This Fall, we received an exclusive invitation from the Kris Kringle PR Firm located, of course, at the North Pole to work with the jolly old man himself and his elves to test, select and now eagerly present this year’s hottest list of gifts for babe to mama and papa. May our list of top picks shorten your present shopping to-do list so you can enjoy a Silent Night or two of your own during this hectic holiday season!
KOOL FOR KIDDOS
Mastermind Toys® Play & Trace Boogie Board: Here’s the first Boogie Board e-Writer model to feature a translucent LCD writing surface. It’s shaped like a painter’s palette, which makes it comfortable to hold for hands of all sizes, and the translucent LCD allows 2- and 3-D objects to be traced! A free Play n’ Trace activity centre mobile app includes structured learning exercises, games and drawing templates. There are several Mastermind store locations in Calgary and purchase at mastermindtoys.com.
Barbie® Saddle ‘N Ride Feature HorseTM: Ride off into adventure with this Barbie doll and horse set that really gets things moving! With simple setup and activation, Barbie swings up onto her horse and begins to ride in one swift motion. For more information, visit mattel.com. Purchase at Walmart, Toys ‘R’ Us and Amazon.
Hot Wheels® Ultimate Garage: Kids will be entertained for hours. With 36 spots to park, kids can showcase and store all their favorite cars. Once you’ve loaded your vehicles, take them on wild adventures. From air to land to sea, this set covers it all! For more information, visit mattel.com. Purchase at Walmart, Toys ‘R’ Us and amazon.ca.
Green Toys® Pizza Parlor: Mama Mia! Pizza lovers can pretend and play chef and server by taking orders, creating custom pizzas and serving guests. This 27-piece set features 4 slices that can be stacked with toppings galore to dish up any personal pie. Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic milk containers. Purchase at greentoys.com.
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Ice Castle Play Tent: This easy-to-assemble castle is generously sized to fit two or more little princes or princesses! With a flap front door, two mesh windows and sturdy material, this Playhouse is ready for hours of play! There are several Mastermind store locations in Calgary and purchase at mastermindtoys.com.
Lalaloopsy Babies™Surprise Potty Doll: The Surprise Potty Doll can be fed special baby food so when she’s ready to sit on the potty, she will magically poop fun different shapes. A unique surprise, every time! For more information, visit lalaloopsy.com. Purchase at Sears, Loblaws, Toys ‘R’ Us and Walmart.
Thinkway Toys Darth Vader™Animatronic Interactive Figure: Based on Star Wars: Episode VI Return Of The Jedi. Hold the Lightsaber and wave it for incredible real time interaction with light and stereo battle sound effects! Raise Darth Vader’s left arm and watch him come alive with voice and animated actions. For more information, visit thinkwaytoys.com. Purchase in-store at Toys ‘R’ Us and toysrus.ca.
Smart is the new cool with Project Mc2™: A doll line based on the STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Each doll and experiment stimulates kids’ intelligence and creativity! Sold separately. Purchase at Toys ‘R’ Us, Walmart and Sears.
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Lamborghini Luggage: This awesome and stylish “Lambo” luggage has a durable plastic shell and two retractable handles. Perfect for travel, but also perfect for everyday use and storage. There are several Mastermind store locations in Calgary and purchase at mastermindtoys.com.
BABY ON THE GROW
Green Toys® Block Set: These 18 boldly colored, lightweight blocks have been re-engineered for easier grip and better stacking. Includes a variety of shapes for building castles, towers or any imaginative structure budding architects can dream up. No BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings. Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic milk containers. Purchase at greentoys.com.
Little Tikes™Lil’Ocean Explorers 3 in 1 Adventure Course: This 3-in-1 Adventure Course stimulates and entertains baby throughout key developmental milestones: sitting, crawling, standing. Baby can sit and explore fun rattles and spinners, then crawl through a sea-themed canopy to stand and play with their octopus friend. For more information, visit littletikes.com. Purchase at Sears, Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us.
Fisher-Price® Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo: This futuristic friend allows parent or baby to record a phrase, and he’ll remix it into his favorite song! His modes: Dance ‘n Move, Learning & Games and Customized Sing-Along, ‘grow’ with baby to make him a fun, entertaining companion - all the while introducing baby to letters, colors, counting, music, cause and effect, and more! For more information, visit mattel.com. Purchase at Walmart, Toys ‘R’ Us and amazon.ca.
