Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Gift Ideas

In preparation for the start of shopping season, I sent copies of the Mindware catalogue to the grandparents. It has lots of great puzzles and games:
www.mindwareonline.com

I also picked up a game at Target called Castle Logix made by Smart Games. It was a hit.

We're hoping to have a "less is more" Christmas with fewer gifts than the "wretched excess" of the past. I'm looking for things that kids will enjoy for a long time. In addition to my daughters (ages 4.5 and 6.5)I'm shopping for nieces and nephews (ages 8-14). Please share your good ideas.

I too like Mindware toys. Look around you can sometimes find them cheaper at different sites.

I love Muggins! math games
http://www.mugginsmath.com/

www.educationallearninggames.com is a great source of board games

My dds are so not into traditional toy magaizines! Their eyes light up when they get the Discovery Store Catalogue, Fat Brain, and others like that!

I am enjoying the webpages offered on this thread so far!!

I'm bookmarking like mad! Thanks!

I like this site, lots of wooden toys for little ones;
http://www.oompa.com/

ps, we are going for less is more too: we are planning a book exchange among family and close friends - my sis thought of it and I just love it, being a book-a-holic.
(pre-read books are ok too!)

Thanks for all the good ideas so far!

www.mathartfun.com has some neat stuff, especially for puzzle-y, pattern-y kids.

We have also had good luck at Lee Valley Tools (www.leevalley.com ), for nice old-fashioned things.

Best of all at our house, though, are books--lately we are really liking the books from the New York Review Children's Collection, and from Jane Nissen Books in the UK.

We try to keep Christmas more about time together and time helping others than about stuff, so we've always kept a bit of a lid on the number of gifts. Frenchie and I give the kids three things each, pretty much--something to read, something to wear, and something to play with (plus some little funny bits in stockings). We also have a house rule that everybody gives somebody something homemade, so that the gift is of one's time and talent, and not just treasure.

minnie

Target has these fun science kits...

We recently got the Eyeclops - microscope that plugs into the TV. Great for kids who may not have the coordination for a microscope but otherwise ready for one. It still requires a steady hand but my ds5 is doing O.K. with it. Much more versatile than a regular microscope because you can point it at anything (like in your ear, nose, the carpet, etc).

My DS8 won a Klutz Battery Science kit in the school reading rewards program (they let the kids save their tickets for better prizes). Since then he's made any number of battery operated-contraptions. Klutz stuff can be a lot of fun, especially because they sell a wide range of things.

He also discovered an electronics kit at school. He absolutely MUST HAVE one of these kits for Christmas. I'd be grateful for recommendations for a nice electronics kit.


Val

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/shop.htm

Cool gifts and you can support the site as well.