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Our testers have been busy at work since the new toys started arriving for 2012. Wondering how the new LEGO FRIENDS did with our testers?  Or what kind of games you can bring home to build your child's ability to problem solve?  What kind of toys match your toddler's new mobility?  Which science toys are worth your child's time?  We have it covered.

Click here to see our ratings/reviews.  Stephanie shared the top toys for spring with the TODAY Show's Savannah Guthrie on April 24th.

Click here to read Stephanie's Behind the Scenes blog.

Although small screen games are being played by ever younger kids, the benefits of playing board or card games together are huge. Often the pace is more appropriate for beginners and so are the basic skills built into many of the best games. Simple counting, turn taking, matching, and beginning reading are often part of the games for the early years. But those are only part of the learning. Click here to find out more and reviews of some of the new games.

We are always looking for toys that extend or inspire children's dramatic play. These are props that expand language and communication skills as well as develop imagination. Dramatic play allows children to step outside themselves and try on new roles. Here are a few of the early arrivals that our testers have rated high. Click here for reviews.

So proud to announce that Joanne's book The Prince's Bedtime is now being sold at the Buckingham Palace Gift Store! If you have or know a little one that has trouble getting to sleep, this is a must read! Even better, you can order your paperback copy now (it also comes with a audio CD narrated by Jim Boadbent) for only $9.99 by clicking here. 

Some folks spot the first crocus, the first buds on the trees, the first robin. Here at the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, it's the first new toys of 2012 that have started to arrive...a sure sign of spring. Among them are a number of games and puzzles that are worth considering. Here are a few of our newest finds.

Stephanie shared the top trends from Toy Fair 2012 with Al Roker on the TODAY Show this morning.  Also be sure to follow Stephanie's blog as the toys start arriving as well as updates on Facebook, our Twitter feed and Instagram (toyportfolio).  

If you missed the segment, you can watch it here.

We're delighted to announce the Read It! Play It! Award Winners for 2012. Books are a perfect springboard for inspiring creative games and craft activities. These titles best lend themselves to word games, dramatic play, story telling and art. Congratulations to the award winners!  Click here to see the books and games to play with the first of our Read It! Play It! Winners for 2012.

When you think of science toys if the first thing that comes to mind is a chemistry set - think again! If your eyes glaze over at the thought of science kits as boring old learning toys, blame that on the past and take a fresh look! Children have a natural curiosity for toys, books, and films that involve science and discovery. Wake up your wonder and theirs with these science activities. This is the time of year to
1- Bring in some branches of forsythia and watch it bloom.
2- Plant some seeds or bulbs and watch them take off on the windowsill.
3- Do some cooking and talk about how substances change and what causes them to do so.
4- Inspect snowflakes with a magnifying glass.
5- Add some white paint to the easel and have kids mix up some pastels paints.
6- Click Here for some great new and classic choices to keep that enthusiasm alive and well.

There are two major films, Hugo and War Horse based on books written for young people, granted for older young people. Why not bring home the books that inspired the films -  do it before or after seeing the film. Click here to find out what they will learn from both.

We believe there are basic gear toys for each age group. These toys are developmentally appropriate for each stage and  are the type of toys that your children will come back to time and again. Given that we spend so much money in the toy stores this time of year, it's important to bring home a wide-variety of playthings that will keep them engaged long after the holidays are over. We took the added challenge of preparing a list of toys all under $100, most under $40.  You can watch Stephanie on Today Show from December 13th by clicking the link below.  And for all the complete reviews and shopping information, click here.

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