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Take a long look at the list of these classic toys and games and you'll find a few common elements: Tinkertoys, Barbie doll, Slinky, Twister, Monopoly, Sit 'N Spin The first common thread is that not one of these toys or games requires electricity or batteries. The second is that not one of them is tied to any other external entertainment element such as a TV program or a movie. And finally, not one of them is purposely educational. Yet, these toys have withstood the test of time because they exist not to support any other purchase or to prompt any other marketing behavior such as acting as a bridge to future trends. They exist solely for the user to have fun. Perhaps fun is the theme this year. At a time when many kids have to pass through metal detectors on the way to class and when they seem to be learning algebra in the first grade, perhaps we owe them some pure, unadulterated fun. Still, watch out for the TV shows that accompany a few of the gifts. As we live in a work world of multitasking, we live in a retail world of multimarketing. So, here is our list of suggestions, culled from the minds of the Toy Industry Association, our visits to local toy stores and the unfiltered opinions of a couple of kids. Yes, you'll see some education sprinkled in here and there, but when you do it's because it is a well-made, well-executed toy or game. Most of them are just built for the fun of it. POWERTOUCH LEARNING SYSTEM Remember the Tom Hanks movie "Big?" In it, he suggests to the toy manufacturer that they develop a series of talking comic books that are activated by children. It was the type of idea that made one wonder why no one really invented such a product. Well now, Fisher-Price has done it. Sort of. Powertouch learning system encourages children to learn at their pace by touching pictures and interacting with books. Thanks to innovative technology, the result is pure magic as books come alive as never before, gently prompting fundamental pre-reading skills as they play. There's a whole library of titles to engage kids from preschool right through second grade (additional books sold separately). For ages 3-8 years. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. BEYBLADE REMOTE CONTROL TOP WITH LAUNCHER Despite attempts to adapt the old-fashioned top to the new millennium, the folks at Hasbro have only dressed them up, changed their name and confined them to the "Beystadium." Still, they are fun, mostly because the twist is that once the top, sorry, Beyblade, is launched, kids now control the direction and spin with a remote control device. Each launch on of four tops into the Beystadium commences a battle - last top spinning wins. For ages 8 and up. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. NEOPETS VOICE ACTIVATED PLUSH Fisher-Price claims that more than 70 million youngsters have adopted their own "Neopets" at their popular website, neopets.com. But a two-dimensional adoptee can only do so much. So the toy gurus have created a line of plush, talking Neopets to take on the road. These 9-inch-tall best friends respond to voices. They also interact with one another and recognize each other by name! If the name "Furby" rings a bell, you're not far off. Just remove your memories of being annoyed and angry and you've got a Neopet. For ages 4 and up. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. McDONALD'S McFLURRY MAKER If you want to get your children cooking in the kitchen, there's no better way than starting with dessert. And even though some parents may view this "toy" as a shameless promotion for a large corporation, most will see it for what it is: A really fun way to make a cool dessert. And what's so bad about getting the children more involved in the kitchen? With the McFlurry Maker, kids combine ingredients and turn a handle to create a perfectly mixed ice cream treat. It's easy and fun and cleanup is a snap. The only thing missing will be those weird McFlurry spoons you'll get at the restaurant. For ages 6 years and up. At most toy stores and toy departments. BARBIE "COOK WITH ME" KITCHEN Before your child uses the McFlurry Maker, have her make dinner with this fully electronic kitchen from KIDdesigns. Using advanced technology, youngsters create "realistic make-believe" meals while learning their way around a kitchen. Sized just right for those ages 3 and up, Chef Barbie's voice guides them through all kinds of cooking fun as the kitchen recognizes each of the more than 50 different foods. Cooking and creating meals has never been drudgery - now it's fun, too. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. LEAPSTER EDUCATIONAL GAME SYSTEM Although we're not big on hand-held games due to their ability to isolate people, there is no denying that, properly monitored, they hold a place in a child's life. Now imagine an exciting game that also reinforces important skills. The Leapster has a large, touch-activated screen and the games are all designed to actively engage children as they learn 60 essential basic learning skills. Games have increasing levels of difficulty to carry kids from preschool through the second grade. For ages 4-8 years. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. TYCO REMOTES Each year, we wait impatiently for the latest hot remote control cars from TYCO. TYCO remotes are durable and fun and this year's lineup is no exception. Included in the assortment are Stuntsters, miniature 3-inch versions of their full-size remotes from years past. (We recommend the Reboun.) New this year is the mind-boggling Vertigo, which has a unique, hinged scissor action frame. Vertigo flips, spins and produces a light show while perfecting each trick. The more it spins, the better the light show. This one has to be seen to be believed. P.S. Don't handle the TYCO remotes gently - they can take it! For ages 6 and up. Available at most toy stores and toy departments. PATRIOT CHALLENGE This gift is styled after the famous Trivial Pursuit game except that the subject isn't trivial. Developed by a panel of classroom educators from elementary school to college level, children and adults answer questions about U.S. history and life in America and move around a board accordingly. The game is based on nationwide curriculum standards and helps reinforce what children are learning in school. Patriot Challenge games can be individualized by various grade levels so that kids of different ages can play together. There is even a level for experts, also known as parents. Patriot Challenge reinforces the rich history of our great nation, using vibrant art including reproductions of many classic U.S. postage stamps. For ages 9 and up. Available at PatriotChallenge.com or by calling 949.837.7444. – Steve Smith is a Costa Mesa resident. He is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine. Books as Gifts Should Madonna be under the tree? Should you entrust the Material Girl as author of children's books? Interesting question. Madonna, who has made a career doing outrageous things that most parents of young girls hope never come their way, has produced her second of a planned series of five children's books, "Mr. Peabody's Apples." Illustrated by Loren Long, the book has just been released. The question is, is it worthy as a gift? The result is of the highest quality in both illustration and storytelling. "Mr. Peabody's Apples" is dedicated to teachers, so that's a good start. It's a story about assumptions - in this case theft of an apple - that lead people to the wrong conclusions, even about the most sterling of characters. The illustration of Billy explaining to Mr. Peabody that everybody in town "thinks you're a thief" is worth the entire cost. The story is perfect as a read-to story for children ages 5 and above. And the message is one we'll remember in assessing whether Madonna should be writing children's books. Published by Callaway, 33 pages, $19.95. An Educational Book One the best holiday buys for children ages 9 and up is the annual, updated, "The World Almanac for Kids (the 2004 version is now out)." It is broken into appropriate themes that help a young child navigate to a favorite subject, and a teen find information for a first term paper. These include "Faces & Places," "Animals," "Art," "Buildings," "Dinosaurs," "Computers," and "Inventions." Published by World Almanac Books, 336 pages, $11.95. - By Craig Reem |
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