Kids can . . .
Make a smoother transition
to Daylight Saving Time this weekend with the help of the Good Nite Lite. Parents program this light with a bedtime and wake-up time. When it's time to sleep, the face of the light is a smiling moon. And if kids wake up early, they will know it's time to stay in bed if the moon is showing. The light changes from a moon to a sun when it's time to get out of bed. $34.99; goodnitelite.com.
Sculpt a work of art
using Natural Modeling Dough by Clementine Art. This soft and crumble-free dough comes in a set of three colors that have strawberry, lemon, and lime scents. The colors are made from natural materials such as spinach—no chemical dyes are used. Each color is packed in its own airtight container to keep it from drying out. For ages 3 and up. $8.99; clementineart.com.
Forget the batteries
when they use the Ecotronic Farm Flashlights. These squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights come in four different animals: cow, pig, duck, and dog. Instead of using batteries, kids squeeze and release a side lever to charge up the light. When switched on, the light shines out the top, and each animal's nose lights up. Ages 6 and up. $9.99; intplay.com.
Cuddle an eco-elephant
and other animals in the Believe Organic Plush collection. Animal choices include both mommy and baby sizes of polar bears, rhinos, and elephants. These animals are made from organic natural cotton and have a corn filling, making them washer- and dryer-safe. All ages. Small animals $19.99 and large animals $39.99; dandelionforbaby.com.
Make a magnifying glass
with a bowl of water and the Aquafier. Kids submerge the two lens pieces in water and seal the edges with the included thick rubber band. Once it's assembled, it works just like a regular magnifying glass. Kids might not notice, but a scientific principle is at work behind this do-it-yourself kit. $9.95; myaquafier.com.
Move and groove
as they rock out and dance to the high-octane workout ZumbAtomic. Kids learn the steps and follow along with the dancers on screen as they jam to the musical beats of reggaeton, hip-hop, salsa, calypso, cumbia, merengue, and samba. Designed with kids in mind, this box set includes three DVDs, one CD, a comic book, and stickers. Ages 4-12. $34.95; zumbatomic.com.
Coast down snowy slopes
when they ride the Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge. Riders steer this compact sled just by leaning into a turn. Zipfy is sturdy yet lightweight, making it easier for riders to carry back up to the top of a hill. The stick handle keeps riders in control, and the feet-first design encourages safety. Grooves on the underside of the sled enhance traction. All ages. $39.99; fatbraintoys.com.
Store their trinkets
inside a snuggly Treasure Chest Pet. Each soft pet is a combo of organizer and stuffed animal: the removable pillow head detaches for cuddling, and the body features hidden storage compartments. Three styles include: the accessory chest dog with a hidden drawer and four secret pockets, the treasure chest monkey with one large compartment, and the media chest bear with a pocket inside the head, plus compartments for CDs and DVDs, cables, and an MP3 player. Ages 2 and up. $19.99; mytcpets.com.
Pretend they're detectives
using the Animal Tracks Casting Kit. Beginning naturalists can find animal tracks outdoors, then use the kit to make a mold of the footprint. After making a cast, they can study the footprint and compare it to known tracks, solving the mystery of "I wish I knew what that animal was." Instructions are included. Ages 7 and up. $9.99; imaginechildhood.com.
Stow and tow their board
with the Slingz skateboard and longboard straps. The hands-free straps attach to skateboard wheels, letting kids wear the board across their back. When kids are ready to ride again, the straps roll up and fit into a pocket. Straps come in three colors and fit street-style skateboards, longboards, Razors, and Ripstiks. Skateboard strap $9.95 and longboard strap $11.95; slingzstore.com.
Fall in love with books
and keep track of what they've read with Books Make Me Happy: My First Reading Log. Prompts take the basic book log to a new level by inviting kids to think about what they've read. It becomes a keepsake journal that probes both reality ("My favorite part of the book was . . .") and imagination ("If a chicken really could read, what book do you think it should check out of the library?"). The included bookplate stickers let kids personalize the books they own. Ages 6 and up. $9.95; workman.com.
Paint a Western Pinto
after they learn about different horse breeds from the kit Model Masters: Horses. A short illustrated book teaches all about horses and provides easy-to-follow instructions for painting four horse models. A set of paints and a paintbrush are included. Ages 8 and up. $19.95; silverdolphinbooks.com.
