2010 Children's Gift Guide
Compiled by Janice Hands

We know your youngsters have provided you with a list of must-have holiday gifts, and you’ll do your best to fulfill at least a few of their wishes. But, everyone loves surprises. Why not consider giving them at least one something totally new and unexpected. A host of the latest in children’s toys, books, and electronics is described below. Take a moment to look them over. You’re sure to find some interesting items to round out even the most specific wish list. Also, be sure to scroll down and check out the helpful sidebars, including “Ways to Save” for the word on websites that will help save you bucks, and “Smart Holiday Spending” full of shopping advice from Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc.

Finally, if you're also looking for gift ideas for the older loved ones on your list, scroll down to our 2010 Gift Guide for Tweens, Teens, and Adults, compiled by Dianne R. McCann.

Have a great holiday!

Suggestions are arranged by category. Within the categories, items are arranged according to age, youngest to oldest. Suggested ages were not available for all products; when provided, they have been included. Prices listed are manufacturers’ suggested retail prices, provided several months prior to the publication of this guide. Baltimore’s Child cannot be responsible for price or availability changes.

Looking Forward to the Holidays

Kids of all ages can enjoy the anticipation of Christmas day with the Nativity Advent Calendar from Fisher-Price. Starting on December 1, your child adds a soft, stuffed character to the scene daily through December 25 when the Christ child completes the story. Ages 18 mos.-up. $30. Catalog exclusive, 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

This unique set of four wooden Jewish Traditions Puzzles represents Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, and Passover. Prepare for the festival of lights with your child, exploring the rituals featured on the Chanukah puzzle. Ages 3-up. $29.95. One Step Ahead catalog. 800-274-8440, www.onestepahead.com.

Just right for little hands, the 12-piece Plush Nativity Set will familiarize little ones with the story of the nativity. They will enjoy setting up and moving around the 4-inch soft people and animals. The stable closes to hold all the pieces. All ages. $49.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Begin your holiday excitement with a family movie night featuring The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation, the sequel to the popular movie The Dog who Saved Christmas. Join the Bannister family again, this time on their trip to a beautiful Rocky Mountain ski lodge where they encounter obnoxious relatives and the hooligans who tried to ruin their Christmas the previous year. A laugh-filled adventure for the whole family. $19.98. Available on amazon.com for pre-order prior to the December 7, 2010 release.

Baby and Toddler

The Plush Turtle Ball Pit provides safe, portable fun for your little one. This charming plush turtle sports a colorful soft shell of many textures and colors and can hold a set of 25 bright, lightweight plastic balls to toss and roll around in. Best of all, it zips up to store the balls when not in use. Ages 6 mos.-3 yrs. Turtle $16.95. Set of 25 balls $4.95. ABC Distributing catalog. www.abcdistributing.com.

Dr. Suess’ One, fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish comes “alive” for your tot with the One Fish, Two Fish Fishbowl, featuring five colorful fish that make a cacophony of interesting sounds. A great tool to teach counting and colors. Ages 9 mos.-up. $24.95. Add the Dr. Seuss classic book for $8.95. One Step Ahead catalog. 800-274-8440, www.onestepahead.com.

These adorable little friends will help your toddler learn to dress with ease. The Learn-to-Dress Dolls feature buttons, laces, ties, and more, for your child to practice 10 dressing skills in all. Choose from “Jake” sporting a baseball cap and carrying a skateboard, or “Emma” complete with purse and teddy bear. These cuddly dolls with removeable clothing are machine washable. Ages 18 mos.-up. $29.95 each. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Your little one will enjoy playing with Noah and his friends, two-by-two, with Fisher-Price’s Noah’s Ark. The plastic ark comes in two pieces, with a detachable deck, and contains 20 chunky animals and, of course, Noah. A great way for your tot to re-enact the Old Testament bible story. Ages 1-4. $40. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

