Holiday Gift Guide

Last Minute Ideas for Kids

We are a family that loves Nerf guns, whoopee cushions and arcade prizes as much as the next one, but they always end up in the trash too soon due to their lack of longevity. After going through hundreds of types of toys over the years, I have come to realize, as is the case with things for big people, you sometimes need to spring for the better-made, long-lasting stuff for the kids (although I admit to a little plastic indulgence as we try to wean ourselves away from it). From our experience choosing thoughtful gifts for our kids, Briton, 13, and Oona, 5, I humbly recommend the following toys for preschool and elementary school kids, with both classic favorites and clever new choices.

Turner's Tunnel

Price: $12.55
More Info: brio.knex.com

We’ve had our wooden train set since our 13-year-old was 1, and my 5-year-old plays with them now—therefore we allow it to take up space in our very small house. I love Brio’s quality. If you can splurge for the pieces, they last forever. Turner’s Tunnel, with its recycling theme, is irresistible.

Stack-O-Matic Turntable

Price: $179.95
More Info: brookstone.com

My 13-year-old, who is technologically complete with an iBook, an iPod, a PlayStation and a cell phone, asked for a good-ol’ clacky manual typewriter this year, which we found for $15 in a thrift store. In searching for a good-ol’ scratchy turntable for him, we haven’t been so lucky at the thrift stores, so I decided we might just have to buy one new, and this is the one on the wish list for its retro look and compact form.

Hamusuta Happy Hamster Toy

Price: $7.95
More Info: wackyplanet.com

I only like this just because it’s not a Zhu Zhu pet, and a fake hamster rolling a ball around the house is just funny. It satisfies the hot new toy craze issue without buying into it—too much. While I can’t speak for its production methods or quality, so far it hasn’t been found to have higher-than-allowed levels of the chemical antimony, like Zhu Zhu’s Mr. Squiggles (per a study by San Francisco–based GoodGuide).

Red Vintage Kitchen

Made by: KidKraft
Price: $219.88
More Info: amazon.com

Cutest. Play kitchen. Ever. Since regretfully purchasing a plastic play kitchen for my daughter, which took four of us four hours and several drinks to put together from 387 separate pieces one Christmas Eve, I have admired the simplicity of wooden play kitchens. This one, with working doors, absolutely takes it in the style category.

Green Dollhouse

Available at: Heirloom Wooden Toys
Price: $180.00
More Info: heirloomwoodentoys.com

A curved roof, a wind turbine, “solar” panels, an adjustable sun shade hung along the load-bearing wall—this doll house completely annihilates the traditional take. Made from sustainably harvested wood, the house comes fully furnished with tiny little modern pieces.

Wood Bowling Set

Available at: Tiny Birds Organic Baby
Price: $24.95
More Info: tinybirdsorganicbabytoys.com

My mother-in-law, Gigi, has a wood bowling set in her garden in Santa Cruz. Every time we visit, both kids run out there and bowl—it is meditative and addictive for everybody, with no smelly bowling shoes required.

Sock Monkey

Available at: Maggie's Organics
Price: $20.00
More Info: maggiesorganics.com

No kid wants to snuggle a polyester monkey. Maggie’s super-soft organic sock monkey is a new take on the classic, made from less-than-perfect new socks in a worker-owned cooperative. The color depends on what they have in stock on the order day.

Spiel & Holz Stacking Toys

Designed by: Spiel & Holz Design
Price: $12.98
More Info: finewoodentoys.com

The Spiel & Holz wood stacking toys will satisfy your Waldorf tactile-play urges, and they look really cool on the shelf. I’d go for the fire or the rainbow.