Walk like an animal
when they play the board game Race to the Watering Hole. Players choose to be a lion, giraffe, rhino, gazelle, elephant, or croc. They draw cards to move ahead, but wild surprises interrupt game play. The first person to reach the watering hole wins. Ages 3 and up. $15; alexbeardstudio.com.
Dance to familiar tunes
when they listen to the CD Los Lobos Goes Disney. Thirteen classic songs from Disney movies over the years come to life with the eclectic rock, blues, and Mexican music styles of Los Lobos. Songs on this family album include "Heigh-Ho," "Cruella De Vil," and "The Bare Necessities." $18.99; disneyrecords.com.
Keep their strings untangled
when they craft with My Friendship Bracelet Maker. This kit has a clip to hold a bracelet in place while kids are working on it, and a string holder keeps the different strands from tangling together. The drawer in this portable kit comes stocked with pre-cut threads in 14 different colors, plus instructions for creating designs. Ages 6 and up. $24.95; myfbm.com.
Catch and throw
the Phd Pocket Disc outdoors and indoors. The crocheted flying disc is all cotton and soft enough not to damage furniture, yet it's sturdy enough to really fly. This disc comes in many colorful designs and two different weights. The sports edition is heavier, can fly farther, and is geared towards outdoor play. The classic design is thinner, lighter, and made for indoor use. Ages 3 and up. $9.99–$14.99; LiveLoveCatch.com.
Roll 'em and hug 'em
when they play with Octopi Games. Instead of a box, all of the pieces for these dice games are stored inside a huggable plush octopus. Each of the colorful characters—Dip, Pearl, and Grippa—comes with its own game. The octopi are a travel-friendly size and have Velcro on the ends of their arms for easy storage. Game instructions included. Ages 8 and up. $19.95; octopigames.com.
Reduce and reuse
by packing their lunch in the Waste Free Lunch Kit. Kids can customize this messenger-style lunch bag with their design of choice. Removable front panels come in nine different patterns that attach by Velcro and can be changed at any time. The reusable "origami-esque" container is cube-shaped and has compartments for a sandwich and two snacks. A water bottle and spork complete this kit. $42; everydayjun.com.
Carve up the streets
when they ride the Shred Sled, a board that combines snowboards, surfboards, and skateboards. Instead of pushing off the ground to move, riders use their hips, legs, and arms to propel the Shred Sled. Grip surfaces increase traction, and a flexible connector between two decks gives riders more maneuverability than boards that have one deck. $119.99; theshredsled.com.
Personalize a t-shirt
with a cartoon character that looks just like them at the Silly Shirt Shop website. Whether children enjoy soccer, ballet, or playing the guitar, they can sport their interests in style. Traits to select include gender, hair and eye colors, clothing, and accessories. Cartoon characters come as babies, toddlers, and children. $14–$28; sillyshirtshop.com.
Connect the dots
as they play Squiggle Connect. Everyone has one minute to connect their dots into a picture that tells a story. When time is up, players explain their own artwork. Then voting begins using cards that offer praise ("Oh so odd but good") or a hint of criticism ("Well, you tried"). No artistic talent is required. Ages 8 and up. $19.99; randomline.com.
Go long
to catch the Nerf NFL Vortex Mega Howler Football. Fans can choose their favorite from six different teams; balls are in team colors with the logos printed on the side. A three-fin tail helps the football soar, the finger grips make it easy to throw, and a built-in whistle lets players know when it's flying through the air. Ages 5 and up. $9.99; hasbro.com.
Light up their creations
when they build with the construction set Laser Pegs. Once one peg is connected to the power source, it lights up any other peg that it connects to. Kids can put together eight different models, including a starship cruiser, a hang glider, and monster and mini bugs, or they can create something of their own design. Ages 7 and up. 3-in-1 kits $37.95, individual models $17.95; laserpegs.com.
Shape a shark
using Bendaroos flexible building sticks. A durable string base and non-stick wax coating allows children to build and decorate 2D and 3D models. Kits include traceable templates, as well as instructions for making numerous creations. Bendaroos can also be unstuck and reused to create many works of art. Ages 3 and up. $5.99 per 100-piece set, $9.99 per 200-piece set, $19.99 per 500-piece set; bendaroosfun.com.
