( Super Smalls $40) Our testers loved this kit that comes with three small frames to decorate with puff paint (four colors) and "gemstones" to gemify the frames. School aged kids love making things that they can display in their rooms as well as making gifts for others. Ages: Early School, Tweens Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2025 Shop this product on Amazon

( Cuddle+Kind $37-41 each) Cuddle + Kind has expanded their Baby Animal collection this year. It's hard to pick from these sweet 7 " hand-made dolls. They're pricey but very special. If you buy three, they come in a gingerbread gift box this season (at no extra charge). Our favorites this year include the Ladybug, the Daisy and the Otter. We are also loving the Octopus. There are no buttons or doo dads that come off, the features are all crocheted into the dolls in soft

( Cuddle + Kind $76-$98) This year's collection from Cuddle + Kind is the best yet! This year there's a new collection of ponies - Sophia in a pink jumper (with little flowers), Liam in blue shorts and Kelsie in a sweet dress . There's also Bella the honey bear in a scalloped-trimmed dress, Alexander the Honey bear who has a baby bear in his front pocket. Equally sweet is Emma the mouse in a pink dress with a floral garland, Beatrice the Mouse in a blue jumper and

( POPDARTS $24.99) Popdarts are a great family game for mixed ages. The set comes with two sets of suction tips that each player takes turns throwing at the red suction marker. The closer you get the more points you receive, the first player that has 21 points wins. You can play tossing the Popdarts on a table or onto a glass door. 5 & up. The company also makes more advanced sets. Ages: Infants Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2025 Shop this toy on Amazon

(Loveté $19.99 ) This fun new activity kit taps into the current trend of adding embellishments to your sneakers. The set comes with three pairs of laces, charms, jumping rings, pearl beads, letter beads, elastic and permanent stickers. There are also tutorials on line for each step in the kit. Marked 8 & up, but we think it will be most enjoyed by tweens. Ages: Tweens Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2025

(eeBoo $15.99) There's so much to know and name in this puzzle deep in the rainforest. Toucan, sloth, frog, anteater, monkey, a gorilla - just to name a few. The pieces are mid-size, not giant floor puzzle types, but bigger than small jig saw pieces. The finished puzzle is 15 X 15 inches. Marked 5+ , but that depends on how experienced your puzzler is. It will be a good choice for slightly older kids. When you choose puzzles you want kids to have challenges but not outright

(Sassy $21) Put this on the highchair or any smooth surface for the large suction cup holder. Your sitting up baby will enjoy this easy to activate toy with a swipe of a hand. 6 months and up. Ages: Infants Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2025

( Joy Cat $24.99) A sweet beehive made out of yellow velour fabric. Inside you'll find five soft bumble bees -- each with a different sensory feedback (crinkle, jingle, squeak, etc.) to fill and dump. There's a smaller hole on the side that will be difficult for babies to pull and out but we suggest you just open the door to the hive. They cleverly also put a small mirror on the back of the door. A very sweet parent-child toy to explore together. Ages: Infants Oppenheim Toy

(Horizon Group $14.99 ) Everything you need for creating necklaces and bracelets with more than 20 interachangeable charms that go on with easy to change lobster claws. There is a chain bracelet and necklace as well as elastic cord for making bracelets with more hundreds of beads (accent colors, alphabet beads and metallic beads). Would make a great holiday gift for jewelry lovers. Marked 6 & up. Younger kids will need adult assistance. Ages: Older Early School, Tweens Opp

( Creativity for Kids $18.39) A fun kit for introducing your child to the Japanese art of Origami. There are 60 printed papers with neon designs, a sticker sheet, craft string and step-by-step instructions. Even better, there's a YouTube instructional video. Marked 7 & up -- will need adult involvement. Ages: Early School Years Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2025 Shop this kit on Amazon