Toy Hall of Fame announces 2025 inductees

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The National Toy Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2025, inducting Battleship, Slime, and Trivial Pursuit as this year’s honorees. (Credit: The Strong National Museum of Play)

ROCHESTER, N,Y, - The National Toy Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 inductees, honoring three timeless playthings that have entertained and inspired generations of children and adults alike.

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The new inductees are Battleship, Slime, and Trivial Pursuit.

The three iconic playthings were selected from a field of 12 finalists that included Catan, Connect Four, cornhole, Furby, scooter, snow, Spirograph, Star Wars lightsaber, and Tickle Me Elmo. 

The new inductees are now on display at The Strong National Museum of Play, home to the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Battleship

Originally a pencil-and-paper pastime, Battleship traces its roots to two-player strategy games of the late 19th century. Manufacturers began releasing printed paper versions in the 1930s, but it was Milton Bradley’s 1967 plastic edition—boosted by television advertising—that turned the game into a household staple. 

Since then, Battleship has sold more than 100 million copies and was among the first board games to be computerized in 1979. Today, countless electronic and digital versions continue its legacy.

What they're saying:

"Battleship has long been a household name in the board game world," Curator Mirek Stolee said in a press release. "Its popularity crested in 2012 when Universal Pictures and Hasbro released a movie called Battleship. The film was only loosely based on the game, but it helped cement Battleship’s place in popular culture history."

Slime

Since its debut in 1976, Slime has captivated generations with its oozy, tactile charm. Originally sold as a standalone toy, it quickly became a staple of playtime—used in other toys, featured on television, and embraced as a do-it-yourself favorite. Beyond the fun, Slime encourages creativity through hands-on, messy experimentation.

What they're saying:

"Though slime continues to carry icky connotations to slugs and swamps—all part of the fun for some—the toy offers meaningful play," said Curator Michelle Parnett-Dwyer. "Countless kids enjoy creating slime on their own or incorporating it into other play experiences. For others, it has therapeutic benefits—offering stress relief and enhancing fine motor skills."

Trivial Pursuit

For more than four decades, Trivial Pursuit has challenged players to flex their knowledge across topics ranging from history and science to art, sports, and entertainment. Players race around the board to collect six colorful wedges, with editions covering countless themes and interests. By 2023, the game had sold over 100 million copies worldwide.

What they're saying:

"Trivial Pursuit’s influence has spread beyond the realm of board games to game show iterations and video game adaptations," said Curator Mirek Stolee. "The game’s maker even offers a Trivial Pursuit online daily quiz, in the vein of other popular daily games like Wordle. Frequent updates and innovations continue to keep Trivial Pursuit relevant."