Shoot hoops inside
after they slide the Pro Mini Hoop over the top of a door. The shatter-proof backboard looks and functions just like the ones the pros use, and it has a spring-action break-away rim for slam dunks. Basketball fans can start playing as soon as they inflate the included mini ball. This hoop is easy to assemble and fully padded to prevent damage to doors or walls. $29.99; sklz.com.
Lurch like a lystrosaurus
when they play charades using the Giant Timeline playmat. Captions encourage kids to compare themselves to the animals and figure out just how large a blue whale really is. This fully illustrated, walk-on mat expands to 18 feet long and features many creatures from the 600 million years of life on Earth. An activity guide includes games, answers to questions kids and adults might ask, and a glossary. Ages 4 and up. $49; charliesplayhouse.com.
Use strategy and science
to keep the game pieces of Jishaku from flying toward each other. Players take turns placing the magnetic pieces on a foam egg-crate-like board. Three games (instructions included) have goals of placing all the pieces without letting them attract others. Younger players can change the rules and try to collect as many pieces as possible. A lesson about magnets lies behind the game, but the suspense of playing comes first. Ages 8 and up. $19.95; playjishaku.com.
Escape the dragon's fiery breath
by solving the puzzles in Dragonmazia. This book of mazes, brainteasers, mind benders, and puzzles is filled with dragons of every color and shape. The intricate artwork will please fantasy fans and sleuths alike. If young puzzlers get stumped, the solutions are in the back of the book. Ages 9–12. $7.95; ipgbook.com.
Piece together a clock
when they glue on the tiles included in the Mosaic Clock Kit. Inside the box, they'll find three design templates to choose from: fish, a flower, or a sun. The colorful tiles can be cut with scissors to fit smaller spaces and to add details. All of the materials needed for this craft project are enclosed: tiles, a wooden board, glue, grout, sponge, mixing stick, and clock mechanism. $17.99; mosaicsoftheworld.com
Harness a special positive power
when they clip a member of The String Doll Gang onto a backpack. Dexter, for example, is said to help kids fly through their homework. He's made from a single piece of string, is offered with black or brown hair, and comes with an attached key ring. Each String Doll is made by the Koonin family in Thailand and measures 2 to 3 inches tall, and there are more than 90 different kooky characters to choose from. Ages 8 and up. $10; kamibashi.com.
Make their own adventure
when they put together the game board for Candy Land: Sweet Celebration Game. The classic board game has been updated to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Players now build the path the pieces need to travel along, and they can make the board shorter or longer to vary the length of a game. To win, players collect treats from 3D "Sweet Stops" and try to be the first to reach King Kandy's castle. Ages 4 and up. $19.99; candyland.com.
Solve Sudoku Puzzles
using 3D shapes instead of numbers when they play Sudokid. This child-friendly version of the popular game lets kids join in the fun while building their concentration and problem-solving skills. Sudokid's hard plastic game board has a game card slot that holds one of 75 included puzzle cards. The clear board cover makes it easy to store all the parts and pieces, and the cards are laminated to protect against juicebox spills and cracker crumbs. Ages 6 and up. $14.99; quirky.com.
Sign that it's playtime
using the gestures in the book Baby Signs. Large, colorful illustrations use pop-ups and pull tabs to show signs including "eat," "drink," "mommy," "daddy," and "play." This language tool helps tots and their parents communicate all day, from waking up until bedtime. The 15 basic signs in the book are all based on American Sign Language. $19.99; scholastic.com.
Color, doodle, and write on fabric
using the TeeJuice fabric markers and pens. Any fabric is fair game—cotton tees, denim jeans, canvas sneakers, and even stuffed animals (as long as they're not plush). Ironing makes the designs washable. These vivid markers come in three sizes: broad-tipped for backgrounds, medium-sized for details, and fineliners for highlighting and signatures. Individual markers $2.99–$3.99, box sets $14.99; jacquardproducts.com.
Go bananas
when they play the card game Too Many Monkeys. The player who can make the best monkey noise moves first. Then players swap cards to try to empty their hands. A wild monkey card gets rid of a whole row of cards, but elephant, giraffe, "skip," and "do not disturb" cards stop players in their tracks. Ages 6 and up. $10.99; gamewright.com.
Cut out cookies
using the kinderkitchen® Kids' Cookie Cutter Set. Made just for young bakers, these star, heart, and flower shapes are fully functional. Large handles help little ones press down into dough without hurting their hands, and bright colors bring family fun into the kitchen. These cookie cutters are part of a line of kid-friendly cooking tools. $8.95; surlatable.com.
Hold their breath
and try a 1080 underwater with the Tony Hawk HuckJam Series Subskate. Pro-skater style comes to the pool with these underwater surf/skateboards. The boards come in three official Tony Hawk designs and are the actual size of the Tony Hawk skateboard. A special speed slick bottom enhances maneuverability and stability. Ages 8 and up. $24.99; swimways.com.
Toddle with toasty tootsies
when they wear the Deglingos Kicks pre-walker shoes. Little crawlers can outfit their feet with Bigbos the Wolf, Ronronos the Cat, Milkos the Cow, and Lapinos the Bunny. Characters are all colorful and highly detailed, and Velcro adjustments on the front and back of each shoe allow for a good fit. Available in three sizes (6–12, 12–18, and 18–24 months). $39.99; allnewmaterials.com.
Add pizzazz to personal electronics
and create colorful 3-D designs using the stickers and pens in Sticklers Activity Kits. Stick on and color in the metallic gold or silver stickers with pens that come in an array of colors. The glossy, transparent glaze and matte pastel inks leave a raised texture behind after they dry. $6.99; sakuraofamerica.com.
Build a spinning windmill
that works without wind—or batteries. The 21 pieces of the 6-in-1 Educational Solar Kit snap together to form an airboat, a windmill, a puppy, a car, and two kinds of planes. A solar panel drives a small motor and makes the car speed ahead and the boat sail in water. No tools are required to put together this beginning builder kit. For ages 8 and up. $19.95; robotikitsdirect.com.
Crochet a cat named Stripy Stu
and practice the skills they will learn from the book Kids Learn to Crochet. Cheerful cartoon characters point out details in the large, colorful illustrations and photos. Young crafters can start with a slip knot and move through six projects of increasing difficulty, ending with All-Together Albert, a clever critter using all the stitches in the book. A section on what to do when things go wrong troubleshoots common crochet mistakes. Ages 6–9. $15.95; trafalgarbooks.com.
Type on their own techie gadget
and feel just like a grown-up when they play with the LeapFrog Text and Learn. Animated puppy Scout leads users through the pretend browser and sends play text messages. Kids learn their letters and keyboarding while they play games. This large, durable, brightly colored tot-PDA appeals to kids who keep trying to get their hands on mom and dad's easily destructible electronic devices. Ages 3 and up. $25; leapfrog.com.
Nurse a turtle back to health
after they make a diagnosis in the Playmobil Vet Operating Room. Aspiring veterinarians can check the dogs, cat, and turtle with an X-Ray machine and CT scanner. Removable casts and attachable bandages protect the critters' sore spots after surgery. Two crates on the side of the room hold the animals for overnight observation. Ages 4 and up. $29.99; playmobilusa.com.
Prepare a platter of Paella Mixta
using rice, seafood, chicken, an adult's help, and the book Cook It Together. Fact pages give fun information about the different foods used in the recipes, including bananas (which grow upward). Recipes are designed for children and adults to cook together, and they cover a range of snacks, meals, and desserts such as Honey Cakes and Chocolate Truffles. $12.99; dk.com.
Toss around a Q-Ball
after they build it with Qubits, a colorful construction toy. The simple triangular pieces can be combined to build, sculpt, bend, and connect shapes and towers. Future architects and scientists can bridge the flexible pieces to create 3-D sculptures, and an instruction sheet provides inspiration for beginners. Comes in Junior, Q-Ball, and Jumbo kits. Ages 5 and up. $29.99-$69.99; Qubits.com.
Come nose-to-nose with a rhino
when they flip through the pages of Life-Size Zoo. Large, detailed, color photos show just how big the animals are in real life. Readers can compare more than 20 animals, including a prairie dog with a meerkat and a full-grown elephant with its baby. Pull-out pages house the animals that are even larger than this book's oversized pages, and sidebars give fun facts about each animal. $17.95; falls-media.com.
Dig in the dirt
when they protect their hands with Kid's Classic gloves. Whether kids are planting or playing, the tall cuffs will keep dirt off their wrists. The breathable mesh on top comes in lime and berry colors, and light padding cushions palms from blisters and thorns. Available in sizes S (ages 5–6) and M (ages 7–8). $20; westcountygardener.com.
