Toys your kids want versus toys you'll want to give them
Filed under: Kids and Money, Shopping
Every year, the National Retail Foundation releases a survey about what toys kids want for the holidays. It doesn't change that much, really -- girls want dolls, boys want cars, both want Nintendo Wii. The big news this year is that Barbie is battling it out with Hannah Montana for girls' affections, Bratz luckily are losing steam, and Dora the Explorer unfortunately fell off the list. For boys, Star Wars and Hot Wheels replaced Spider-Man and Thomas the Tank fell off in desirability. 2008 Top Toys For Girls
1. Barbie (last year's rank: 1)
2. Hannah Montana (2)
3. Dolls - generic (3)
4. Bratz (2)
5. Nintendo Wii (7)
2008 Top Toys For Boys
1. Video Games (last year's rank: 2)
2. Nintendo Wii (3)
3. Legos (6)
4. Cars - generic (4)
5. Transformers (1)
But if you're like me, you're using this dismal economy as an excuse to avoid getting kids the toys du jour and instead focusing on toys they'll use, learn from and keep around for a while. Isn't it time to revive the DIY toy movement? You know, toys that actually get kids drawing, crafting, baking, and making exploding volcanoes? Now, I admit I played with Barbies when I was young and I too want a Wii, but the gift I remember best -- and still keep -- is a hand-decorated T-shirt that I made and wore with pride when I was eight. My aunt, an architect, got me a design kit that let me stencil the shirt with stars and planets of my own design, then abashedly splatter it with glow-in-the-dark paint and glitter. For a few years, that shirt made me dream of becoming a fashion designer -- before I learned I couldn't sew..
I found the 21st century version of my aunt's gift -- ALBINO sells color-yourself T-shirts with 70 different cool designs (dogs, iguanas, giraffes, etc.), and each one shirt includes three colorful fabric markers of your choice. They're produced by a husband-and-wife team in Greece who charge in Euros, but current currency rates keep each shirt with shipping under $50 (the weekly design discounted at 20 percent off puts it under $40, including shipping). What kid wouldn't wear -- and keep -- a cool T-shirt he or she designed? (Thanks, Shelteriffic.)
A long-time favorite site of mine for finding cool toys is Kiddly Winks, making "educational" toys that are also fun. Kits for everything from designing your own soccer ball and sewing your own clothes to making your own perfume and yes, creating exploding volcanoes. Prices are comparable to buying Barbies and Hot Wheels but I think these are the better value because even when your kids are done with making their creations, you'll have their masterpieces to hold on to forever.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-23-2008 @ 4:18PM
bgrue said...
Huge sale at Toys R Us today and tomorrow!
Reply
11-24-2008 @ 8:12AM
jake_iv said...
When you think of "toys" don't forget hobbies and crafts. Dolls/Doll Houses and toy trains remain ever popular. Both offer play value that can grow with your child. Both can be purchased in increments and both have nationwide support organisms and publications. A basic toy train set can be bought today for $40, add a piece of plywood and a set of casters and the xmas toy rolls under the bed, ready for every rainy day. That doll house can set on the bureau, ready to be admired or played with. Literally hundreds of thousands of accessory items are available for you child to customize their own make believe world. Life skills such as manual dexterity, budgeting, planning, conceptualizing, prioritizing, reading and math will be enhanced.
Don't underestimate your child. They probably have skills and dreams that you have never thought of. Spend a few hours visiting hobby stores with your child and note their interests. By the way, some of the highest ranking members of the National Model Railroad Association and the top winners in their national competitions are girls and women. And some of the top Doll and Doll House crafters are men and boys.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 8:15PM
smell said...
i absolutely agree. my uncle in law does train sets and over the years his table of trains and towns etc is at least worth 10 grand. and a good thing about it, hes in his late 40s and still loves them. its relaxing and you never outgrow something like those hobbies. my husband and i build those plastic model cars together unfortunatly some were broken in our move but at our other house we lined our living room with shelves around near the ceiling and put all of our cars up there. my dad when he was alive loved it!
i think personally toys should educate as well as entertain the kids get more use out of them because it keeps their brains working and them "thinking" !
11-24-2008 @ 1:05PM
sona creighton said...
Thought you'd want to know about a kid's gift that both children and parents love. It's kidzclix.net, an online "magazine" for kids ages 7-12 loaded with educational activities that are rated as highly cool and way fun by kids themselves. Each month your child receives 30 new activities, including math games, puzzles, science projects, things to build and create, cooking classes, art projects, chess and much more. All are designed to develop critical thinking and creativity. KidzClix also includes an social networking site open only to members, with security features built in. It's $6.95 a month, with discounts for 6-month and one year subscriptions.
