GIFT GUIDE 2008
Preschool Gifts
Gifts for a 3-Year-Old or 4-Year-Old
From toys that stand the test of time to board games that are anything but boring, we found the best preschool products for a three-year-old or four-year-old. Our list of loot is kid-tested, teacher approved, and full of options for any family, so get wrappin'!
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!
Play and Learn
This 3-layered box contains all the ammunition kids need to fight rainy day boredom. The first tier has a double-sided domino game, the middle has 12 lacing activities, and the bottom contains a 25-piece double-sided alphabet puzzle. Plus, it's as good for the earth as it is for your kid's noodle!
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.
Art Time Easel
Parents, unhand the toolbox! This super-swank easel makes that screwdriver completely unnecessary. Made of just three pieces of earth-friendly wood, it helps your kid get up and at it in no time, whether she's making a finger-paint masterpiece, or working on a Picasso-esque self portrait.
Bobo and the New Neighbor
Bobo tries his best to be a good dog. He walks himself. He welcomes the mailman (even if he does knock him down sometimes with his enthusiasm). He shares his food. So when a new neighbor moves next door, he's determined to make her feel welcome.
Wonder Bear
This amazing book begins from humble seeds-- a large stalk shoots up towards the sky and out crawls a polar bear with a magical top hat. What will happen next? The best part of this book is the fact that there are no words, allowing your child to create his own storyline.
The Big Dig
Got a kid who's crazy for construction? Bring the worksite to your own backyard! This metal excavator is the perfect size for preschoolers. It pivots full-circle for a true on-the-job feel, and as kids delight in dirt, they work on key skills like manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination, too!
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!
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.
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.
Pengoloo
Transport the age-old game of Concentration to the South Pole, make it 3-D, and you'll have some sense of what Pengoloo has to offer. This all-wooden game improves memory and matching skills, plus the pieces make great fodder for Polar imaginings, once the game itself is over.
Hush Little Dragon
This story traces a mama dragon's quest to find a tasty bedtime snack for her sleepless little dragon. The progression of princesses, knights, magicians, and others that get dropped on his plate, only to run away, is sure to bring on a set of the giggles, and the ending a big satisfied yawn.
Make Your Own Sock Puppets
With this kit in hand, kids can transform three fuzzy socks into a trio of colorful friends, ripe for an impromptu show. The box comes flush with wiggly eyes, self-adhesive fur, pom poms, and peel and stick shapes, and it requires no glue. Translation: no goop to clean up when the crafting's done!
Bazoongi Rocket Ship and Mushroom House
Any room can hold a secret hideout with one of these in the corner. Sturdy, colorful, and roomy enough for a friend to climb inside and play, too, we're bonkers for Bazoongi! A lesson in canvas creativity, and a must-have for the preschooler or kindergartener in your life.