Go hog wild
and design the motorcycle of their dreams with the Custom Motorcycle Studio kit. The book Full Throttle gives design ideas and art tips to rev creative engines. Young bike fans can draw a camouflage dirt bike and a dragon chopper, or create a new design using the light table, colored pencils, and frame templates. For ages 7 and up. $22.99; smartlabtoys.com.
Find playfulness in parsnips
and craziness in carrots this month—National Poetry Month. The book Poems on Fruits & Odes to Veggies contains produce puns and abundant alliteration. Figurative language and watercolor illustrations motivate picky eaters to appreciate freshly grown foods and maybe even dance the mango tango. $14.95; judithnatellimclaughlin.com.
Do The Flamingo
(hop on one foot and then switch to the other) to get a total body workout. They can play Inchworm (walk from standing position to push-up position) to work their upper body, Venus Fly Trap (stretch out on their backs and touch feet and fingers above the head) to tighten their abs, or Military March (walk while kicking) to strengthen their legs. Each of the 56 cards in FitDeck Junior describes and illustrates exercises for the whole body, and for all levels of fitness. For ages 5–15. $14.95; fitdeck.com.
Design a plush monster
with the CurlyQ Cuties Monster-Maker. Children choose their creature's body shape and color, as well as his eye, mouth, and belly designs. A Monster with a dark green "rounder" belly with a hot pink cyclops eye, a three-tooth mouth, and a yellow spotted belly is just one of the 158,558,400 possible combinations. $25; curlyqcuties.com.
Let their imaginations go wild
completing more than 200 drawings in Oodles of Doodles. Each page in the book contains the start of a picture along with prompts such as "What's happening on the beach?" and "Follow the secret passageway." Doodlers just need a pencil or crayon--no artistic skills required. $12.95; runningpress.com.
Drive the family car
around the board as they play the game Family Matters. Players answer questions, share stories, discover family trivia, and think from other points of view to solve "Fake Family Crises" in multiple ways. After playing, the entire family grants the winner's weekend wish. For ages 7 and up. $24.99; familymattersgame.com.
Adorn cookie and cake treats
with decorations such as chubby chicks, fancy frocks, and seasonal symbols. The Dazzling Desserts: Make Everyday Desserts Special kit shows how to make sweet candy clay, which culinary kids can use to mold edible dessert toppers. Also included are cookie cutters, icing recipes, decorating tips, and design ideas. For ages 9 and up. $17.95; americangirl.com.
Color a clean Earth
by using Crazy Crayons. The Crayon Recycling Program collects broken and worn-down crayons and turns them into new, multi-colored ones in a variety of shapes and sizes. Crayon themes for purchase include dinosaurs, flowers, endangered species, letters, fish, and more. $0.55 per crayon and up; 800/561-0922, crazycrayons.com.
Test their knowledge
playing The Black Heritage Trivia Game for Kids. Players answer questions correctly to move toward the "Inner Circle." They may know the name of the woman who refused to give up her bus seat, but will they know the first African-American to play in the National Hockey League? For ages 7 and up. $14.99; BlackHeritageToys.com.
Make a stovepipe hat
in honor of Abe Lincoln's birthday on February 12th. The book Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities covers the life of the President and contains craft activities that teach about 19th-century America, tips on running for student council, instructions to make a time capsule, and more. For ages 9 and up. $16.95; chicagoreviewpress.com.
Become yogis
when they jump, breathe, laugh, dance, and sing with their families. The yoga for families DVD menu lets viewers choose the music to play during their yoga session. They can also make a session shorter or longer to suit stamina and time. $19.95; yogatohavefun.com.
Dance to the music
of a home-grown New Jersey group known as Parents Who Rock. let 'em play features 23 bands and artists playing an eclectic mix of rock and folksy songs, and proceeds from sales will go to benefit music education in Montclair public schools. $14.38; parentswhorock.com.
Create masterpieces
by using simple shapes to draw complex pictures. In the Art House DVD, a real-life art teacher gives step-by-step instructions for drawing animals and objects from basic geometric shapes. Viewers learn that the moon is a circle and the roof of a house is a triangle, and even da Vinci's Man can be broken into squares, rectangles, circles, and ovals. $17.99; inthearthouse.com.
