The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys "that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period." The institution announced 12 finalists for induction into the hall last month, and today, it announced two winners. Click through the gallery to see the finalists -- and which toys won induction in 2013.
2013 National Toy Hall of Fame finalists —
The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys "that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period." The institution announced 12 finalists for induction into the hall last month, and today, it announced two winners. Click through the gallery to see the finalists -- and which toys won induction in 2013.
Courtesy of The Strong
Rubber ducky, you're the one -- of two! It was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Ernie would be so proud!
The rubber duck —
Rubber ducky, you're the one -- of two! It was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Ernie would be so proud!
Courtesy of The Strong
The game of chess was the other beloved toy inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Here's the criteria for finalists: icon status for being widely respected and recognized; longevity, for being more than a passing fad that has entertained multiple generations; discovery, for its ability to foster learning or creativity; and innovation for having profoundly changed play or toy design.
Chess —
The game of chess was the other beloved toy inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Here's the criteria for finalists: icon status for being widely respected and recognized; longevity, for being more than a passing fad that has entertained multiple generations; discovery, for its ability to foster learning or creativity; and innovation for having profoundly changed play or toy design.
Courtesy of The Strong
Bubbles was one of the finalists vying to join the company of 51 other toys in the National Toy Hall of Fame, which includes Barbie, Etch A Sketch, Nintendo Game Boy, Radio Flyer Wagon, G.I. Joe and Mr. Potato Head.
Bubbles —
Bubbles was one of the finalists vying to join the company of 51 other toys in the National Toy Hall of Fame, which includes Barbie, Etch A Sketch, Nintendo Game Boy, Radio Flyer Wagon, G.I. Joe and Mr. Potato Head.
Courtesy of The Strong
Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael comprise the fearsome fighting team known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They were among the finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2013.
2013 National Toy Hall of Fame finalists —
Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael comprise the fearsome fighting team known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They were among the finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2013.
Courtesy of The Strong
The board game Clue was also among the finalists announced in October.
Clue —
The board game Clue was also among the finalists announced in October.
Courtesy of The Strong
The Fisher-Price Little People were also on the short list, which was narrowed down from a list of public nominations by an internal committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians. The honorees are chosen by a national selection committee, which reviews the list of finalists and votes on top picks for induction.
Fisher-Price Little People —
The Fisher-Price Little People were also on the short list, which was narrowed down from a list of public nominations by an internal committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians. The honorees are chosen by a national selection committee, which reviews the list of finalists and votes on top picks for induction.
Courtesy of The Strong
The little green army men are already on <a target="_blank" target="_blank">TIME's list of All-Time Greatest toys</a>, and were up for Hall of Fame induction this year.
Little green army men —
The little green army men are already on TIME's list of All-Time Greatest toys, and were up for Hall of Fame induction this year.
Courtesy of The Strong
The Magic 8 ball claims to have the answers to all of life's questions. But will it be inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2013? "My reply is no."
Magic 8 Ball —
The Magic 8 ball claims to have the answers to all of life's questions. But will it be inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2013? "My reply is no."
Courtesy of The Strong
My Little Pony competed for a spot in the hallowed halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame at <a target="_blank" target="_blank">The Strong</a>, an educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play in Rochester, New York. The nonprofit claims to house "the world's most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play."
My Little Pony —
My Little Pony competed for a spot in the hallowed halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong, an educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play in Rochester, New York. The nonprofit claims to house "the world's most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play."
Courtesy of The Strong
They say it's NERF or nothing -- but that wasn't the case for the 2013 induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. NERF in many forms -- balls, discs, artillery -- were finalists.
NERF toys —
They say it's NERF or nothing -- but that wasn't the case for the 2013 induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. NERF in many forms -- balls, discs, artillery -- were finalists.
Courtesy of The Strong
The character Pac-Man was one of 12 finalists up for induction in the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Pac-Man —
The character Pac-Man was one of 12 finalists up for induction in the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Courtesy of The Strong
The scooter couldn't quite whiz past the competition into the National Toy Hall of Fame, but it was a finalist.
The scooter —
The scooter couldn't quite whiz past the competition into the National Toy Hall of Fame, but it was a finalist.
Courtesy of The Strong
2013 National Toy Hall of Fame finalists

Story highlights

Bubbles, chess, little green army men also among finalists for toy hall of fame

National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that engage and delight

CNN  — 

Which toys will make it into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year? Maybe the Magic 8 Ball, one of 12 finalists announced this week, has the answer.

Each year, the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York, recognizes toys that have “engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play.”

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    The beloved fortune-telling toy is up against stiff competition: bubbles, chess, Clue, Fisher-Price Little People, little green army men, My Little Pony, Nerf toys, Pac-Man, the rubber duck, the scooter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

    Two winners will be announced November 7 to join the rarefied company of 51 toys honored in previous years, including Barbie, Mr. Potato Head, Nintendo Game Boy, the bicycle, Silly Putty, the skateboard, Slinky and the baby doll.

    Who would you vote for? Tell us in the comments or on Facebook