Bingo, Care Bears, and Playground Slides Join National Toy Hall
Four items were inducted into the museum's collection Thursday, joining 90 other iconic toys.
By Dominic Foster ·
The National Toy Hall of Fame in New York announced its four new inductees on Thursday. The selection process narrowed a field of 12 finalists to these specific choices.
Bingo earned a spot based on its global reach. The game descends from an Italian lottery played around 1530. Mirek Stolee, a curator at The Strong National Museum of Play, noted a shift in demographics. He said bingo is increasingly popular with young adults. Public games have moved beyond fundraising events into bars and nightclubs.
The Care Bears secured their induction through strong social media engagement. The brand gained nearly 1 million followers to support its nomination. Pokémon Trading Cards also made the cut, driven by support from anime enthusiasts and manga readers.
The playground slide completed the group. Jeremy Saucier, the museum's vice president for collections, explained that slides help children develop motor skills. He described the experience of sliding as simple, satisfying, and energizing for people of all ages.
The selection criteria require items to be icons that engage multiple generations. Toys must also foster creativity or change play design. The 2026 winners join 90 other items in the Hall. Previous inductees include Mr. Potato Head, G.I. Joe, Cabbage Patch Kids, Dungeons & Dragons, Hot Wheels, and Frisbee. Other finalists included Bop It!, mahjong, and Polly Pocket.
