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What happens when you give dozens of parent-and-baby testers some of the newest – and potentially hottest – toys and gear? You get a parent-and-kid-approved list of the must-buy gifts this holiday season.
Welcome to PART IV – the final part in my series of 2012 gift guides – which is aimed at four year olds. In some cases, however, these toys are marked as 4+ and could be gifted for older kids, too. This was a particularly fun age to test with because they’ve got strong opinions and they aren’t afraid to share them. You can be sure that if something’s in this gift guide, it’s because the kids themselves said it absolutely had to be.
I also snuck in just a couple of things that I didn’t think worked for younger than age four but wanted to share nonetheless. I get to make the rules, right?
If you haven’t seen PART I yet, here it is; and here’s Mommy Gearest’s Glorious Gift Guide PART II and PART III. If you’re looking for a round-up of what I consider the top stocking stuffers this year, click here.
And this brings the 2012 gift guides to an end. (Don’t fret – next year I will probably go all the way up to age 10… hey, a girl’s gotta start somewhere.)
Most of all, I wish each of you the most wonderful holiday season. I couldn’t have come this far in 2012 without your support. Thank you for reading, liking and sharing. Thank you for publishing your trials of parenthood with me. Thank you for trusting in what Mommy Gearest has become.
Happy holidays,
Andrea
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What is it? Mighty Mind, an award-winning puzzle and progressive problem-solving activity
What’s it cost? $22.99
Where can I get it? Scholar’s Choice
What is it? BATMAN The Dark Knight Rises U Command BAT-POD with infrared remote control by Thinkway Toys
What’s it cost? $49.99 – but it’s 20 per cent off (just $39.99) until Dec. 2!
Where can I get it? Sears
What is it? PLAY-DOH Diggin’ Rigs Tonka Chuck & Friends Buster the Power Crane
What’s it cost? $23.94
Where can I get it? Walmart
What is it? Lalaloopsy Littles (each one comes with a pet!)
What’s it cost? $19.99
Where can I get it? Canadian Tire
What is it? Mudpuppy Under the Sea Money Bank – with three separate banks: spend, save & share (several designs available)
What’s it cost? $13.99
Where can I get it? RaspberryKids.com
What is it? Disney Chit-Chattin Doc McStuffins
What’s it cost? $29.99
Where can I get it? Toys R Us (temporarily unavailable for purchase online, so find a store)
What is it? Mattel‘s Apptivity Hot Wheels for iPad2 or newer (four interactive vehicles available)
What’s it cost? $19.99
Where can I get it? Showcase Canada
What is it? A 14.5″ Caillou doll with removable clothes (bonus: it doesn’t talk – hooray for not hearing that voice!)
What’s it cost? $34.99 – but it’s 10 per cent off right now (just $29.99)
Where can I get it? Canadian Tire
What is it? The Woofer from B. You Toys (watch the video!)
What’s it cost? $39.95
Where can I get it? Mastermind Toys
What is it? The Barbie Dreamhouse – three stories with an elevator, lights and sound (plus all of the furniture pictured!)…a classic!
What’s it cost? $159.94 (but on sale for $149.99 at Sears until Dec. 2!)
Where can I get it? Walmart
What is it? Marvel Spider-Man Adventures Playskool Heroes Spider-Man Web-Slinger & Mask Set
What’s it cost? $18.83
Where can I get it? Walmart
What is it? Olivia and the Fairy Princesses, written & illustrated by Ian Falconer
What’s it cost? $15.19
Where can I get it? Indigo
What is it? Spot it! Jr Animals card game
What’s it cost? $12.99
Where can I get it? Scholar’s Choice
What is it? Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle – recognizes and responds to different figures & accessories
What’s it cost? $59.94
Where can I get it? Walmart
What is it? Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye found it! Game
What’s it cost? $29.95
Where can I get it? Indigo
What is it? The “Lainey” bracelet from Little Glamour, which features a row of sterling silver-faceted nuggets on a double sterling silver chain (can be made-to-size for your little darling) [enter to win one here!]
