On November 10, the Strong Museum and the National Toy Hall of Fame announced the 2023 class of toys to enter The Hall with ever present and sometimes annoying toddler toy the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids, and NERF foam toys joining the historic and generational loving toys on the seconds floor of The Strong Museum of Play.

However, the popularity of the “Barbie” movie could not get boyfriend Ken into the Hall of Fame to join Barbie.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National Toy Hall of Fame and with the help of the fan vote, the Fisher-Price Popper finally became a part of the the Toy Hall of Fame.

Vice President for collections and chief curator for The Strong Christopher Bensch spoke on the new inductees saying, “these four deserving inductees represent a great blend of types of play for people of all ages. Baseball cards encourage lifelong playing and collection. Cabbage Patch Kids continue to encourage imagination and storytelling for kids. Fisher-Price Corn Popper, which is a forgotten finalist no longer, is a great activity for toddlers. NERF toys are designed for indoor and outdoor activity, and they often find kids and grownups playing together. This is an excellent class to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Toy Hall of Fame.”

In order to be a part of the National Toy Hall of Fame, a toy must demonstrate longevity and inspire creative play.  The toys must also impact social culture.

The four inductees beat out the game Battleship, bingo, Bop It, Choose Your Own Adventure books, Connect 4, the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, slime and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to earn the honour of being a Hall of Famer.