Chase away those nighttime fears with A Light in the Night, an adorable little stuffed friend that lights up when his tummy is pressed. Any time your tot is frightened, he has only to hug his cuddly pal to brighten up his room and his outlook. Gift set comes with a coordinating board book as well as the super-soft plush friend. Ages 24 mos.-up. $34.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Baby will join the jet set with the Peek-a-Zoom airplane from Bright Starts. This colorful plane has rolling wheels and makes airplane sounds as your child plays. Best of all, three surprise characters, each with its own melodies and sounds, pop out from the top as the plane rolls along. $14.99. Target, Walmart, amazon.com.

It will be hard to resist all the cute baby gifts tucked into Apple Park’s Holiday Gift Crate. Contents include The Apple Park Picnic Pals board book, Picnic Pal soft teething toy, Picnic Pal finger puppet, cotton baby cloth, and one of the five Picnic Pal characters. Choose from Monkey, Lamby, Cubby, Bunny or Ducky. All products are made with eco-friendly materials. $40. www.applepark.com, amazon.com.

Cuddly Friends

Any dinosaur worth his salt has a roar to impress his friends. Big Roarin Rex, a favorite Toy Story 3 movie character, just waits for his young friends to squeeze him, and he roars with the best of them. Squeeze him harder, and his roar is louder. Ages 2-6. $25. Fisher-Price. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com

These little stuffed friends don’t just cuddle with your youngster, they sing as well. Sing-a-ma-jigs are colorful soft puppies in five colors and styles. Squeeze their tummies and they will sing solo, sing in harmony with one another, or chatter in conversation with your child. Their mouths open as they do, proudly displaying their teeth and tongues inside. Ages 3-up. $13 each. Fisher-Price. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

These adorable Blanket Babies will be there for your child to hug and cuddle. The collection includes a bear, kitty, and monkey, each with cute faces and detachable blankets. $39.95 set of three. $14.95 each. Toys to Grow On catalog. 800-987-4454, www.ttgo.com.

Oh, You Beautiful Doll!

The little girl in your life will tire out long before the Play All Day Baby Doll does. This little lady recognizes motion and different playful positions like bouncing, dancing, and more, and she responds with more than 50 sounds and phrases. She is 14 inches tall and dressed in adorable play clothes. Ages 2-up. $35. Fisher-Price. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com

A spot of tea, anyone? Your little girl can have a delightful afternoon tea with her dolls, serving them on a lovely tea table and chairs just perfect for her 18-inch dolls. This wooden set, painted white, is adorned with pink floral details and includes a table and two chairs. Ages 4-up. $39.99. Be sure to take a look at the coordinating ceramic tea set, also decorated with pink flowers. The service for four comes in a gingham-lined wicker basket. Ages 8-up. $15.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Youngsters of all ages will cuddle up with the Basket of Babies, a collection of six, super-soft 10-inch dolls, nestled in a fabric basket. Each doll has a removable sack dress that matches its permanently attached hat. Six new friends for your child in one basket! All ages. $29.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

All Booked Up!

The All About Me! Personalized Photo Book will appeal to even the tiniest baby, as she turns the soft-sewn pages and sees pictures of all her loved ones. The 8-inch book holds up to nine 4”x6” photos and comes with labels to identify Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and more. The cover can be personalized with your child’s name and has a space for her picture as well. Ages infant-up. $19.95. Toys to Grow On catalog. 800-987-4454, www.ttgo.com.

Young readers and non-readers alike will be pleased with any one of a number of Record a Story books from Publications International, Ltd. As their name implies, these books allow a parent, grandparent, or other special adult to read and record the story which will then play back for the youngster as the pages are turned—a great idea for working or traveling parents, distant grandparents, or military service members away from home. Beginning readers can record their own voices reading the story – a means of encouraging a life-long love of reading. Choose from these titles: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Guess How Much I Miss You, Sesame Street: Together at Heart, or Dora the Explorer. Ages 3-up. $19.99. Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Toys R Us, www.record-a-story.com.

