A parent’s toy gift guide for Cyber Monday and beyond

With the Christmas holidays just around the corner I wanted to share some of the really cool toys that we’ve either purchased or received.  On Cyber Monday and pretty much all of December you’ll be able to find some nice discounts on most of these.  The toys or entertainment on this gift guide are great for kids from 2 to 10.  While not an ultimate parent’s toy gift guide for children, it’s a good starting point if you want a basic primer on gifts that kids in that age range would like.

 Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

We’ll have a review of this later this week; spoiler alert-it’s awesome.  The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 fills the weakness that your other tablets may have regarding children using it.  This has a better (see lower) price point, can be set on a timer, can have password only sections and best of all has the ability to only have children oriented apps on it.  In the settings, once you set your password you can have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 in a children’s mode or adult mode.

The Croods/Turbo

The Croods and Turbo were released earlier this year and are two family friendly animated movies.  They’re already making a sequel to The Croods, which is the story of a prehistoric family forced to leave their cave.  Turbo is the fish out of water story about a snail that suddenly has the ability to go fast-so fast that he becomes a race car.

KRE-O Enterprise

This was soooo much fun to build.  The directions the USS Enterprise from KRE-O says that it’s for children 6 and up.  It’s durable to an extent, but is not the kind of toy that you’ll throw at someone, obviously.  It’s great fun for young model builders looking for a slightly advanced challenge.

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raphael mask

With the new Turtle movie coming out they’re hot now and will be on fire in 2014.  Get ahead of the curve with your small people with this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Raphael Mask.    At only $9 your kids can say Cowabunga till the cows come home.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Turtle Shell

If you’re getting the mask, think about the turtle shell.  Kids will dig dressing up as their favorite Turtle and it may even carry them through till Halloween.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Lair Attack Lego

Really, another Turtle product?  Yes, Godzilla and Turtles will be huge in 2014, Godzilla just hasn’t gotten their toys out yet.  This is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Lair Attack that you build with Lego, it has a foot soldier and dark ninja who do battle with Splinter, Raphael and Leonardo.  Turtle resistance is futile.

DVD-Thomas & Friends: The Thomas Way

Thomas the Train is always a classic.  Thomas & Friends: The Thomas Way has six episodes, two games and clocks in at 58 minutes of fun for children ages 2-5

Battleborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena

This is a remote control update of Rock em Sock em Robots.  It’s also lots of fun that boys 6 and up will absolutely love.  The robots are surprisingly agile and you’ll have as much fun playing this as the children will.  Battleborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena can be pricey, around $70 and the extra robot boxers are $35.  So this is not a cheap toy, but it is well made and will provide hours of enjoyment.    We’ll have a complete review of this later in the week.

My Little Pony-A Very Minty Christmas

I resisted My Little Pony.  But our oldest son wanted to watch ‘the pony movie’ and he loved it.  Originally release in 2005 and re-released this year due to pony demand.  I even watched it a couple of times with our son.  Watch the trailer at your peril, lest you be sucked in too…

Chickyboom

This is a classic balancing game with hens, bales of hay and wagon wheels.  Perch them on the balance beam and take turns removing them.   Chickyboom is a competitive game that teaches kids 4 and up how to take turns, balance and winning/losing.  It’s also lots of fun and refreshing to have an all wood, physical game, isn’t it?

Skylanders SWAP Force

Skylanders SWAP Force is the new Skylanders.  It features interactive play between and a physical action figure with a bottom and top torso that can be switched out to mix up powers.  The game play is fun and kids 6 and up will love it.

Fisher Price Little People Time to Ride-on

The Little People Time to Learn Ride On has been with us for 2 years and still rolls on like a champ.  While some of the decals may have come off the wagon is durable and children 1.5 to 3 will ride it anywhere that they can.

Fisher Price Cash Register

We got this at a yard sale for a couple of dollars and our youngest son can’t get enough of it.  They have a newer version of it that does the same thing, which kids probably love just as much.

Step 2 Little Helpers Shopping Cart

The Step 2 Little Helpers Shopping Cart is role play at its most innocent.  Really, you want to pretend to be me shopping…ok.  But they do! And they LOVE doing it.  They’ll push it anywhere and everywhere, try to take it to real stores with you and more.