Reviews for $50-100
Whimsmoore, a start-up company that sends toys-of-the-month and sells “pretend play” products and related children’s books, evolved from a family wanting to share their cherished tradition with new generations of young children and their grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc. It all started as a relationship between an aunt and her young niece a thousand miles away. When Rachel would visit Aunt Linda, she would rush to the secret magical play house under Aunt Linda’s stairs, deemed the “Elfery,” to see if there were any signs of the “Elves of Glimmer Glen.” When not visiting, Aunt Linda would send monthly gifts to Rachel on behalf of the Elves. A special bond developed between Rachel and her little imaginary friends, and more importantly, between Rachel and Aunt Linda. Many years later, with the bond still strong between them, Rachel and Aunt Linda decided to start a business together, reviving the Elves and sharing them with other families. Should you purchase the gift-of-the-month, Whimsmoore will send enchanting little gifts to your grandchild each month for up to 12 months (monthly gifts can also be purchased separately). Elfish gifts include a Lavender Eggling Plant (just crack the top of the “egg,” water, and watch it grow!), Mini Valentine’s Mailbox, Mini Bake Set, to name a few. Each monthly gift comes with an original Elfery Storybook written by Aunt Linda. Whimsmoore features a nice selection of related imaginary play products, which can be purchased from their website. The toy-of-the-month gift is suggested for children age 5-7, and the “Elves” are a unique and playful way for distant relatives to connect with the young children in their lives.
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Recently my kids and I have had the pleasure of playing with some of the wooden toys handcrafted by Tom Seal, of Bearded Seal Woodcrafts. We especially appreciate fine handcrafted wooden toys, and these are some of the finest we’ve seen. Tom custom-makes each product entirely by hand. He received his earliest inspiration as a child wandering the forests of his native Pacific Northwest. By high school he was crafting wood, and then honed his skills studying fine arts in college. He applies this appreciation of wood, as well as his knowledge of how to expertly craft it, into each of his products — from vintage wooden cars to classic wooden tangram puzzles. My kids have been vroom vroom’ing around non-stop with a gorgeous classic Ford mustang crafted from Makore & Bolivian Rosewood ($32). The tangrams set is crafted using American Black Walnut, and comes packaged in a decorative silk travel pouch, along with plenty of suggested tangram puzzles ($17 for domestic wood or $22 for exotic). We love tangrams, and what a treat it is to be able to play on such a beautiful set. If you and your grandchild enjoy logic puzzles (and also have some pretty good fine motor skills!), Tom also sells several other logic puzzles, such as a Sword puzzle and 2 Ring puzzle (both $7), as well as games, such as Marble Solitaire ($18). Tom’s signature pieces are his line of beautiful handcrafted wooden rocking horses. The Rocking Thoroughbred can be custom-ordered and made with any of the woods Tom uses (average price is $460). Or choose from various designs crafted from Pine and stained as light Golden Pecan to dark Walnut colors ($134). For a small fee, Tom can add a personalized inscription on many of his pieces. All of Tom’s wooden creations make fantastic kids gifts and, incidentally, are sure to delight all of us grownups, too!
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First of all, we love the entrepreneurial success story behind this product. Louise Stall, the inventor of CARES — Kids Fly Safe airline safety harness, is a grandmother of 9 who was inspired to make airplane travel safer for her own grandchildren and for all young children. As she watched her own kids struggle to fly with her small grandchildren, Louise recognized a problem that most of us have encountered. Normal airline seat belts are not safe for toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s nearly impossible to lug a car seat onto the plane along with carry-ons and children themselves. Sketches and work to file for a patent eventually led to a partnership with AmSafe who also manufactures most of the airline seat belts found on today’s flights. After 4 years of developing and testing the prototypes for safety, the FAA certified the CARES system as the first and only alternative to car seats allowed on planes. The best thing about the CARES system, aside from peace of mind, is that it weighs just one pound. It’s packaged in a small nylon travel pouch with an instructional dvd and a safety card similar to the one found on airplanes. It can fit easily in a carry-on bag or can even be carried by your grandchild. When installed, the restraint system itself looks similar to a 5-point harness system used in an infant or toddler/convertible car seat. It should be noted that installation varies slightly depending on the type of airline seats and tray tables on the plane (and this is clearly diagrammed on the instructional safety card). On seats with a “non-recessed” tray table the CARES is installed under the tray table of the person behind you (allowing that person to use the tray table). Thus the CARES can be used throughout the entire flight. On seats where the with a “recessed” tray table, the CARES is installed over the tray table, thus it can only be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Cares is designed for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. Louise and her family-run business suggest that airlines should be required to carry and offer the CARES restraint to any child flying with them who fits that profile — and that sounds good to us. In the meantime, if you have grandchildren who fall in that range consider presenting them (and their parents!) with this gift of safety and convenience, invented and brought to market by a concerned and industrious grandparent — bravo!
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This is a gift that keeps giving… all year if you wish! Different craft kits are mailed to your grandchild each month, based on the child’s age, gender, and interests. You can choose from standard or deluxe kits, and purchase 3-, 6-, or 12-months worth. The first shipment is sent 1-3 days after an order is placed (unless it is a holiday advance order) and subsequent shipments are made around the 1st or 14th of each month, depending upon when the initial shipment is sent. You can choose the kits yourself, have ChildCrafter select the kits based on information that you provide, or include a survey in your grandchild’s first shipment. Examples of kits include soap-making, candy-making, sewing, needlepoint, painting, coloring, jewelry-making, decorating, and more. Kit manufacturers include ALEX, Curiosity Kits, Quincrafts, and Dimensions, all reputable and kid-tested companies. Shipping cost is additional. Recommended for kids ages 4+.