Kids will love this geography lesson—one like no other—for the instructor is an adorable little Jack Russell terrier by the name of Mr. Pish. Kids will accompany him as he takes a cross-country trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific in his book Postcards from Mr. Pish, A Cross-Country Journal by photographer and writer K.S. Brooks. His journey starts on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, continues through New England, Quebec, Ontario, the Midwest, the Badlands, Yellowstone, and concludes in Washington state. Along the way he writes some amazing postcards with facts about the state’s history, geography, and the sights he sees. The photos are excellent, and each page has a small U.S. map pinpointing the spot that Mr. Pish is visiting. $14.95. Sales benefit the Arbor Day Foundation. www.mrpish.com, amazon.com.

Ignite the Imagination

Your tiny carpenter will have all the tools of the trade in his or her very own My (Very Soft) First Tool Box. This adorable soft-sculpture tool set includes a hammer, saw, wrench, screwdriver, and more in a soft carrying box that can be personalized. Ages 6 mos.-up. $24.95. One Step Ahead catalog. 800-274-8440, www.onestepahead.com.

Your preschooler will enjoy being down on the farm with Talk of the Farm. This colorful play mat and toy truck feature Buttercup Farm. As your child pushes the truck over the musical notes, the fun begins with the mat responding in all kinds of imaginative ways. A great way to introduce listening skills, simple phrases, and counting. Ages 18 mos.-up. $39.95. Discovery Channel Toys. discoverystore.com.

Playtime will be a “blast” with the Space Adventures Spaceship. This colorful plastic space vehicle features lights, countdown, and blast off sounds, and includes two astronauts and their astro dog for lots of pretend play in outer space. Ages 18 mos.-up. $29.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Just about every kid loves dinosaurs. The Dinos on the Go playset offers your child an afternoon of prehistoric fun. The set includes six squeezable, happy-faced dinosaurs and a carrying case that unzips to create a Jurassic playmat. Ages 18 mos.-up. $19.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Straight from Toy Story 3, the Tri-County Landfill will give your youngster hours of imaginative fun. Can Buzz Lightyear escape? Your child can make it happen! Playset includes Buzz Lightyear and Lotso figures, three aliens, three “tires” to launch, three pieces of junk and bulldozer. Ages 3-8. $50. Fisher-Price. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

Kids can build a domino course in myriad designs with Watch This! Domino Designer. In addition to a whopping 150 colorful dominoes, the play set includes a rolling locomotive to fill with dominoes and set in motion; a looping car track with car; a bridge; a gorilla launching a hang glider; and more. All accessories are designed to start the domino chain reaction. Ages 3-up. $29.95. Additional 200 dominoes $9.95. Toys to Grow On catalog. 800-987-4454, www.ttgo.com.

Take those Matchbox and Hotwheels cars out of that plain bucket and store them instead in this Super-Rig Carrier. The 24 1/4-inch long, eight-wheel car carrier “rig” can hold up to 44 die-cast cars. The truck even sports a handy built-in handle for portability. Ages 4-up. $37.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Your kids will be able to build just about anything imaginable with Connectagons, a huge assortment of wooden pieces with slots, in an array of colors, patterns, and shapes, that fit together slot-to-slot. Choose from original Connectagons or Connectagons Geometry (each 240 pieces, $24.98), Under-the-Sea Connectagons (234 pieces with storage bag, $29.98), Treetop Connectagons (242 pieces with storage bag, $29.98), Connectagons Butterflies and Flowers (62 pieces, $19.98) or Connectagons Heart-to-Hearts (120 pieces, $19.98). Ages 4-up. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, www.hearthsong.com.

