Care Bears didn’t make the cut; neither did Transformers or Uno. But it’s a good day for Little People — first produced by Fisher-Price in 1959 — as the Toy Hall of Fame announces its 2016 class of inductees.
Also getting the nod: Dungeons & Dragons, which was praised for creating a system of imaginative play that has entranced both kids and adults; and the humble swing, which in the past 100 years has grown from its ancient roots to become a playground favorite.
The nomination process for the Toy Hall of Fame is open to the public — but to get in, a toy has to be approved by “historians, educators, and other individuals who exemplify learning, creativity, and discovery through their lives and careers,” according to its host, The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.
The list of 12 finalists for this year’s honors had included bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, the coloring book, Nerf ball, pinball, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Transformers and Uno.
In previous years, the Hall of Fame’s inductees have ranged from Twister and the puppet (2015) to green army men, the Rubik’s Cube, and bubbles (2014).