Reviews for 12 years and up
This art kit by Ooz and Oz is an outstanding gift, and a winner of 16 National Toy Awards. It re-introduces a 500-year-old art form called Anamorphoscopes — yup, that’s what it’s called! The kit inspires 5 to 14 year-olds (and grown-ups, too) to create art, and explore science and magic. Curved mirror decoders transform secret squiggles and swirls into astonishing reflections. The kit comes with 48 optical antics including: morphed pictures, “finding” games, a maze, and a “4-Dot Challenge.” It also comes with 2 child-safe mirror decoders, crayons, and instructions, all in a portable “desk”. Of course, this is perfect for children interested in art or magic, but most anyone, even you, won’t be able to stop making these fun and educational crafts!
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Your older granddaughter will feel good about being bundled up in this fair trade patchwork wool scarf that is hand-made by women artisans in Nepal. Since each scarf is hand-crafted, every one is wonderfully unique! The program in which the artisans participate is called Sana Hastakala. Started by UNICEF, it helps underprivileged artisans with business and community development. Choose this scarf, or browse through World of Good’s beautiful selection, from wools, to rayons and silks. And don’t forget to check out all of the different products World of Good makes available via fair trade programs throughout the world.
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This chess set is great for kids just learning chess (5 or 6 and up), or for older grandchildren and anyone who already loves the game. The faces of the pieces are designed to get a chuckle, and young kids will love the way the rubber pieces feel in their hands. The entire set — plastic board with circles instead of squares, muppet-like faces, and modern colors — gives the game a fun makeover. A carrying case is included.
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iPod Touch (8 GB 2nd Generation)$220 at Amazon.com |
By now you probably know about the iPod revolution. Your grandkids (12 and older) long for this new iPod that incorporates Apple’s “touch” technology introduced earlier this year in their beloved iPhone. Of course, the iPod Touch plays and stores music and photos, as Apple’s other iPod models do, and also plays video (tv and movies), as is featured in the latest iPod Nano (see our review). But the iPod Touch also allows you to browse the internet comfortably and in style! The iPod Touch’s “multi-touch interface” allows you to control everything using your fingers on the touch-sensitive screen (there’s no physical keypad). And it is so intuitive that, for example, if you turn the device horizontally, the display will automatically switch to “wide-screen” mode. We could describe its features in much greater detail (Amazon’s product description and the Apple website can fill in the blanks). Just know that any grandchild who receives this gift will be one very thrilled person, because the Touch is truly magical and highly prized! We’re featuring the iPod Touch 8 GB second generation model.
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Strategy game aficionados agree that Settlers of Catan deserves all of the accolades and awards it’s received over the past decade. It’s a game that’s accessible, easy to learn, and thus, easy to recruit other players. In order to keep things interesting, the game board changes each time you play. We won’t go into the details of how this works, but just know that these variables add up to quite an intriguing game! Players build settlements, roads and villages, and become masters at the art of trading. Oh… and they also need to deal with a roaming thief! This is a game for older children — ages 12 and up.
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Star Wars Voice Activated R2-D2 $174.90 at Amazon.com |
This is certainly a crowd pleasing toy — for the grandchildren who’ve recently discovered the magnetism of the Star Wars films, to their parents (and grandparents!) who first fell in love with R2-D2, the little droid, and his hero pals back in ‘77. Similar to a real robot, this sophisticated 15″ voice activated mini R2-D2 droid robot toy will be like a companion to your grandchild. R2 responds to 40 voice commands such as “turn around,” and navigates rooms and hallways well. Ask him if he remembers Darth Vader and he’ll cower in fear. His sensor helps him follow behind you, or it can be set to detect motion. His lights, swiveling dome and happy and sad noises look and sound exactly like the real R2-D2. If he slips into his occasional “bad mood,” your grandchild will say a simple command of “R2, behave yourself,” and he will snap right out of it. And the little droid toy can replay sounds and dialogue from the Star Wars movies, answer yes or no questions, and dance as he did in the films. He does require some assembly, but comes with detailed instructions and a bonus poster.
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Calypso Steel Drum$90.00 at Amazon.com |
What a nice surprise to find this smaller inexpensive version of a pan steel drum! We love the sweet clangy sound of this drum and we think your grandchildren will love learning how to play it. Made in Trinidad, the 9-note diatonic drum is tuned to A=440 and its range is from middle C to high C (plus high D). Its size is 10″ in diameter with a 3″ skirt curled at the edge for safety). The drum comes packaged with a stand, mallets and songbook. Having your grandkids play this steel drum is just like a trip to the islands!
If your older grandchild has been asking for this hot new Nintendo DS Lite portable game system model, you should know there are, indeed, improvements from the original Nintendo DS hand-held model. First, it’s lighter and more compact. It’s also more interactive — in one game called Nintendogs, kids can say commands to their virtual puppies, and in another, they blow into the unit to create onscreen bubbles! Like the DS, the DS Lite features dual screens, wireless features, a touch screen, stylus, and microphone. And you’ll breathe a hugh sigh of relief over the fact that your grandchild will be able to use the old Nintendo DS model’s game cartridges on this newer model. The Nintendo DS Lite comes in Coral Pink, Polar White, and Onyx Black (shown here). Simply click on our “Click Here” link to find just the right color for your gamer. We also recommend the Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP — a great value for kids still new to gaming, and the Leapfrog Leapster L-Max for little kids (ages 4-7). Use the search box to find our reviews.
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Remote Control Moon in My Room$29.95 at Amazon.com |
Whenever we drive at night, our kids will always try to spot the moon. With this authentic, remote control Moon in My Room bedtime moonscape, your grandchildren (ages 5 or 6 and older), can now study the moon up-close and personal! It features a built-in sensor that illuminates an astoundingly true-to-life moon when it gets dark. The moon rotates through 12 lunar phases, and turns itself off when the sun comes up. The kit includes detailed instructions, a moon phase chart calendar, and a guided “moon and beyond” tour CD that is well paced and kid-friendly.
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Unbelievably true-to-form, this Lego Eiffel Tower kit is for serious Lego fans — they recommend 16 years or older, but a younger teen could probably take the project on with some help. The idea for replicating this monumental Parisian landmark came from requests from Lego enthusiasts, and is based on the original blueprints of the Tower. Built to 1:300 scale, it measures 20.1″ wide and 42.5″ tall! Once built, it can be separated into three sections, so it can be easily stored or transported. Of course, it’s a challenge to build, with 3,428 pieces to be secured just so. But once it’s complete, it’s an amazing showpiece that your grandchild will boast about and admire for years to come. If you’re not ready to commit to this set, but still want to treat your grandchild to a Lego building kit, simply click “Click Here,” and search under “Toys & Games” for “LEGO.” C’est magnifique!
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