Holiday Gift Picks: Toys! Toys! Toys!

OK, it's time for serious holiday shopping recommendations. I'm not writing an official "gift guide" since I try to give you helpful picks daily, but I will suggest categories of gifts over the next few weeks. First up is toys! This is not an all-inclusive list (you should browse through my year-round toy recommendations for hundreds of other ideas) but just 10 cool toys that might sweeten your holiday gift-giving. They range from eco-friendly indie picks to more mass-produced plastic gizmos, but they're all pure fun (my young "product testers" and I have first-hand experience with several of them).

Also, please note I'll be writing separate posts about gifts for babies/toddlers (ages 0-3) and about personalized holiday gifts for kids. Keep checking back.

Twig ($49.99). A set of 72 colorful carved pieces means hours of open-ended play for your kids (and it actually looks like a toy that parents will enjoy playing with, too).


Dollie & Me (about $29.99 for a doll including outfit, about $30 for girls' outfit with coordinating dolls' outfit). Yes, it will remind you a whole lot of a certain other brand, but without the steep price tag. I received a sample for R. and she liked it just as much. Visit the website for retailers including Kohls and Sears.


Perplexus Maze Game by PlaSmart, Inc. ($19.99). We got one of these as a sample product at last summer's BlogHer conference and my daughter can not put it down. I find it maddening but if your child (or you) loves labyrinth type games, this is an awesome toy.


Gingerbread House Decorating Kit ($55). These felt houses by Twinkle Kids are always a hit and there's no mess to clean up. Pack it up and you're ready to go next year!

Yummy Dough Super Pack ($21.95). There's something about edible play-dough, right? Just add water. Squishy, yummy fun.

Olivia 2-in-1 Real World Playset Dollhouse ($29.99) This new Olivia dollhouse also transforms to a pirate ship- great for boy/girl sibs who both love the show (like my kids).

Pumponator Balloon Pumping Station ($19.95). My son got one of these as a 4th birthday gift. It looks (and sounds) a little cheeky, but it's a great toy, helping kids easily fill water (or regular) balloons. A big hit at the playground.


Melissa & Doug Car Carrier ($18.95). Another simple but wonderfully executed concept by Melissa & Doug. Bonus: the cars are compatible with wooden train tracks.



DC Comics Super Heroine Dress Up Set ($34.95). It is so refreshing to see a dress-up set for girls that does not involve Disney princess. I was thrilled to stumble onto this one at Young Explorers.


"Changeable Charlie" ($19.95) at Stump Pond Toys. These toys are handmade by an 89-year-old former Merchant Marine; "Changeable Charlie" was one of my first picks at the blog in 2007 and remains a favorite toy of both of my kids.