Stocking Stuffers
Word Teasers Small Fry is a refreshing, low-tech activity that is great for roadtrips, rainy afternoons or playdates. These portable flashcards contain random, fast facts about all kinds of subjects. Young readers will get a kick out of practicing their reading while playing the game. Even parents will come away with nuggets of knowledge, such as the little known fact that owls are the only birds that can see the color blue. Who knew?! (Word Teasers also has sets for older kids.) Ages 4-6. The School Box. $14.95
Crayola Color Alive takes coloring books to a whole new level, using a free app for Android and iPhone. Color the image, then scan it with your phone, and the app brings it “alive” with movement. Characters include Barbie, Minions, Skylanders and more. Ages 5 and older. At major retailers. $5.99-$6.49
DK is known for publishing engaging books, even for the youngest readers. My First Library and Sophie’s Little Library (the adventures of Sophie la giraffe) will delight infants before they can read. Ages infant and older. At retailers and online. My First Library, $16.99; Sophie’s Little Library, $19.99
Water Wow! Connect the Dots by Melissa & Doug is a paint-with-water coloring books with four reusable pages. Use the pen to color each scene in this farm-themed book and when the pages dry the color disappears and they’re ready to use again. Ages 4 and older. At Hobbytown and The School Box. $4.99
The storybook adventures of adorable Pete the Cat, who has captivated hundreds of thousands of children, is now available as a plush doll and as a backpack zipper pull. Younger kids will enjoy snuggling with him as they read the stories and older ones can take him with them as they head to preschool. Ages 2 and older. At Learning Express and The School Box. Doll $20, zipper pull, $10.
Illooms Balloons from Schylling are so festive they’ll brighten any mood. Each of the 15 rubber latex balloons in the pack come with an LED light that makes it glow for 15 hours. Adult supervision is required for children younger than 8. Ages 3 and older. At Learning Express and Hobbytown Kennesaw. $12.99
Create a personal Blockhead to fit your child’s style with Tegu’s myBlockhead, and choose from a wide range of colors and styles. Ages 3 and older. At tegu.com. $20
Sun-Staches provide protection from UV rays, along with a seriously cool disguise. Be Batman, Santa Claus, a football player or even Sponge Bob Squarepants. Ages infant to adult. At Hobbytown Kennesaw and Sunstaches.com. $12.99
Highlights Hidden Pictures Write-On Wipe-Off activity books and Puzzlemania Puzzle Pads will both bring lots of fun, keep kids busy and fit well into stockings. Write-On Wipe-Off Books, ages 3-6. Puzzlemania Pads, ages 6 and up. At highlights.com. $4.99-8.99
Show off your personality and style with a Style Lab LED watch by Fashion Angels. Showcase your love of kittens, emoticons and many more fun designs on your wrist. At Learning Express. $7.99
For Baby and Toddler, click here.
For Preschool, click here.
For Ages 5-8, click here.
For Tweens, click here.
