Holiday Toy Preview

Every kid has that aunt and uncle, the ones who don’t buy toys, but always buy books or something else. If you happen to be “that aunt” or even that parent, here are a couple of cool craft/book ideas that will actually delight the kids. For girls, check out “The Crafty Princess” by Laurie Goldrich Wolf, this book is packed with ideas and materials to make dozens of crafty things girls dig. How about turning flip-flops into fuzzy slippers? Three magic wands enough? Four? Castles, tiaras, and cookie plants are all in there. This is a win-win gift for sure.

And for boys, there’s “Boy Made”, also by Ms. Wolf. The cover has a sling-shot, enough said. Custom slime, melted crayons (you were wondering what to do with those), and googlie eyes galore stock this book with tons of fun. The step by step instructions are so easy, even a parent can do it.

Another book we like is “the Budding Builder” by Laura Laxton. This book has 50 fun-filled activities from toothpick sculptures to bird feeders, it will jump-start your child’s imagination…and yours too!
And while it’s not exactly a craft,

K’Nex are awesome building toys. Their Tinkertoy Transit Building set is great for kids 3 to 6. They can create a train, a garage and more from bendable rods, spools and other pieces. Older Kids (7+) can build a bomber and a racer with K'NEX building sets using classic K'NEX pieces! The Strike Force Bomber has 138 pieces and the Rally Sport Racer has 115 pieces.


For those that can’t get enough of crafts, check out Green Kid Crafts. They have a monthly subscription that includes 3 crafts for your kids. Each month they deliver a different theme, art, science, imagination and more. You can also just send a kit as a gift. And as the name implies, they are green… eco-friendly and non-toxic.


And in the “it’s a craft, it’s a toy” category are the Glo Glo Inkoos, brought to you by The Bridge Direct. A stuffed toy that your kids can draw on. You can throw them in the wash so your kids can draw on them again and again. They come with their own markers, and a “light pen” for glowing designs in the dark.  Now you can yell to your kids “go draw on your toys”, if you are so inclined.