Gift Guide2008
From toys that stand the test of time to board games that are anything but boring, we found the best products for each grade that will build your child's brain as well as being chock full of fun. Our list of loot is kid-tested, teacher approved, and full of options for any family, so get wrappin'!
Family Tree
If you like singers like Sarah McLaughlin and Shawn Colvin, pop this disc into the player, because you're going to love it as much as your preschooler. A little folk, a little alt-rock, even a little bluegrass, don't be surprised if you're tempted to turn it up, even when your kid's not in the car!
Crestone Backpack
Your high school kid may not be the hike-and-bike type, but all teens have this in common: they're about the pick up, move on, and seek adventure, whether it means going to college, traveling abroad, or just taking an extended weekend away.
The Museum of Western Colorado Dinosaur Expedition
Many kids first come to love science through paleontology. Why? Dinosaurs, of course! Mix it up this year and give your child the experience of a lifetime: the chance to be part of a real dinosaur dig.
Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles
Full of incredibly creative ingredients and fairytale characters, this book reminds us of early Roald Dahl. And, just as with books like Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it makes a wonderfully delicious read-aloud for first graders who are inching towards chapter books.
Super Pogo 2
Think pogo has gone the way of the dodo? Think again. The inventors of the original Pogo Stick have brought the old wooden contraption into the next century! This super-powered aircraft-aluminum grade pogo can bounce kids up to four feet in the air with advanced piston power.
The Pencil
Once upon a time there was an extremely lonely pencil. Life was boring and sad until one day, the pencil quivered slightly and began to draw. He drew a boy, a dog, a cat... a whole world. Can your kindergartener predict what will happen next?
FunSlides Carpet Skates
These carpet skates can provide some great gross motor exercise when going outside just isn't an option. Carpet skating is like sliding on a hardwood floor in your socks, but better. Strap on these plastic planks, clear a safe space in your hallway or living room, and let the games begin!
Royal Rescue
Want to raise the next Frank Lloyd Wright? Get your budding architect off to an early start, by stretching her logic muscles with this beautiful wooden toy. Designed to bulk up spatial reasoning skills and hone logical thinking, this toy is part building fun, part brainteaser.
Uluwatu Bamboo Longboard
Skateboarding is still cool, but these days, it's also practical. Sure, kids are still grinding tricks on old-school "street" boards, but many people (adults included) are finding that cruising to school and work on a smooth-turning "longboard" is the name of the skating game.
ABC Blocks
In this age of disposable toys, it's rare to come across something meant to last more than a year. These blocks are an exception: beautifully crafted of solid maple and painted with vibrant, non-toxic inks. Whether your kid wants to build a tower, or a word, he's got the tools to do it in style.
Odyssey Magazine
Odyssey, a science magazine for late elementary to middle school aged kids, appeals to kids by blending kid-friendly content with the latest in scientific discoveries, covering everything from DNA sequencing to archeology's most fantastic findings. A must for science junkies!