Bouncing around couldn’t be more fun than this. Kids can pretend they’re riding a pony, hopping on the back of a kangaroo, or leaping from lily pad to lily pad on a frog, when they play on these Hippest Hoppers bouncers. These 18-inch rubber balls are covered with soft plush, removable “animal” covers with a friendly face and a handle for hanging on. Choose from pony, kangaroo, or frog. Ages 5-up. $29.95. Sensational Beginnings Toys. 800-444-2147, www.sb-kids.com.

Look close, and you’ll see that the residents of these aquariums are not quite real, but certainly the next best thing. Just fill these attractive little Magic Aquariums with water and a bit of detergent and watch the swimmers swirl and dive just like the real thing. Choose from a frog, fish or crab. Ages 8-up. $15.98 each. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, www.hearthsong.com.

Your youngster can create an entire city with the TOMICA line of die-cast cars, trains, and accessories from TOMY Corp. The line includes seven die-cast cars, three train sets, six accessory sets, six destination sets, and five deluxe play sets that can be laid out in one amazing city. The Mega Station offers a platform for the transportation network, while the police headquarters and fire station play sets are just two of the accessories available for the town. Prices vary. Toys R Us, toysrus.com.

Getting Crafty

Now your youngsters can stow away all their great memories with My Scrapbook Kit. All they need are the photos and mementos—the kit contains the remaining supplies, including a 48-page, spiral-bound scrapbook, design paper, frames, accents, stickers, glitter glue, and even the scissors, providing many happy hours of scrapbooking. Ages 5-11. $19.95. Lakeshore Learning Store, Towson, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

Beads are all the rage these days, and your child will love “getting the word out” with the Secret Message Jewelry Kit. The kit includes nearly 1,000 colorful beads that represent specific letters, numbers, and spaces, as well as 20 decoder cards, elastic, and instructions. Ages 6-up. $24.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Your young artist will enjoy creating a unique stone plaque with the Kids Mosaic Stone Kit. The kit contains a “stone” mix to combine with water and pour into the included mold, as well as smooth colorful stained glass shapes for embedding in the project—a great decoration for the garden, or a keepsake for your youngster. Ages 7-up. $15.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

The Happily Ever Crafters craft kit from the Discovery Channel store is sure to delight any “crafty” kid. Your child will learn to crochet, embroider, and sew, fashioning nine separate projects including a stuffed dog, coin purse, felt brooch, embroidered bandanna, wall hanging, sewing pouch, hair ribbon, bracelets, and a scarf. All instructions and materials are included in a storage case with lid. Ages 8-up. $47.95. Discovery Channel Toys. discoverystore.com.

How cozy your youngster will feel nestled in a Knot-A-Quilt that he or she made. Your child simply ties together the fleece squares with fringe to make a colorful quilt to keep warm or use for decoration. Choose from the original Knot-A-Quilt with 48, 9-inch squares in six bright colors ($24.98) or the Starry Sky Knot-A-Quilt with 30, 11-inch squares in night-inspired colors and star patterns ($29.98). Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, hearthsong.com.

Outdoor Fun

This riding toy will be with your little one until he is safely on the road by himself. The Rock, Roll ‘n Ride Trike starts out as a rocking toy for your tot. The rocker converts to a parent-assist handle, and your toddler will begin to pedal with help from you. When he’s ready, you remove the handle, and your youngster is happily riding on his own. Everything converts easily—no tools necessary. Ages 1 1/2-5. $50. Fisher-Price. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

My First Skates from Fisher-Price make learning to skate a breeze. These inline skates have three settings: “skate walk” with wheels locked, roll forward only, and finally, roll forward and backward. Rear wheels are spaced apart for stability, and hook and loop fastenings make on and off easy for little fingers. In Barbie or plain silver styles. Ages 2-up. $25. 800-747-8697, fisher-pricestore.com.

Don’t just take a walk in the woods. With Science on a Nature Walk you and your child can hike and enjoy creative field experiments. This kit contains everything you need, including binoculars, butterfly net, magnifying glass, whistle, tracking guide, and more. Ages 4-12. $24.99. National Wildlife Federation Catalog. 800-756-3752, www.shopnwf.org.

