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Bubble Wrap, Care Bears, Clue, Some Of This Year's Toy Hall of Fame Finalists

The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong Museum has revealed the list of a dozen finalists for this year's inductees.

They are: bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, coloring books, Dungeons & Dragons, Fisher-Price Little People, Nerf, pinball, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, swing, Transformers, and Uno.

The museum recognizes toys that have delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create and discover through play.

If  bubble wrap is selected for the hall, it would join the cardboard box and stick among unconventional honorees. 

But the museum's Vice President for Collections, Chris Bensch, says this shouldn't come as a big surprise.

"I don't think any of us can resist as a plaything, it's not a traditional toy, you might not give it specifically for a birthday or holiday, but when all of us wind up with bubble wrap in our hands, we've just got to start popping.”

Bensch, says there are certain criteria the toy inductees have to meet.

"We refined those down to these 12 well deserving finalists by longevity, by toys that had recognition factor, and toys that really captured the best quality of play; learning, creativity, discovery, socialization."

The final inductees will be announced on November 10th.

To date 59 toys have been inducted into the hall.

Copyright 2016 WXXI News

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's Director of News and Public Affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.