Toys for Kids Ages 5-7
Kids who are 5, 6 and 7 are very opinionated about toys. While their tastes change frequently, their preferences are really strong. If she's into horses, only horse toys will do. If he thinks he's a super hero, only cape wearers are welcome.
Here are some of the best new toys (in no particular order) for this age group. (Click here for more great Christmas toys for every age group!)
 Photo © Bandai
Harumika (haru-MEE-ka) is an unusual little toy that I didn't really understand until I played with it. Then I played with it much longer than was required. Anyone who's captivated by Project Runway will love this ingenious fashion design toy.
It's a little dress form that's about the size of a Barbie doll. It comes with some small squares of fabric, sparkly stickers, pieces of trim and a plastic stylus. Simply fold, gather, pleat or drape the fabric and wrap it around the dress form. A slot in the back is lined with rubbery grippers. Just push the fabric into the opening and it stays put without sewing, gluing or cutting. I was able to create a stunning off-the-shoulder number in a matter of moments. Such fun!
 Photo © Haba
Terra Kids is a brand of toys from German toy company Haba, which is known for really high quality, old-school wooden toys and games. The Terra Kids toys are well-made, well-thought-out toys that are actually useful.
Like many great toys, the Camping Light doesn't require batteries. Instead, kids crank it for a couple of minutes and generate enough power to make the five LEDs glow for hours. It also has a carabiner, a compass and a whistle. It's tough and durable enough to actually go camping, or it's a perfect light source for an amazing blanket fort.
 Photo © Cahootie
Do you remember what you did during indoor recess? I do. We folded paper and penciled in boys' names, numbers of children and occupations to make a fortune-telling game called Cahootie. Now several versions of Cahootie, each with a clever theme, are available in stores.
This version of Cahootie is made from durable, coated paper and includes 40 reusable stickers that make the game come out differently each time kids play. Parents and kids can play together and use the game as a great conversation starter. The "Would You" version ponders deep questions like, "Would you rather take a cold shower or wash your hair with peanut butter?"
This is a perfect toy for a car trip and a nice gift idea for the 5-7 age group.
 Photo © Kickboard USA
I'm a huge fan of Kickboard USA's Mini Kick Scooter for preschoolers, I was anxious to see their new version for bigger kids. The Maxi Kickboard Scooter is a three-wheeled scooter designed for kids from age 6 to 10. The plastic deck is reinforced underneath and is wide enough for both feet. It has three Rollerblade-style wheels -- two in front and one in back that's like two wheels stuck together.
The best part of all of Kickboard USA's 3-wheeled scooters is that anyone can learn to ride in about ten minutes. (My 3-year-old proved it!) Simply lean from side to side and the front wheels pivot for smooth turns. The wheels glide silently and the spoon brake on the back is easy to use.
The Maxi Kickboard comes in black or purple.
Manufacturer's Site
 Photo © Printies
Every so often we run across something that's unique, and Printies definitely qualifies. The kit includes unusual sheets of paper with fabric animals attached. Using the online component, kids can choose eyes, nose, mouth, clothing and even import a photo to design a unique Printie pet. Then you send the paper goes through your printer.
Just punch out the perforated animal, stuff it with the included stuffing and attach a pair of shoes that act like a stand. They're a bit strange looking, so I think most of the fun is in the creative process, but it's an unusual idea that makes one-of-a-kind toys.
 Photo © Wild Planet
Wild Planet's new Spy Gear Evidence Kit helps any wannabe CSI take real fingerprints right at home, without Horatio Caine peering over your shoulder. The kit comes with a whole bunch of tools including a microscope, fingerprint powder, a cool dusting brush, lifting tape, a flashlight and a blacklight.
Imagine the elaborate scavenger-hunt style mysteries you could solve with your kids! Who ate the cookies? Collect cookie-crumb "trace" in sterile bags then compare the fingerprints on the plate to all the suspects! Good, clean fun without the mess of a television crime scene!
 Photo © Disney
Disney's new movie, The Princess and the Frog introduced Princess Tiana, the first new princess to join the Disney Princesses in 10 years.
The doll reenacts the scene from the movie in which Prince Naveen asks for just one kiss. The doll turns her head away and says a phrase from the movie, until the fourth attempt, (playing hard to get, Princess Tiana?) when she kisses him. Her dress lights up with magical, twinkly lights and the doll makes special sounds. Don't happy endings just make you all tingly?
 Photo © Digital Blue
Imagine a camera for kids made out of their favorite building blocks, LEGO bricks! The oh-so-cool LEGO Digital Camera from Digital Blue is a real, three-megapixel camera with a 2.2" color screen. It works just like Mom and Dad's digital camera, so the photos can be downloaded to a computer or uploaded to the internet.
The coolest part is that the camera looks like your child built it out of LEGO bricks, and though it doesn't come apart, you can attach bricks to the top and bottom of the camera. You could even put a little LEGO man on top of it as if he was saying, "Say CHEESE!"
 Photo © Mattel
The Barbie Fashionistas are new on the scene. They look exactly like regular Barbie dolls until you ask one to pick up something from the floor. She bends! She twists! She has moveable ELBOWS!
There are six Fashionistas in all, and they're all about posing on the runway. They have 12 articulated joints so they can strike just about any pose, from the JC Penney catalog to America's Next Top Model.
Each doll has her own style so there's something for everyone. These are must-have dolls for any Barbie fan.
 Photo © Young Scientists Club
The Magic School Bus has a terrific, new science kit. Diving into Slime, Gel and Goop lets kids make polymers. Using the tools and materials in the kit and some household items like milk, they can create snow, a bouncy ball, glue, absorbent crystals and oobleck...whatever that is!
Magic School Bus products are great tools for introducing science in a fun way and my mother, the teacher, got really excited about this one!
| |
