Reviews for $50-100
Beanbag chairs have been popular with both boys and girls for decades and are still going strong — we remember ours! This flower chair is just one of many beanbag designs you can choose at LillianVernon.com. And like many of their products, you can personalize it with your grandchild’s name (up to 12 letters). These chairs, purely for lounging, are now made from “weightless” polystyrene and are more comfortable and durable than ever. The seams are double-stitched to prevent leaks. Some covers are machine-washable while others are hand-washable. It does take some time for the chairs to be shipped (up to 15 days for the covers and up to 4-6 weeks for the delivery of the beanbag insert), so be sure to order with enough time in advance. And once it arrives your grandchild can relax (in the chair, of course)!
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Beanbag chairs have been popular with both boys and girls for decades and are still going strong — we remember ours! This all-sports chair is just one of many beanbag designs you can choose at LillianVernon.com. And like many of their products, you can personalize it with your grandchild’s name (up to 12 letters). These chairs, purely for lounging, are now made from “weightless” polystyrene and are more comfortable and durable than ever. The seams are double-stitched to prevent leaks. Some covers are machine-washable while others are hand-washable. It does take some time for the chairs to be shipped (up to 15 days for the covers and up to 4-6 weeks for the delivery of the beanbag insert), so be sure to order with enough time in advance. And once it arrives your grandchild can relax (in the chair, of course)!
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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!
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table$31.99 at Amazon.com |
This was one of our son’s favorite toys — and ours. The central “book” flips into one of two positions to put the toy into one of two modes (at one of two parent-selectable volume settings). Children can then press keys, move sliders, and enjoy their musical creations. The Leapfrog Learn & Groove musical table & activity center for baby motivated our son to pull himself up to the side of the table, helping him to learn to stand and cruise as he’d move from one side of the table to the next — to get to another activity and sound. The music the table makes is geared towards children’s ears, but unlike many musical toys, is pleasant enough for adults. The legs detach, and the top of the table can rest on the floor, so that infants can play with it (and this feature also makes the toy more portable). This toy is a winner on all counts and your grandchild will be sure to receive a standing ovation.
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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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The Game Boy by Nintendo has always been a great little electronic game system for kids. This latest version, the Advance SP, is an improvement over the older SP Game Boy model, mostly because its screen is much brighter now — clearly visible in just about any condition except direct sunlight. And like the earlier SP version, it’s still widely considered to be the pinnacle of Game Boy design — easy to pocket and transport while keeping the screen scratch-free. Simple cross-shape directional pad controls, 2 shoulder buttons, 2 face buttons, and a start and select key are easy to use. This is a great system for kids new to the gaming world, and you can find lots of games that appeal to both boys and girls. And for little kids (ages 4-7), we recommend the Leapfrog Leapster L-Max (see our review).
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This wooden ball track toy by HABA is beautifully constructed and will last a long time. One or one-and-a-half year-old kids should be able to maneuver HABA’s solid beech wood ball track, and will play with it for years to come. Their preschooler older siblings will also love it — you can’t say this about many toddler toys. Just-the-right-size colorful balls glide and wind their way past cheerful little gnomes. The somersaulting balls tap on bouncing spring arms and ring cherry red bells. While your grandchild experiments and has lots of fun, this toy goes to work developing motor skills, curiosity and concentration, recognition of cause and effect, and visual spatial acuity. This toy will remain in the playroom for a good long time!
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Hasbro and Tiger Electronics (with help from Gibson Guitars) have certainly done their homework in designing the Power Tour Electric Guitar, an inexpensive, great looking, and great sounding way to learn electric guitar. Designed for 10-15 year-old girls and boys, the uniqueness of this guitar lies in the fact that there are no strings! Instead, the guitar fret is color coded, and the flashing lights prompt beginning players where to place their fingers. When in the guitar’s “learn mode,” players are introduced to one segment at a time, moving at their own pace as the guitar’s flashing lights slow down or speed up depending on the player’s ability. Once each segment is mastered, they move on to the next one. Kids can plug in their MP3 player or other music source, and play along with songs, or make up their own. The guitar is designed to look and sound like a real Gibson guitar, and kids can change the sound “type” to “metal,” “punk,” “digital,” or “indie.” The guitar comes with a built-in speaker, strap, cable, and DVD instructions. The built-in speaker that comes with the guitar works just fine, but a Power Amp is also available on Amazon.com for an additional $39.99 (click on “Click Here,” and search for “power tour amp”). We’ve featured the Power Tour Guitar in white — it also comes in black. You may be scratching your head thinking, “all that noise,” but trust us, this gift will “rock!”
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This company (BeBoP) specially designs acoustic kids guitars with small necks and soft nylon strings for easy playing. You can order them in 1/4 size, 1/2 size (shown here), and 3/4 size, depending on your grandchild’s age. Unlike many other beginner guitars (or toy guitars), they’re built with high quality materials and come with a one-year limited warranty against defects. What’s also great about these guitars is that in addition to their size, some are decoratively designed solely with kids in mind — this one has a nice dancing animals pattern around the soundhole. Be-Bop guitars are not toys. They have a linden laminate top with basswood back and sides, black body binding, gold 14:1 geared tuners with perloid buttons, and a mahogany neck with ebonite fingerboard. And the guitar’s tone is sweet and clear. This gift package includes a padded “gig bag,” guitar strap, 2 picks, an electronic tuner, and special edition songs CD. This is a great value starter set. And for granddaughters who are a bit more serious about learning guitar, check out Daisy Rock guitars (click “Click Here,” then search on Amazon.com under “Daisy Rock”). Daisy Rock guitars are not inexpensive, but they are beautifully crafted by a female guitarist especially for girls! Any of these guitars will be music to your ears.
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In this ultimate educational gift for boys and girls 10 years and older, History and Science are combined to provide a fabulous learning opportunity. The Milestones in Science kit takes an interdisciplinary approach, helping kids reproduce 100 experiments, while learning about the 140 scientists and civilizations that spawned them. Most importantly, your grandchild will appreciate the kit’s fun, hands-on approach to learning what would normally be considered “heavy stuff.” Also included is a beautifully illustrated 96-page book that walks your junior scientist through a world of microelectronics, atoms, light, magnetism, and much more. An amazing gift for your amazing grandchild who enjoys science, science kits, and history.
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