Trying to figure out what to purchase for the children each year at Christmas can be difficult, especially for the busy parent who may not watch TV very much, or shop the local toy store on a regular basis. Companies now target children in advertising through media such as commercials during kids programming. It is only October, but the ads are already in full swing.
Gifts Especially for the Younger Girls 4-6 Years Old
Dora! Dora! Dora! – The number one toy most little girls ages 4-6 will ask for is Dora. There's a new Dora in town, She's all grown up and is linked up to the computer. Dora Links just hit the shelves. Buy the doll and plug Dora into the computer to enter the online world of games and activities. The average price of Dora Links is $50-$70. Get her now! She'll be gone fast!
For a less expensive and high tech Dora option, there is Dora the Explorer Suds and Surprises available for about $25.
Kid Tough Digital Camera the first digital camera designed especially for children ages 3-7.It's easy to use, and is very durable. this camera has an easy-to-use format and simple buttons. It's designed with dual handle grips,and a 2-eye view finder that makes it easy for kids to see objects and take better pictures.
The Kid Tough Digital Camera has a 1.5" color LCD preview screen which allows children to instantly see the picture they've just taken. It also has auto flash and stores up to 500 pictures. Available in pink or blue. This camera comes with a USB cable for connecting to the computer. Pictures can be viewed and stored online or printed into quality 4" x 6" quality prints with parental assistance. The average price of the Kid Tough Digital Camera is $50 and is available at most retail chain stores.
Littlest Pet Shop Cozy Care Pet Adoption Center is another highly requested toy this year. Children can pretend to feed, water and take care of the pets and get them ready to be adopted. They can let the pets spin in the play pen or run on the training course to keep them in shape. It comes with two pets and accessories. Littlest Pet Shop Cozy Care Pet Adoption Center retails for about $45.
Gifts for Girls 8-12 Years Old
This year girls ages 8-12, otherwise known as tweens, are crazy about smart pets. Two of the most popular are Webkinzs and Zhu Zhu Pets. The newest one is the Zhu Zhu Pet. It's a hamster. These hamsters are interactive toys that are the closest alternative to having a real hamster without the mess. Zhu Zhu pets move around in their hamster tubes, race across the floor and even squeak when petted. These new little guys are hard to find and probably expensive.
Webkinz run about $12 each and come in a variety of animal choices. Each one comes with a special code that can be typed in online at the official Webkinz site to allow the new owner to play online games with her Webkinz.
Girls in this age group like to pretend they are grown-up. The American Girls dolls are still the most popular. Each doll is from a period of history and has a series of six booklets describing that doll's time period. The newest one is Chrissa, a modern day tween. She is a new kid at school, lives in an extended-family household and loves to swim and work on crafts. She's learning to stand up to a bully.
These are wonderful top notch quality dolls and books, but they are very expensive. Dolls start at $99 each. The books are priced at around $6 each. A less expensive doll options for tweens are the Our Generation dolls. The Battat Company recently released six new Our Generation dolls. Each doll comes with their own book and accessories, similar to American Girl dolls but priced at a low $32 each.
Tweens are also high-tech. Other popular gift options for tween girls include: Nintendo DS, hand held games,and an I-pod Nano and anything to do with the popular TV series iCarly.
Christmas will soon be here. Avoid the headaches of crowded stores. Start shopping now. Choose gifts that will keep the girl age 8-12 years old happy all year long.
 |
