Holiday Product Picks

Air Picks
Air Picks are a great choice for kids (age 6 and up) for a small, affordable gift ($11.99). It lets them rock out without the cost of instruments or lessons. “Air Picks contain guitar riffs of iconic rock songs that play with a simple flick of the pick- much like one would strum a guitar string,” describes an Air Picks representative. Air Picks can be purchased at major retailers, including Target.

American Girl Doll of the Year
American Girl is a brand that never fails to impress. Whether it’s a doll that is made to look just like your little girl by customizing hair, eye color and accessories, or a doll straight from one of American Girl’s classic stories, the quality is unmatched.
This year American Girl introduced it’s 2011 Girl of the Year, Kanani. From American Girl, “Kanani loves to share the the aloha spirit of Hawaii with others. She is an 18-inch tall doll with wavy hair and brown eyes. Along with the doll—who arrives wearing a bright tropical dress, a faux hibiscus flower, a pretend kukui nut necklace, ruffled sandals and cotton underwear—comes the Aloha, Kanani paperback book, written by Lisa Yee.”
American Girl products are available through the American Girl catalogue at www.americangirld.com or at any American Girl retail store.

Babycakes Cupcake Maker
Do you have a girl that loves to bake? The Babycakes Cupcake Maker is sure to please. Bake eight mini cupcakes in about five minutes. Included with the Cupcake Maker are four stainless steel decorating tips, a heavy-duty icing bag, coupler, recipe book and crust-cutting and forming tools.
The Cupcake Maker is aimed at kids age 8 and older and can be purchased for about $50 at the DiscoveryChannelStore.com.

Zazzle.Com
Zazzle.Com is the place to go for the person (or kiddo) who has it all. Almost any product is customizable including seven different styles of Keds shoes, tote bags, necklaces and a wide range of apparel options for all ages.
It’s definitely worth checking out all the Zazzle has to offer. You’ll find things you didn’t even know you were looking for.

GuaveMits, GuavaKids Mittens
Check out the adorable and functional GuavaKids Mittens for babies at GuavaKids.Com. For about $12 for one pair or $20 for two pair (and FREE shipping) you can give the littlest people on your Christmas list the gift of warm hands and scratch-free cheeks.

Soft Peek-A-Boo Blocks
These award-winning blocks are safe for even the youngest child and cost about $20. The squeezable blocks can be stacked, packed and tossed. Visit BlueBoxToys.Com for more information.

Movie Fun
DVDs are always a welcome gift by kids of all ages. Here are just a few of this season’s movies that Wichita Family Magazine readers have said they would love to receive.
The Original Christmas Classics
Blu-Ray and DVD box sets of all of the favorite Christmas classics are a hit for all ages. Whether for a small child viewing Frosty the Snowman for the first time, or an adult reminiscing about watching the classics on television, this is a winner. Available wherever DVDs are sold for $44.99, the movies included are: Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and Frosty Returns.
 

Nickelodeon Favorites: Merry Christmas!
Get in the holiday spirit with Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego Go!, The Wonder Pets!, Blue’s Clues, Team Umizoomi and Ni Hao, Kai-lan. Available at all major retailers where DVDs are sold.

Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas, Thomas!
Longtime classic Thomas & Friends has released a new holiday movie where viewers can join in festive fun as Thomas, Gordon, Percy and all of the engines enjoy the magical season. Ages 2 to 5 are the primary audience, runtime is 50 minutes. Available at www.ThomasAndFriends.Com and major retailers for $14.98.

Veggie Tales
Bob Lends a Helping Hand and Larry Learns to Listen, are two new titles to add to the collection of lesson-based Veggie Tales videos. Available wherever DVDs are sold (at a cost of about $10), these family-friendly movies are sure to become favorites in your home.

Wikki Stix
Wikki Stix are a timeless way to keep kids entertained letting them be a part of decorating for the holidays or even practicing their letters and numbers. WikkiStix.Com is the place to find out all about these fun, durable wax sticks. Form them, twist them, hang them up and keep little hands busy in the process.

IcoSoKu Junior
For ages 5 to 10, IcoSoKu Junior is a math-based puzzle that will challenge and entertain. The toy can be played just about anywhere, which makes it a great for holiday traveling. The puzzle game encourages kids’ core math concepts while keeping them “unplugged” in the age of electronic toys.
Check out RecentToysUsa.Com to order this game as well as many other brain-teasing games for all ages.

Sticky Bellies
Sticky Bellies are the perfect gift for someone expecting a baby in the coming year. The maternity stickers are removable props to help photograph the milestones of pregnancy. The stickers are playfully colored and include 12 different stages: every 4 weeks until 30 weeks and then every 2 weeks until 40 weeks. Place the opaque, heavy-duty stickers on the belly for photo shoots documenting the baby’s growth. Also included is a, “Ready or not, here I come,” sticker for a last-minute picture before heading to the hospital. Visit StickyBellies.Com to order the stickers ($14.99) and view other products.

Nano Blocks
For the kid who loves to build, gift some affordable, challenging blocks. Nanoblocks boast the smallest blocks on the market and are full of detail. There are wide-range of constructing sets for kids of all ages and the patented design locks pieces firmly together. Sets include between 150 and 500 pieces and are available at Toys ‘R’ Us. Check out more details at MyNanoBlock.Com.