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'!
Window Nest Box
Attach this simple birdhouse to a window and breathe some life into what your kid's learning in school. The solid wood house has a clear plastic panel at the back for easy viewing. A sure way to stoke a love for science and give your first grader a bird's eye view of the natural world!
Meerkat Manor
Meerkats have one of the most cooperative and tightly-knit societies in the animal kingdom, and Animal Planet's documentary camera work, expert narration, and a few fun names to keep the animals all straight, add up to equal terrific drama in the animal kingdom!
FlapDoodle
FlapDoodle involves lots of ridiculous trivia and even sillier tasks. Play involves moving through a beautifully illustrated “factory” using one of the deliciously absurd character game pieces. Quick, creative, and endlessly amusing, this is an absolute must for any family's board game ...
Kiki Magazine
Want to give your daughter something special in the mail? Sign her up for a subscription to this magazine for creative girls. This isn't another glossy fashion mag showing airbrushed bodies; instead, it teaches girls how to nurture their own sense of style, rather than follow the pack.
Link 26
This is a simple game that's big on letter recognition, vocabulary, and brainstorming skills, with enough silliness to keep it fun! The person with the most letter cards at the end of the game wins. It's like vocab volleyball, as players battle to brainstorm words before their opponents.
Nabaztag
This Wi-Fi bunny can tell time, read the news, recite email or RSS feeds, and send messages anywhere in the world. Like a regular pet, he has a personality (if a slightly robotic one) and your child will likely get a kick out of the fact that he'll do tai chi moves when it's time for bed.
When We Left Earth
A collaboration between the Discovery Channel and NASA, to celebrate 50 years of space exploration, this 4-DVD collection contains 12 hours of footage, much of it never before seen. This is much more than a cursory look at the history of the space program and a must for space lovers!
Moringa
You may not have struggled to tie your shoelaces lately, but lacing up, like writing, is a major task for most preschoolers. This cool tree makes learning how fun. Kids can attach wooden birds, leaves, and butterflies, using the sturdy laces provided, to create a layered Moringa bursting with life.
Make Your Own Mask Kit
Unleash this little box on a roomful of kindergarteners and prepare for mayhem! The ten corrugated cardboard masks, elastic cord, and small pile of feathers, pom-poms, and fringed paper make for simple creative fun, leaving kids to growl their way around the living room.
Deluxe Puppet Theater and a Gaggle of Puppets
Set the hands of the move-able clock, put out the chalkboard marquis, and part the velvet curtains...it's showtime! This well-made wooden theater offers hours of imaginative play. Perfect for developing storytelling skills, and turning a day cooped up inside into a dramatic adventure!
