The 2014 Smarty Holiday Gift Guide is sponsored by our favorite local toy store, Toys & Co in Cotswold and Park Road Shopping Center. Find everything on your child’s wish list and then some at Toys & Co! And guess what? They will wrap every gift BEAUTIFULLY and oh-so-expertly – so you don’t have to pull an all-nighter on Christmas Eve!
Our holiday gift guide continues this week with ages 3-5. Cheryl and Zack tag-teamed on this one – Cheryl’s picks are heavy on the boys; Zack’s on the girls. If you have more gift ideas for ages 3-5, share ’em in the Comments section! We’d love to hear!
Cheryl’s Picks
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor Set
Actually, all four of my kids would end up playing with this. We used to have a doctor set, but most of the pieces are gone now. Time for a new one – and this one looks like a good one. Love the glasses!
Moustache Smash
This is a cute game that’s easy enough for the little ones to play with the older ones. Plus, everything is more fun with moustaches.
Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle
Imaginext has never steered us wrong – even the ones Santa brought in 2005 are still going strong. I’m a total believer. My 4-year-old is asking for a castle this year – this one might be it.
Also check out this Batman Batcave
Mega Shark Teeth Science Kit
We have a slight shark obsession going on in our house.
KidKraft Teepee
My kids would go nuts over this teepee!
Zack’s Picks
Green Toys Tea Set
By using the Green Toys Tea Set, your preschooler can help save the planet – a cup of tea at a time. Designed for children ages three and up, the tea set is made from recycled milk jugs, is FDA approved to eat and drink from, and does not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint. The set is colorful and durable, and is ideal for bath-time tea parties.
Balance Bike
Traditional toddler bikes with training wheels don’t necessarily train or teach a child how to ride a bicycle. The training wheels do not allow kids as much opportunity to feel the motion-propelled balance of two-wheel biking. By contrast, two-wheel balance bikes allow the child to run the bike along and learn to balance as they develop speed and confidence. As the child grows confident with their forward motion, they begin to lift their feet off of the ground and balance the bike as they coast forward. If the bike starts to fall, kids can regain their balance quickly and easily by dropping their feet to the ground.
Frozen Toys
Preschoolers will enjoy playing with characters from the blockbuster movie.
Scratch, Jr.
Coding is the new literacy! With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.
Duplo Building Sets
Let your preschooler become a ‘master builder’ and use their imagination to come up with new creations everyday. Hours of fun in every box.
Others that might make your list:
These are a great introduction for girls 3-5. Relatives can buy clothes or accessories. A great idea is matching nightgowns for your daughter and her doll. P.S. YOU could win a FREE American Girl Samantha in this week’s giveaway!
Musical Hippity Hop
Ready…set…jump! This irresistible game challenges kids to jump over fun, rotating arms—as they spin around & around!
3-D Science Viewers
Science comes to life—in amazing 3-D. Give kids an up-close look at the wonders of nature.
Balance Blox™ Kit or Slackline
Fun hangs in the balance when kids step onto this portable slackline that’s braced by two sturdy square connectors and a steel bar.
Create a Road Tape with Toy Car Playset, My First Autobahn
This perfectly sized desk is ideal for your little creative tyke. Tons of storage and a colorful foundation for fun! They will color for hours . . . or until something else gets their attention! What little one doesn’t want space for creative projects and what mommy doesn’t want a contained mess? Win, win!
This precious set is one that will grow with your little one. The Calico Critter Townhouse has everything you can think of and it is a great introduction to the “Critter” collection. Set includes four rooms, real working lights, and tons of tiny elements for a world of creativity. Add the animal characters and furniture for a perfect stocking stuffer!
Gifting Experiences: Consider asking loved ones to gift experiences – think classes, activities, camps, etc. Here are some of our faves around town! Charlotte School of Ballet, Jami Masters School of Dance, My Gym, Gymboree, Extreme Ice Center, Pineville Ice House, Small Hands Big Art, a Children’s Theatre production, a membership to Discovery Place, to name a few!
For all of your gift needs, head over to Toys & Co!
You can find Toys & Co at:
www.toysandco.com
Park Road Shopping Center
Charlotte, NC – 704-527-1921
Mon-Fri 9a-7p, Sat 9a-6p, Sun 12p-6p
Cotswold Village Shops
Charlotte, NC – 704-365-7980
Mon-Sat 9a-9p, Sun 12p-6p
