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Top 101 Best Holiday Gifts and Toy Guide 2014
Our Top 101 Best Holiday Gifts and Toy Guide 2014 includes some of the most
unique, fun and educational gifts and toys available today.
Our team reviews each of the best holiday gifts and toys in our guide so you will have the highest quality and right at your fingertips throughout the year.
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We especially thank Conni Gordon and her Paint a Picture in Just One Hour book for sponsoring the
Top 101 Best Holiday Gifts and Toy Guide 2014
Click this image to get the Paint a Picture in Just One Hour digital book
For your convenience, we have organized our Top 101 Best Holiday Gifts and Toy Guide 2014 into categories and by age group.
You’ll also find categories for books, boys, girls, teens, teachers, and technology for every age.
There is something for everyone!
Art
Paint a Picture in Just One Hour! Have you ever wanted to paint but did not know how? These 4 Easy steps in this remarkable digital book will teach you how to paint a picture in just one hour! |
Ages 0-3
This bright mat suctions to the table and is made of easy to clean silicone. Safe for baby, it is certified by CPSIA as non-toxic, PVC, BPA and phthalate free. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe for illustration. |
Keep baby organized with the Voyager Bag This attractive bag includes an insulated lunchbox, spaces for bottles, zippered compartments, and more. An easy way to keep baby and the whole family organized in one place. |
This sturdy lightweight stroller is best for babies on the go! Easily adaptable for facing two ways, protecting baby in comfort and style. |
![]() Relieve neck stress for toddlers as they nod off in the carseat. Safe, comfortable, stylish, and washable, the Slumber Sling is hand made with organic cotton in the USA |
Educational Bath toy for toddlers, with secure suction cup that fastens to tub. Safe toy, makes bathtime fun |
These temporary tattoos are great ways to ensure that lost children can reconnect. Customizable so you can write phone number or special instructions for special needs children. Use these as durable labels on items you want to keep track of too. Waterproof, they are great for the beach or for a family trip to a theme park. |
Joobles Organic Baby Cardigan Sweater – Jiffy the Giraffe Hooded baby cardigan made from soft yarns, with whimsical giraffe hood. Hand-knit with love at small Peruvian fair trade cooperatives. Children of cooperative workers are helped by the Fair Indigo Foundation, which provides educational programs and supplies. |
Zen Swaddle Classic™ Collection Zen Swaddle™ mimics the sensation of being held in your arms. Based on the medically proven benefits of simulated touch, its lightly weighted areas on either side and at the center provide the security they feel only in your arms. A smaller interior pouch keeps your baby’s legs snug during the first few weeks, while the extra long sack offers additional leg room to grow up to 29″.Made from 100% ultra soft cotton, washer and dryer safe |
Great fun for a little baby! Take Winkel out of the fridge and let baby teeth on the rings. It is a rattle that can be squeezed, chewed, shaken, and played with in many ways! |
A lovely, bright, wobbly pile of pieces that easily fit into yur toddler’s hand and are easy to stack. And so much fun to knock down! |
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Fire Truck puzzle has 12 interlocking pieces cut from plywood. Bright designs printed right on the wood so images dont scratch off. Each puzzle is shrink wrapped with drawstring pouch for easy storage.
Ages 3-8
Yes, this is just like the original set you remember! Hours of fun, imaginative play – and you’ll want to play along! |
From French toymaker Janod, this cart is perfect for the little fix it kid. Comes with 23 accessories, and tools attach to the cart with hidden magnets. Simple assembly required. |
This set can fit in different size doorways, making it practical, easy to store and use, and fun to play with! Put on a puppet show! |
Mini Micro Classic Kickboard Scooter This is the highest rated scooter designed for children ages 3-5. Safety certified by the CPSC. The Mini Micro is recommended for children up to 44lbs. |
These clever Twistie Tips fit on top of shoe laces, jackets, or anything that needs to be kept from coming accidentally untied. Keeps shoes on feet and coats secure. These come in a variety of styles – sports balls, animals, shapes, and the turtles shown. |
![]() Ziggle is not the usual tricycle. With four caster wheels and an adjustable seat, it can spin 360 degrees and has a solid steel frame. Twist the front and wiggle the back for fun travels |
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These whimsical tents are great for a rainy day! Colorful and easy to set up, kids can have hours of “camping out” indoors. Comes with a cotton canvas storage bag
![]() This set comes with a crane, signs, concrete mixer and 2 figures of a foreman and a worker. Crane has a pulley and can be twised 360 degrees and loaded with building materials. |
![]() With a hammer and chisel that is provided, kids can “excavate” their very own dinosaur! Dig the Dino out of the rock. This is a fun game for the whole family with a 3D setup |
![]() Ten faceted stone like shapes that allow kids to create their own sculpture. Comes with cotton drawstring bag. |
Ages 8-12
This is a fun Lego set that combines building with pretend play. Comes with lots of utensils, sign and canopy, cash register, phone, and cake stand. |
