The Strong National Museum of Play

About

The Strong National Museum of Play is one of the world's premier institutions dedicated to exploring the meaning and history of play. Founded as a general history museum by collector Margaret Woodbury Strong, it has evolved into a dynamic, hands-on destination that immerses visitors in everything from classic board games and dolls to digital interactives and vintage arcade cabinets. At the center of The Strong's identity are two world-class halls of fame. The National Toy Hall of Fame has inducted more than 70 iconic toys since its founding — from the jump rope and Raggedy Ann to LEGO bricks and the video game console. The World Video Game Hall of Fame honors landmark games that have shaped culture and gaming history, from Pong and Tetris to Minecraft and The Legend of Zelda. Beyond its collections, The Strong is a place of active play. The Play Lab invites children to explore open-ended, imaginative activities, while the Butterfly Garden, Carousel, and Skyline Climb offer memorable experiences across age groups. Field trip programs serve school groups from early childhood through high school, and Woodbury School — an on-site K–12 alternative school — is embedded within the museum campus. The Strong is also a serious research institution: it houses the Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, and publishes the peer-reviewed American Journal of Play. Homeschool families, scouts, and group visitors will find structured programming alongside unstructured exploration.

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