What’s it cost? $26
Where can I get it? Etsy
What is it? Kinect Sesame Street TV – eight 30-minute episodes that invite kids to interact with their favourite characters & educational on-screen content
What’s it cost? On sale for $19.99! (Reg. price $29.99 & requires an Xbox Kinect)
Where can I get it? EB Games
What is it? Pop-Arty from B.You Toys – 500 pieces of colourful snap-together jewelry
What’s it cost? $24.97
Where can I get it? DeSerres
What is it? BlackBerry PlayBook 32 GB – perfect size for kids but recommended only with OtterBox Defender Series protective case to kid-proof it!
What’s it cost? Hugely on sale right now for the jaw-droppingly low price of $149.99 (reg. price $599.99) + $79.99 at Best Buy for the case
Where can I get it? The Source
What is it? Hopscotch Kids nail polish – quick-drying, water-based and totally non-toxic PLUS one coat is enough!
What’s it cost? $12.99
Where can I get it? RaspberryKids.com
What is it? Limited Edition HEXBUG Nano Holiday Ornament (hang it on the tree for a Christmas morning surprise)
What’s it cost? $9.99
Where can I get it? Radio Shack
What is it? HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set – and add some real fun to the holiday ornament (above) with a portable “habitat” – comes with one nano (The K Man loves this!)
What’s it cost? $39.95
Where can I get it? Mastermind Toys
What is it? Goody Owls hair gift set – includes two adorable bobby-pin owls with two kinds of matching elastic bands
What’s it cost? $4.29
Where can I get it? Walmart (not available online, so find a store)
What is it? Funky and versatile holiday outfit for your little man
What’s it cost? $12.95 for the sweater + $19.95 for dress shirt/bow tie combo
Where can I get it? H&M (not available online, so find a store)
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As my kids get older, I want to impress upon them that Christmas isn’t just about getting toys and nice-clothes-that-are-only-for-Grandma-and-Grandpa’s-house-and-must-be-removed-before-eating.
While the “spend, save, share” bank from Mudpuppy (above) is a great start, I love the idea of sharing our good fortune with those who have little. That doesn’t mean feeling guilty about buying stuff for your kids, it just means spreading the wealth a bit. Right here in Canada or around the globe.
Though it’s never too early to instill a sense of charity, I don’t believe that either of my kids are quite ready to understand the concept of giving to others. However, if you have a particularly mature kindergartener or older kids, I wanted to include a couple of gift ideas that can make a huge impact on someone else’s life:
- Plan Canada’s Gifts of Hope are tug-at-your-heartstrings goodness. For only $12 – that’s two fancy coffees, people – you can contribute a newborn check-up for mom and baby
- World Vision Gifts offer agricultural and educational gift ideas, and one of my favourites is the “piglets & chicks” donation for $65. There’s something about those baby animals with which I think my kids will truly connect in the next few years
- A couple of years ago, we decided that we would end the ridiculous habit of exchanging gifts among the adults on both sides of my family. (I mean, seriously – do we all need one more gift card or a pair of awkwardly given underwear?) Each year, we take turns selecting an organization and contributing together. It’s basically one of my favourite feelings all year. Our first choice was SickKids because we wanted to do something for people in our own backyard. With its roster of Get Better Gifts, there are a number of ways to make the holidays special for a family with a sick child
DISCLAIMER 1: Plan Canada and The Source are clients of the firm for whom I work. I am not obligated in any way to promote them.
DISCLAIMER 2:The majority of the products featured in this gift guide were provided either to me or to another parent tester. Some were personally purchased. In all cases, products are only considered “gift guide-worthy” if they would receive a minimum 4/5 gears (see “What the gears mean”). Many other products were provided for consideration that are not featured. You can trust that brands/agencies/companies have not paid to be in this gift guide!
