My Little Pony, Baby Nancy, Jenga up for Toy Hall of Fame

Official: Nominees ‘represent the wide scope of playthings.’

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Breyer Horses and My Little Pony are neck-and-neck in the race to the National Toy Hall of Fame, making the list of 12 finalists for the Class of 2020, announced Wednesday.

Baby Nancy, an ethnically correct Black doll unlike those produced before her debut in 1968, is also up for the honor. The games Risk, Sorry, Yahtzee, bingo and Jenga also made the list, which is rounded out by Lite-Brite, Masters of the Universe, sidewalk chalk and the 1990s virtual pet, Tamagotchi.

Three of the finalists will be inducted into the hall Nov. 5.

“These 12 toys represent the wide scope of playthings — from simple sidewalk chalk that has its roots in ancient times, to Baby Nancy, which proved a turning point in the representation of race in dolls, to the more recent, highly innovative Tamagotchi,” Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections, said in a news release.

Bensch said all the nominees have influenced how people play, one of the key criteria for earning a spot in the Hall of Fame alongside icons from the jack-in-thebox to the cardboard box, both inducted in 2005.

Honorees also must have lasted through generations; have reached icon status; and foster learning, creativity or discovery through play.

A national selection committee casts ballots for the winners. Members of the public, who submit nominations all year, can also weigh in on the final selection through an online “Player’s Choice” through Wednesday.

VICTORIA GRAY / THE STRONG MUSEUM Twelve toys up for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame include My Little Pony (from top left), Baby Nancy, Lite-Brite, Sorry! and Masters of the Universe, as well as Yahtzee (from bottom left), Tamagotchi, Risk, sidewalk chalk, bingo, Jenga and Breyer Horses. Honorees also must have lasted through generations; have reached icon status; and foster learning, creativity or discovery through play.