The holidays are for kids most of all, so I worked to get this post off to you before Black Friday, to help plan. My niece Irene, super-mom to two littles, has an eye for clothes and toys that kids love, at reasonable prices. I asked her for some of her top picks to include with my finds, so your shopping can be that much easier!
Here's a pretty astonishing toy: The Air Hog zero gravity laser-guided car. It can actually can defy gravity and drive on the floor... but also climbs up the walls AND onto the ceiling! Just point the controller’s LED light on any smooth surface within a 1' radius of the vehicle. Comes in red or blue. Get it at Target for $27. I think I want one, just to see it work.
Look at these colorful, highly rated Noot headphones for kids (age 3-16)! With all the home schooling and any hybrid lessons, these can come in very handy. Great too for kids who can be easily distracted, it's light weight, and folds up to make it easy to stash in a backpack or drawer. There is a 5' cord with a plug in jack so you may need a lightening adapter if you are pairing it with a recent phone or tablet, depending on brand. Comes in several great color combos. Amazon has the best price as of publication at $15-17 (depending on color).
Kids LOVE forts, and you'll love these blow ups that are easy to put up and take down. You can get them in a wide variety of themes, some of which are below, or a pick of several with solid color combos (those are $49). Yes, they are available on Amazon but here they are on the Air Fort store.
Less expensive models which may vary in quality and size, are found at Macy's with a Black Friday price of $17.99 down from $59, and at Young Explorers for $39.99. My pick? The Constellation Glow for $59.
Hours of fun for only $7? UNHEARD OF! But looks here: These colorful led tablets are kind of an electronic Etch-a Sketch. Kids can draw, write, and color for hours. Great in the back seat without needing to listen to a movie. And as soon as they're done with a drawing, press a button to have a fresh screen. You can find a cute pink 8.5" version for $12.95 from Homefurniturelife, or buy two of the version below for $10.
Got a burgeoning Snowboarder? Here's a Custom Smalls Snowboard that the site says is "a highly maneuverable, skill-accelerating ride" for the youngest rippers. Their mounting system claims to be super easy and adjustable, compatible with any binding from most major brands. By Burton for $349 They do have lots more for kids if this is too pricey. There are Grom and Toddler boards, and lots of accessories, like safety harnesses, masks, gloves, bindings, bib pants and more, all found on their kids page.Very much worth checking out.
Want help teaching your child about inclusion? I recommend Jimmy Sirloin, Can you Invite a Friend to Join? by Carra Robertson. Jimmy is a good kid with not-so-nice behavior at times. When he finds himself sad because his friends don’t want to hang with him, he seeks out advice from his big brother. With practice, Jimmy realizes that including others is good for everyone, and an essential ingredient of kindness!
This is the most recent book of an ongoing series called Super Hero Social Skills, set in a world of food characters who deal with real-life issues kids can face, and are always striving to be their best! Find the rest
Delia Bread, What Can You Do Instead and
Eddison Pie, Can You Give It Another Try? Available on
Amazon for $11.99 and on Kindle too!
BONUS: For every 5 books purchased, one is donated to schools, libraries and/or shelters!These are SUPER COOL and the kids will love them. Glow in the dark Hotwheels Monster Trucks! YESSS! Get a ten pack with both Monster Trucks and race cars that glow for $34.50
at Target! You can pair those cars with this Hot Wheels Glow-In-The Dark Epic Loop Challenge! This radiates in 4 different colors, illuminating the action. Launch the trucks side by side to race around the loop, jump into the trophy cup and win! See the all the pics listed for more detail at
Target, for $28.99.
This grocery store set up is a super fun teaching activity! Click the link to get close up views of just how much detail is included from the conveyor belt the scanner and credit card machine. A friend had something like this when we were kids and it was our favorite thing to play. Especially when you can continue to stock the shelves with different things. Made by Melissa and Doug, I found the
lowest price at Target for $140 (Down from $245).
And
KOHLS has a Black Friday deal on the basics to go with this - play money, a grocers apron, a shopping bag and food -
on sale for $19 (from $40).
This little shopping cart can go with the above but really is a gift in itself. Bring it to the grocery store for your little one to use while you shop too! Apparently helps to also keep your child from roaming too far from your side. You can find it at a variety of prices (including on Ebay) but
Target,
Walmart or
Amazon offer it for $44.
FUN! Crayola makes washable paints in NEON colors!
You might find these at your local art supply store to save yourself the shipping. TIP: Call the store first. If they have them you might ask if they'd be willing to hold it for you till you get there - that day or within 24 hrs. Find at Target and Amazon for $6, Michaels stores for $8.
Add easy grip paint brushes to go with them, for toddlers (shorter with a wide grip) HERE or for older kids HERE.
This book covers all the things your child would encounter as they prepare to go to kindergarten: nervousness on the first day, what to bring to school, making new friends, interacting with a teacher etc... The illustrations are great, and because it's told in easy, rhyming verse, this book will be a favorite to read aloud again and again. Available on
Amazon in paperback for $3.99
What is it about slime? Kids love it so this should be a surefire hit stimulates their creativity while having fun. Great for playdates and birthday parties too. The Zen Laboratory box comes with quite a bit of supplies -18 colors, 12 tubes of glitter, beads, glow in the dark powder among them! $25 at
Walmart.
With a price that can't be beat, the Polly Pocket unicorn play set is a travel-sized universe loaded with so many things (Zoom in on the photo to see), your child will be engaged for hours. Start by pulling a tab to open it and watch a colorful stream of confetti, 2 dolls + 23 parts spill out. This is a castle with a princess who has a throne and a bedroom. She can spend her day on a rainbow cloud, on a see saw or in a bouncy house. There's even a unicorn float she can use to languish on the river! When done, all of it fits inside and closes up with a handle, like a little unicorn purse for easy carrying. There are other themes for this Polly Pocket sets and additional accessories too. Best price for the Large Compact Playset with 2 Micro Dolls and all the accessories can be found at
Target,
Walmart and on
Amazon for $12.99. For kids older than age 3.
Portable and battery operated, the Projex virtual target game can be played solo, with a pair or as teams. Three different game targets can be zapped with a laser-like light (A UFO, or a Bulls eye if you don't want the cartoon duck). They are projected onto a wall, your garage door or even an outdoor sheet or screen. There are sound effects they describe as awesome. Score is kept digitally by the unit with illuminated numbers. Get them at Barnes and Noble (further discounted if you have a membership), or at Amazon in the $49 range. Target had them today for $29.99!
If you've got a kid on your list who loves playing detective, they'll love this Sleuth and Solve book. The clues are in the details, and there's 20 different mysteries to which they can apply critical thinking and hone their deductive skills as they figure the mystery out. Answers are under a flap in the book. Ages 8+ , for $14-17.99 This volume is science based. Find three themes of Sleuth and Solve - The Science Edition, The Brain Teaser and The History Edition.
Looking for more gift ideas, for all ages and ALL the people on your list (the Boss.. the Hard to Buy For... the Tween)? Click the three horizontal lines at the top right of this page, then click labels for the category you want to see all past posts. And don't forget to visit the TOP GIFTS OF THE YEAR, which features what I thought were the best picks each year!
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