National Toy Hall of Fame Snubs Ken, Adds Cabbage Patch Kids

As a reminder of the holiday toy fads of yesteryear, every November, the Strong Museum of Play reveals the latest inductees into the National Toy Hall of Fame. For 2023, the new inductees include Nerf, Cabbage Patch Kids, Baseball Cards, and the iconic Fisher Price Corn-Popper.

Back in September, the museum revealed the 12 finalists being considered for the National Toy Hall of Fame, and depending on what era you grew up in, you may be disappointed with which toys didn't make the cut this year. The list of losers includes the Ken doll, still destined to live in Barbie's shadow, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which are still popular almost 40 years after their debut, and the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe—the first car for generations of Americans.

You might be surprised to learn that Nerf and Cabbage Patch Kids weren't inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame years ago. What started as a simple foam ball that was safe to play with indoors has turned into a massively popular brand for Hasbro, on par with Lego. And those who were kids in the '80s probably remember how incredibly popular Cabbage Patch Kids were around the holidays, selling out across the country and causing near riots in stores when stock did arrive.

The National Toy Hall of Fame typically only inducts three toys every year, but to honor its 25th anniversary, a fourth inductee was added for 2023, chosen by the public from a list of past losers. The Fisher-Price Corn Popper, which has been annoying parents since 1957, finally got the nod, beating out My Little Pony, the pogo stick, and Transformers.

This year's most controversial inductee is probably going to be baseball cards. While undoubtedly popular with generations of kids, and occasionally used to add sound effects to bikes, its status as a toy is debatable.