Reviews for $20-50
Wedgits are a fantastic building toy for boys and girls as young as 3, and as old as, well, any of us adults (trust us on this). Kids can stack, nest, link and lock Wedgits together to create all sorts of art forms and structures. Wedgits seek to enhance cognitive, perceptual, experimental and reasoning skills as kids use geometric principles to arrange the rhombus and octahedron shaped-blocks. Odd shapes, indeed, but this is how things get interesting quickly. This 35-piece Wedgits set comes in its own portable, plastic carry-case, so your grandchildren can design their creations wherever they go, including your house! Another nice thing about this product is that it evolves with your grandchildren as they grow. This set includes an instructional booklet and 10 design cards. Winner of several awards.
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Every once in a while, a product leaps out in front of us and it’s love at first sight. These books by flattenme transform a single photo of your grandchild into a personalized tale of adventure that uses your grandchild’s image and name throughout its pages. Simply upload or mail a photo of your grandchild (see flattenme’s FAQ page for details) to the flattenme website via our link below. You can then choose from four books: The Tuesday Mushroom King (for girls and boys ages 3-6), Here There Be Pirates (for girls and boys ages 3-6), The Potty Dance (for girls and boys ages 2-4), and My Little Monster (for girls and boys ages 2-4). The Tuesday Mushroom King features your grandchild and another wee wood sprite on their first adventure in the Old Forest. In Here There Be Pirates, your grandchild is the first mate on a ship headed for an adventure worthy of a hearty “Argh.” In the Potty Dance book, your grandchild’s toilet training escapades are translated into a dancing tour around the world. And My Little Monster has your grandchild getting into heaps of trouble with a little toy monster. All of the books except My Little Monster are available in English, Spanish, French and German. Flattenme personalized storybooks have received several awards, including ones from Creative Child Magazine and The National Parenting Center. They’ve also been featured on NBC News as a useful method to get reluctant readers to engage with books. A wonderful way to cast a magical spell, indeed!
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Melissa & Doug Wooden Toy Mail Box$29.98 at Amazon.com |
Young children, ages 3-7 or so, like to “play mail.” For our kids, simply sliding their own mail creations under doors can keep them occupied. This nicely constructed wooden toy mailbox by Melissa & Doug delivers bundles of fun! It features three over-sized slots for sorting various sizes of mail, and includes interchangeable stamps that “stick” to the letters. The box’s 2 doors (one magnetic and one key operated), can be opened for removing mail. The box measures 8″ x 14″ x 8″. A fun bedroom addition where parents can slip little notes. This is a toy that really delivers!
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Handknit Fruit Rattles Gift Set$39.99 at Amazon.com |
Treat your new baby grandchild to a luxurious, yet playful gift. This unique 5-piece rattle set is hand-knit by Peruvian artisans in small workshops, and features a vibrantly colored pear, mandarin orange, strawberry, watermelon and apple. The rattles are made from all-natural fibers, are hand washable, and measure 3″ in diameter. This is a great way to delight your grandchild, and support families in Peru.
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The revolutionary features of this new ride Wheely Bug toy by Prince Lionheart are its multi-directional casters and its padded seat. Why hasn’t this been done before? The caster wheels enable toddlers (ages 1-3) to go forward, backward, sideways, and around in circles — no more getting jammed up by domestic obstacles! The soft seat (love it!) is filled with non-compressible foam and padded with a layer of soft sponge, then coated with non toxic polyurethane so that it can be wiped clean. It’s also nice to know that the plywood base is made from renewable timber. This ladybug is one of the small Wheely Bug models for toddlers (also see the bumblebee or cow), and a larger version (for 3-5 year olds) is also available. The Wheely Bug’s quiet ride is ideal for smooth level floors but can be used outdoors as well. It was researched and developed in childcare centers and designed for “industrial use.” So it can withstand whatever your little explorer has in store!
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Bedtime behavior is so touch-and-go during baby’s first and second year — and sometimes comforting “aids” can really help everyone get some much needed sleep. We received an earlier version of this Ocean Wonders Aquarium by Fisher-Price when our son was 6 months old and he (as well as his baby sister) ADORED it! We always knew when our kids were awake, from that, oh-so-familiar, yet not so annoying music. We’ve heard many similar reviews from other parents, so this Fisher Price aquarium HAD to make the Gift Guide. It attaches to the crib, and parents, or baby, or toddler can choose whatever setting is preferred or necessary — including different varieties of soothing lullaby music, bubble sounds, soft-glowing lights, or moving fish. There is a volume button (thank goodness), and three settings, depending on what kind of stimulation is needed: music only; music plus soft glowing lights; and music plus lights, bubbles, and moving fish. Little explorers’ hands can also press or turn to make some of the marine friends open, spin, etc.
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Another great HABA baby product! This “curtains rise” circus animals mobile is in gender-neutral colors and features adorable little animals. The mouse and bear are attached by magnets so that they can hang as acrobats or be taken down to hug or cuddle. The star has a small foil mirror, the donut has a small bell, and the green and blue ornament rattles softly. This is a wonderful gift that your baby will love.
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Parents will love this Highlights Creativity Tower as much as your grandchildren. We do, since it comes with its own built-in organization system. The 5-drawer tower measures 6″ x 8 1/4″ x 5 1/4,” each drawer holding various stickers, colored card stock and metallic crayons. Of course, once supplies run out, the tower can be re-filled with the many tools a budding artist may need. The tower of drawers lets young children be independent, as they can help themselves to create their works of art! Although kids craft supplies are notoriously difficult to store, this tower manages to keep things in order. You’ll love the masterpieces that result!
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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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We always wanted one of these domino race sets! And if your grandchildren (ages 3 and older) are so lucky as to receive this present, they’ll understand that some of the simplest things — such as small wooden dominoes — can also be some of the most exciting. Using this domino set, they can building excitement indoors by designing dozens of imaginative knock-down chain reactions. This colorful kids domino race set includes 250 wooden dominoes and 21 accessories, such as: stairways, a chime, ball, gutter, pinwheel and finishing bell!
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