What do Barbie, Slinky, any kind of ball and a stick — a plain old stick — have in common with certain video games?

They’re all National Toy Hall of Fame inductees with 40 other toys that remain ever popular. In one form or another such playthings are sure to top gift lists again this year, according to a recent survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation.

“It asked parents, ‘If you are planning on buying toys this holiday season, what hot toy will you buy?’” NRF spokesman Kathy Grannis said. “Barbie has been at the top of the list for a long time now, and it doesn’t seem like she’s going anywhere anytime soon.”

The cartoon game Dora the Explorer joined the 2009 NRF Top 10 list for girls, and while video games occupied the No. 1 slot for boys, newer and more traditional hands-on games and toys like Lego held seven of the nine remaining spots, with Nintendo’s Wii being something of a crossover video/hands-on activity game.

Although Mary Lewis, co-owner of Learning Express, 7410 118th Ave., and Jennifer Heim, co-owner of Heim’s Downtown Toy Store, 5819 Sixth Ave., don’t sell Barbie or the Big Wheel, a Hall of Fame toy, they agreed the simple ball and other mainstays regularly find buyers.

“We are selling so many balls this year,” Lewis said. “We actually have light-up water balls,” Lewis said. The 12-inch balls are offered in versions that glitter, are filled with a pearly liquid and even ‘eyeballs.’

“We also have Rocket Balls. They’re helium filled and will go 500 feet in the air. We also have playground balls, and they’re very popular,” Lewis said, holding up a plain air-filled rubber ball typically tossed, kicked and bounced around playgrounds, fields and backyards. “I said to the staff the other day, ‘What’s with all the balls?’ All the orders we get, we’re able to fill.”

Unfortunately for Lewis, she placed her own order too late this year for another Hall of Fame Toy, Mr. Potato Head.

“I couldn’t get any this year; they were all sold out,” Lewis said.

Still, Lewis and Heim have plenty of other Hall of Fame Toys, including yo-yo’s, jigsaw puzzles, jump ropes, wood blocks and other all-time favorites, like Etch A Sketch.

“I carry them, and they sell,” Lewis said.

Heim said customers often come in search of longtime favorites like Rubik’s Cube, Sock Monkey and basic play kitchen sets.

“Those things sell well for us all year, particularly at the holidays. Parents will come in and buy the kitchen set, then friends and other relatives buy the add-on sets,” Heim said.