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Our next splendid holiday gift guide is by my friend, Franki Durbin, of
Life in a Venti Cup. Franki has one gorgeous little one, and another one on the way, and on top of authoring a fabulous lifestyle blog she also authors an blog for the little ones called
Life In A Sippy Cup. See Franki’s favorite 2011 gift picks for the kiddos…
For some reason people often draw a blank when it comes to gift shopping for tots. Yes, you can go the Lego route (I’m certainly guilty of buying a box while en route to a last minute party invite), but the creative options out there are just too good to fall into the mainstream route. Here’s a roundup of 15 fabulous gift ideas for young minds of all ages.
1. Little Play Spaces
Winter days call for clever indoor activities. This cardboard playhouse (made from printed recycled cardboard) looks like a mini Parisian cafe. Yes, I have one on order for my little one for Christmas. These are sturdy, well-designed pieces are designed by a Dallas mom and create an atmosphere of regardless of season or gender. They pack flat for storage when not in use, but you’ll be saying “Merci!” for your little slice of Paris when it’s too cold and dark to play outside at 5pm. (Shopping for a boy? Never fear: the medieval castle is here just in time for the holidays!)
$79 plus shipping
2. The First Adventures Of Incredible You
Imagine reading a book that features your little one as the star. That’s exactly what you’ll find inside the cover of this personalized story designed just for your little one. Trust me, this leaves a lasting impression. I still recall being given a similar gift as a child. As an avid reader it was mind-blowing to see myself as one of the characters in a cherished book. In this case, your child isn’t just a bit player… they are the star of the show. Personalize the book with your child’s name, birth date, relatives, favorite places to play and more. It’s a gift they’ll never forget.
$44 @ Pottery barn Kids
3. See Yourself Camera
Tired of relinquishing your iphone to your little technology-addict? Me too. Aside from those deleted text messages, the real shocker is all of the photos she takes throughout the day. Too much power for such a small person. Give her what she really wants: a camera of her own. The Kid Tough See Yourself Camera takes photos, self portraits (winner!), – it even records video and sound. It captures up to 1000 photos, has a wrist strap, big buttons and a 1.8″ LCD screen to make viewing easier. Best of all, she can drop this one on the ground as much as she likes, it’s virtually indestructible.
$70 via Fisher-price.com
4. Muji Mini Colored Pencils
Give the gift of artistic freedom. These mini colored pencils from Muji come in a cool reusable (and recycled) cardboard tube container. Each set includes 36 vibrantly-colored pencils made from cedar. LOVE having a few of these on hand for last minute gifts for recipients of all ages.
$11.25 from Muji
5. Your Baby Can Read
Go ahead and snicker. Yes, it’s from a late night infomercial… but this is a learning tool that truly works. My child has been reading from an embarrassingly young age and has a desire to read like no one I’ve ever seen. The set includes DVDs, flash cards, books and a few other tools. The thing I didn’t realize is how much fun it would be and how quickly my young mind would absorb the content. I can’t say enough great things about this product. I’ll let my fully literate three year old do the talking (and reading) for me.
$114.89 from yourbabycanread.com
6. Make Your Own Block Puzzle
Who needs a store-bought puzzle when you can make your own? Made in New Zealand, this cool set of 9 wooden blocks can be painted on each side to create six different DIY puzzle pictures. The 2″ size of the blocks make them easy for little hands to work with. Use the included acrylic paints and colored pencils to create your masterpieces. Once dry, create another… and another and so on until you’ve created six different puzzle pictures. Tip: Consider buying a few kits to piece together to make larger puzzle pictures. Or… buy a few separate kits and have your children write messages or create finger paint art for loved ones, then send those off as gifts.
$39 @ uncommongoods.com
7. Jacob’s Ladder
Do you remember playing with one of these as a kid? I do. The concept couldn’t have been any simpler, yet it fascinated me to try to figure out how it worked. Let your little one get absorbed in the optical illusion of this simple wooden block & ribbon toy. No gimmicks. No batteries. No parts to lose. (Tip: They’re so well priced I love the idea of using these as party favors for birthday parties as well.. something to keep in mind for future use.)
