Important Advisory:

The Asterisk on the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead-Free* Platinum Award list indicates that samples from only one particular batch of these toys tested lead free.  Other production runs or samples of the same products may contain lead.

We have not had the other toys on our website independently tested for lead content. For the future, we are requiring companies to provide us with documentation that their products have been tested by an independent lab and found to be free of surface and embedded lead, as well as phthalates.  

Presents for Older Toddlers & Preschoolers

Big Box Theory. Young kids have not yet learned that good things come in small packages. For them, the bigger the box the better the present! In fact, at first many older toddlers will enjoy the large box as much as what's inside. Don't be insulted, large boxes can quickly become a spaceship, a boat, or a secret hideaway. Pull out some crayons and go with the flow. They'll come back to the present...eventually!

Product recommendations:
Imagiplay Building Blocks Set (Imagiplay $23.90) Set of 16 red cardboard blocks. This is literally a big box that gets bigger when the set of 16 cardboard blocks are assembled. An open-ended classic gift for older toddlers and younger preschoolers that will be used for years of pretend play. Big blocks make big structures and can be combine with smaller blocks and vehicles. The company also has a larger set with 24 blocks for less money. But there are only four big blocks in that set. We like having 16 big blocks for making big roads and big towers! Shopping info: www.constructiontoys.com or (800) 882-0217.

Little Tikes Big Dump Truck and Helmet ($20) Ready for the digging season, here's another BIG looking gift that won't break the bank. No sound effects except the ones kids make. Truck is just right for sandbox play and dramatic play-comes with sturdy truck and hat. A great value at $20. Shopping info: www.littletikes.com or (800) 321-0183.

Plants & tools. This is another big looking and inviting gift for both boys and girls because it's about doing something real! You can get a lot of gift for a little- depending on where they live- bring plants for a container or the ground. Choose plants that have already started- a flat of flowers, a tomato plant or herbs and tools make an unusual but timely gift. They'll enjoy watching and tending their own plants- it's a fun active present. We also recommend bringing some mint, a pumpkin plant if you have room-something that will keep on giving. Present plants with tools or coordinate with another party-goer. Encourage kids to keep a pictorial journal of the plants' progress. They will have a book by season's end. We recommend plastic tools for preschoolers-a safer bet than metal tools. Very inexpensive: Little Tikes Hand Garden Tools (rake or shovel $1-$2 each) and/or Little Tikes Large Garden Tools (set of three (rake, hoe and shovel) $8 - $10. Shopping info: www.littletikes.com or (800) 321-0183.

For Early School Years

Outdoor Activity Gifts. Again, you can spend as much or little as you like, with a showy combo gift of outdoor equipment. Combine a glittery Wave Hoop (like a hula hoop but filled with water), a sparkling jump rope, sidewalk chalk, a special bubble toy and a giant Gertie ball that you can personalize with the recipient's name (use a permanent marker).

Product recommendations:
Gertie Balls. For a very showy gift - give inflated either the Super Gertie, 13" (Small World Toys $6.50) or the Mondo Gertie 20" (Small World Toys $10). This is a good gift to buy in multiples and keep a stack of them for parties- inflate as you need them. 3 & up. Shopping info: www.smallworldtoys.com. or (800) 421-4153.

Bubbles. Bubble 'Splosion (Little Kids $4.99) is a non-motorized round bubble blower that produces tons of little bubble. We also recommend the plastic jar of Bubblin' Glitter Bugs (Little Kids $4.99) that comes with two "glitter bug" bubble makers whose winds spin when you blow hard. Comes in a container that can be used with real bugs. 3 & up. (800) 545-5437 www.littlekids.com

Sidewalk Chalk. We had a hard time choosing between the Sidewalk Chalk (Alex $4) Set of 9 colors or the Marble Sidewalk Chalk (Alex $3) Set of 4 colors or the Rainbow Chalk (Alex $3). All just right for sidewalk art shows and traditional games of hopscotch. Shopping info: www.alextoys.com or (800) 421-4153.

Wave Hoops and Jump ropes. Get the party goers moving with a Wave Hoop (Maui Toys $5.99) that come in bright neon glitter colors with water inside them. Our testers also really enjoyed the Wave Jump Rope ($5.99) or Maui Pro Jump Rope with Holographic Handles ($3.99). Shopping info: www.mauitoys.com.

Art Supplies. Kids love having a fresh supply of art materials- crayons with sharp points, a pad of fresh paper, interesting markers, paint. Again- the amount you spend can vary- the trick is in the presentation. Set it up in a plastic tote that they can take outdoors or move from room to room. Do an assortment and add a mailing tube container that you can personalize for storing their artwork.

Product recommendations:
My Jumbo Art Pad (Alex $11) 12 x 18; Broad Tip Markers (Alex $6); Scented Markers (Alex $4); Washable Glitter Paint (Alex $5). Shopping info: www.alextoys.com or (800) 666-ALEX. Crayola crayons ($1.99 & up) www.crayola.com or (800) CRAYOLA.

Craft and Activity Sets. Kids love making real objects they can use and many of these craft kits are priced right. We put all the craft kits to the test each year and these are four of our favorites.

Product recommendations:
Magic Power Balls (Curiosity Kits $6) Is just $6 and is one of those classic kits that produces a small bouncing ball kids can make and play with almost instantly-but it involves reading and following directions. Shopping info: www.curiositykits.com or (800) 584-5487.

Kids can paint this Pretty Dresser Kit (Balitono $16) and use it to store jewelry or other treasures after it's painted. There's no right or wrong way to paint this. Shopping info: www.balitono.com or (609) 936-8807.

When they are old enough to handle a ceramic tea set, girls also often love having special bear or doll tea parties. This Ceramic Tea Set comes in generic white and can be painted and baked with your child's own design. You will need to bake it in the oven to make the colors permanent. One of the most special new kits of the year! (B.C. Clayworks $18). www.youngsters.ca or (604) 665-3691.

For a favorite of the 7-10 crowd consider Action Products International's I Dig Dinosaur Kits ($24.99) that kids spend hours unearthing the skeleton of a dinosaur that they can be put together. We particularly liked the Tyrannosaurus Rex! While at first glance, a brick of dirt with a fake skeleton hidden inside may not seem like much-this has been a hands down favorite of our testers. Both boys and girls love playing the role of archeologist. We also liked the fact that these kits come with safety glasses! The company is introducing a line of $9.99 kits later in the Spring. Shopping info: (800) 77 ACTION x569.

For Tweens

Beads. Kids now have the dexterity to make serious bead creations. If you have a beader, they'll love the Seed Bead Maniac (Bead Shop $19.99) comes with 20 tubes of beads. Also recommended for less: Seed Bead Maniac Kit ($13.99) comes with twelve pots of beads, The Wrist Rox ($15.99) comes with enough beads for 36 bracelets. Shopping info: (800) 492-3237.

Gift Certificates. Tweens really love the power of making choices of their own. A gift certificate for the movies, for buying cd's or clothes almost always makes a huge hit with tweens. How you present it is where your creative powers come into play. A little gift can still come in a big box-in fact in many, many boxes, with hints or riddles along the way- so you still have a package to bring. Wrap a movie gift certificate with a box of popcorn.

Sporting Equipment. Kids at this age are often interested in individual sports and even fitness. Wrap up a supply of fresh Tennis Balls and wrist bands. In the sporting good store you can find a Pedometer with a stopwatch in it from $15 to $25. Or for the armchair jock- a subscription to a magazine that relates to that sport. Shopping info for Pedometer: Sportsline model #347/ item 5198-347/$19.99 at www.paragonsports.com) This model comes with a touchpad pedometer that displays steps, distance, time, and comes with an alarm and stopwatch.

Of course these are just a few of our suggestions for great birthday presents. For more suggestions for all budgets, see our annual guide, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2001 Edition.