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'!
Junior Genius: Blast of Color Science Kit
Kindergarteners are natural scientists: they love to experiment, they live to make a mess, and their favorite question of all time tends to be, "Why?" This kit gives them plenty of chances to flex some burgeoning science muscles, with 15 simple experiments.
Castella 3
This strategy game is made of bamboo-- a fast-growing, earth-friendly raw material, and it's colored with non-toxic, water-based paint. A bit like a 3-D version of the age-old game of Dots and Squares, Castella forces kids to think ahead, building their strategy skills in the process.
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.
Malarky
Why do cows stick their tongues up their nostrils? These are the types of wild questions your kid will find in this bizarre game of bluffing. Tell the group the real answer to the question, or make something up, creating your own answer. Boosts brainstorming, and builds vocab on the fly.
The Man in the Iron Mask
This graphic take on Dumas' classic novel does more than just distract kids for a second: it brings literature alive in comic book style, with lively images and easy-to-comprehend dialogue. Guaranteed to suck even the most reluctant reader into the fray. En garde!
Butterfly Bungalow
This kit gives kids an up-close and personal encounter with nature. The adventure begins when 6-10 larvae arrive in the mail. Then it's time to get personal with metamorphosis, as the larvae progress from caterpillars, to chrysalises, to Painted Ladies.
Villa Paletti
Hit the road, Jenga. Villa Paletti is the next incarnation of nerve-tingling, risk-taking, balancing fun! Kids will get a rush out of simply removing and replacing the colorful columns, all the while working on concentration, hand-eye coordination, and geometric awareness.
Cesar Takes a Break
Cesar is the class pet in Ms. Lee's second grade room, and the luckiest iguana on the planet until disaster strikes...Spring Break! His 25 best friends race for the door and Cesar finds himself alone for the week. He's a puddle of sadness until Cesar decides to take a vacation of his own.
Word Chase
In this literacy scavenger hunt of sorts, kids lap the board looking for words. In the process, they practice the top 25 building blocks of the English language.
Easy Bake Oven
Since 1963 this simple little toy has been wowing boys and girls alike with its plastic paddle and mysterious cook-by-lightbulb design. This year, the oven celebrates its 45th anniversary. A perfect way to get your kid excited about the prospect of putting on an apron.
The 15 Greatest Board Games in the World
No need to lug a duffel bag full of boardgames on your next vacation: this little volume packs fifteen of the greatest games of all time into a slim little package that can slide into a suitcase with room to spare. A great way to get your game on, on the go, and sneak in a little culture, too!
Butterfly Wings and Insect Capes
Preschool is the start of that golden age in childhood when simple costumes and props can transform a child into something magical. These gauzy, bright nylon wings make metamorphosis a snap, and set pretend play, one of the most important steps in a child's development, happily flapping!
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.
Reindeer Swing
Sculpted from recycled tires and made entirely by hand in the U.S. and Europe, this Blixen-for-the-backyard looks like a living breathing beast, thanks to the elasticity of the tire material. We can't think of a better use for all those semi-truck treads.
Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris
Is she like Nancy Drew? A pint-sized version of Indiana Jones? A female Harry Potter? When the first book in this series hit the shelves earlier this year, critics couldn't decide. But they did agree on one thing...they loved her! This winter, Theodosia is back, and she's just as clever as ever.
The Higher Power of Lucky
Lucky is a ten-year-old who lives in Hard Pan, a tiny desert town, with her guardian and her faithful dog HMS Beagle. Ever curious about the world, Lucky's take on life will ring true for kids and adults alike in this Newbery Medal award-winning read.