Reply
11-24-2008 @ 4:37PM
bgrue said...
Also, there are some great deals on toys at Target.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 5:09PM
Linda said...
Hopefully some one out there can help me find a toy I'm looking for. My grandson wants this for Christmas. He told me its called "Go deep, Go long". Its a football that measures yardage when you throw it. I would appreciate any info you could give me. Thanks
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 6:09PM
Ellen said...
Hi Linda, I did a search on eBay and theres an electronic foam football that measures distance when thrown for sale, here's the auction # 310096622080. I know it isnt eaxctly the one you were looking for but maybe it'll be ok. Have a great day. Ellen
11-29-2008 @ 6:17PM
Ellen said...
I found another football on Ebay you can check out. Go to eBay at www.ebay.com then put in this auction # 370118384351 to see what the item looks like.
11-29-2008 @ 5:31PM
Gregg Kluck said...
Model car kits were my favorite thing when I was a kid, I still like them. With AMT/MPC re issuing the old favorites, I'm a kid again.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 7:12PM
Just In Case said...
Who would pay $40 for a tee shirt? That is absolutely absurd. If that is what people think they have to do to make their kids happy, it is no wonder everyone goes crazy over Christmas.
hanes tee shirt + fabric markers = $10
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 7:20PM
jonasgirl4ever said...
this is so stoopid all i want is electronics!
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 8:10PM
Tom said...
We bought all our grandkids new Bibles with a note in them from us.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 12:44AM
samantha said...
The Bibles may not be your grandchildren's favorite gift this year, but they will treasure them forever. The older they get, the more these Bibles will mean to them. What a wonderful gift!
11-29-2008 @ 10:21PM
Austin said...
wow tom seriously? you bought your kids bibles? why? so they can throw them in there closet or under their bed. Buy them something they want. You may be strong in your own faith. But dont force it on your grand children it is simply wrong. Your kids are going to hate your gifts. This is speaking from a 19 year old kid who's grand parents bought me bibles while growing up and I am Atheist. So take the bibles back and get them some toys for crying out loud. I guarantee your not the favorite grand parents.
11-29-2008 @ 8:22PM
betty said...
I wish someone would get me a Nintendo Wii for Christmas.... I'm old but I LOVE THEM
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 9:02PM
Ann said...
A toy can be as educational as it gets, but it's worth zip if your kid doesn't play with it. To me, Christmas is about fulfilling wishes, not trying to cram even more education in my children's heads. They get enough work from school, and they use things like flash cards, playdoh, and markers etc in an everyday setting. I rather tune into what they really like and have their eyes set on. Also, a T-shirt stenciling kit for $40? Are they nuts? Go to any craft store or even toy store and you won't even pay half for that. One more tip: don't go overboard. I used to buy nearly everything my local Toys R Us had on their shelves just to discover that my children typically pick 3 favorites and ditch the rest. So this year that's all I'm going to get.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 10:23PM
Austin said...
Ann good for you! Kids just want fun toys for Christmas and you realized that! I give you props!
11-29-2008 @ 9:16PM
Linda said...
Tom, bless your heart and the intention it brings, but the Grandkids will never get what you meant by it....a teddy bear or doll, or a car that they can remember you by would mean more.
Have a great Christmas.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 12:29AM
Jan said...
Tom actually you giving the grandkids a Bible was a great choice. I remember as a child my Bible was my friend, we as adults can get hard hearted and only focus on the temporal that is played for a few days then gets forgotton about. I say to you, you are giving your grandkids the very best present they will ever get!
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 12:47PM
George said...
For "Boys of ALL ages electric trains are a forever thing. the additions are almost limitless and the constant changing, building new accessories, villages, backgrounds, etc is something that can last forever. Surprisingly, a lot of girls can get into this too. Any hobby that involves construction of things and then improving or enlarging is something that can keep one going as long as the interest continues. Many of us older ones have also in our later years pulled these things out of the closets or attics and resumed. Another sure thing to give you a continuing bang for the buck is computers and their peripherals, Start basic, and upgrade as needed and/or affordable.these things will last almost forever and always have a use, from communication to education. when getting such things as printers, don't forget a supply of paper and cartridges for the printer. those first few ink cartridges will go faster than you expect.
Reply