LIFESTYLE
National Toy Hall Of Fame Inducts Baseball Cards, NERF, Cabbage Patch Kids, And Fisher-Price Corn Popper
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The National Toy Hall of Fame in New York on Friday announced this years inductees: baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids, and NERF.
A special fourth inductee, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, was chosen by popular vote from a group of “Forgotten Five” finalists in honor of the halls 25th anniversary. All four toys are now on view at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.
“These four deserving inductees represent a great blend of types of play for people of all ages,” Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections and chief curator, said in a statement.
“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, Bensch said. This is an excellent class to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Toy Hall of Fame.”
The Fisher-Price Corn Popper was designed by inventor Arthur Holt, who sold it to the company in 1957. It features a handle attached to a plastic dome filled with small balls, and as toddlers push it like a vacuum while taking their first steps, the balls pop around the dome.
Finalists that didn’t make the cut include Baribie’s Ken, despite his resurgence in popularity with the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film over the summer, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
Other finalists included Battleship, Bingo, Bop It, Choose Your Own Adventure books, Connect 4, Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, Slime, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
TMX contributed to this article.
