Corolle's Large Rag Doll
If you’re looking for a first doll for a baby or toddler, take a look at Corolle’s Rag Dolls–they are extremely huggable, sweet and soft.
Archive for the ‘toy safety’ Category
Pick of the Day: Corolle's Rag Doll
Thursday, December 10th, 2009CPSC begins probe: Are Zhu Zhu Hamsters Safe?
Monday, December 7th, 2009After the consumer group, Good Guide, raised issues about their finding on the level of antimony in the Zhu Zhu hamsters, the government agency is beginning a probe on the issue. Cepia LLC, the manufacturer of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters, is standing by the safety of their toys. Read the story from Reuters.
Zhu Zhu Hamsters: Group Questions their Safety
Saturday, December 5th, 2009
The consumer group Good Guide has raised issues about the safety of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters. To read more about our take on them, read our article Zhu Zhu Hamster Pets: What You Need to Know about the Hot Little Critters. We have not received a signed safety verification form from Cepia LLC for the Zhu Zhu Hamsters. (Hence we can not consider them for an award from our Unlike Good Guide we do not do independent testing–we do require companies to sign a safety verification form. However we do not look at the wide range of chemicals/minerals/toxins that Good Guide indicates it looks at on their site.
Mattel's Lead Paint Toy Settlement: Do You Qualify?
Saturday, December 5th, 2009Read this article in the Examiner by Patricia Walston–it takes you step by step to see if you are entitled to part of the settlement money.
Is Lead Still An Issue this Holiday Season?
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009I recently did a radio interview with Richard Davies at ABC Radio. Richard commented that I was in a much better mood this holiday season. I do feel lighter this season–after a couple of years of being worried about the safety of toys being marketed and sold to children. The government is continuing to phase in the stricter testing requirements. We are also really pleased that companies across the board are complying with our safety standards (we have taken the end point of the federal regulations and made them a prerequisite for companies submitting toys to us). So yes, I am a whole bunch happier this year. Are there still safety issues? Yes. We still take issue with small pieces that “just” pass the choke tube test…or pull toys that no longer have a safety break-away feature…or wooden toys with splinters…or smelly and excessively noisy toys…you get the idea.
But it is important that we have safety groups that are still spot checking. The CEH (Center for Environmental Health) have recently released some testing that found unsafe levels of lead in children’s products. The non-profit is offering free toy testing in its Oakland office during the holiday season. For more info, visit www.ceh.org/dropintoytesting.
While we do not independently test each toy we review, we do require companies to submit and sign a safety verification form. We looking forward to the day when we no longer need such a form.
Pick of the Day: Mattel's MindFlex
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Mattel's MindFlex Game
The first time we saw this game was at toy fair. Now in all fairness, when we go to toy fair, we’re a pretty silly group. So when the demonstrator for MindFlex at the Mattel showroom was trying his best to show us this super cool toy, we kept distracting him. At one point, he even seemed a little anxious about not being able to perform his toy demonstrator duties.
He wore a headgear that had two clips that he attached to his earlobes. From there he told us that he could control the little blue ball with his mind-making it go up and down and through the obstacle course. To be absolutely honest here, I was sure we were being punked. I kept looking around to see if this was a joke. They assured me that it was for real–and that normally when people allow the guy to do his thing it really works.
Ok, ok…sometimes we don’t behave well. I wrote down the toy as something we’d love to see but then I stopped thinking about it. Last month while I was at the Today Show, Dave– one of the best stage managers ever– showed me a clip of his son working the MindFlex. ( What would we all do without our iphone video clips?) Anyway…he could not say enough great things about this toy. How it appealed to both of his boys and that it helped with working on concentration as a skill.
With that great recommendation, we asked for one to be sent right away. Sure enough this is one of the coolest toys we’ve tested, period. We’ve added it to this year’s Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award List.
The other amazing aspect of the toy is that it appeals to tweens, teens and adults. My dad, a spry guy in his late 70s, also took a run at the toy. He was surprised , as was every adult that has tried it, that he could make it work. It really is so futuristic — makes me wonder what kind of toys I’ll be reviewing down the road.
So if you’ve seen an ad or a commercial – know that this is for real and loads of fun. The platform has interchangeable parts so that you can challenge yourself and others to different obstacle courses. Such a great design aspect–making this a more open-ended play experience. And if you’re looking for something to buy a video game addicted teen, here you go.
Click here to read our full review…and watch the video.
Five Perfect Toys for Toddlers
Monday, November 2nd, 2009Finding toys for toddlers can be super challenging! They’ve outgrown their baby toys–but not quite ready yet for more complex toys geared to preschoolers. The toys need to match their new found mobility and desire to do things again and again!
Here are just five of my favorites:
Little People Load ‘n Go Wagon (Fisher-Price)
Step 2 Basic Rhythms Piano (Step 2)
Playskool Clipo Creativity Table (Playskool)
Schylling Color Roller (Schylling)
Rollipop Toddler Starter and Advanced Sets (Edushape)
The full reviews are on our site, www.toyportfolio.com.
Pick of the Day: VTech's Kidizoom Digital Camera Plus
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009If you’re looking for a sturdy digital camera for your child (4 & up), our testers really gave high marks to VTech’s Kidizoom Digital Camera Plus. Read the review. 
It won an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for 2009.
Pick of the Day: New Mini Kick Scooters
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Our testers love both the Mini and Maxi Kick Scooters from Kickboard USA. The mini is now available in aqua. The three wheel design of these scooters makes them much more stable–which translates into a much faster learning curve. They are both on our Platinum List this year. Please remember to bring home a helmet! According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons “Non-powered scooter-related injuries accounted for an estimated 84,000 emergency room visits in 2001, 85 percent of the patients were children under 15.”
Pick of the Day: Kids II Bright Starts Bees & Blooms Balls
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
There was a snafu with delivery on this product for the Today Show today–so they didn’t make it on the set, but this is a lovely set of fabric balls (that have different textures and sounds) from KidsII. We usually don’t go for such gender specific toys–but this is right on target for older babies and toddlers. Read our full review.