$7.99 @ PB Kids
8. We have countless sets of blocks in our game closet. The most loved of these are always brightly colored with letters or illustrations on the sides. This simple little alphabet block wagon combines several good ideas into one cool toy idea. Take a simple wooden wagon on working wheels. Add pull-string and colorful alphabet blocks: get endless hours of playtime. As a designer I love the classic typography styling of these. So vintage! Eco-minded parents will love knowing these are handcrafted in Michigan of Great Lakes grown Basswood and printed with non-toxic inks.
$52 @ UncommonGoods.com
9. Big Grips iPad Cases
Admit it, your beloved iPad is loaded with more apps for the younger set than for your professional life. (Angry Birds, anyone?) Do yourself (and your technology) a favor by putting it in a worry-free case before you hand it over. Designed to fit the iPad2, these oversized cases are constructed of child-friendly foam that’s latex, lead, phthalate and PVC-free. When they do drop (or throw) your device it’ll survive – and so will they. Money well spent to protect your two biggest investments.
$35
10. Interactive Indoor Trampoline
You read that right… and indoor trampoline. Personally, my little jumping bean needs all the activity she can get in a day. As winter arrives and those days are shorter I end up with a daily dilemma: how can I wear her out and assure us all a good night of sleep. Enter the Hammacher Schlemmer Jump & Learn Trampoline. It teaches preschool basics by incorporating a sensor into the sturdy frame and boasts a built-in speaker. Why, you ask? This cool toy tallies bounces as they happen, allowing tots to play games that teach counting, music, rhythm, recognition, and memory. It also challenges your Energizer bunny to stop bouncing when the music stops or bounce a certain number of times. Safety handle makes it easy to keep their grip while wearing themselves out, er… having fun. Sadly, this gadget has an 80lb maximum, so “kids at heart” will simply have to admire it from afar. Comes with lifetime guarantee.
$119 from Hammacher Schlemmer
11. Wooden Vespa Rocker
Available in blue or pink, this wooden Vespa lets them ride in style without a helmet. Tuck this little cutie into the corner of your nursery or playroom for instant fun with just a hint of big kid cool.
$77.99 from Perpetual Kid
12. 3-D Drawing Pad
50 sheets of stereographic fun. Doodle all you want (or in this case, let your little resident artist doodle his way to bliss) then don these 3D shades to see your lines appear to float above the page. Simple. Classic. (Tip: remember this one when wondering what to put in those party gift bags.)
$7.99 via Perpetual Kid
13. Pink Piano
In our house, this is the ultimate, ultimate gift. My daughter spied this last spring at Neiman Marcus and hasn’t stopped talking about it since that sunny morning. So… guess what Santa is bringing her for being so good. Piano not your thing? We also purchased the Schoenhut Pink Guitar which is one of her absolute favorite toys. Not sure about either? head to your nearest Neiman’s and watch the musical fun unfold.
$155 @ Neiman Marcus
14. Mini Yoga Mat
At home it’s impossible to practive yoga without company. And by company I mean my curious daughter and my overweight cat both settling in for a spot on my yoga mat. While I’m touched by their desire to be close, a girl needs a bit more room for her Ashtanga session, you know? Fix this by getting your child (and hopefully the cat) their own mat. This lightweight cushiony mat is biodegradable, recyclable and hypoallergenic. It is lovingly made to be latex, PVC and lead-free. Even better: designs are printed with soy-based ink. Om.
$25 @ TheLittleYogaMat.com
15. Magnetic Tile Set
What do I love about this? Everything. It’s fun for every age. Girl, boy, toddler, teen adult.. doesn’t matter. Everyone will have fun playing with these translucent colored tiles. Winner of a prestigious Dr. Toy Best Educational Toy award, this 100-piece set offers endless possibilities for construction and design. Their magnetic quality allows them to be connected from any side, which helps teach basic shape recognition while developing motor skills. Aside from that – it’s fun, versatile and will be a great tabletop toy for the whole family to use for many years to come. Love this. Great gift and a nice set to add to any game closet.
$119 from Hammacher Schlemmer
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