Disclosure

The holidays are quickly creeping up on us! Whether you are juggling end-of-year projects at work or shuttling kids to and from holiday activities, busy schedules make time fly even faster. We all scurry to take care of holiday decorations and plan meals so having some shortcuts on the gift-giving front is always useful. Over the past couple of weeks we have shared ideas for family games, home and electronics and even catered a list towards the Star Wars fanatic. We have tweens (one soon to be a teen!) so we know the struggles that come with finding something that they will like. As they mature, they no longer have the same interest in traditional toys, so today we are focusing on gifts and toys that go well beyond the age marked on the box. Keep in mind that it is okay for the big kid (AKA adult) to buy these for the child on their list then need to “test it” before the child plays with it. Really. It’s okay. We’ve all done it.

As with the other guides, some of these gift ideas are included in our 44 Days of Giveaways! Watch for a new contest every single evening at 7:00pm Central!

LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack

Warner Bros. Interactive  

LEGO Dimensions merges physical LEGO brick building with interactive console gameplay. Featuring worlds from 14 iconic entertainment franchises – including DC Comics, The Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, The Wizard of Oz, The Simpsons and more – LEGO Dimensions demonstrates a unique convergence of outstanding entertainment brands, video games and the inherent fun of physical LEGO brick building.

Code Master

ThinkFun, Inc.   

Code Master is a new puzzle board game that takes kids on the ultimate coding adventure. The big brother to Robot Turtles, Code Master is easy enough for any kid to play, but challenging to master. Albeit a single-player game, friends can collaborate to solve the puzzles while learning coding logic and computer programming. Available exclusively at Target. (Ages 8+).

Buy from Target

Skylanders SuperChargers

Activision Publishing, Inc.  

Skylanders® SuperChargers introduces vehicles-to-life, an entirely new way for fans to experience the magic of Skylands. Using powerful, tricked-out land, sea and sky vehicles, Portal Masters can speed across Skylands’ roads in vehicular combat, race down roaring rapids and engage in aerial dogfights as they barrel-roll through enemy swarms for the first time. Skylanders SuperChargers offers players a rich story-driven gameplay experience, with combat, puzzles, mini games, activities and platforming, set within a variety of all-new compelling environments..

RC Explorers Quad Copter

Ohuhu 

Let your older kids take flight with the radio controlled Explorers Quad Copter equipped with a 2.0 MP camera and 2GB SD memory card. They can hone their skills as they maneuver forward and back, left and right sideways, turn left and right and 360° 3D eversion. Recommended for ages 14+.

Nail Art Pens

Is your tween or teen finding it hard to create a wish list of “toys”? Here is an idea that inspires creativity! Encourage them to get artistic using nail polish pens designed specifically for adding details to their nails. Available in a variety of colors, use these pens to compliment the polish they already own or create a gift package that includes nail care products, polish and art pens.

Slideways

R&R Games   

Move over tic-tac-toe, there’s a new game in town! Slideways is the puzzle game of strategy and skill that raises the bar on fun as players try to outwit their opponents. Flip colors or move the bar on the magnetic board to be the first to get four in a row. Perfect travel game. Recipient of the 2015 FIGGIE Award for Most Innovative Game. Ages 8+.

Scientific Explorer Super Nova Telescope

Alex Toys  

Look to the stars! Magnifies up to 225X, the Scientific Explorer Super Nova Telescope is great for looking at stars, the moon and the planets! Compact Refractor Telescope with a F300mm focal length, 70mm objective lens, finder scope and heavy duty three stage tripod. Also comes with 3X Barlow Lens, 45 degree diagonal mirror, H20mm eyepiece, H4mm eyepiece, tripod and instructions.

Mighty Makers Building Set

K’NEX  

Build your dream house from the ground up with Brianna and Sophia in the Home Designer™ Building Set. Sophia loves building, while Brianna helps with the finishing touches of the interior. These best friends are a dynamic duo when it comes to building and decorating houses. Help them build different styles of houses – a colonial, a brownstone, and a ranch. Decorate the houses using the included accessories and make their home, your home with the Home Designer™ Building Set from Mighty Makers®. Most models can be built one at a time.

Connect 4 Twist & Turn

Winning Moves  

A new twist on the Classic 4-in-a-row game! Just like the classic game play of Connect 4, players get four discs in a row to win the game. But with Connect 4 Twist & Turn there is a new twist! Each level of the Connect 4 tower turns to add a new level of gameplay. Drop a disc, give a twist, line up four of your colored discs and win the game!”

Project Mc2 McKeyla Kit

Project Mc2   

Based on the Netflix Original series of four super-smart and seriously cool girls who use their love of science and their spy skills as they go on missions for secret organization, NOV8 (that’s “innovate”), Project Mc2 introduces kids to science through play. Dolls include science kits while full sized science kits are sold separately. With Project Mc2 leader, McKeyla McAlister, make your own lava light just using safe household ingredients. Doll Set Features: Premium articulated McKeyla doll, dressed in a totally cool outfit that reflects her personality and individual style.

Stay tuned for more great gift ideas.  Keep an eye out for the tiny  logo for details on items we have previously discussed in more depth. Plus, we’ll have more giveaways in our 44 Days of Giveaways including some of the items featured here!