Monday, December 15, 2008
Jenny’s Holiday Gift List (For Kids)
Posted by Jenny M. on 12/15 @ 08:10 AM
Here’s a list of some of the toys and fun stuff I am eyeing for kids’ gifts this year.
Top Ten after the jump.
One to Five Years
I pretty much love all things Sesame Street (and Muppets), so this CD of international takes on Sesame Street tunes would be a great addition to our kids’ music collection as well to our Toddler Dance Party Playlist! Another great CD of kids’ music: Snacktime by Barenaked Ladies. Heck, my kids just love running around yelling “Barenaked Laaaaaaaaaaaaadies!”
Three to Six Years
We love fake food at our house, and my kids serve up faux suppers while I make our real (often less appealing) dinner. I love the look of this Melissa and Doug Deluxe Ice Cream Parlor set. It’s magnetic, so the ice cream scoop sticks to the scooper for super serving fun. My preschooler would love this!
Three to Seven Years
Alex brand makes great bath toys—and great toys in general. This set of mermaid “Paradise Island” foam toys for the bath has been a hit at our house. They stick easily to the side of the bath, and with help from a parent, 3-D floating “islands” can be assembled. Look for racecar and dinosaur sets, too! All affordable.
Three to Ten Years (Although Missy's husband wants some and he's a bit older than ten.)
Automoblox are not your everyday toy car. Kids can change car bodies and create designs of their own. The cars have removable connectors that allow the wooden body parts to be exchanged using a shape and color system unique to each vehicle. Missy’s husband wants a set something fierce. Not for Sy or Baby G, mind you. Just allll for himself. I bet he can put it next to his Batman statue (luckily not life-size).
Three to Ten Years
The Barbie I Can Be series is progress for Barbie and her crew. Instead of just cruising in her party hot tub bus (whah??), Barbie has a real career! Zoo doctor, teacher, TV chef, etc. Missy got Sy and her niece the I Can Do TV Chef dolls because both girls are pretty stoked on all things Food TV. They seem to be a bit spendy online right now, Missy got hers at Target a couple of weeks ago for under $20.00. Could be a good ol’ case of supply and demand at this point.
Three to Ninety-Nine
The Ultra Stomp Rocket is a great way to practice jumping, stomping and of course, flying to the moon. Don’t forget the rocket refills for when your rocket actually does go to the moon, or at least the neighbor’s backyard. The rockets have rounded noses, so when you inevitably launch this thing right up your own nose, at least it won’t jab you too hard.
Four to Eight Years
We are big fans of the “My Fairy” fold-out books, which create four-sided, multi-floor pop-up gardens, houses, and themed spaces. We took “My Fairy Princess Palace” on our summer vacation, along with a few, umm, Polly Pockets, thereby in effect bringing along with us an entire furnished dollhouse the size of a large-ish book, and endless entertainment. The creativity and craftsmanship in these books are fascinating to me, too—there are so many details and nooks and crannies. I would have LOVED playing with one of these as a kid; we give them often as gifts. Perfect for rainy day play!
Five to Eight Years
Doodles at Dinner are a pad of disposable placemats with prompts for drawing and entertaining oneself at the table…appealing to older children who might be too cool for coloring the kids’ menu with the three odd-color crayons provided by the hostess. A similar great gift for budding artists stuck on planes, etc., the Doodle books.
Six to Ten Years
Food Chain Friends: this is a set of hilarious stuffed animals that eat the next one (nestled inside). The suggested age for this stuffed toy reflects the play appeal of the accompanying story of the imaginary planet from whence they come. At $55.00, it’s a little pricey, but pretty darned cute.
Ten to Fourteen
The Kiki Strike books are a detective series for ‘tweens, featuring a group of funky girls who call themselves the Irregulars as they fight crime in the Big Apple. Reviews suggest that these heroines have broad appeal among boys and girls alike.
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December 15, 2008 @ 9:47 PM
Roger said:
“I bet he can put it next to his Batman statue”
Hey now! I resemble that remark!