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.
Please click here for submission requirements for new products. 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.

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.

Not every dream gift we remember from our childhood was the most expensive. James remembers telling his grandma how he wished he had a warm blanket with Mickey Mouse on it. By the time holidays arrived, and miles of yarn later, his grandma had finished knitting his dreams into a gorgeous red blanket with an amazing four foot tall Mickey on the front.

But, with the holidays just a few weeks away, you probably don't have time to knit a dream blanket. So, we've come up with some extravagances, that are more than a big ticket. These really are special gifts that will be treasured.

( American Girl $$84$ ) Pleasant Company continues to make exquisite multiethnic dolls from different periods in American history with books for each doll-a wonderful way to introduce history to kids. New for 2003, Kaya, the first Native American doll from the Nez Perce people in the collection. 7 & up. Age: Early School Years, Late School Years. Phone: . Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2003

( Artistic Coverings $$199$ ) A pricey but neat piece of equipment that will be a hit with preschoolers and early school-aged kids who love the challenge of walking on a beam (with the safety of knowing that you're only inches off the ground). The crayon is 6' long and 10" wide with a 4" beam surface. Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Phone: (877) 599-9343. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2003

( $$150$ ) This "wow-ee" of a 45 piece gift set includes the Sodor Bay Bridge, a Lighthouse, and a Crane (with working magnet). Don't get caught up with the playmat, which is limiting—train layouts should be open-ended. Or, for a good, but less expensive layout ,consider the Conductor's Figure 8 Set (Learning Curve $44 ), a good starter set with 25 pieces, including a conductor's shed, tree, stop sign, signal, Sir Topham Hatt, and ramp. Comes with three train pieces. You can gradually add on bridges and other props for birthdays and other gift events. Still top rated, Around the Barrel Loader Set ($100/50 pieces ). Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2003

( Corolle $$36$each ) These 14" dolls are marketed as "best friend" dolls and are purposefully not fashion dolls; they are meant to look like girls of today. PLATINUM AWARD ’03. Think Olson twins before they discovered make-up. New for 2007, Clara, redhead with knit sweater, floral skirt and Camille, blonde with denim ruffled skirt and pink plaid shrug. We pass on Camille with pink streaks in her hair. 4–8. PLATINUM AWARD ’03. See preschool chapter for Lili dolls that were a hit with early school girls, as well. (800) 668-4846. Age: Early School Years, Late School Years. Phone: 800-628-3655. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2004

( Hoberman Designs $$59.99$ ) You have probably seen smaller versions of these spheres in Science museums. When this giant Mega Sphere arrived in our office the six and nine year old kids who were testing games that day were totally enthralled with getting inside this space. You can actually lock it in the open position and it becomes a play setting. 6 & up. Age: Early School Years. Phone: (888) 229-3653. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2002

( Razor $$99$ ) Remember your classic Big Wheels? Here's the Lexus version of that low-to-the-ground pedal toy. Gleaming chrome like the Razor Scooter, this can grow in length to accommodate a fairly tall child. Our big 6-year-old tester used his feet rather than the hand brake to stop. We'd add a flag so vehicles can see riders low to the ground! Be forewarned: this took two professional handymen a half hour to assemble. 4–8. Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Phone: (866)467-2967. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2003

( Brio $$80$ ) If you have a child who fancies fairies, this tree house with swinging ladder and working winch will be totally magical. We recommend bringing home some fabric Beneath the Leaf Dolls (Manhattan Toy $10 each) that are just the right scale, or 6" Faeries puppets (Folkmanis $10 each). Manhattan Toy (800) 541-1345/Folkmanis (800) 654-8922. Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Phone: 888-274-6869. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2003