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.

Active play builds kids' big muscles, coordination, and confidence in themselves as able doers. It also establishes healthy active patterns for fitness, relieves stress, and provides a legitimate reason to run and shout. Agreeing on the rules of the game and taking turns promote important social and cooperative skills.

( Hasbro $$24.99$ ) A great game for the whole family! Everyone wears a different colored band on their hands and the ball then identifies each player by passing it around once. Our favorite game mode is much like Simon Says—the ball calls out the color that it should be passed to next. If you make a mistake, the game is over. There are more challenging games, in which you have to break the “code” the ball has in mind. 7 & up, but will also be enjoyed by older siblings and family members. 2–6 players. (888) 836-7025. Age: Early School Years, Late School Years, Tweens. Phone: 800-752-9755. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2007

( Alex $$25.99$ ) Six oversized 36" game boards for classics such as checkers, mancala, tic-tac-toe, snakes and ladders, backgammon, and Chinese checkers are printed with colorful graphics on fabric. Games are bound together like a giant book along with big playing pieces that all store in a zip-up bag. Clever way to take games along to beach or grandmas or a sleep over party. 5 & up. 5 & up. (800) 666-2539. Age: Early School Years, Late School Years. Phone: 800-666-ALEX. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2007

( Small World Toys $$3.99$and up ) Preschoolers need soft, lightweight, easy-to-catch balls that will not bend back a finger or hurt when they hit. Gertie Balls are gummy and soft enough for kids who may be scared of big heavy balls coming toward them. New for 2007, Supersized Gertie Balls ($13), really oversized and great fun for this age group and next. 3 & up. (800) 421-4153.SNAP INFO: These colorful balls are soft and slightly sticky to the touch, making them easier to catch and hold onto. They come in a variety of sizes and with different textures. Testers especially liked the knobby one which gave kids an extra way to grip and hold. These are not for toddlers because the air tube can come out and could pose a choking hazard. ACTIVITY: Getting control takes practice. Hang a big hoopla hoop from a tree branch and try to get the ball through the hoop. Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Phone: 800-421-4153. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award 2001

( Alex $$23.99$ ) Our three- and five-year-old testers like this so much their mom had to put it against a wall so they wouldn’t break anything. It’s great for getting little ones up and moving. Throw the five bean bags to get them into the lion’s, hippo’s, or gator’s mouth and score your shots. A little math, a lot of motion! (800) 666-2539. Age: Preschool. Phone: 800-666-ALEX. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2007