Holiday Gift Guide: Ages 4 and up
Ring Around The Nosy
Your children will have hilarious, fast-action fun with this colorful game that turns everyone into an elephant. Players put on their masks and put their rings on the playing board. Using only their trunks, players must scoop up the color rings as fast as they can.
The first ring is the easiest, but it gets more difficult as players try to keep their rings on their trunks while picking up more. The first player to get all three rings on their trunk wins.
Ages 4 and up, 2 to 4 players, $15. Available at toymaster.com, Learning Express and boardgames.com.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles - and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree.
She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and has been waiting for Christmas to come. But when things don't turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? In this merriest of stories from bestselling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, Nancy proves once again that a little fancying up can go a long, festive way.
Ages 4 to 7, $17.99. Available on harpercollins.com.
Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe Playset
This cafe is the most popular hangout in Berry Bitty City - it's where Strawberry Shortcake and her friends can gather for snacks, smoothies and fun! Shaped like a strawberry with doors and windows that open, the two-story caf also features Strawberry Shortcake's bedroom and includes a three-inch sweet-smelling Strawberry Shortcake mini doll with removable fashions.
The playset comes with adorable accessories, including furniture, pretend food, a spinning smoothie machine, a "flying" bird that Strawberry Shortcake or her friends can ride, and more. Additional playsets and dolls are sold separately. No batteries required.
Ages 4 up, $34.99. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on hasbrotoyshop.com.
FurReal Friends: Lulu, My Cuddlin' Kitty
The FurReal Friends brand launched in 2002 with the introduction of a lifelike cat. This fall, the brand returns to its roots with the introduction of Lulu, My Cuddlin' Kitty pet, the most realistic feline to join the family.
The "purr-fect" pet for little ones, Lulu features soft white and marmalade fur and preens, cuddles and mews just like a real kitty cat. Lulu loves to snuggle; gently rub her back and she will "purr" and "meow" to show that she is happy. Once she's relaxed, Lulu will roll over onto her back, indicating it's time to have her tummy rubbed. Requires four C batteries, included.
Ages 4 and up, $54.99. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on hasbrotoyshop.com.
Toy Story Pop-Open Playworld
Let the adventure begin with this portable, storable Toy Story playset, which unfolds to reveal three fun play areas inspired by the movie. Kids can learn to fly in Andy's room, escape the clutches of the claw in Pizza Planet, create a mutant toy in Sid's room, or plan an escape from Sid's backyard.
Each playset includes a Buzz Lightyear figure, an exclusive Scud figure and accessories.
Ages 5 and up. $39.99 on toysrus.com.
Splashy the Whale
'Thar she blows!' Splashy the friendly electronic whale is ready for fun and frolics on the high sea! But all that splashing about means Splashy's mouth has been filling up with all kinds of Flotsam and Jetsam.
Players take turns trying to fish bones, anchors, life preservers, sea horses and submarines from Splashy's mouth as he bobs and rolls around the crest of a wave. But don't tickle his tongue! He might surprise you with a spray of water and you will have to return all of your items back into his mouth. The player with the most Flotsam and Jetsam points at the end of the game wins.
Ages 5 and up, 2 or more players, $20. Available at Kmart, Learning Express, toymaster.com and boardgames.com.
Hasbro card games
Gather the whole family for some fun playing old favorites with a new twist.
- Monopoly Deal: Wheel and deal your way to a win!
- Scrabble Slam: Race to create words in a flash.
- Crazy Old Fish War: Play four classic card games in one.
- Littlest Pet Shop Go Fish: Collect pairs of adorable pets.
