(Vango $59.99) Here's the perfect summer outdoor game for mixed ages. The idea is to land your cone in the center spot (for which you get three points). All other placements are worth 1 point. But here's the fun -- you can steal your opponent's point by capturing the same spot. First player or team to get to 11 points wins the round. We love that this game can be played in teams and by everyone. Our younger players just stood closer when tossing. You can also play this gam

(Zip String $44.99) Think cooler than a yo-yo. Think Spiderman but his web lights up when it goes -- and that's Zip String's new Aracna. The more you practice, the better you'll get at creating really amazing loops that shoot out of the container you wear on your wrist. Our testers LOVED that it lights up. The set comes with differ colored strings to try. It recharges with a USB (also a plus). Really a a great option for tweens and teens. It's the type of toy that everyone

(Mindware $49.95) If you have a child interested in cooking with you, this new Foods of the World Kit would be a great set to explore together. There are recipes from 13 different countries including pierogies, fairy bread and hummus. The set also includes tools you'll need including: a bamboo steamer, molcajete and tejolote, pasta wheel cutter, chopsticks, molinillo, a juicer, measuring cups, a child-safe knife, space jars and a funnel. There are 14 recipe cards with clear

(Creativity for Kids $16.66) Here's a fun twist on the retro craft of Latch Hooking. The set comes with the materials to create five fuzzy patches. There's a panda, a rainbow, a heart, smiley face and a donut printed on the canvases, a hook latch, six bundles of acyrlic yarn, adhesive frames (to give your patch more sparkle), felt backing, felt stickers and instructions. Once you get the hang of latch hooking, the process is very satisfying. Marked 7 & up -- will need adult

( ooly $5.95-$16.95 and up) If you have a Girl Scout in your life, you're going to want to take a look at this new collab between Ooly and the girl scouts. Our testers LOVED the Cookie Scented Gel Pens ($5.95) that are inspired by our favorite cookies: "Peanut-Better Together" and "Mint to Lead" were two of our favorites. There are also Scented Markers in the collab. Schoolwork can be even more fun with the set of three Cookie Scented Erasers that are in the shape of the coo

( Thames & Kosmos $37.95) After following a few easy steps to assembly the product, you have a real metal detector which is fun to use in the backyard or at the beach. It will detect metals like gold, silver, iron and copper. We liked that it comes with an adjustable handle so that it works for kids of different heights. It also gives off a satisifying beep when you find something. A good way to encourage kids to go outside! 8 & up. Ages: Tweens Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Plat

( Moose Games $14.97) Cownado is a fun active game for 2-4 players. The object of the game is to free the cow that has been captured by the tornado. Each player has a paddle and when you hit the cloud the tornado will spin and ultimately the cow will pop out. Be the player to release the cow three times and you are the winner! A great one for family get togethers. Ages 6 & up. Ages: Early School Years, Tweens Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2025

( Pour Palz $34.99) A fun experience in layering paint to create a unique bear. When you're done it feels like Jeff Koons and Jackson Pollack spent a day together. The instructions say to layer the three paint colors into the cup to get a more of a marbled result. The paint is acrylic so it can stain which is why we appreciated that it comes with a set of gloves, an apron and a plastic sheet to work on. The company makes two different color ways for the full sized bear

We are delighted to announce the Best Toys in the Tween & Teen Category for 2025. These toys have been awarded our top honor, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award ! Many tweens and most teens will tell you they're done with toys, so to find games and activities that pull them off their electronics—to take their eyes off those big and little screens, is no easy task. Here are our favorites of the year! Click thru to find our entire evaluation and shopping informatio

( 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 Platinum Award 2025 Shop this product on Amazon