Reviews for $50-100
Fly Pentop Computer, Charger & Supplies$79.99 at Amazon.com |
It may take you a while to understand exactly what this gift does — it did for us. But once we got a “grasp” on it, we realized this pen does wonders! Brought to you by LeapFrog, the company that makes LeapPads and Leapsters for younger children, the Fly Fusion Pentop Computer is an electronic pen with a brain (built-in computer) that’s targeted to kids ages 8-12. The Fly is a fat pen with a tiny optical scanner near the point. As you draw words, numbers, or pictures, the pen responds. For example, you can draw a calculator and tap the numbers to help figure out math homework. You can also play games, learn geography, translate words from another language, and make music (by drawing keyboards or drums). It’s just like a computer, but the mechanisms are a pen and paper, instead of a keyboard and screen. To hear a menu of options, kids draw an “M” with a circle around it on the special dot-matrix FLYpaper. They then tap their drawing with the Fly Pen, and wait for the voice to recite menu options, including scheduler, calculator, time, notepad, settings, and games. To select an option, they print a check mark to the right of the “M,” and the computer announces their selection and options. Wow! You can also purchase the Fly Through Math (multiplication and division for grades 4-6), Spelling and Algebra software cartridges separately — programs that literally coach kids through homework. And you can also purchase really fun games, like Totally Stumped, a trivia game that won the 2006 Parents’ Choice Gold Award. This introductory kit comes with the FLY Pentop Computer, earbuds (tiny headset), carrying case, FLY Launch Pad Guide, charging dock, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, 17 games, 35 FLYpaper pages, 3 interactive FLY-FX cards, interactive map, 1 silver face plate, and 1 AAA battery. Additional paper, accessories, and interactive learning and game cartridges (already mentioned) are sold separately. Winner of many awards from both toy and technology experts. This pen is sure to impress kids and adults alike!
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This 3-in-1 Game Table is just the right addition for a basement or large playroom. Three beloved indoor games (ping-pong, air hockey, and pool) all combined in one table! The play surfaces slide in and out of place in seconds. The pool game includes balls, two cues, a triangle and chalk. Air hockey includes 2 pucks and pushers, and ping-pong includes 2 paddles, balls, and a net. The table is reasonably sized but not too big, measuring 36″ x 20″ x 9″. This will definitely keep the grandkids busy on a rainy day, and for this gift, you will instantly be named a “champion!”
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KidKraft Veranda Swivel Doll House$77.25 at Amazon.com |
We know it can be anxiety-provoking when you’re looking to buy real estate, so we’re here to help. If this is your first home purchase (for your grandchild, that is), look no further — this KidKraft Veranda Swivel dollhouse should meet all of your needs! It’s got great curb appeal, including a lovely patio. The four-room doll house comes fully-furnished — 24 pieces in all. It also has many decorative bells and whistles, including rugs and wallpaper. And something you never find included with your home purchase — an easily bendable family of four! The furniture and family members (dolls and doll house accessories) are just the right size for little hands to maneuver and arrange (great for 3-8 year-olds), and are made of wood. Also highly unusual, this home swivels 360 degrees, making it easy for your little decorator to play with it — either alone, or with a sibling or friend. This mint condition starter home doll house is the best value on the market!
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Leapfrog Leapster L-Max Learning System-Pink$79.99 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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Zome is used in classes (grades 1 through college) accross the U.S. to help teach math, science, art and technology. A building and learning tool for grade 1 through college, it immediately engages kids — it’s fascinating and fun! But more importantly, it helps kids learn new concepts better, and find them more interesting. Zome is a collection of small connector balls and different length rods that can be used to construct incredibly complex structures. Young kids (6+) will love it because it’s possible to create basic structures such as buildings and bridges. Older kids (and their parents and teachers) will love it because it can be used to learn geometry, chemistry, and more. Zome is available as different kits from $20 to about $300 (giant kit with more than 2,000 pieces). The more expensive kits simply include more pieces. Start small and build up. You can even order bags of specific Zome pieces as the need arises. Highly recommended for kids that love to build with their minds as well as their hands. Winner of just about every toy award we can think of!
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You may be saying “cheese” more often, but the look on your grandchild’s face when presented with this gift will be well worth it! Users tell us that this Fisher-Price Kid Tough waterproof digital camera for young kids (in both pink and blue) is indeed, “kid-tough.” It has a binocular-like viewfinder with chunky slip-resistent grips, an easy to find delete button that makes noise when you press it, and a wrist strap to help prevent mishaps. Now for the technical stuff that kids need not worry about. Features include: a 1.6″ color LCD preview screen, a USB cord for computer connection (compatible with Windows 2000/ME/XP/VISTA and Macintosh), built-in autoflash, 8 MB of built-in memory that stores up to 60 pictures (depending on resolution), and 1.3 interpolated Mega Pixels (or 640 x 480 resolution) for 4″ x 6″ prints. Everything your grandchild needs for instant photographic fun is included.
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You may be saying “cheese” more often, but the look on your grandchild’s face when presented with this gift will be well worth it! Users tell us that this Fisher-Price Kid Tough waterproof digital camera for young kids (in both pink and blue) is indeed, “kid-tough.” It has a binocular-like viewfinder with chunky slip-resistent grips, an easy to find delete button that makes noise when you press it, and a wrist strap to help prevent mishaps. Now for the technical stuff that kids need not worry about. Features include: a 1.6″ color LCD preview screen, a USB cord for computer connection (compatible with Windows 2000/ME/XP/VISTA and Macintosh), built-in autoflash, 8 MB of built-in memory that stores up to 60 pictures (depending on resolution), and 1.3 interpolated Mega Pixels (or 640 x 480 resolution) for 4″ x 6″ prints. Everything your grandchild needs for instant photographic fun is included.
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Pyramat Sound Seat for Video Games$129.99 at Amazon.com |
This Pyramat Sound Seat video gaming rocker has dual 8W speakers and an exclusive ARX subwoofer (this should all mean something to your grandson) that will “rumble through” his body (yikes!). It’s the perfect seat for video gaming and is compatible with PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS and PSP. He can also plug in his iPod or MP3 player, TV, VCR or DVD player. For movies, it delivers multiplex vibes in unbelievable comfort. There’s a headphone jack, too, if noise bothers anyone. And it comes with all needed connectors. Ok, sounds awful to you, but this gift will immediately get your grandson to shout, “you rock!” — also known as an extremely enthusiastic, “thank you!”
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TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator$99.99 at Amazon.com |
OK — this one is a must for any high school or middle school kid if they don’t already have one — plenty do! Trust us. It’s cool to carry around a calculator these days — and it’s even better to excel in (or at very least pass) algebra, geometry and calculus! Kids are not only allowed to have calculators with them in class, they’re required to have them when taking the SAT’s. In addition to doing all the things that calculators do (read, every bell and whistle you can think of) The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator displays graphs and tables on a split screen, allowing you to trace the graph and scroll through table values simultaneously. Don’t ask us how to use it, but you can bet that if you buy it for your grandchild, it will a) be appreciated; b) be mastered; and c) at least raise your grandchild’s confidence in Math; and d) most likely raise grades. And… a + b + c + d = an outstanding gift!
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Triple 5 Soul Compression Tote$60.00 at eBags |
In search of a bag? This youthful black shoulder tote with metallic design, drawstring closure and inside pockets would appeal to many older granddaughters, and is just one example of the countless bags for teenage girls available on eBags. Simply click on “Click Here” to get to the eBags homepage where you can search away! Choose from any style, color, or price. Backpacks, purses for any occasion, diaper bags, luggage… you name it and they have it! Great service and easy returns.
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