US National Toy Hall of Fame announces 2025 finalists, from Catan to slime
The 12 contenders include Battleship, Catan, Connect Four, Trivial Pursuit, cornhole, Spirograph, lightsabers, Furby, slime – and snow
Later this year, snow could be inducted into the US National Toy Hall of Fame. Its competition: a group that features hugely popular board games, outdoor favourites and giggling plushies.
The National Toy Hall of Fame recently announced its 12 finalists for the class of 2025 and opened voting to the public and a panel of judges, who will choose which few will be honoured in November.
The 12 contenders consist of the games Battleship, Catan, Connect Four, Trivial Pursuit and cornhole; tactile materials slime and snow; Spirograph, scooters and the Star Wars lightsaber; and ’90s toy world technological icons Furby and Tickle Me Elmo.
The finalists were chosen from among the thousands of nominees the Toy Hall of Fame receives each year.
“This year’s contenders present some playful matchups,” says Christopher Bensch, vice-president for collections and chief curator.
“I’m always excited to see where the judges and public come out in their votes,” Bensch added. “At the end of the day, the playful debates just go to show how much personal and cultural relevance these toys have for us all.”