There are probably not too many of us in the central Maryland area looking forward to another winter like the one we had last year. But, the Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge may have your whole family looking forward to the first snowstorm of the season. This rugged plastic sled features a lever for steering and stability. At 3 1/2 lbs. it is compact and easy to carry, holds up to 250 lbs. and comes in a variety of colors. Ages 5-up. $39.99. BJ’s, Costco, Target, Toys R Us, amazon.com, discoverystore.com, www.zipfy.com.

A fast-moving game of Spikeball is sure to get your teen off the couch and out into the sunshine. The game includes a hula hoop-sized net, placed at ankle level, and a palm-sized ball. Two teams of two spike the ball onto the net, positioning it so that the rebound goes in the direction of the opposing team. Teams have up to three hits to control the ball and return it to their opponent. If they fail, the other team scores a point. The game is won at 21 points. Great exercise, and lots of fun in the bargain! $49.99. www.spikeball.com.

Get in the Game

Hopscotch isn’t just for outdoors anymore. This Indoor Hopscotch features brightly colored foam pieces from 1 to 10 that fit together like a puzzle. Four tossing markers are included to land on the proper number and be scooped up by your hopping, giggling youngster. Ages 3-up. $35.95. Sensational Beginnings Toys. 800-444-2147, www.sb-kids.com.

These bumper cars look just like the real thing, only in miniature. The Bumper Car Game features two colorful 5-inch bumper cars and two remote controls. Kids bump their opponent’s car, hitting all three bumpers to win the game. Ages 4-12. $29.95. Toys to Grow On catalog. 800-987-4454, www.ttgo.com.

Add a bug, take one away! That’s how the Add-A-Bug Math Game is played. Kids roll the dice and move around the game board, adding and subtracting bugs all along the way. The player with the most bugs at the end of the game is the winner. Game includes a bright game board, four game pieces, 45 plastic bugs in four clear storage containers, and two soft dice. Ages 4-up. $24.95. Toys to Grow On catalog. 800-987-4454, www.ttgo.com.

It’s a matching game, it’s bingo, it’s a guessing game, all rolled into one. Animal Tracks will have your youngster matching a variety of animals to their tracks in a number of challenging ways. Ages 5-up. $14.99. National Wildlife Federation Catalog. 800-756-3752, www.shopnwf.org.

Dinosaurs are the play pieces in this Jurassic game. Your children will battle their way to the Dino Cave playing Dino-Bump, a fast-moving board game for two to six players. The game includes a large colorful game board and six 5-inch dinosaurs of various types. Ages 5-up. $24.95. www.luvyduvy.com.

This “hot potato” has the music built right in! Squeeze the Electronic Hot Potato to start the music, pass it around, and whoever is holding it when the music stops is out of the game. The charming silly face on the huggable potato is sure to give everyone the giggles. Ages 5-up. $21.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Hasbro has a new take on two popular games this holiday season. Sorry! Spin features a rotating game board. Getting “home” is even more unpredictable than before. $24.99. Kids will still be all twisted up playing Twister Hoopla, but the difference is they become the game mat as the dots are turned into rings that players use to connect to one another and score points. $19.99. Ages 6-up. Toys R Us, Target, amazon.com.

Watch out for the moldy cheese! While kids are playing the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cheese Touch Game, they’ll encounter many creative, social, and intellectual challenges all around the game board. But, they need to be on their toes—a wrong answer could get them stuck in the stinky cheese that was found on the basketball court. If your youngster enjoys the Wimpy Kid books, he’s sure to have a blast playing this game. Ages 7-up. $19.99. amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, Toys R Us.