Spherovelo Early Rider: You haven’t seen anything like it. It’s a tiny ride-on bike. Sure, baby can barely walk, but have you seen them ride? It’s a pedal-less balance bike that glides on balls instead of wheels! Whatever direction a kid determines to go, they can steer by turning their body. Straddling the Spherovelo keeps legs widespread, so it’s easy for little riders to catch themselves if they waver in balance. Purchase at fatbraintoys.com.
STONZ Winter Bootz and Youth Mittz: STONZ Winter Bootz are lightweight and high performance, designed for extreme cold weather. STONZ Youth Mittz are designed to stay securely on while keeping the cold out. Inspired by our harsh Canadian winters, the Mittz are made to the highest standard. Bootz and Mittz sold separately. Purchase at stonzwear.com.
GEEK CHIC
BB-8™by Sphero: It’s now possible to bring a new part of Star Wars: The Force Awakens into your home. Meet BB-8: the app-enabled Droid™ that’s as authentic as it is advanced. Based on your interactions, BB-8 will show a range of expressions and perk up when you give voice commands. Set it to patrol and watch your Droid explore autonomously, make up your own adventure and guide BB-8 yourself or create and view holographic recordings. Purchase at sphero.com.
LEGO®The Big Bang Theory: Indulge your inner genius, and build Leonard and Sheldon’s living room! Featuring loads of authentic details and minifigures of all the main characters, this set is ideal for display and role-play fun. Includes seven minifigures with assorted accessory elements: Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette. Check availability to purchase at the LEGO® Store Chinook Centre and chapters.indigo.ca.
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Ravensburger Star Wars Universe Puzzle: Ravensburger brings Star Wars fans a new line of colorful and detailed jigsaw puzzles depicting scenes from the newest film installment in the Star Wars saga: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. There are several Mastermind store locations in Calgary and purchase at mastermindtoys.com.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL!
My OM Little Yoga Mat: This eco-friendly yoga mat is the perfect size for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It’s extra thick and luxurious. The mat is perfect for yoga, but also great for tummy time, massages, a play mat, physical therapy and outdoor use. Extremely durable, lightweight, portable and easy to clean. Check out the 2015 Holiday special: free shipping to Calgary customers! Purchase at myomlittleyogamat.com.
Fat Brain® Toys Belly Bump Ball Jr. Set of Two: Bounce, bump, roll, play! The moment kids pull these big inflatable raspberries over their heads, hours of active, smiling excitement burst into action. Invent all kinds of crazy, reckless games. You could even buy multiple sets and start up a giant bouncing, bumping extravaganza! Purchase at fatbraintoys.com.
NEWBIE PARENTS
Philips AVENT Natural All-in-One Set: The ideal set for mothers-to-be and new moms who want to express and feed in a clean and simple way! The set contains all the products needed for sterilizing, expressing milk and feeding. For more information, visit philips.ca/c-m-mo/breastfeeding. Purchase in-store at Babies ‘R’ Us and toysrus.ca.
Stokke® MyCarrier™Organic 3 in 1 Baby Carrier: The MyCarrier™ grows with your child without compromising on comfort or ergonomics for your baby or you. For baby, the adjustable seating position supports bottom, thighs and pelvis using the natural ‘Happy Hips’ position. When used for back carrying, the smart design allows you to place your baby into the carrier before attaching it to you - a safe and comfortable solution. Purchase at stokke.com/CAN.
Thule Chariot Cheetah 1 Child Stroller: Getting on the new parent track needn’t take you off the fitness track. This light, compact child carrier comes complete with a stroller kit. Other accessories let you convert it into a jogger, bike trailer, a pull-behind carrier for hiking and cross-country skiing. Stay active through all seasons, and introduce your child to outdoor play! Purchase in-store at MEC Calgary and mec.ca.
Melissa is the Copy Editor for Calgary’s Child Magazine. She hopes this year she can hitch a ride on Santa’s Sleigh to the Caribbean for the holidays.
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