Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

Here are few products ideas of things your little ones might enjoy this holiday season.  

 Dream Frenz

My five-year-old was a fan of Dream Frenz.  They come with an oversized, soft head and a tiny body that tucks inside and are 10 characters to select from. Dream Frenz is a cuddly plush pillow, toy, and companion.  They come alive through the power of a child’s imagination.

The company was founded by Florida-based mom-entrepreneur, Halie Fulton, who was inspired by the ‘tadpole drawings’ of her oldest daughter. Now, Halie’s three daughters are instrumental partners’ in Dream Frenz.

They are for children 3 and up. The characters are multi-cultural and designed to appeal to both boys and girls.  More are in development, including a sports line, a heroes line, and an international line.  Find Dream Frenz® at: http://www.dreamfrenz.com/ and retail outlets nationally.

Geek & Co. Kits

I love science and love to try to include science projects that my kids can also participate in.  Here’s an idea for fun in the kitchen with a bit of learning.  You can make chocolate gifts to give to your friends and family! This Chocolate Science Kit allows you to learn about heat, temperature, and the phases of matter by molding chocolate eggs, lollipops, and other shapes.

Wrappers, labels, and foldable gift boxes are included.  The suggested retail of this kit is $19.95.  Please check out labratgifts.com for this product and other fun kits for kids.

Quarto Knows Books

Save 30% with promo code HOLIDAY16

My children always enjoy opening a new book and here are a few from those available by Quatro Books.  Things That Aren’t is recommended for children ages 7-12 and it is filled with riddles.  There is a riddle for each letter of the alphabet, like A is for “air”.  Clues to help discover the answer plus tidbits of information are sprinkled along the way.

Things That Aren’t is hardcover and 112 pages.  It has a suggested retail price of $12.95. https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781633221765/The-Curious-Guide-to-Things-That-Aren-t.html

I remember watching Footloose as a kid and hearing Kenny Loggins singing this great song in the movie and on the radio.  Now Kenny Loggins has written a book with the same title that is tailored for kids ages 2-6.  

In Footloose, Jack, the zookeeper, joins a crew of animals for a dance party.  A CD is included with a version of the “Footloose” song to go with this story and an additional song called “Monkey Town Medley” has been provided.

Footloose is a 28-page hardcover and has a suggested retail price of $17.95. https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781633221185/Footloose.html

The 50 States Fun Facts is a short book with only 12 pages, but they are packed with many interesting facts.  Each two-page spread is themed – 50 Animals, 50 Things that Go, 50 People, 50 Places, 50 Festivals and Cultural events, plus a make-your-own puzzle of the 50 states.

This title is done in hardback and has a suggested retail of $19.99.  https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781847808691/The-50-States-Fun-Facts.html

I think most kids have a fascination with animals.  Atlas of Animal Adventures showcases animals found from the North Pole and South Pole plus the continents in-between.  There are several fun little items to spot and find throughout the illustrations in this book too.

This is a hardcover book, recommended for children ages 6-9, and 96 pages.  https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781847808417/Atlas-of-Animal-Adventures.html

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils follows a little boy named Nils who is shrunken down for misbehaving by an elf.  He goes off on a thumb-sized adventure across Sweden in this Scandinavian classic.  

There are beautiful laser cut designs among the pages of this book.

The Wonderfull Adventures of Nils is recommended for children ages 8-11 and has a suggested retail of $19.95.  https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781910277195/The-Wonderful-Adventures-Of-Nils.html

Sony DVDs

Candlewick Press Books

Save 20% with code CANDLEWICK

Got any Harry Potter fans in your family?  Check out the following titles.

Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Coloring Set

http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763695890&pix=y

Recommended for children ages 8-12

An interactive coloring set to further explore Harry Potter.  There is 48-page booklet with drawings from Harry Potter films, a build-it-yourself  3-D Frebolt broom ornament, and 48 colorable gift tags. 

J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: Movie Magic Volume One: Extraordinary People and Fascinating Places

http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763695823&pix=y

Recommended for 10 years and above

This book is the insider’s guide all eight Harry Potter movies plus the new Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Newt Scamander: A Movie Scrapbook

http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763695904&pix=y

Recommended for ages 10 and up

My husband and I saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  We loved it.  Now you can learn more about Newt Scamander, peek inside his mystical suitcase, and learn more about the creatures he is the protector of.  This book is filled with removal artifacts that are pretty cool.

J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: A Pop-up Gallery of Curiosities

http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763695882&pix=y

Recommended for ages 8-12

This little book features pop-up pages and pull out flaps of text to learn more on how these unusual props were created in the films. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: A Pop-up Gallery of Curiosities has doors that open from the middle and comes with a sturdy magnetic closure.  There are elastic loops for the popups to allow safekeeping.

Please feel free to search “Central Minnesota Mom” for other product reviews done over the years for potential gift ideas.