Our Holiday Gift Guide – Big Kids Edition

Are you ready for part 2 of our Holiday Gift Guide? This time we’re bringing you gifts for “big kids” – school-agers if you will. Hope you find something that would be perfect for your kiddo! Once again, either Emily or I were sent one of these to review and this guide is full of stuff we liked and think would be a great gift for your big kiddo.

Gifts for Big Kids

Heelys

Heelys Skate Shoes are the super-cool roller skates-and-shoes in one. They are an awesome gift for big kids who want to get around a little faster. Joshua saw my niece with a pair of these on a couple of months ago and about died from envy. These are a super-hot and fun gift your big kid can enjoy all year round.

I Spy with My Little Eye

This is truly an ingenious idea! There are dozens of objects hidden in this bag for kids to find. Great to occupy your school-agers in the car, a waiting room, or anywhere you need to entertain them – quietly. And Emily’s daughter Kate LOVES hers. (Oh hi, Emily here. I just had to jump in and say that this is the best invention EVER for church, the doctor’s office, anywhere you need to keep your kids occupied and quiet. It’s challenging and fun, even for adults! And based on our experience sitting next to one of Kate’s friends at church on Sunday – buy one for every kid in your pew!)

Learning Resources Funny Phone

The Funny Phone is another game to keep big kids busy. It has 9 different challenges and over 300 questions to encourage silliness and learning at the same time. The Funny Phone will always be asking something different so it never gets boring. This is a great activity for your kids to do together or with friends! (Or even with YOU!)

R2D2 Play-Doh

For any budding Star Wars nerds fans, this R2D2 Play-Doh set is the perfect mix of creative play combined with a favorite Star Wars character. (How can you not love R2D2? Come on!) Kiddos can make a light sabre, smush Play-Doh through R2’s head, and much more! It comes with several cool tools as well.

Easy Bake Oven and Snack Center

Another classic toy that brings back great memories, but it updated for today, is the Easy Bake Oven and Snack Center. Your kiddos can learn the joy of baking – and – this is what I like – it makes such small, appropriate-sized portions, so the whole family does not have the opportunity to gorge themselves on cake. PLUS it’s really fun to feel like a big kid and bake REAL snacks and learn about safety while baking!

Candy Land Sweet Celebration

We love family game night, and Candy Land is a classic that is always a hit. This new version is no exception. A 3D board, new characters, and new adventures give one of our favorite games an exciting twist.

Spongebob Cranium

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob Squarepants! Everyone’s favorite sponge now has his very own board game – Spongebob Cranium! It’s designed for older kids (8+) and combines the multi-activity fun of Cranium with the hilarity of Spongebob. And it even comes with Crabby Patty clay.

Scatterpillar Scramble

This game is new this year (or at least it’s new to me!) but I think it’s going to be a popular gift this year. The object is to get the marbles in the caterpillar’s (or callapitter, as Kate likes to say) hands, as the bug wiggles and dances. It’s not as easy as it looks! This game is fun for the whole family.

Giraffalaff Limbo

How low can you go?? If you’re me, the answer is “not very.” But my kids, they are seriously flexible! This is another new game from Hasbro. The spinner will tell you if you can do a regular limbo, or if you have to get creative and go under the giraffe doing a crab walk or backwards, or some other crazy way. This one is definitely for the kids, but if the grown-ups insist on playing, make sure you’ve got the video camera handy.

FashionPlaytes

This is one of the most creative gift ideas I have seen in a long time! Give the little fashionista in your life the chance to design – and wear – her very own creation. Start by choosing a garment (they have everything from jean jackets to dresses to headbands) and pick a pattern, adorn it with ruffles, lace or jewels, and your very own creation will be delivered to your doorstep in about three weeks. How fun is that? Fashion Playtes gift certificates make fantastic presents!

i-Dog Soft Speaker

The i-Dog is a toy that delights kids and cracks parents up. This cuddly pooch can be plugged into any music player or headphones and will groove to the beat of the music, while amplifying it through its built-in speakers. He’s got lights, jacks for your devices, and a even a little pocket to hold them. This is a very fun toy for your music lover.

Crayola Camcorder

The Crayola Digital Camcorder is perfect for your budding movie-maker. It’s sturdy design can handle a kid’s touch while he or she learns to take video. It has a 1.5 inch LCD screen and comes with editing software to turn videos into movies. This is a great big kid learning toy!

Hello Kitty MP3 Player

My daughter loves her “iPod,” and it’s a great way for everyone to listen to what they want to in the car! This Hello Kitty MP3 Player has three changeable face plates, so your big kid can show her own personal style, and hold up to 1360 songs or 64 hours of music! It also comes with super-cute heart-shaped ear buds.

That wraps up our BIG KID gift guide. Did you see anything you like? Stay tuned for gift guides for Mom, Dad, and baby as well as some awesome giveaways in the next week!