The Find It Kids Game is a unique version of “I Spy.” Hidden among a host of colorful beads in a 10-1/2-inch clear cylinder are 48 assorted surprises, waiting to be discovered by your youngster. The challenge is to find all 48. $19.98. The Deluxe version of the game features 84 items, 123 playing cards, a timer, spinner, and scoring pad, making the game more challenging, and even more fun. $34.98. Ages 8-up. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, hearthsong.com.

Your child can get in on the chess craze with the Once a Pawn a Time Chess Teacher game. The set includes two full-color storybooks—one introducing the chess pieces and the other game strategy—game board, playing pieces, and velvet storage bag. Ages 8-up. $29.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Learning Fun

Your preschooler can tour the world with the Fly and Discover Talking Globe that features a simple joystick kids use to “fly” around the world, collecting fun facts all along the way. Five learning modes teach about the continents, oceans, animal facts, music, customs, and more. Music and sound effects add to the fun. Ages 3-up. $36.95. National Geographic Catalog. 888-225-5647, www.shopng.org.

Your child can discover an endless array of fascinating facts about our universe while exploring the 3-D Solar System and Talking Planetarium. The 10-inch movable Solar System model features a light-up sun. The interactive planetarium will engage your youngster with pictures and icons to press to hear more than 1,000 facts and challenging questions and answers. Ages 5-up. $44.99. Constructive Playthings Toys. 800-832-0572, www.cptoy.com.

Jamie and Adam, the Discovery Channel MythBusters, present some of the best sports myths for your young scientist to confirm or bust in their latest science kit MythBusters Science of Sports Kit. Your youngster will learn that science plays a major role in sports, and a successful athlete will learn to use his or her brain as well as muscles. Why does a curve ball curve? Where is the “sweet spot” on the bat? These and many more myths are in the kit to be tested. Ages 9-up. $19.95. Discovery Channel Toys. discoverystore.com.

Kids in the Kitchen

If you have an aspiring kitchen helper in your house, he or she will love the Playful Chef Set of child-size utensils. The set includes 10 color-coded utensils to help children choose the right tools for each step in any of the five included recipes. A colorful apron completes the set. Ages 3-6 (red apron), 6-8 (blue apron). $39.98. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, www.hearthsong.com.

Nickelodeon characters Dora and Diego invite your child to have fun in the kitchen exploring the 50 yummy recipes found in Dora and Diego Let’s Cook cookbook for kids. Your youngster will learn about measuring, stirring, and decorating as she whips up such recipes as Pirate Adventure Pizza Coins and Incan Quinoa Pudding. As an added bonus, she’ll be introduced to a host of Spanish words and phrases. Ages 4-8. $16.95. amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com.


It’s Electric! Electronics for All Ages

Your preschooler will feel just like a big kid with a Wii video game just for him. JumpStart Pet Rescue not only shows kids a good time, but gives them a chance to practice pre-reading, memory, and listening skills. Youngsters explore a jungle, beach, neighborhood, and various other spots on a mission to rescue lost pets. As they progress they earn special virtual rewards, adopt and care for cuddly pets, and design the perfect avatar. Ages 3-6. $19.99. Walmart, Toys R Us, Best Buy, amazon.com.

Your youngster will enjoy learning with the Vtech-MobiGo Portable Learning System. This kid-tough learning device features a slide-out keyboard and touch-screen technology. Your child will be having so much fun he’ll hardly notice he is developing fundamental skills in math, vocabulary, spelling, logic, and more. Ages 3-7. $59.99. Best Buy.

Take any book in your child’s library, and record the story in your own voice for him to play back, using Franklin Electronics’ AnyBook Reader. Just place a special sticker on each page, tap the sticker with the AnyBook Reader device, and record the words on each page. Your youngster then uses the device to tap the stickers to hear your voice as he turns the pages and the story unfolds. A distant relative or a military service person far from home can record a story, and your child will enjoy and recall the sound of his or her voice any time. As an added feature, beginning readers can record their own voices as they discover a new book. Ages 3-up with adult. $39.99 (15 hours), $59.99 (60 hours). www.franklin.com/anybook.

