'Smart' Holiday Gifts for Kids
Dec. 13, 2005 — -- Santa faces the dilemma every year -- what to get the kids that will make them happy but also be "good" for them -- fun, engaging toys that also engage them creatively, intellectually or physically. "Good Morning America" parenting contributor Anne Pleshette Murphy took a look at this season's best bets for kids.
Imagination/Creativity
Dora's Talking Kitchen
This kitchen set with sink, refrigerator, oven, food and life-sized Dora doll is based on the top-rated Nickelodeon show "Dora the Explorer." Interactive recipe cards encourage kids to identify foods in English and Spanish. It's a traditional creative toy, and the electronic features add to learning.
For ages 2 and up. Needs 3 AA batteries, included. From Fisher Price.
Cost $79.99
V Cam Now
For your future filmmaker, a digital video camera designed for 'tweens that can capture sound video or still images, which can be uploaded to a home computer or shown on TV. It has enough memory for hundreds of photos and several minutes of video.
For ages 8 and up. Needs 2 AA batteries. From Hasbro.
Costs $79.99.
Fly Pentop Computer
Using the pen, a special notebook and the appropriate application cartridge, a child can play music, translate written words into spoken words, practice spelling and math, and translate words into Spanish. It gives real-time audio feedback as kids write and draw.
For kids ages 8 to 13. From Leap Frog.
Costs $99.99; applications cost between $4.99 and $34.99.
Love of Learning
Alpha-Bug Step 'n' Spell
This toy is like the floor piano from the movie "Big," except it's for spelling. It's an interactive, talking floor mat that helps teach the alphabet, letter sounds, vowel recognition and short words with music.
For ages 3 and up. Needs 3 AA batteries, not included. From Learning Resources.
Costs $39.99.
Explorer Smart Globe
Using the included "smart pen," kids can tap on a state, country or continent and hear information, including capital, size, population, flying time between two points, national anthems and more. A good gift for the geographically challenged adult as well.
For ages 8 and up. Takes 2 AAA batteries for pen and 4 AA batteries for globe, not included. From Oregon Scientific.
Costs $129.99.
Digital Microscope
For your future "CSI" detective, this microscope can magnify and display tiny objects onto a computer. There's a detachable digital microscope/camera that allows kids to view things up close. Also has six prepared slides.
For ages 10 and up. From Museum Tour.
Costs $89.95.
Fitness/Physcial Activity
Xavix Interactive Sports
It's an interactive PlayStation-like game that uses human interface sensors to allow TV to respond directly to a user's actions. Games include baseball, tennis, bowling and golf. Kids can practice on their own or play a two-person game.
For ages 8 and up. From Xavix.
System costs $79.99; games cost between $49.99 and $79.99.
Musical Dress
A musical recording is hidden within an interior pocket of the skirt, and the music is activiated by motion. Kids can dance and sing along to "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake" or Hawaiian music. An "on/off" switch allows for quiet play.
For ages 3 to 6. Batteries included. From Acting Out.
Costs $30.
Chicken Limbo
Kids limbo under a bar, where a chicken sits and plays music. If you hit the chicken while going under the bar, it squawks "gotcha," and you're out. A fun, interactive party game.
For ages 8 and up. Takes 3 AAA batteries, not included. From Hasbro.
Costs $19.99.