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Dolce Mia Designs, a family-owned business, has been creating beautifully crafted gifts since 1995. Their vintage inspired designs bring smiles to our faces — we own several pieces! Their children’s and baby lines, in particular, boast a unique combination of playfulness and warmth reminiscent of the toys and activities of earlier generations. Choose from several new Wall Art pieces (shown here), frames, clocks, note cards, photo albums, brag books, placemats and growth charts. And you can combine different pieces within the same theme — for instance, a picture frame and clock both with the “construction truck” pattern. Themes range from “princess,” “fairies,” and “ballerina,” for girls, to “space,” “firefighter,” “race cars” and “trains” for boys, among others. And if you’re in need of a baby gift, look no further! Noah’s Arc, a baby chick, little lamb, and even a little “Cupie,” make appearances in this adorable collection of memorable gifts.
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Finally, a video game system that promotes physical as well as mental exercise! Yes, there’s the Wii system for older children, but the Smart Cycle by Fisher-Price is specifically designed for 3-6 year-olds — an age group that really needs to expend energy, regardless of the weather outside. The Smart Cycle “physical learning arcade system” plugs right into the TV, where your grandchildren can ride their onscreen car through virtual environments by pedaling (to keep the car moving) and steering (with the cycle’s handlebars), making sharp turns and negotiating other obstacles, while “catching” letters of the alphabet along the way. The Smart Cycle also has a console with buttons and joysticks (both sized and positioned appropriately for this age group) to play other games. It comes with a few games (on one cartridge), including “Math Mountain,” which reviews numbers, and “Shape Lake,” which introduces different shapes. Also included are a car racing game that allows 2 children to play at the same time, and a “creative journal” in which your grandchildren can create pictures of their travels. Of course, there are other game cartridges available for purchase, including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and other common characters. Regardless, there are plenty of essential skills that can be learned from these games, and along with the indoor exercise it offers, the Smart Cycle is an overall plus. It should be a big hit with your grandchildren, and Parenting Magazine agrees, having chosen it as one of their Best Toys of 2007.
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Most preschoolers (and even some toddlers) are already interested in computers. Here’s a great new affordable kids computer that is designed specifically for 3-6 year-olds! LeapFrog’s ClickStart has alleviated many of the problems that occur when young children try to use computers meant for grownups. The television becomes the computer screen, the keyboard is wireless (no getting twisted up!), the mouse is downsized, and the buttons are colored for easy identification. ClickStart comes with four educational games that teach letters, phonics, counting, and computer skills. And of course, there are several other games that can be purchased separately, featuring preschooler favorites like Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, and many more.
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Melissa & Doug Victorian Doll House$94.48 at Amazon.com |
This dollhouse by Melissa & Doug is all about the details. Modeled after an authentic Victorian home, it boasts many of the dainty accents one might find in Victorian construction and interior design. It begins with the high quality wooden construction we’ve come to know and love from Melissa & Doug toys. You’ll also find two mahogony finished staircases, scalloped, peaked roofs, molded windows, and lots of tasteful floral and striped accents. The furniture and other accessories are sold separately, and can be found on Amazon.com by searching under “Melissa & Doug Doll House Furniture.” The house measures 26.5 x 28 x 18 when assembled.
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Standing Easel & Companion Supply Set$79.95 at Amazon.com |
Outfit your Picasso (around 3 or 4 and older) with quality equipment. This kids wooden easel and companion supply set by Melissa & Doug is the best value we’ve found. It’s solidly constructed, height adjustable, and folds easily for storage. It features a chalk board on one side and dry erase board on the other. It also includes: a holder and clips for easel paper, and extra large trays (for chalk, crayons, markers, brushes, paints and other art supplies). The companion supply set comes with 4 bottles of poster paint, 4 spill-proof paint cups (these are great!), 1 roll of easel paper, 10 jumbo triangular chalk sticks, 1 felt eraser, 1 dry-erase marker, and 4 paint brushes. Dimensions are 27 inches x 47 inches x 26 inches. Turn your grandkids’ rooms into a museum!
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Leapster L-Max Learning System-Blue$69.99 at Amazon.com |
LeapFrog makes plenty of great products, but this one has a special place in our hearts. The LeapFrog Leapster L-Max Learning Game System is a portable educational video game system made for boys and girls ages 4-10. During one long drive to visit his grandparents, our 4 year-old son actually learned all of the sounds that the letters make. Leapster provided him with another way to learn the information and it made all the difference in the world. Other game cartridges teach other skills, and more are being made available all the time. This particular system has a nice size for small hands, and is available in either blue or pink. It runs on 2 AA batteries, although you can buy a recharging system that parents will appreciate (sold separately). This gift is a sure winner for children that are starting to learn independently, and it will grow with them for several years. And check out Leapster’s many educational game cartridges while you’re at it. We highly recommend “Letters on the Loose” and “Get Puzzled,” but check the recommended age range noted on each game cartridge to make sure that it’s appropriate for your grandchild (but of course yours is a genius)!
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