Christmas Gifts
Kids Book
BJ Novak's "Book With No Pictures" is exactly what it sounds like…except it should be called "The Funniest Book Ever With No Pictures." The rules of the book are simple: You need to read what the words say. Get ready for loads of bedtime laughs and giggles—I promise you won't mind reading this one over and over (and over) again.
To buy: Amazon, $11
Game Device
My 5-year-old has been talking about the Wii U ever since he discovered Lego City Undercover and can't wait to get his hands on this gamepad-cum-joystick. The games are all about good cop Chase McCain finding his nemesis Rex Fury through all of Lego City. Game on.
To buy: Wii U, $299; Lego City Undercover, $28; Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins, $28
Ride-Along Train
With an age gap of 4.5 years between the two kids, I was looking for something that would engage both, and happily discovered this ride-along train. Great for introducing letters and numbers to the babe while the big kid gets to play conductor. Choo Choo!
To buy: V Tech Train, $32
Coloring Poster
Even though we don't live there anymore, our little guy is a New Yorker through and through. This over-sized coloring poster will bring back loads of memories while creating some cool giant artwork, in the process, to hang in his room.
To buy: MoMa Store, $28
Dollhouse
A classic Colonial is exactly the type of house I'd always dreamt of having so why not finally get it (albeit in 1-inch scale)? Even though this 3-story wonder is for ages 12 and up, having this piece now will give us years of decorating plans and projects.
To buy: Hayneedle, $237
Engineering Kit
Learning through hands-on experiments is the best kind of learning and this engineering kit offers 25 projects to get the older kid excited about science. The best kind of fun for wet, snowy days.
To buy: National Geographic, $37
