Youth and Education
Your shopping guide for the seasons best toys
Looking for nonviolent toys, creativity is key!
by Kia Marie Cook
With Christmas just a few days away, many parents are flocking to the nearest toy stores to gather the hottest toys of the season. In addition to getting gifts that their children will enjoy, most parents also want to buy gifts that will support their children’s growth and development. Not to mention, those gifts that will reduce the violence factor that today’s youth are far too familiar with.
Experts would agree, when selecting age-appropriate gifts the promote growth and development, creativity is key.
"Anything that allows a child to think creatively fosters development," said Monica Matthews, a pediatric occupational therapists.
For younger children, this means: "toys that use the imagination, even basic things around the house," Matthews, said.
Your average toddler may be enthused with a doll house, drum set, shopping cart, a tea set and the list continues.
But what about your older, school-aged child? For all you last minute Christmas shoppers, here’s a guide to the best Christmas gifts for today’s children:
Ages: 5-7
V.Smile TV Learning System, by V-Tech:
V.Smile is a unique learning system that teaches children the preschool basics through interactive TV gaming. The console connects directly to your home TV! No additional equipment required! V.Smile TV Learning System includes the console, a joystick, and one game cartridge, which is Adventures in Alphabet Park. The innovative joystick is adjustable for both right and left handed users. It features four flashing buttons and one large "enter" button specially designed for preschoolers. A second joystick can be connected for two player game play.
Playfoam, by Educational Insight:
Squish it, shape it, save it or smoosh it and start all over again! With PlayFoam, you’ve got hours of creative fun on your hands! Unlike others, this lightweight, colorful foam sculpting material won’t crumble, and it won’t stick to skin or surfaces--no cleanup required. And PlayFoam never dries. You can use it over and over and over again! Includes six PlayFoam bricks in six vibrant colors and an idea sheet.
Ages 8-11
Nitro Jams Notebook, by Vtech:
Nitro Jams is a groovy laptop with built-in piano-style keyboard. There are 40 fun, learning activities and lessons including music, math and English, teaching basic skills and rhythm. Your child can get creative mixing silly sounds into tunes from the Music Box. The Nitro Jams laptop comes bundled with a real computer mouse and mouse pad.
Cranium Conga Game, by Cranium:
Cranium Conga is the fast-paced "guess what I’m thinking" game that will get your whole family acting, sculpting, guesstimating, and picking hilarious words. Brought to you from the makers of the smash hit party game Cranium, Conga celebrates the fun facts and funny memories that only someone close to you would know. It provides giggles and laughs for everyone from an 8-year-old, to a teenager, to mom and dad so turn off the TV and share in some high-fiving fun!
Ages 12-14
FLY Pentop Computer system, by LeapFrog:
Includes a FLY pentop computer recharging dock, so FLY pentop computer is ready to go to when you are! Computer power on paper! FLY pentop computer’s power comes from an optical scanner that sees everything you scan and write on special dot-matrix FLY paper. It’s got a brain (a built-in computer processor) and it’s got a voice. It’s even got its own language. If you’ve got a math problem FLY pentop computer can solve it. You can schedule anything and FLY pentop computer will remind you. You can draw drums and keyboards and record your own tunes. Play games with your friends--anywhere, any time! Plus, you can load FLY pentop computer with FLYware cartridges to add new games and adventures. Comes with FLY Pentop Computer, Earbuds, Carrying Case. FLY Launch Pad Guide, 17 Games, 35 FLY Paper Pages, three Interactive FLY-FX Cards, Interactive Map, one Silver Face Plate, Recharging System, Rechargeable Battery, and AC Adapter. T.O.T.Y--Toy of the Year Award for 2005.
Cube World Series--Red and Yellow, by Radica USA:
Stick people stick together in Cube World! You can play with one, or stick them together and watch the stick characters play, interact, and visit each other’s cubes! Play with one and tumble the stick characters around the cube or play the stick game! This set comes with two cubes and requires one CR2032 battery, which is not included.
Ages 15+
Xbox 360 Video Game System (Fully-loaded), by Microsoft:
The fully-loaded Xbox 360 System delivers the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of Xbox Live and unique digital entertainment experiences that all revolve around you. The full system includes the Xbox 360 console, wireless controller, component HDAV cable, composite AV cable, hard drive, ethernet cable, headset, Xbox Live Silver, Xbox Live Gold 30-day trial, and premium chrome details.
