Top Kids' Christmas Gifts for 2009

Ages: 4-10 years

Make real ice cream with the Bratz Kidz Super Secret Snow Lodge!

This year the Bratz Kidz are heading to their exclusive snow lodge. This beautiful, two-story ice hotel has a bedroom, lounge, cozy fireplace, and slide. But there is much more than what meets the eye. After a fun-filled day of skiing, sledding, and hanging out with the Bratz Kidz, girls can whip up a batch of home-made ice cream.

Ages: 4-14 years

Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close with this reusable, collapsible habitat. Fine, transparent mesh lets you see butterfly metamorphosis up close. Product includes easy-to-use feeder and complete instructions for habitat. Butterfly larvae with food shipped directly to your home. The habitat collapses for storage when not in use. You can adopt and raise a handful of caterpillars, watch them transform into painted lady butterflies, then lift the garden cover to release your beautiful specimens into the wild.

Ages: 4 years and up

Ultimate Omnitrix is the latest version of the Ben 10 Omnitrix that has all the newest bells and whistles. It features lights and sounds which are made even more exciting when paired with mini translucent figures. Item comes with one mini translucent figure which attaches to the base, unlocking the Aliens special image and sound. Collect all 10 unique mini figures.

Ages: 4-10 years

Inspire your young Picasso with the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel. This easel will fuel your child's imaginative side and gives them the freedom to create with an extra-large chalkboard, dry-erase board, and easy-load paper roller. Your budding artist will be inspired by free-form expression and spend hours drawing, painting, sketching, and doodling. This work station has an adjustable height to accommodate the little ones as they grow.

Ages: 4-7 years

Open up your own jewelry-making factory with this Wooden Stringing Beads set. This conveniently packaged, brightly painted set contains more than 200 wooden letters and beads. There are also eight colored cords to make necklaces and bracelets that you can keep or give as gifts. Stored in a durable, handy wood tray with a clear sliding top.

Ages: 6 years and up

The Trade Federation is on the march! Send your Separatist forces into battle against the Republic with a droid transport carrier and "hovering" STAP vehicle, complete with a full squad of armed and combat-ready battle droids. Set includes four Battle Droid and three Super Battle Droid mini-figures. 102 pieces.

Ages: 4-10 years

Grab your guitar, join the band and rock out, Bratz Kidz style! This glam guitar really plays music! Push the frets, strum the strings and move the whammy bar to make your own music!

Go exploring with Dora the Explorer and this fun Huffy bicycle. This bike comes with a cool handlebar bag in the shape of Backpack, complete with a treasure map! The seat is padded and there are training wheels to help teach her how to ride a bike. Other features include: coaster brake for safe stopping, double chain guard for added protection, padded crossbar, front and rear reflectors.

Ages: 4 - 8 years

This Mack truck "bachelor pad" playset inspired by the hit Disney Pixar movie "CARS," opens into Lightning McQueen's action-packed home on wheels. Here you can hang out with Lightning McQueen after a long day of racing. Play features include weight machine, rocking lounger, car lift, game station and more.

Books

Ages 4-8

Fifteen years and one Caldecott Medal after its publication, Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express is as fresh and magical as ever. And now an anniversary edition, including the hardcover book, a CD and audiotape featuring a reading by actor Liam Neeson and music by composer Michael Moss, and a special bronze ornament designed by Van Allsburg, renews the wonder and charm of this holiday classic.

Ages 4-8

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday. Introduce your kids to this well-loved classic.

Ages 4-8

This deluxe volume of the Christmas classic is nothing short of dazzling--an heirloom-quality treasure to take out each holiday season and read aloud with family and friends. This elegantly designed version is printed on heavy art stock, with cloth binding, tipped-on illustration, and foil stamping in copper and gold. Vibrant full-color images and debossed duotone spot art by award-winning British illustrator Christian Birmingham bring Moore's beloved poem, Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, to life as never before.