Your holiday celebration will be faithfully recorded by your child using the Crayola 3-in-1 Digital Camera. Just right for little hands, this camera has a rubberized casing to protect it, and a 1-inch square preview screen. It stores up to 102 pix and has “Show & Share Creativity” software built in. The camera will also record short videos. Ages 3-up. $69.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Your young secret agent will be thrilled with the Mini Digital 3-in-1 Spy Camera. This nifty wristwatch-size camera, complete with wristband, is expert in still and video photography and serves as a web cam. It takes up to 243 digital photos, and comes with USB cable, software CD, LCD display panel, 12 settings, and, of course, user guide. Ages 8-up. $24.95. Young Explorers catalog. 800-239-7577, youngexplorers.com.

Take Sesame Street friends along with you wherever you go with a Sesame Street Video USB drive. These drives in the shape of any one of seven of your child’s favorite characters feature a full-length character-themed educational movie, direct access to the Sesame Street website, and memory capacity to store up to 400 songs, photos, or unlimited amount of written content. Not to worry—they are all water-, dust-, and drop-proof. $38.75. amazon.com.

The ever-popular feline, Hello Kitty, now stars in her new video game for Wii, Hello Kitty Seasons. Your youngster will be challenged to create a character and manage SanrioTown populated by such favorite characters as My Melody, Keroppi, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, and others, as well as Kitty herself. Players’ missions change as the seasons change, with new challenges and rewards all along the way. Great fun for the whole family! $29.99. amazon.com.

Here’s a “spider” that’s not likely to have you running from the room. The Skitterbot micro-robotic bug is creepy, crawly, and capable of traveling at the rate of one foot per second. Available in red, blue, clear, and green, the Skitterbot comes with a 5-button remote and a retractable USB charger. Buy several in different colors, and race them; each color operates on a different frequency. $19.99. Radio Shack, Toys R Us, www.mydeskpets.com.

Stocking Stuffers

Talk about bling—these flashy Finger Rings will never go unnoticed. This set of eight light-up jelly rings comes in four different colors. Ages 3-up. $12.98. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, www.hearthsong.com.

The Light-Up Slinky is not your father’s slinky, or even the slinky you remember. This slinky “slinks” in the usual way, but your youngster can change its color with the click of a button. Ages 5-up. $9.98. Hearth Song Catalog. 800-325-2502, www.hearthsong.com.

A Gift that Gives Back

Treat your youngster to a cuddly new stuffed animal in a variety of delightful “species” from IKEA, and one euro will be donated by the retailer to UNICEF and Save the Children for educational programs throughout the world. To help out locally, buy a stuffed animal and donate it to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Children’s Program. Your purchase will comfort a local child and still generate a euro for the charities mentioned above. $2.99-$14.99. Or purchase a SUNNAN solar-powered lamp in one of a rainbow of colors, and IKEA will donate an identical lamp for a child to read by in a spot around the world with no electricity. $19.99. IKEA stores, www.ikea.com.

Last spring’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico brought to light the plight of marine life there and in other parts of the world. For a one-of-a-kind gift, consider giving a satellite-tracked adopted sea turtle from the Sea Turtle Conservancy. The Conservancy sponsors regional and international conservation, education, and research programs. Your recipient will have the privilege of naming his or her adoptee and will be able to track the turtle’s migration online at www.conserveturtles.org. For a donation of $25 he or she will receive a personalized adoption certificate, a Sea Turtle Conservation Guide, a one-year subscription to Sea Turtle Conservancy’s membership publication, and more. Additional membership levels include gifts such as turtle plushes for kids, t-shirts, and holiday ornaments. adoptaseaturtle.org, 800-678-7853. BC


And now for a little shopping advice...


