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.  

You can't fool kids into playing with educational toys because they are "good for them"! Good toys don't need to be like candy-coated medicine. When you are looking for toys with learning power you need to look for toys that are also fun and entertaining- things that kids will be eager to invest themselves in.

Although many "Educational" toys seem to be directly related to school skills, some of the best learning toys may not be so obviously linked to learning. For example, playing store or dress up may seem like plain old fun- but providing props for pretending is one of the best ways to help children develop imagination, along with language and storytelling skills. Costumes like Learning Curve's ($35 & up*****) Firefighter, Construction Worker, Veterinarian, or Astronaut give kids a chance to step into roles with their whole being. 3-8. (800) 704-8697.

When kids pretend together there is a give and take- a need to keep the story going- to communicate - not just talk- but to listen and respond-that promotes important social skills as well as language. So, pretend involves a variety learning opportunities. Through pretend children not only try on new roles and language, they also develop storytelling skills that are the underpinnings for reading and writing.

Playing store or restaurant has long been a favorite theme that involves lots more than imagination. My General Store ($80*****), a handsome wooden setting from Alex, adds a serious piece of play furniture to their play lives. Kids can play store, lemonade stand, puppet theater and fast food restaurant. 3-8. (800) 666-2539.

The Shop & Scan Sounds Store (Little Tikes$40*****) gives random prices for pretend check-out and is scaled strictly for young pretenders. 3-5. (800) 321-0183. Of course, you can use a big cardboard box that can double for storefront or puppet stage.

The big trick is to supply props that involve reading, writing and even math; let them put prices on canned goods or empty food cartons, give them a working register like the Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register(Learning Resources $39.95*****) with play money. 5 & up.(800)800-7893. Also nice, provide the goodies in the Blue Chip Award winning Paraphernalia for Pretending or Let's Pretend Restaurant (Creativity for Kids$17****) - playsets that kids can use to write menus, tickets, and checks. 4-9. (800) 311-8684.

Puppets also lend themselves to language, storytelling and pretending. Among our favorites this season are the Handy Work Puppets-(Manhattan Toy $10 each****) A collection of velour multiethnic puppets with gender neutral names, yarn hair and stitched features. Choose from Firefighter Finley, Astronaut Alden, Sgt. Skyes, Dr. Davis, Chief Cassidy and Painter Perrot. Through the mouths of these miniatures kids can communicate and say things that might not otherwise say. Puppets can be used solo or players need to listen as they interact and carry their story forward.

GAMES THAT TEACH.

The majority of electronic quiz machines still try to teach too many skills and end up fitting no one. Kids can't really make good use of a toy that covers all the math you need to know from kindergarten to grade 6. What we really liked about V-Tech's MeMoMo ($49.99*****) is that the math and reading games are designed to fit that narrow niche- learning games that are right for the first and second grader. Rather than just hand it off and hope for the best- take the time to introduce the games. This jaunty robot doubles as a clock for the desk. But, keep in mind that MeMoMo won't teach your child phonics and easy math. It can reinforce what they are learning-that's all that any of electronic quiz toys can do- they don't teach new skills but they can help kids pick up speed with skills they have learned.

Cranium Cadoo for Kids(Cranium $19.99 *****) One of the best family games we've tested this year! This is a versatile game that provides practice with multiple skills. Of course, almost any game can be used to build math skills if you let your child play scorekeeper. That sometimes means simplifying the scoring rules so kids can handle the math- but Cranium Cadoo For Kids also involves reading, drawing, using clay, retrieving objects from around the house, and charades. This appeals to a multi-generational crowd. 7 & up. (877) 272-6486.

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone Mystery at Hogwarts Game (Mattel $18*****) Our testers (a Harry Potter fan club) say this is a lot like the game Clue only better because it lets you be a part of Harry Potter's world. "Even if you don't know the books you can play the game." Like Clue, there's a lot of deductive reasoning involved in the play. 7 & up. (800) 524-8697.

Bzz Out (Gamewright $9.99*****) A quick card game that's played like "War". Players get honey when they put down the high card, unless someone challenges them with a buzz off card. A rapid fire game for reinforcing math concepts of more and less. 4-7. Also top-rated, Go Bananas! ($9.99*****)Platinum Award '01 (800) 638-7568.

