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'!

showing products 113 - 128 of 139
Junior Genius: Blast of Color Science Kit

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.

Reviewed for Kindergarten, 2008
Castella 3

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.

Reviewed for First Grade, 2008
Link 26

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.

Reviewed for Fifth Grade, 2008
Malarky

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.

Reviewed for Middle School, 2008
The Man in the Iron Mask

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!

Reviewed for Fifth Grade, 2008
Butterfly Bungalow

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.

Reviewed for Kindergarten, 2008
Villa Paletti

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.

Reviewed for Second Grade, 2008
Cesar Takes a Break

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.

Reviewed for First Grade, 2008
Word Chase

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.

Reviewed for Kindergarten, 2008
Easy Bake Oven

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.

Reviewed for Kindergarten, 2008
The 15 Greatest Board Games in the World

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!

Reviewed for Third Grade, 2008
Butterfly Wings and Insect Capes

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!

Reviewed for Preschool, 2008
Moringa

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.

Reviewed for Preschool, 2008
Reindeer Swing

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.

Reviewed for Preschool, 2008
Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris

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.

Reviewed for Fourth Grade, 2008
The Higher Power of Lucky

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.

Reviewed for Fifth Grade, 2008

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