Important Advisory:

We are now requiring companies to provide us with documentation that their products have been tested by an independent lab for phthalates and lead.

We are requiring products submtted going forward to: (1) Follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that products contain no more than trace amounts of lead (as defined by the AAP as 40 parts per million); and (2) contain no phthalates.

However, as we are not a lab, we will not be independently verifying those results. Also, with the exception of the 2008 Platinum Toy Awards, toys submitted for review prior to January 2008 were not tested for lead..

Safety Recalls: Given the absence of more stringent federal legislation, we encourage consumers to keep up to date on safety recalls. Sign up for CPSC safety email alerts. Click here.

Instructions for submitting product to the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for review.

Contact the Toyportfolio @ (212) 598-0502 or by email at Webmaster@Toyportfolio.com.

Copyright 1995-2008. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - All Rights Reserved. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award are Registered Trademarks of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.

Having the right products outside is like having an invitation to shoot baskets, climb the monkey bars, dig in the sand, or fly a kite. As always the choices depend on your child's age and stage of development. Buying a bike to grow into is a wrong as buying shoes or clothes that don't fit...they are bound to trip kids up and undermine their sense of themselves as able players. Kids don't need to be champs--they need to feel secure and confident. In the backyard or playground, children gain coordination as well as sportsmanship and the joy of being a teammate or playmate. From the sandbox to the backlot active play is the name of outdoor game! Here are some of top picks for the new season:

( Little Tikes $$200$ ) The neighborhood of kids that tested this for us gave this jumping toy high marks. The 3-5 year old crowd found the toy sufficiently bouncy! Note: Our older testers (7 and up) felt the toy did not give them enough bounce. We liked the protective walls on the sides and the kids loved the wide slide. Great fun for a birthday party and everyday play but does require parental supervision. We also recommend placing the toy a soft surface. Parents liked the fact that it inflated easily and quickly with the included pump. Grass stakes help keep the playset from moving around. Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Phone: 800-321-0183. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2005

( Kid Galaxy $$15$ ) "One of the best toys of the year" was the consensus among our tween testers. They were thrilled with this small blue and yellow plane that is launched by using the battery powered hand-held launcher. Everyone found the launcher easy to use and had a great time running after the plane that really took off! The company says that when the trigger is pulled the plane will fly for 30 seconds or more. It kept our testers (parents included) well occupied for part of an afternoon--even when it went flying into the neighbor's backyard! A great toy for the price. (While our testers gave rave reviews to this product, they found the company's remote control plane very difficult to make work.) Age: Early School Years, Late School Years, Tweens. Phone: (800) 816-1135. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2006

( Little Tikes $$280$ ) Toddlers and preschoolers love having special spaces that are designed just for them. For older toddlers going in and out of the space, playing peek a boo will be the name of the game. As they grow older the pretend play will become more elaborate and detailed. This 58” high playhouse has an innovative design that invites lots of pretend possibilities with four different themed sides to the structure (firehouse/schoolhouse, gas station with pump, grocer store/bank with ATM machine (of course) and a sports wall complete with hoop. Age: Toddler, Preschool. Phone: 800-321-0183. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2006

( Discovery Kids$$24.95$ ) This has an impressive 50" wing span. Ideal to use on a field or at the beach where you have lots of room. It has a graphite frame and big rubber tip—which makes it less likely to fall apart when it crashes! With this non-motorized flying machine you don't need to worry about fingers getting caught on propellers! Kids just need some arm strength to send it flying...and then be prepared to go after it! 10 & up. Age: Tweens, Teens, Adults. Phone: 800- 938-0333.

( Kid Galaxy $$24.99$ ) These snappy vehicles run on land and water! With two button full-function radio control, these are less complex than some of the larger RC’s and have the added fun of float-ablilty. Very cool. Age: Early School Years. Phone: (800) 816-1135. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2006

( Step 2 $$70$ ) This oversized table is half for sand and half for water, with waterways for boats to travel. A terrific patio toy for stand-up digging and splashing. Comes with several boats, tools, and an umbrella for shade. As with all water toys, adult supervision is a must. 2 1/2 & up. (800) 347-8372. Age: Preschool. Phone: (800) 347-8372. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2005

( PlaSmart $$69.95$ ) Our testers from ages 4 to 12 could not get enough of this new ride-on that according to the manufacturer runs on “inertia, centrifugal force, and friction.” Sounds like a lot of serious scientific principles - but this is sheer fun rolled up in one zippy vehicle! There are no pedals, or batteries needed. Rotate the steering wheel and you’re off on any smooth surface. This was tested indoors in a room with the furniture moved out of the way for clear sailing. Your feet are your brakes and this will support riders up to 220 pounds on a smooth, even surface and 120 pounds on an uneven, rough surface. One mom suggested the manufacturer should add bumpers to the front and back to protect the walls. That said- it’s the new favorite toy in their neighborhood. 4 & up. (877) 289-0730. Age: Preschool, Early School Years, Late School Years. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2006