Christmas Gifts 2009

Sometimes with the wide array of toy choices, it can be difficult to find the perfect present.  Take the lead from toy industry experts and buy toys that have won awards or have received special recognition. 

Games are always a favorite gift choicer.  During the Christmas holidays, and family is over, kids can all play board games.  One great board game is Blokus, winner of over 20 prestigious awards including Mensa Select.  It is geared towards children 5 years old and up, but adults will enjoy this game as much as the kids do.  Blokus encourages healthy brain activity.  The game rules are rather simple.  The game ends when one person places all of their pieces or if there are no possible moves.  The game includes 400 pieces, a game board and 84 colored playing pieces.  Blokus challenges spatial thinking because each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color but only at the corners.  This game is great for teaching strategy skills.

Another great choice for kids is any toy that allows for creativity.  The Toy Industry Association selected the Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush the Activity Toy of the Year for 2009.  A major issue with coloring has been the mess that kids can leave behind.  That is taken care of with this toy.  Colors will only appear on the special Color wonder paper.  The colors will not show up on skin, walls, carpet or clothing.  Mothers of the world can rejoice!

For the boy who loves remote cars, there is a great Christmas gift 2009.  It is Spinmaster Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro.  Named the Most Innovative Toy of 2009 by the Toy Industry Association, this car can move in 3 dimensions.  It moves across the ground, but what makes it special is that, using special suction devices, it can go up walls and across ceilings.  A little boy will just stand in awe and say “Cool”.

Christmas is a holiday for all children, no matter what capabilities.  However, parents of special-needs children have to search a little more for toys that will be appropriate.  One example is the Nerf Cosmic Catch.  It was awarded the Platinum Seal by Oppenheim Toy Industry in 2006.  It is a game that can be played by the whole family.  Each player wears a colored band around their wrist.  The ball calls out commands such as colors.  If the ball says yellow, the ball is passed to the player with the yellow band.  Play continues accordingly.  This is great for eye-hand coordination, memory and focus.