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.

We post stories based on many of our television appearances on this page. The Oppenheims are contributors to NBC's Today Show.

Play Together

As dinosaurs wrestle with other high tech gadgets for supremacy in toyland this year, Stephanie comments on the season's other emerging trends. Click here to read her article.

Play Together

Stephanie Oppenheim shared some of toyportfolio.com’s top picks for toys and games that are fun for parents and kids to do together.   Read more. See the Today Show video.

Planning An Outdoor Summer Party?

One of the best aspects of having a summer birthday party (or any outdoor event where kids will be involved) is that you can usually have some part of the celebration outdoors- giving you the freedom to have activities that need lots of room and may be a bit messy.  Stephanie shared some the toyportfolio.com suggestions for themes, products and activities on NBC's TODAY SHOW on July 19th. Read more.

Summer Toys 2007

When summer rolls in we often find ourselves with a planned or spontaneous party in the backyard.  Whether your kids are little or big, it's fun to have some activities that everyone can share together.  Stephanie Oppenheim shares the toyportfolio.com's favorite picks for outdoor get-togethers on NBC's Today Show on June 6th.   Read more.

Travel with Kids Tips 2007

Getting ready for a summer vacation with your kids?  A little planning ahead will cut down on the "are we there yet?" chorus from the back seat!   Stephanie Oppenheim share top picks for this season's travel toys on WNBC.  Read more.

Top Toddler Toys 2007

On the go!  That's the catch phrase most of us think of when we think of toddlers!  They have all that energy and new found mobility. Finding the right playthings can be challenging.  Stephanie shares our top picks for toddlers this season on NBC's Today Show on May 8, 2007.  Read more

Spring Books 2007

Spring has sprung—at least in the publishing world. Our office book shelves are brimming with tons of new choices to share with the young book lover in your life. Read more.

Top Baby Toys 2007

New parents are bombarded with marketing messages that are very  seductive.  It can really add up to a lot of money and products that  are a waste of your child's time and your money.

Watch Stephanie Oppenheim's appearance on NBC's TODAY SHOW.   Read more.

Trends from Toy Fair 2007

At the recent American International Toy Fair in New York City hundreds of toy companies introduced their new products for 2007.  During the course of the year we’ll be putting these toys to the test with kids and their families to find out if they are award winning hits or clunkers.  Here are some of the trends that toy makers hope will grab your child’s imagination and your toy dollars.  

Big Ticket Items

Snow Days 2007

Looking for something to entertain the troops? Here are some of our favorites. Read more

Slumber Parties 2006

Did you work all week and now have a group of kids coming for a sleepover?  Stephanie Oppenheim shared the toyportfolio.com's recommendations for  fun and easy to pull together parties on NBC's Today Show on May 18th, 2006. Read more

Top Rated Outdoor Toys 2006

Now that the beautiful weather has arrived, there¹s more time to be outdoors with your kids.  Stephanie Oppenheim shares the top-rated outdoor toys on NBC's Today Show on May 29th. Read more

Best Educational Toys

There are plenty of playful ways to get your kids into the swing of school. Joanne Oppenheim appeared on NBC’s Today Show to share her suggestions. Read Article

Hot Toys 2005: Are they worth the hype?

While there is no one "hot" toy this  season, there are many toy lists that tout  what they consider "hot  toys".  Many of these lists are supported in whole or in part by the  toy industry and big toy companies.  We decided to take a look at some  of the toys that made these lists.  While we could debate how these toys got the label "hot",  our testers found them to be a mixed bag of  "not to be missed" and "don't waste your money" products. We've sorted them by categories and in each group you will find "hot" forgettables as well as some memorable choices.  Click here to see how we rate what other's are calling the hot toys of the holiday season.

Big Ticket Toys

Looking for that perfect big ticket "wow-wee" kind of present? Stephanie Oppenheim shared the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's top picks on NBC's TODAY SHOW on November 30th.  Click here to see the list of top-rated gifts.  Be sure to also look at the complete Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Lists of award winning toys, books, dvds and music.

