The Gifted Child: 4-Year-Olds

LilSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:23 PST

Preschoolers are quite an ambitious group. They spend their days at school being the line leader or napkin passer, and then come home to demonstrate their ability to complete tasks with less oversight. At this age, they are often rewarded in knowing that they finished a project on their own, rather than with applause or treats. Encourage this independence with gifts that allow them to work by themselves with minimal parental involvement.

Among our choice gifts for preschoolers are:

Big Wheels were big when I was this age and they are back! Kids spent most afternoons tearing through the neighborhood on their sets of Big Wheels, and I can't wait for my children to do so, too.
Designed for children ages 4 to 8, the LeapFrog TAG Reading System features a stylus with a camera in its tip that “reads” the letter, words, and symbols on the pages of the 16 books in its library, including favorites like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Little Engine that Could, and Olivia.
If your lil one insists on dressing herself, she will love the eeBoo Paper Dolls. Each set comes with two multicultural dolls, background scenes, and magnetic clothing that can be mixed and matched to ensure that the doll is properly dressed for each occasion.
Help your budding A-Rod perfect his swing with the Fisher Price ESPN Better Batter Baseball. The t-ball-like toy plays ESPN music each time a ball is loaded into it.
Another childhood classic that has been updated for today's preschooler, Lite Brite allows kids to experiment with color and light to create masterpieces on four sides at one time.
A fun and fast-paced take on Bingo, Zingo will have your tot begging for family game night to begin.

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Gifts That Move You

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:45:00 PST

If you're like me you're right in the middle of figuring out gifts for the long list of people you love (or don't totally love, but still are obligated to buy for). I hate buying people gifts that I know are going to promote them being sedentary. It is hard when it comes to games but there are some games that really get you moving.

Wii. We love the Wii ($732 was the best I could find) because people are seriouly getting moving playing this video game -- Not just adults but kids as well. Check out geeksugar to see a very cute kid playing Wii. Buy it on Amazon.com.

Cranium. There are so many Craniums out there. I love them all but for getting moving, I like Pop 5. Pop 5 ($34.98) is one of the newest additions to the Cranium family fun and you have the option to act out every play. Get Pop 5 on AreYouGame.com. For kids, go with Hullabaloo ($19.98) which is sure to get the kids in your life moving. Get Hullabaloo on AreYouGame.com.

Twister. Twister (12.99) is a tried and true game that gets anyone moving. If you don't sweat while playing Twister, then you're doing it wrong. Buy it on eToys.com. Now Twister has Twister Moves (19.99), which is a way to get kids moving to the music. Buy it on eToys.com.

Dance, Dance Revolution for Playstation 2 (though they have it for xBox as well). DDR ($29.95), as the serious players call it, is a game that can be a serious cardio workout and it might even teach you how to dance! Buy it at Toys R us. For the kiddies, try Dance Dance Revolution with Stawberry Shortcake ($29.99). Buy it at Toys R Us.