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.  

Softball, Baseball & Hopscotch, oh my!

Radio Control Ponytail Softball Pitching Machine & Power Pitch’n’Hit Baseball Pitching  Machine  

(Sports Fun $29.99 each)  These terrific pitching machines are activated by remote control buttons in the bats.  One is designed with lightweight plastic softballs, the other with plastic baseballs.  Beginners can also use them for catching practice.  Kids can seldom pitch well but with this equipment, player one signals the pitching machine to shoot, and player two gets to practice catching.  Kids take turns as activator or catcher and when they tire of that, switch back to batting.  Little League & softball players gave these pieces of equipment high scores! Take 3 “D”  & 2 “AA” batteries. 8 & up.  (800) 423-2597.

Mark MacGuire Grip Bat Mixed Emotions

(Oddzon $19.99) Not only is this bat with a molded grip designed only for righties, it’s awkward and got in the way of the swing of several testers. We still highly recommend last year’s Vortex Power Bat ($19.99), endorsed by Mark MacGuire. It has a big sweet spot and is light enough for young players to swing with force

Wave Hoops

(Maui Toys $6.99 each) Wave hoops are filled with water instead of sand like the traditional Hula Hoops.  The company says the water makes it easier to control than the original.  Still requires practice but a great active toy.  For more information: http://www.mauitoys.com.

Hop Scotch Rock  

(OddzOn $9.99)  There’s nothing wrong with playing with a rock, but in an age of high tech toys it was inevitable that the sound chip would come outdoors.  Toss the star shaped “rock” onto the hopscotch grid and it plays music, fast, medium or slow. Players have to hop through the grid and stop the music with a push of a button before it says “Oh, No!”  It’s a fun twist to a traditional game. This comes with two pieces of chalk. But, don’t overlook the fun of a bucket of giant colored chalk for an art show as well as hop scotch games.  6 & up.

Play Sports Croquet Set

(Small World $50) This nifty updated croquet game with two mallets, six balls, two tees and nine wickets in colorful foam comes in a zip up bag for storage. Great for indoors or out, this update of a classic has wickets with weights that can be arranged in a challenging course.  Instead of metal wickets that always rusted or heavy wooden mallets and balls that split if left outside in the dew, this will survive the elements and provide good fun for the family. (800) 421-4153.

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