Gifts For Kids

We have a very large backyard and we’re fortunate to be living next-door to my in-laws. Guess what Grandpa’s favorite game with the kids is? It’s the perfect mild exercise, combined with a fun challenge for any age: Croquet!

The concept is simple enough, and with the right rule adjustments, even toddlers can play. With summer weather gradually getting cooler, I think this beautiful set of animal-shaped Croquet for kids can be a perfect late-summer gift for families with kids. The colorful animal characters stand out in any backyard and are very attractive for all ages -

Animal Croquet by Anatex - check it out here for details and pricing

It’s been a few weeks without any posts on this blog. You can blame summer vacation for that too. No school makes for a busy mom here, with less time to spend on the keyboard…

Finally, school is just around the corner, and we’re starting to get things ready. I figured this would be a good time to take a look at the most popular school bags around. A quick look around Amazon’s best sellers shows that not much has changed in terms of popular brand names. JanSport is still the bestselling brand, and for a good reason too. I used their bags myself during my college years. They make good, solid backpacks, that are comfortable and last for years. High Sierra models are also very popular, and between those two brands, you can find affordable good school backpacks and bags that will last for years.

Here are some of the most popular models this year. Click on the image for more details or to order from Amazon - you can join their new Amazon Prime service for a free 2-days delivery and get these in time for the new school year. Each of these models comes in a variety of colors and designs, so click and see which can be the perfect gift for your high-schooler.

JanSport The Hex Backpack

High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack

JanSport 8-Track Messenger Bag

If you’re looking for a gift for a young computer wiz, then the Imagine video games series might offer a solution. Myself, I love Sim style games, and sales statistics show that I am not alone. They are considered girly games, but my young boys, especially the six and a half yo love them too. These games are educational. They are not only non-violent and gore-free, they also offer some learning experience, by teaching kids about various professions. A few titles you may want to consider -

Imagine: Animal Doctor - simulating running a veterinairy clinic and teaching kids not only to care for the animals, but also some basic business skills.

Imagine: Master Chef - Nifty game for kids who enjoy cooking. They actually get into their virtual kitchen where they can follow recipes, “chop” up ingredients and prepare food.

Imagine: Fashion Designer - an excellent gift for a fashion oriented kid, allowing them to combine cuts, fabrics and colors to create their own clothing lines, and let’s not forget accessories!

Click on any of the three links to see the product page in Amazon. Don’t forget to hover over the product image, as it will show you screenshots of what the games actualy look like.

How about this for a unique gift idea for kids: A subscription to a high-quality entertaining children’s magazine. And what better than Highlights Magazine? It’s been around for ages, and it’s still the same high quality as always. Here, let me give you three reasons why Highlights makes a great gift for school kids who can read on their own -

1. Make them feel important - getting their own stuff in the mail is so cool.

2. Make them use their brains - reading itself is good for that, but this magazine is always packed with puzzles, riddles, science projects and so much more.

3. Keep them entertained - it’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s full of ideas of actual things to do - it will keep them busy in a positive way.

Oh, and I actually have a fourth - no advertisements in this magazine. A huge plus in this day and age when our kids are bombarded by ads literally everywhere.

This isn’t the kind of gift that you walk into a birthday party with. It’s not necessarily tangible at the moment of giving, so to speak. I do think it’s a perfect gift from loving grandparents to their grandchild who lives far away, a gift that keeps arriving once a month for a whole year, bonding generations together. All that at under $3 a month - less than a cup of coffee. Can’t really beat that, IMO.

Click here to get your subscription from Amazon

Still on the topic of pet related gifts, I thought I’d share some of the findings from Amazon in the clothes for kids and babies department. These items are so cute, that I think just showing the pictures is incentive enough to get them! If you’re looking for a gift for a little girl who loves cats, these would be perfect (warning: some of these are winter items, but I couldn’t resist including them!):

Birki’s Toddler/Little Kid Cat Woodby Clog

Kid’s Pink Kitty Cat Raincoat / Slicker

Western Chief Toddler/Little Kid Kitty Pink Rain Boot

White Cat Slippers for Toddler Girls

Infant Girls’ iTalk Disney Cat Talking Tee - White