Outdoor Toys
With warmer weather throughout most of the country, it's a great time to get the kids outside and playing. Not only is it fun-outdoor play is important for building big muscles, coordination and gives kids a great opportunity to shout out loud and burn some energy. In an age when we hear so much about childhood obesity and the importance of exercise, perhaps we can't start too early in encouraging active play. Stephanie Oppenheim will share the season's top picks for outdoor fun on NBC's Today Show on May 2nd. Read the Article ->

Patience is a Virtue
It's been said that "patience is a virtue" but it's not one that most kids, or many adults, come equipped with by nature. Like so many other virtues, it's something that needs to be learned. Yet in a time when so many things are instantaneous- when you can zap a potato in three minutes, get instant messages on the computer, get calls anywhere on your cell phone- it's small wonder that we forget about the things that cannot be rushed. Read the Article -

Grandparent Gifts 2005
Holidays are often about making children's dreams come true. Chances are you can still remember a very special gift that filled that kind of magic in your childhood. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio President (and grandmother of seven), Joanne Oppenheim appeared on the Today Show on November 30, 2004 with great holiday choices.

Giving Your Child The Educational Edge Through Play
With the new school year back in swing, you may be looking for ways to help your child succeed in school. There are activities and games you can do with your child that are much more enjoyable (and less likely to cause tears) than breaking out the flash cards! Click here for top-rated educational toys of the season.

Move Over Tarzan
Outdoor climbing equipment and play sets for the home have come along way since we were kids.  Stephanie Oppenheim will shared the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's top picks for each age group on Weekend Today on NBC on June 27th, 2004. Read the Article->

Top Rated Travel Toys of the Season
Whether you're taking a short car ride to the beach or a long trip on an airplane, traveling with kids of any age requires a certain amount of planning ahead. Stephanie Oppenheim shared the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's top picks on Today in New York on June 8th, 2004. Read the Article->

Top Craft Projects
As the summer approaches, it's fun to have some new arts and craft projects to do with your kids.  Whether you have a beautiful sunny day or a rainy"there's nothing to do" day, having some craft kits handy can keep your kids engaged. Stephanie Oppenheim shares the season's best new craft kits on the Today Show, May 26th. Read the Article ->

Going Buggy and Other Science Projects to do with Your Kids
Children are by nature born scientists- they have great curiosity about the natural world. Stephanie Oppenheim appeared on the Today Show with these great summer science projects and books. Read the Article ->

Tackling Book Reports
Does news of a book report cause tears (your child's) and trepidation (yours) at the dinner table?  Does the blank white sheet of paper loom large at homework time?  Our editors share their tips for tear-free book reports and reviews of the season's best non-fiction. Stephanie appeared on the Today Show on February 24. Read the Article ->

Keeping School Skills Sharp
Caught inside on a rainy day and looking for a way to connect with your kids? Tired of playing the same old games? Today Show Contributor Stephanie Oppenheim from www.toyportfolio.com shares some new games and activities that are fun and at the same time will keep some of those school skills sharp. By Stephanie Oppenheim with Kate Oppenheim Read the Article ->

Travel Toys for Summer
Getting ready for a summer vacation with your kids? A little planning ahead will cut down on the “are we there yet?” chorus from the back seat! Today Contributor Stephanie Oppenheim from toyportfolio.com shares top picks for this season’s travel toys. By Stephanie Oppenheim with Kate Oppenheim
Read the Article->

Backyard Outdoor Fun
Whether it's a family reunion or a neighborhood BBQ, it's a good idea to have some outdoor toys to keep the gang busy. Here are some of the best products for sum-sum-summertime fun.
Read the Article ->

Top Rated Science & Math Toys
Are you Math phobic? Do you have bad memories of chemistry labs? Joanne & Stephanie share fun ways to work on math and science skills that are engaging. Read the Article ->

Best Games and Gear
Tech Editor James Oppenheim appeared on the Today Show on to display the best computer and game platform software and peripherals of the year, plus some top gadgets and gizmos. Read the Article ->

Dream Gifts
Do you remember going through the holiday catalogs and checking every page with all your wishes? Here's our pick of the best "dream presents" of the season. We also call them, big-ticket items or grandparent gifts! Joanne Oppenheim showed them on NBC's TODAY Show. Read the Article ->

The Gift of Giving
Make "giving" part of your kids' holiday tradition through fun activities. Whether they're making a gift for their teacher, best friend, little brother or grandparents they'll take pride in giving something they made themselves. Stephanie Oppenheim shares some easy projects on NBC's TODAY Show on November 4th.
Read the Article ->

Oh You Beautiful Doll
Over the past few years dolls have been given almost as many electronic parts as your laptop. Instead of making them better, they have just gotten louder and bossier!

