It's National Toy Hall of Fame time again, and this time, it's personal.
In a way.
For the first time, the Hall of Fame, hosted by The Strong National Museum of Play, is opening voting on the list of finalists to the public. So if you think the Magic 8 Ball was woefully overlooked in 2017, this year — because it's nominated again — you can take part in a public vote at toyhalloffame.org as part of a "Player's Choice" ballot.
The three toys that receive the most public votes will be submitted and join other top-three submissions by members of a special judge's advisory committee.
The Strong, based in Rochester, N.Y., notes that the public will collectively act as one member of the judging committee. so the top toys may not be representative of your personal toy box, but it at least reflects some public sentiment.
Toys selected for the Hall of Fame must have been popular for multiple generations. Criteria calls for toys that have "icon status;" encourage learning, creativity and discovery; and have "profoundly changed play or toy design."
But if signs do not point to yes for your person support of the Magic 8 Ball, there are other plastics-adjacent options.
The Fisher-Price Corn Popper, first introduced in 1957 made the list, as did Master of the Universe action figures and American Girl dolls and, one fairly recent entry, the Tickle Me Elmo doll.
Toys don't have to be a brand name though. The finalist list this year includes sleds, the game tic-tac-toe and chalk.
Winners will be named Nov. 8.