National Toy Hall Of Fame Inductees, From Hot Wheels To Sand

Even without Saturday morning cartoons, today's children are still seeing advertisements for the latest and greatest toy hitting store shelves. And with the holidays just around the corner, I'm sure there will be even more new things that kids will be wanting under the tree.

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Some of those new toys will stand the test of time and be remembered in the halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame. For the year 2026, there are 12 finalists that will be vying to enshrined. Did an old favorite of your childhood make the list this year?

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Hall of Fame Toys - Not Just Any Toy Can Be a Winner in the Hall

The Toy Hall of Fame was established not that long ago, in 1998. In those 28 years, 90 toys have been enshrined. Those toys are considered to be ones "that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period" according to the Strong Museum, which houses the hall of fame.

Sand may be the most universal toy in the world. Sand provides unique opportunities for tactical, physical, cooperative, creative, and independent free play. It was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2021. -Museum of Play

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In past years, toys that have been selected include some of the biggest selling and those that are still going strong from years gone by. Hot Wheels, Nerf toys and of course an all-time favorite like the Frisbee are among those that have already made it into the hall.

Three Winners for the Toy Hall of Fame to be Announced in November

Despite the larger number of nominees, only 3 of those will make the cut when the winners are announced by the Toy Hall of Fame in November of 2026. It shows just how selective the Hall is when selecting winners each year.

Did your favorite toy from your childhood make the finalists this year? We've gathered them all together below in our gallery for you to relive some of those childhood days sitting in front of the television eating cereal. Which do you think will make the final 3 for this year's Hall of Fame?

These are the Twelve Nominees for This Year's Toy Hall of Fame in 2026

Each year the Toy Hall of Fame selects a limited number of toys to be enshrined next. This year 12 nominees will be cut down to just 3 that will live on in the Hall of Fame. Only 90 toys have been selected in the 28 years of the Hall of Fame.

Gallery Credit: JD Knight

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