Our Choice of the Best for Kids®

Every year, we test hundreds of products because our goal is to choose "the best for kids." Only a small percentage of these are selected for the Highlights® Toy Catalog and website. Our product testing process includes kids and parents who actually use the product, as well as feedback from science, education and art experts who review it. Each product we select must meet the highest standards and pass the most stringent reviews. That means you can shop with confidence, knowing these products are safe and offer Fun with a Purpose! Check out our current specials!

Product Selection

Product selection begins with Highlights Catalog merchandisers. We start with our own very popular Highlights activity products. Then our trusted vendors provide their new and exclusive samples for us to consider. In addition, our merchandisers travel worldwide to find the best toys, crafts, games, sporting equipment, music and science activities available. We request samples of those products that seem especially suitable to our Fun with a Purpose® mission.

Product Review

Kids and adults test everything! First they open the box, read the labels and instructions and try out the product. They test it for quality, ease of use, durability and educational value. The testers determine if the product is user-friendly, if all product information is correct, and of course, if it's fun! Once they finish playing and all opinions are shared and recorded, the product is ready to move to the next stage of the process. Often education, science and art specialists and teachers will double check the labels, instructions and any other writing to ensure all of the information is correct, complete and easy to understand. They also give their feedback on the product's educational value.

Every item we're considering goes to the Highlights Product Safety Team to insure that we have appropriate safety documentation. That group arranges a meeting with a safety lab specialist to determine the safety specifications that need to be met and the supporting documentation required. From there, the team works directly with our supplier to obtain the necessary information. (Product Safety process)

Final Steps

When all the testing is complete and the product has met all safety standards, the Product Selection Committee makes a decision. Those products that are approved are offered in the catalog! If a product receives conditional approval, the product vendor must make the changes deemed necessary by the committee before being resubmitted for a second round of review.

We hope you have enjoyed this look behind the scenes of our product selection process. It's rigorous - it has to be if we are to offer you "Our Choice of the Best for Kids!" Of course, every product comes with our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee so you know you can shop confidently with us. Check out our current specials!