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.

Crafts provide kids with an outlet for their unique creative expression. Sometimes it's fun to try something new together like building a table or a step stool (we promise it's not that hard!) or revisiting something you might have done as a child like making paper airplanes or creating jewelry with a spool!

Over the course of the past few months our craft testers have been busy. They've tried dozens of new kits with varying success.  While many were clear and immediate winners, others got low marks for not living up to expectations ("it doesn't look like the box", "these directions are too complicated" or "this paint is too runny". )  Here is a list of our top kits of the season. 

( Alex $$9.99$ ) Here's a kit that will allow kids to personalize the backyard garden. Our testers enjoyed painting either the oversized flower or bug pinwheels. The center pinwheel spins easily attaches to the larger frame and makes a cheerful decoration that is fun to watch spin in the wind. Comes with waterproof paint and paintbrush. While marked 8 & up, our younger testers also had great fun painting their pinwheels. Age: Early School Years. Phone: 800-666-ALEX. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2004

( Balitono $$19$ ) One of the best outdoor crafts is to prepare a birdhouse for backyard visitors. Balitono's new kit is already constructed; it's made of solid wood (7 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 6 1/2") and has drainage holes, a removable roof, and a ventilation slot for added comfort! Kids can enjoy painting the house with the included paints and varnish. We'd recommend pairing this kit with a bird guide book, a pair of binoculars and a log (for keeping track of the birds that come to visit). Age: Early School Years, Late School Years. Phone: 609-936-8807. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2005