Toys Rushing Off The Shelves
If you still don't know what to get your children for Christmas, and they haven't told you, don't worry. The Early Show's Perfect Parenting has toys that are guaranteed to be a big hit under the tree. Child magazine's lifestyle director, Kathy Henderson offers some great suggestions.
For ages 0-18 months:
These toys help a child with their sense of curiosity and exploration
Little Touch Leap pad Learning System (LeapFrog, $40, 6 months and up): An electronic storybook that comes to life with the touch of a finger - very interactive and colorful.
Spotty the Dog (Pamela Drake, $25, 1 year and up) A child will enjoy taking this wooden pet for a walk to watch his tail wiggle. Wooden toys will be a trend this season because they are safe and are of a higher quality.
Ages 18 months to 3 years:
These toys are open-ended, enhancing a child's problem solving skills and language and motor development.
Baby Farms Friends Bowling (International Playthings, $20, 18 months and up) Kids no longer have to wait until they are much older to be introduced to play-bowling sets. These are soft, squishy farm animals that can double as ball and bowling pins.
Pop & Go Fire Engine (Lights, Camera, Interaction!, $15, 2 years and up) Kids love toys that move and are interactive. This is a wooden fire truck that rolls along as the characters pop up and down.
Ages 3 to 5 years:
When in the act of playing, children can develop sensitivity to color, form, and proportion.
Toaster and Blender (KidKraft, $40 per set, 3 years and up) Kids can make make-believe bread, butter a wooden bagel, and whip up pretend fruit smoothies in these kitchen appliances.
Radio Control Tonka Mighty Dump Truck (Hasbro, $50, 3 years and up) Big and easy-grip remote control moves this sturdy yellow truck that can climb hills and dump cargo.
City Garage (Brio, $50, 3 years and up) Three-level parking structure with a hand-operated car elevator.
Ages 5 and up:
Thinking and Exploring
Thin-Tronix Poster Phone (Hasbro, $25, 8 years and up) This poster-sized phone actually works with your home phone jack, just plug it in and kids can make calls with these oversized buttons.
Handband (KGI Consumer Products, $80, 8 years and up) Here you tap these musical gloves in the air to play guitar, keyboard, and create drum sounds.
Eye Toy (Sony, Sony Play Station 2, $50) This was voted as one of Child Magazine picks for best electronic children's games of the year. This device literally puts players in the middle of the game. Plug the camera into a Play Station 2 console, and instead of playing the 12 arcade games in the controller, you use your whole body and appear on screen! The whole family will enjoy playing with this.