Good news! This year animated Chuckie dolls are taking a back seat to classics that are beautiful, informative, and gateways to imaginative pretend play. Read the Article ->

Educational Toys
Great news: This year's crop of educational toys are smarter than ever. Here are eighteen toys at the top of the class.
Read the Article ->

Are your kids turning into winter couch potatoes? NBC Today Show 02/2002
Don't let your kids tune into cartoons and tune out their minds and bodies. Here are programs and video games that kids moving and thinking.
Read the Article ->

Great New Educational Toys & Games NBC Today Show 12/2001
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. Read The Article ->

Travel Tips for Summer NBC Today Show 05/25/01
We've come up with the best toys, books, audio and electronic games to cure the "Are we there yet?" blues. We've also posted a few Smart Parent Tricks™ for travel that won't cost you a thing, and which are really entertaining for family play while you're passing the miles. Read the story.

Sleepover Party Ideas NBC Today Show 05/2/01
Planning a sleepover party? As seen on the Today Show on May 2, 2001, Stephanie has ideas that harness kidpower to make for a fun, creative event. From sports events to luau parties, she's got videos, activities and suggestions to help you through the night! Read the story.

Best Birthday Party Presents: Under $25, $20 and $10 NBC Today Show 04/4/01
Once your kids start going to school, even preschool, the number of birthday parties they attend can add up. Many kids go to as many 10-15 parties during the year. The challenge is to find interesting gifts for each age group that won’t break the bank. Read the story.

I-Spy Author Interview
Watch Joanne Oppenheim's interview with Jean Marzollo, the author of the I-Spy series of books and software.

Jean and Joanne talk about how the I-Spy puzzles are created and how you can create your own I-Spy creations at home!

You need the most recent Real Player. You can download the player by clicking here. When you're ready to see the video click here.

Changing Expectations in Toyland: Smart Is As Smart Does
If there is one way to best describe the toys that will be here for the holidays 2001, the best words would be bossy and intrusive. Toys are no longer the props kids use to enhance their play. Instead toys are being designed to dictate the way kids will play. Read the story.

Fun Projects & Games that Build School Skills
The school year isn't new anymore and some of the gloss has worn off. For many kids this is the time of year when new skills are being honed. Joanne Oppenheim appeared on NBC's Today Show to show that without drilling -- there are playful ways of helping your child solidify those skills. Read the story.

Take Control of The Family TV NBC Today Show 01/12/01
Gadgets and ideas to make your child's tv experience safer. Read the story.

Learning Fun with Computers and Video Games NBC TodayShow, 10/13/00
Programs and games that stimulate learning in unconventional ways! Read the story.

Olympic Fever NBC TodayShow, 8/17/00
Olympic Fever The Olympics can stimulate many interests in your child. We have books, maps and learning games that serve up information and fun. Read the story.

Travel Toys NBC Today Show, 5/23/2000
A bit of preparation can make for a happier road trip. Joanne & Stephanie have come up with ways to make travelling with kids more fun and less stressful. NBC Today Show:Read the story.

Keeping School Skills Sharp NBC Today Show, 5/3/2000
Five products that Stephanie Oppenheim suggests to keep academic skills strong over the summer.Read the story.

Outdoor Toys NBC Today Show, 4/24/2000
Reviews of some of the best products for outdoor fun, presented by Stephanie Oppenheim. Read the story.

Gender Agenda NBC Today Show
Are toys presenting a gender biased view of the world to your kids? What can you do about it? Read the story.

Educational Toys WNBC News
Proof that "educational" doesn't have to mean "boring". Read the story.

10 Tips Parents Need About Homework,
Computers & the Internet NBC Today Show 4/8/2000
Tech editor James Oppenheim gives ten ideas to help make homework less painful. NBC Today Show: Read the story.