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'!
Hilltop Castle
This play castle has everything a knight-in-training could ask for. With a wind-up drawbridge complete with portcullis, an elastic catapult that really shoots, and walkways that flip down to imprison wrongdoers, the hilltop fortress promises hours of creative play, day or knight!
Stone Soup Magazine
When you imagine your child 10 years from now, do you imagine her reading The New Yorker? Then you've got to get your hands on this magazine! Every story, poem, and illustration is penned by a kid ages 8-13, but it's edited by a professional. Inspiring reading, perfect for a budding author or poet.
Kalimba
Want to raise a musician? This simple, hand-held African instrument is made of high quality wood and metal. Also known as the thumb piano, it produces a smooth, soothing sound. A great intro to the world of music!
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!
Chaos
It looks like a no-brainer at first, but this deceptively simple two-person game has got the goods to keep kids and adults engaged through hours of strategic play. Based on the sand pile metaphor in chaos theory, players take turns stacking and toppling their pieces. But prediction is everything.
Olympus Stylus SW 850 Digital Camera
If you've ever wished parenting a teenager would be shock-proof, you're in for a disappointment. But, lucky for you, there's the next best thing: a digital camera that can not only survive a drop of five feet, it's also waterproof, dust-proof and freeze-proof.
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!
The Super Scissors Book
Thirteen projects, two pairs of kid-friendly scissors (one straight, one jagged), and a craft book that's colorful and easy to use...what's not to like? Working with scissors is a key kindergarten skill. This book of kooky projects gives kids plenty of chances to wreak creative havoc.
Airline Terminal
If you think long lines at the airport can never be fun, think again. This set turns check-in into a super cool adventure, with a sleek counter, swiveling computer monitor, and moving luggage belt, so kids can watch suitcases wind all the way from the attendant to the plane.
Doodles-n-Art
Kids are crazy about crafts, especially at this age, when skills like drawing, cutting, and gluing are well-established. But it's hard to find the time to get supplies and ideas. Introducing Doodles-n-Art, a subscription service that delivers a new craft kit to your door every month!
