Games and toys for the whole family

On our final segment of “Today’s Holiday Toys” series, we take a look at toys and games that parents and children can play together. Stephanie Oppenheim, a “Today” contributor and co-author of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, was invited on the show to tell us about the season’s top picks for games that help foster meaningful connections between parents and their kids. Check out Oppenheim’s suggestions:

One of the best parts of being a parent, is playing with your kids! Without taking over, adults can help kids get started and be there as “consultants,” giving kids strategies for working in an orderly fashion. Making time to do such things together gives you a chance to play and experiment together — a chance to solve problems, think creatively, and even have fun learning together.

Here are some of our favorites for each age group: 

Infants and toddlers
Cuddle Pups Puppets
Manhattan Toy

Toss the Taggies
Taggies 

Lamaze Clap with Me Monkey
RC2 Corp.

Pre-school and early school
Floor Standing Puppet Theater
Alex Toys

Center Stage Puppets
Mary Meyer Corp.

Early school, tweens, and teens
Games
Tea Party Game
eeBoo

Ugly Doll
Gamewright

Doodle Tales
Cranium

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Ringgz
Blue Orange Games

You've Been Sentenced!
McNeil Designs

Puzzles
The Very Books Block Puzzle
Mudpuppy

Egyptology Puzzle
Mudpuppy

Crafts
Foam Gliders
Klutz

Leg Warminators
Fashion Angels Enterprises

All reviews and shopping information is available at www.toyportfolio.com