think about how popular each toy is and how long it’s been around. Another important factor is how much a toy encourages kids to use their imagination.