Holiday Gift Guide: Ages 8 and up
Disney Sing It: Pop Hits
This is the third game in the video-based karaoke series from Disney Interactive Studios. It features songs and music videos from fan favorites, including Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat, Demi Lovato, Hannah Montana, Jesse McCartney and Coldplay. Players can sing solo, duet, or compete head-to-head with friends and family in multi-player mode.
Ages 8-14, rated E for everyone. $49.99 bundled with one mircrophone, or $39.99 non-bundled. For Wii and Playstation 3. Available on amazon.com.
Xeko Elf Island
On December 3, Nationwide Children's Hospital, along with Xeko Elf Island (a virtual world where kids play online games that cause good to happen in the real world), will launch a "Good Quest" for the hospital. This particular Good Quest will have kids playing an online game and building virtual computers to bring real computers to the patients at Nationwide Children's.
The quest spans 30 days and makes for a cool holiday gift for tweens and teens. Parents and grandparents can donate subscriptions to play Xeko Elf Island to patients of Nationwide Children's. Xeko Elf Island was founded by a native Ohio couple who are parents of twin boys. The game and the kids who play have been involved in a number of charity donations for organizations across the globe - planting trees in Niger, building homes in Honduras and more. During the month of December, the Xeko Elf Islanders will help Nationwide Children's bring much-needed computers and laptops to patients - all while having fun!
Ages 8-15. Xeko Elf Island registration is free with a subscription upgrade. Any user is able to log into the community to play standard games. To help the Children's mission, players need to upgrade to a membership with a subscription: approximately $5.95 per month, $29.95 for a 6-month subscription, or $57.95 for an annual membership.
Guesstures
This game of high-speed charades will get players up and out of their seats for laugh-out-loud performances. With five silly words to act out on every turn, teams have to speed up their acting and guesses, or the card-munching timer will swallow the card (and the point).
Teams can choose between easy and hard questions, allowing players of all ages to compete in the silly fun.
Ages 8 and up, 4 to 6 players. $19.99 on toysrus.com.
Nerf Dart Tag Capture the Flag Set
You'll have to use your stealth and speed to win Nerf's adrenaline-pumping twist on capture the flag. Complete with two redesigned scoring vests, two Stormfire blasters, six tag darts and a new electronic flag, the set offers an advanced way to enjoy classic dart tag action. The electronic flag features flashing lights, sounds and motion sensors.
Battle your opponents to see who can capture the flag and not get tagged! Or race to "seek" and "disarm" the flag with challenging 5- and 15-minute timed modes. Requires two AA batteries; not included.
b
Easy-Bake Oven & Snack Center
The beloved Easy-Bake Oven & Snack Center is back in its original aqua color. The classic side-loading oven that bakes with a light bulb returns to let bakers-in-the-making whip up tasty snacks for friends and family, including cakes, brownies, cookies and much more.
The oven comes with three different mixes, two baking pans, two utensils, a pan pusher, two warming cups and recipes/instructions. One 100-watt standard light bulb is required but not included.
Ages 8 and up, $24.99. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on hasbrotoyshop.com.
The Shred Sled
Start shredding the news! Kids, adults and outdoor enthusiasts are getting 'on board' with The Shred Sled, the next generation caster board that combines the movements of snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding into one unique sport.
The Shred Sled is the first 4-wheel inline, dual-deck board that makes it smoother and easier for kids and adults to start carving up the streets. Instead of pushing off the board like a regular skateboard, riders use their hips, legs and arms to move the board, similar to movements used to propel surfboards and snowboards. Paint the town 'Shred' in one of three colors: black, blue or red.
Ages 8 and up, $119.99. Available at retailers nationwide and online at www.theshredsled.com.
