Holiday Gift Guide 2018 -- Art and Creativity

What is your theme for gift giving to children this season? This year I’m leaning toward creativity. Things the kids can make and do during their holiday break from school. Look at your toy list holistically. Try to match the toy to the child’s interest and abilities. And, an important factor is purchasing age-appropriate toys/kits from well-respected companies that will provide playthings that will last and abide by the safety rules. Here are a few to consider during your 2018 holiday shopping trips.

OnTel Products Make the MagicPad

MagicPad™ features an amazing crystal-clear, light-up screen that not only brings art to life, but also makes learning fun! The kids just insert one of the stencils behind the screen featuring games, art or learning. Once their drawing is complete, press the color-change button to choose from 8 different light effects to see their creation glow! They can also create freely without using s stencil.

The MagicPad’s screen easily wipes clean and is portable for fun on the go.  It also has a built-in stand, so kids can display their creations, or it makes for a perfect nightlight. Each set includes a MagicPad™, 3 Dual-Sided Neon Pens (for six total colors), 30 Stencils, a Glow-Boost Card, Eraser Cloth and a Fun Guide.

Recommended Age: 3+ with a MSRP of $19.99

Availability: Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and https://www.buymagicpad.com/?mid=9800765

VTech Makes the DigiArt Color by Lights™

Let lights guide the way as you create your next masterpiece with DigiArt Color by Lights™. The light-up board identifies each of the 50 included coloring pages and responds by showing what color to use in each section. Download more pages online for unlimited printing and play. Connect the light-up dots to draw shapes, objects and animals. The art board features a dry-erase surface and a stencil card for more creative play, plus a variety of melodies to enjoy while creating your work of art. Color and create with light!

Ages 3-6 with a MSRP of $21.99

DigiArt Spirals & Sounds™

Create unique spiral art designs with DigiArt Spirals & Sounds™. Place a piece of letter size paper (not included) inside the electronic art board, choose an animal stencil, then use one of the five included gears and the marker to make fun and intricate spiral patterns. Place an animal stencil in the board and press the talk button to hear creative encouragement, fun facts and a silly rhyme about the animal. Roll a gear inside the animal stencil to trigger funny sounds. Switch to music mode to hear 20 cheerful melodies while you create. Let your creativity soar with spirals!

Ages 3-6 years, $19.99 is the MSRP

Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™ by VTech

Protect your thoughts and dreams with the Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™. Make a photo journal, write diary entries or record messages and keep them safe. Facial recognition software unlocks the journal only when it recognizes your face. Features front and rear cameras so you can take selfies and pictures of your friends. A full suite of mini-apps includes games, photo and video filters, music and utilities that give you a variety of activities to play. Create new looks for yourself and your friends, care for a virtual pet, decorate photos and videos, play learning games and more! You're the key to this diary!

Age 6 Years+, $49.99 is the MSRP

And of course we can’t forget about making music. This activity enhances the creative side of learning.

Kidi Star Music Magic Microphone™ by VTech

Set out on the path to stardom with the Kidi Star Music Magic Microphone™. Be the lead singer with this interactive microphone that features Music Magic mode, which reduces the main vocal track of your favorite songs so your own voice is center stage! Easily connect your MP3 player or mobile device and sing along to favorite tunes from your collection. The microphone is packed with exciting features like four games, four original songs, a voice changer with four effects and an applause button. Record yourself for up to two minutes and enjoy your performance again and again!

Age 5 Years+, $29.99 MSRP

These are just a few of the many toys that are available for gifts this year. I feel that these toys and others by these companies are perfect for hands-on fun during the upcoming holidays. Check out the company’s websites for more ideas.

VTech -- https://www.vtechkids.com/holiday_gift_guide

OnTel Toys and Products -- https://www.ontelcatalog.com

Photos by Tania Cowling, all rights reserved

Package photo courtesy of pixabay.com jill111 / 1314 images

I would like to thank these companies for providing me samples of their products for my review. There was no payment for my blog post.

Watch Ya' Mouth Game

They say that “laughter is the best medicine” and this game sure is hilarious. The Watch Ya’ Mouth Game is fun for family night as well as parties (3-10 players). The box comes with plastic mouthpieces (ones like you find in a dentist office) and game cards. The concept of this game is to put in a mouthpiece and read the card. The phrase could be small as two words or as long as 10 words. The mouthpiece changes your speech and the other players need to guess the phrase. Ha, it’s not as easy as you think! And the funny faces that go along trying to read the card makes for gut-busting laughter.

The company’s idea came from this:

“Have you seen the movie 'The Boss' starring Melissa McCarthy? There’s a scene where she’s getting her teeth whitened, wearing the infamous mouthpiece and struggling to speak. From this one scene, the idea for our game was born.”

I found the ‘90’s edition’ fun, but a little hard for our elementary-age players. They didn’t understand some of the phrases. But have no fear, you can write your own cards or order expansion packs (sold separately) that fit the kid’s ages and interest.

I would like to thank the company for sending me this game for my review. We truly enjoyed this opportunity and will keep this in our game arsenal for other occasions.

You can find this game at big box stores and Amazon.com.

Photos courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved