StarHalo
Flashaholic
It's that time of year again, time to pick out gifts for kids and loved ones, which has over time come to mean "pick up some gift cards at the drug store." But if you'd be interested in being that one thoughtful gift giver who has somehow come up with an incomparably awesome gift that stands out, I offer my hot-item expertise all neatly explained and illustrated in this handy gift guide.
You already know to get your adult recipients flashlights, and the rest of this site is already dedicated to steering you right in that regard; this Cafe thread is about buying for the girls and boys for whom a hot toy might be more memorable than a flashlight. I may amend the offerings over time, and you are of course welcome to post your own findings and ideas to further enlighten the confused gift-giver.
Backyard Safari Cargo Vest
A solid tac vest that's a bit large for the kindergartener and about right for the elementary school-aged. Pockets, pouches, and d-rings everywhere; if they already have the flashlight for adventures, may as well complete the set.. $16
Lego City Advent Calendar
A holiday-themed Lego City adventure set packaged as an Advent calendar for a fun new addition every day leading up to Christmas. Features six minifigs including Santa himself. Order swiftly, Lego makes a given number of these in late fall and when they're gone, they're gone. $38
Discovery Kids Starlight Lantern
A simple 4-LED lantern, but flip the switch and the top dome projects a star field onto the ceiling. 4xAA for easy Eneloop use. $13
Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike
All the guns in one gun - basic Nerf darts with ten round magazine, larger Nerf Mega dart four-round barrel, and a massive Nerf Missile launcher to top it off. Parts can be mixed-and-matched to build to taste (like removing the butt), and it's compatible with all Nerf Modulus accessories for further customization. $40
Imden Magnetic Building Set
Magnetic building tiles, which the name brands sell at more than a dollar a piece for basic no-accessory ~30 piece sets; this 90+ piece set includes many different shapes, wheels, letters, and numbers at about a third of the price. $32
Air Hogs 2-in-1 Hyper Drift Drone
The ubiquitous mini drone, but now with a base to allow airboat-like drifting on smooth surfaces; pop out the drone and continue racing in the sky. Includes a full self-righting cage, so even after a crash it just rolls upright. $30
Crayola Inspiration Art Case
Crayons, colored pencils, markers, and paper all stuffed into snap-fit trays in a hard case; all of the art and none of the mess. $20
Battlebots Remote Control Vehicle 2 Pack
Snap-build remote-control battlebots; go head to head and watch as pieces come off due to attrition, then reassemble and go again. Two full bots included. $50
Easy Playhouse Clubhouse
A 34" x 27" x 48" cardboard playhouse with functional door and window cutaways, and a printed design on the exterior for coloring and personalization. A relaxing and reasonably priced pre-schooler guest house. $35
Docooler USB Desktop Mini Aquarium with Clock
Time. Temperature. Date. Day of the week. Alarm. Backlight. LED light. Fountain. Fish (not included.) Ambient sounds. Pencil holder. Possibly the most all-in-one item to ever occupy 10"x8" on a desk. $25
Bubble Rocket Set
The traditional stomp rocket but ringed with bubble wands along the bottom; the rocket sits in bubble solution in the base, and sends a trail of bubbles into the sky as it travels. $20
Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Discovery Kit
The tried-and-true electronics hobby kit, updated for the 21st century; no more tiny lengths of wire in your carpeting. Components are on simple numbered and color coded parts that snap to the included grid board and each other, making the experience almost like a board game. 100 projects included. $18
Lulu Jr. Illustory
A self-publishing kit: write/draw up to fourteen pages of content, then mail it in - your book is printed as a full-color, professionally typeset hardcover complete with an "About the Author" back, and you can even order more copies. Have your child present their latest published novel for show and tell.. $18
You already know to get your adult recipients flashlights, and the rest of this site is already dedicated to steering you right in that regard; this Cafe thread is about buying for the girls and boys for whom a hot toy might be more memorable than a flashlight. I may amend the offerings over time, and you are of course welcome to post your own findings and ideas to further enlighten the confused gift-giver.
Backyard Safari Cargo Vest
A solid tac vest that's a bit large for the kindergartener and about right for the elementary school-aged. Pockets, pouches, and d-rings everywhere; if they already have the flashlight for adventures, may as well complete the set.. $16
Lego City Advent Calendar
A holiday-themed Lego City adventure set packaged as an Advent calendar for a fun new addition every day leading up to Christmas. Features six minifigs including Santa himself. Order swiftly, Lego makes a given number of these in late fall and when they're gone, they're gone. $38
Discovery Kids Starlight Lantern
A simple 4-LED lantern, but flip the switch and the top dome projects a star field onto the ceiling. 4xAA for easy Eneloop use. $13
Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike
All the guns in one gun - basic Nerf darts with ten round magazine, larger Nerf Mega dart four-round barrel, and a massive Nerf Missile launcher to top it off. Parts can be mixed-and-matched to build to taste (like removing the butt), and it's compatible with all Nerf Modulus accessories for further customization. $40
Imden Magnetic Building Set
Magnetic building tiles, which the name brands sell at more than a dollar a piece for basic no-accessory ~30 piece sets; this 90+ piece set includes many different shapes, wheels, letters, and numbers at about a third of the price. $32
Air Hogs 2-in-1 Hyper Drift Drone
The ubiquitous mini drone, but now with a base to allow airboat-like drifting on smooth surfaces; pop out the drone and continue racing in the sky. Includes a full self-righting cage, so even after a crash it just rolls upright. $30
Crayola Inspiration Art Case
Crayons, colored pencils, markers, and paper all stuffed into snap-fit trays in a hard case; all of the art and none of the mess. $20
Battlebots Remote Control Vehicle 2 Pack
Snap-build remote-control battlebots; go head to head and watch as pieces come off due to attrition, then reassemble and go again. Two full bots included. $50
Easy Playhouse Clubhouse
A 34" x 27" x 48" cardboard playhouse with functional door and window cutaways, and a printed design on the exterior for coloring and personalization. A relaxing and reasonably priced pre-schooler guest house. $35
Docooler USB Desktop Mini Aquarium with Clock
Time. Temperature. Date. Day of the week. Alarm. Backlight. LED light. Fountain. Fish (not included.) Ambient sounds. Pencil holder. Possibly the most all-in-one item to ever occupy 10"x8" on a desk. $25
Bubble Rocket Set
The traditional stomp rocket but ringed with bubble wands along the bottom; the rocket sits in bubble solution in the base, and sends a trail of bubbles into the sky as it travels. $20
Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Discovery Kit
The tried-and-true electronics hobby kit, updated for the 21st century; no more tiny lengths of wire in your carpeting. Components are on simple numbered and color coded parts that snap to the included grid board and each other, making the experience almost like a board game. 100 projects included. $18
Lulu Jr. Illustory
A self-publishing kit: write/draw up to fourteen pages of content, then mail it in - your book is printed as a full-color, professionally typeset hardcover complete with an "About the Author" back, and you can even order more copies. Have your child present their latest published novel for show and tell.. $18
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