Testers also loved Hedbanz (Pressman $11.99 *****), a word game that is something like 20 questions. It requires deductive reasoning and giving good clues, not just guessing. Players put the mystery word on their headband and team mates give clues so player can guess the word he's wearing. They say 4 & up, we'd say more like 5 & up. (800) 800-0298.

For geography buffs Borderline (Borderline $9.95 a set ****1/2) Choose the USA version or the new European set- playful ways to make maps fun! The object is to get rid of all your cards, but you can only put cards down on a card that "borders" the state, body of water, or country in your hand. If you don't know, flip the cars for a map that shows the borderlines. It's self-correcting! A no-tears-or-fears, entertaining geography games! 8& up (973) 761-6260.

These are just a sampling of the more than fifty wining games that will reinforce math, spelling, reading and strategy skills in the book this year.

CONSTRUCTION SKILLS. Building toys not only call for kids to follow directions and work in a step by step systematic way, they involve visual discrimination, dexterity and develop spatial relationships. The ability to translate a two dimensional illustration into a three dimensional model is no small feat, but one that is often not brought home for girls. This missing ingredient often effects girls and their abilities with more advanced math and problem solving. Harry Potter Lego Castle (LEGO $89 *****) is likely to appeal to both girls and boys. Along with its literary connection it is likely be used for pretend play and making up stories of their own. Again, that kind of play provides the underpinning for writing and storytelling. 8& up.(800)223-8756.

Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster (K'nex $89.99 *****) Our Test Family raved about the 1280 piece set that stands 6 feet by 3 feet when built! They said that their child was so "thrilled with the results that it was a bigger hit than Disney World!" That said, they reported that it took over 36 hours to build and is for experienced and dedicated K'nex builders. The Trampoline (scored a four) was also a multi-day project that our 10-year-old builder thought was "neat" but only for those with lots of patience. The set also required some "jerry-rigging" to make all the parts work smoothly. Age: Late School years.

Speedster Pull Back Action Wheeler (Lego $14.95 *****) With adult help to get them started, younger builders can construct several different vehicles that run with a pullback motor. Parts (14 pieces) are assembled with a special screwdriver that testers loved, once they learned how. There's also a new Remote Control Car($34.99) that assembles the same way. Looked neat but was not ready for testing. Stay tuned. 4-7. (800) 233-8756.

CRAFTS FOR LEARNING.
Crafts are also an often overlooked but pleasing source for learning...For example- there are kits like this Scientific Explorer 's Soda Pop Science ($20 *****) that kids use to experiment with making their own soda. There is reading, measuring and log keeping, in this kit that is like a Science lab lesson book with tasty payoffs that are sure to attract kids interest. Adult help for 6-9. Older kids will enjoy this alone or for a play date. (800) 900-1182.

Another big hit in the craft department is this updated classic, Crazy Casting (Creativity for Kids $15 ****) Here's a hands-on way to learn how a mold is made. You mix up a batch of a rubbery compound and cast an impressions (a foot, finger, toy, etc.)Then you pour plaster into the mold and "abracadabra!" Pull the replica out of the mold! We suggest adult supervision. 8 & up. (800) 311-8684.

Dream Big Journal Kit (Curiosity Kits $20 *****) Testers gave this an enthusiastic five out of five! Comes with a 51/2" x 6 3/4" canvas covered journal ready to decorate. Testers liked that there was lots to do including painting and gluing to make a unique journal. Best of all, kids create a beautiful end product to write memories in. The attractive tin that the kit comes in was also a big draw. Same testers loved the Card & Letter Factory Kit ($20 ****) with stationary, stickers, paint, glue and clever ideas for writing to others. 8 & up. (800) 584-5487.

Pretty Dresser (Balitono $16 *****) Once it's painted, this small wooden mirror with three drawers will hold jewelry and other small treasures. This makes a lovely gift that boys or girls can paint and give to a favorite aunt, grandmother or teacher. For the cat lover we recommend the cat-shaped My Purrfect Box ($16) or make your own wooden Nature Tic Tac Toe game ($16) with a wooden butterfly board and four flower and bugs playing pieces. Testers "absolutely" recommend this kit. 6 & up. (609) 936-8807.

Tricky Pix (by Carla Jimison & Paula Weed, Klutz $17.95 *****) A 35mm camera comes with a book that's loaded with all kinds of trick photography know-how inside. Use your pet dog to make Wegman-esque photos; play around with perspective and optical illusions. An exciting choice for getting kids involved with reading, doing, and creative thinking! 8 & up.