Cristy Anne (Doris) says
I love the little sweater from H&M. The colours are so vibrant and its such a cute alternative to some of the boring clothes there are out there for little boys. I find it SO much easier to locate adorable outfits for girls, but this sweater shirt is simply awesome!
Mommy Gearest says
I *love* H&M for cool boys’ clothes!
Cristy Anne (Doris) says
I love the little sweater from H&M. The colours are so vibrant and its such a cute alternative to some of the boring clothes there are out there for little boys. I find it SO much easier to locate adorable outfits for girls, but this sweater shirt is simply awesome!
Mommy Gearest says
I *love* H&M for cool boys’ clothes!
tennille says
Little Glamour has beautiful pieces I especially like theGold tangled ball earrings – wirewrapped gold vermeil yarn ball – matching necklace – delicate everyday jewelry – Helen
tennille says
Little Glamour has beautiful pieces I especially like theGold tangled ball earrings – wirewrapped gold vermeil yarn ball – matching necklace – delicate everyday jewelry – Helen
Jeannie says
What an awesome gift guide. For me, it’s always been easiest for me to buy gifts for other kids if those kids are the same age as mine, but for older kids I’m always at a loss of what appropriate gift to get them.
I’m loving the PLAY-DOH Diggin’ Rigs Tonka Chuck & Friends Buster the Power Crane. Will have to get this for my nephew.
Jeannie says
What an awesome gift guide. For me, it’s always been easiest for me to buy gifts for other kids if those kids are the same age as mine, but for older kids I’m always at a loss of what appropriate gift to get them.
I’m loving the PLAY-DOH Diggin’ Rigs Tonka Chuck & Friends Buster the Power Crane. Will have to get this for my nephew.
Jennifer (@FindingMomtopia) says
We have the barbie townhouse – and it’s amazing!! My 4 year old absolutely adores it and spends hours playing with it in her room.
Mommy Gearest says
It’s just fabulous!! Years of use, I think.
Jennifer (@FindingMomtopia) says
We have the barbie townhouse – and it’s amazing!! My 4 year old absolutely adores it and spends hours playing with it in her room.
Mommy Gearest says
It’s just fabulous!! Years of use, I think.
Marianne says
I really like that the bracelet can be sized smaller to fit smaller children. I also like how it looks, nothing tacky or overly childish about it. Would look great for a little ladies first formal affair (wedding, etc).
Mommy Gearest says
The picture doesn’t even come close to doing it justice, either!
Marianne says
I really like that the bracelet can be sized smaller to fit smaller children. I also like how it looks, nothing tacky or overly childish about it. Would look great for a little ladies first formal affair (wedding, etc).
Mommy Gearest says
The picture doesn’t even come close to doing it justice, either!
Melissa G says
So with much thought and lotsa hands on research in a Target this past summer – we have officially committed to starting our B.Toys collection under our tree this Christmas – I can’t say enough good things about them!
Mommy Gearest says
I completely agree!
Melissa G says
So with much thought and lotsa hands on research in a Target this past summer – we have officially committed to starting our B.Toys collection under our tree this Christmas – I can’t say enough good things about them!
Mommy Gearest says
I completely agree!
chantal wiggins says
The hopscotch kids nail polish is adorable! Safe and pretty.
Mommy Gearest says
I will say that it doesn’t stay on quite as long as a standard nail polish, but it goes on really well and the colours are VIBRANT. Besides, I’d rather re-apply it on my little girl more often than think of the toxins leaching into her body from the other stuff.
chantal wiggins says
The hopscotch kids nail polish is adorable! Safe and pretty.
Mommy Gearest says
I will say that it doesn’t stay on quite as long as a standard nail polish, but it goes on really well and the colours are VIBRANT. Besides, I’d rather re-apply it on my little girl more often than think of the toxins leaching into her body from the other stuff.