'Tis the Season
Kid-Friendly Tablet
OK, so maybe I just wanted my iPad back. No judging.
Actually, the Sprout Channel Cubby is the perfect tablet for early learners. Not only is the device pre-loaded with educational content from the adorable Sprout channel (hello, preschool-friendly songs and videos), it's also easy for toddlers to hold without shattering it and offers a parental dashboard to limit time and content for kids. The 7-inch high-resolution screen is also a plus.
And at less than $100, it's competitively priced, too!
To buy: Walmart, $99
Clever Clothing
We are a family that loves books. With parents who are English and history majors, this 2-year-old had no chance but to wear literary clothing.
Luckily for him, Out of Print offers kids' tees that are colorful, cute and can show off their favorite books, bypassing nerdy and going straight for hip.
For chilly California nights—and trips east to visit family—the insulated trapper hat is great for keeping little ears warm. The water-repellant finish works well in rain, and the velcro closure is easily adjustable for growing kiddos.
And boots that fit over shoes, comfortably? Sold!
To buy: 1. Out of Print, $20; 2. Nordstrom, $50; 3. Polarn O. Pyret, $39
Kids' Magazine
While a bevy of books is always nice for a full, albeit pint-sized, bookshelf, getting stories in the mail is gold for a little boy or girl.
With Babybug, little brother to the famous Cricket magazine, children ages 6 months to 3 years can enjoy pictures and stories in a magazine that sports rounded corners, nontoxic ink and no staples.
To buy: Babybug, $34 for one-year subscription
Thomas the Tank Engine
In addition to Elmo, my son is obsessed—obsessed!—with Thomas the Tank Engine. He loves pushing the little trains around hallways and floors while shouting "choo-choo train" or "puddy" (aka "Percy," Thomas' fellow train friend).
He would go absolutely wild for an actual activity table, complete with a train set and storage bin. Hours of fun for sure! (OK, minutes. He is a toddler, after all.)
To buy: Walmart, $60
Craft Boxes
As we all know, building kits are big draws for boys and girls. And whether it's a subscription craft box with a new project that arrives every month or a kit that screams #GirlPower to the tops of all those glass ceilings, I'm all for it.
Kiwi Crate features projects that spotlight the holidays (hello, adorable gingerbread house!), science, art and animals, just to name a few.
You might know Goldieblox sets from their provocative ads, which call girl-centric stereotypes into question. With GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine, kids can build their own zoetrope, promoting both engineering skills and creativity.
To buy: 1. Kiwi Crate, $17; 2. GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine, $30
Animals and Adventure Books
My 7-year-old daughter is all about animals and adventure, almost always at the same time.
One of her favorite TV shows is "Wild Kratts" on PBS Kids, so I was thrilled when the show launched a toy line that inspires kids to re-enact creature-powered play.
While she would also love to bring home a real arctic fox, sadly that's not in our domestic animal plans. However, the World Wildlife Fund lets visitors "adopt" animals online, and kids receive a plush animal and adoption certificate in the process.
Second grade wouldn't be the same without the "Magic Tree House" series by author Mary Pope Osbourne. Whether her kid heroes are time-traveling to dino times or ancient Egypt, young readers will love these history-based adventures.
To buy: 1. Wild Kratts Creature Power Pack, $13; 2. World Wildlife Fund, $55; 3. "Magic Tree House" books, various