NAPPA Looks Out for the Best Buys for Kids
If you haven’t seen just the right gift in our 2010 Gift Guide, check out the National Parenting Publications Awards’ (NAPPA) “Parenting Resources 2010 Winners” online. NAPPA is one of the oldest and most comprehensive awards programs for children’s products, helping parents make the best choices for their children. Click on “This Year’s Winners!” to find the best age-appropriate toys, books, DVDs, CDs, software, and video games to help round out your holiday shopping list. Visit www.parenthood.com/nappa/parenting_resources_2010.php.

Ways to Save:
Bargain Hunter’s Websites
You’ll find coupons, great deals and savings on clothing for the whole family, toys, electronics, sporting goods, and much more, from scores of companies, including Barnes and Noble, The Gap, JC Penney, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Toys R Us, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Babies R Us, amazon.com, and hundreds more. Carve out a half-hour or more, and sit down to browse these comprehensive websites loaded with bargains.
DealHunting.com
CurrentCodes.com
DealCoupon.com
GottaDeal.com
Don’t overlook Facebook, where businesses often offer special deals to members on their pages, and Twitter, where you’ll find coupons from popular retailers.

Savings on Video Games and More
If you’re shopping for a gift for a video game fan, or you are one yourself, don’t miss all that www.sayswap.com has to offer. Here you can buy or trade games at greatly reduced prices. Post your list of games to sell or trade and the list of new-to-you games you’re looking for. Sit back and await an offer.
Visit Swap.com, list those video games, books, music, and DVDs that are gathering dust on your shelves, and wait for the website to offer a list of all that is available to you FREE in a direct swap with another Swap user. You pay only the cost of shipping, unless you’re lucky enough to find someone nearby your home to trade with in person.

Smart Holiday Spending
Having looked over this vast array of gifts, is your head spinning? Are you wondering where to begin?
The folks at Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., a nonprofit educational credit counseling and debt management organization, have some practical advice in their “Holiday Survival Guide.” You can download a free copy of the guide online at www.ConsolidatedCredit.org. Here is just a brief summary with a few tips, hints, and warnings from CCCS to keep in mind.
• Begin your shopping by making a holiday giving budget, and do your best to stick to it. You may want to ask adult family members to set spending limits on gifts or to consider drawing names for giving. Let your youngsters know that there is a budget for their gifts, and ask them to prioritize their wish list. You might want to give them gift cards for some of the items on their lists and hit the mall after the holiday for great bargains.
• Before setting out to shop, make a list of those you are buying for, with possible gift purchases, each marked with a dollar limit. Check newspapers, catalogs, and ads to determine where you need to go to buy and which stores have the best prices on the items on your list. Start your shopping early enough so that there is plenty of time to comparison shop.
• Keep track of how much you’ve spent. And remember, things like taxes, gift wrap, postage, and shipping all add up – budget for them also.
• Consider using cash in lieu of credit. Decide how much you want to spend and take just that amount of money with you shopping. Or use debit cards or your checkbook.
• If you decide to use plastic, use no more than two credit cards – one with a low rate for any purchases that you may need to pay for over a period of time. CCCS recommends that you keep in mind “…you are the best judge of what you can comfortably manage. Just because you have a certain amount of credit available, doesn’t mean you should use all of it between Thanksgiving and New Years. REMEMBER: Never borrow more than you can reasonably pay off. Giving gifts should be a gesture, not a sacrifice.”
• If you are shopping online, use credit cards. If you’re scammed, you generally are not responsible for any more than $50. Shop at companies you’re familiar with. And most importantly when you enter the shopping cart or the e-commerce area of a site, remember that secure servers show “https” instead of simply “http” at the beginning of their website’s address or URL. Don’t include credit card information or personal information like social security numbers in an email - legitimate shopping websites use special forms. Stay away from unsolicited email offers as they are often scams.
With a lot of planning and a little common sense, your holiday shopping can be a pleasurable prelude to the delight of the season.

Happy Holidays!