Pokémon, Bingo, Care Bears and Slide Inducted Into National Toy Hall of Fame

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is officially a member of the National Toy Hall of Fame, joining Care Bears, bingo and the slide as the four inductees in the 2026 class at The Strong National Museum of Play. The four winners were selected from a field of 12 finalists that also included Bop It!, Mahjong, Monster High dolls, Mouse Trap, Polly Pocket, Sorry!, Tickle Me Elmo and Yahtzee. The newly inducted toys have already been enshrined and are now on display at The Strong in Rochester, New York.

The Pokémon TCG’s induction comes 30 years after the game debuted in 1996. The Strong pointed to the billions of cards produced since its launch, the accessibility of its gameplay and the enormous community built around Pokémon across trading cards, anime, manga and video games as major factors behind its staying power.

“Pokémon TCG’s widespread appeal and global presence are undeniable,” curator Mirek Stolee said in announcing the inductees. Stolee said the game successfully adapted trading card game formulas established by its predecessors while making them more accessible and combining them with Pokémon’s characters.

The induction completes a story CollectiblesNews.com began following in September, when the Pokémon Trading Card Game was named one of the 12 finalists for the 2026 Hall of Fame class. At the time, Pokémon was competing against several other properties with significant collector followings, including Monster High, Polly Pocket and Care Bears.

Pokémon ultimately made the cut along with Care Bears, giving two major collecting brands places in the 2026 class. Monster High and Polly Pocket, despite reaching the finalist stage, were not selected for induction this year. Care Bears earned its place after more than four decades as a toy and entertainment brand spanning plush, books, television, movies, games and other merchandise. The Strong noted that the brand has generated more than $12 billion in lifetime retail sales and now includes more than 100 bears and 500 licensing partners.

Bingo was also inducted after evolving over centuries from European lottery-style games into the familiar game played today. The Strong highlighted its longevity as both a social activity and fundraiser, as well as its continued appeal across generations.

The fourth inductee is one of the simplest toys imaginable: the playground slide. The Strong cited the slide’s long history, its role in physical activity and exploration and its ability to encourage free play. Slides became increasingly common in public playgrounds during the playground movement of the early 20th century and remain a staple of recreational spaces today.

Its arrival in the National Toy Hall of Fame puts Pokémon TCG alongside other collecting staples already recognized by the institution. As CollectiblesNews.com noted when the finalists were announced, Magic: The Gathering and baseball cards have previously been inducted, along with toy brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Lionel Trains, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox Cars, My Little Pony, Star Wars action figures and Transformers.

The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 and recognizes toys that have inspired creative play while maintaining popularity over a sustained period. Final selections are made with input from historians, educators and others involved in learning, creativity and play. With the 2026 results now official, Pokémon Trading Card Game, Care Bears, bingo and the slide join the Hall’s permanent roster, while the remaining eight finalists will have to wait for another opportunity.