Kids build their own robot, and then program it to perform up to 36 remote controlled actions. Sound activated artificial intelligence makes this robot sing, kick a ball, turn, detect an obstacle. Runs on batteries. |
Learn to amaze friends making swords, hats, poodles, or butterflies out of balloons! Kit comes with 32 balloons, eye stickers, a hand pump and easy instructions. |
These wall lights are a great decoration for your comic book fan’s room. A choice of Captain America Shield, Hulk Fist, Hulk Head, Iron Man Hand, Iron Man Mask, Spider-Man Hand, Spider-Man Head, or Thor Hammer. Sticker makes it look like it is coming out of the wall. |
Shaped like Tardis, your Whovian will appreciate this unique lunchbox. |
This paper set transforms a desk into a physical minecraft world. For ages 6 and up, this is a physical representation of what can be created on the computer. |
Arrange actual puzzle pieces into matching shapes on screen. Osmo program comes with three games, and is available for iPad |
This 7.5 inch long tenor ocarina is tuned in the key of C Major, and has a pitch range of 13 notes. Sharps and flats can also be performed. Inspired by Lord of the Rings, it Comes with instruction booklet and Lord of the Rings songbook. |
![]() Slackers 40′ Zipline Falcon Series Kit with Seat Your backyard becomes adventureland with this sturdy zipline kit! 40 feet of line, and comes with a seat. Hours of outdoor fun! |
Build over 175 experiments with light. Features: Infrared detector, strobe light, color changing LED, glow in the dark fan, fiber optics communication, color organ controlled by iPod or other MP3 player, voice. |
Teens & Adults
These bright socks are designed by Philipp Fankhauser. Make your outfit resound! Feel the music in your toes! |
![]() This clever item is inspired by the traditional money clip but has a bigger capacity. It self compresses for easy storage. Made in the USA |
This stylish cell phone wallet holds an IPhone, credit cards and cash in a small space. See through front cover for easy access |
Hand Warmer With Smart Phone Recharge No cold hands or smartphone! This charger provides comfort on the go while giving a boost to a phone. It is also a flashlight. Compatible with all Androids, iPhones, and Blackberrys. Rechargable battery |
For the tech minded teen or adult, these cufflinks say it all! Detailed down to integrated circuits, tarnish resistant, and enamel and nickel plated. |
This sculpture is handmade of stainless steel wire with aluminum rivets. Adam’s joints are flexible, and he can strike any pose. Hold reminder notes, sits comfortably atop books and papers. 12 inches high |
![]() Create and command robots that walk, talk, think, and do just about any task you can imagine. Comes with step by step 3D building instructions and programming interface. Remote control included. |
The high flying Bandito from Estes is easily assembled in under an hour. From the E2X (Easy to Assemble) collection. Mini engine powered rocket. |
E-Flyte Blade Micro Helicopter A great helicopter for the first time pilot, as well as the experienced flyer. 100% assembled and ready to fly out of the box. Comes with charger, transmitter, and 8 AA batteries. |
Arts and Crafts
This loom is great for both beginning and experienced weavers. Made of hard maple, loom is completely assembled with basic project started. Made in the USA |
![]() These “rocks in a box” are perfect for young hands, and come in a variety of colors. Easy grip, vegan, and completely washable. |
![]() Kids create their own original vehicle designs – and then can “drive” them with the included app! Includes 36 colored pencils, 20 markers, four stencils, a pencil sharpener, and a design sketchbook |
This double-sided, adjustable-height easel. Includes a dry-erase board, chalkboard, locking paper-roll holder, child-safe paper cutter, and 4 easy-clip grips. |
These die cut Kaleidograph Snowflakes can be arranged in multiple crystalline snowflake designs. Great for decoration, family fun, and challenging matching games. |
Pets
![]() Funfish is a unique fish home that cleans itself. Great for Betas or goldfish |
Natural banana leaf hut which includes a fleece covered zippered pillow. Great for pets seeking a dark cozy retreat |
This small bed is great for any small animal. The pad inside is completely removable and washable. Easy to clean, attractive, and comfortable |
Books
![]() Fun that educates! Each book has special sections with a clue to be solved, and is sure to be a hit with toddlers who love animals |
From the I am a STAR Personalized Book Series Jackson’s First Haircut PERSONALIZED BOOK for your child Help your child overcome their jitters about their first haircut. This book is PERSONALIZED and available with your child’s name in the story and on the cover. If you type in the child’s name and rest of the title and don’t find it immediately, email us at iamastarbooks (at) gmail.com and we will have one created for you right away and send you an email when it is ready! You will also find other personalized books for your child like Jackson’s First Day of School. Note: This is a kindle book but you don’t need a kindle to read it – just grab their FREE reading app here and you can read it to your child on your computer, your tablet, iPad, or tablet. |
![]() Instant Learning for Amazing Grades Use your personal learning styles to get higher grades in as little as 14 days! |
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Alexander has a terrible, horrible day, and this story is a perennial favorite. If your children saw the movie, they will love the book. You will too. |
Math Facts Made Easy: Learn Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division in HALF the Time! |
Spelling Made Easy: Learn your words in HALF the time |
This award winning popular classic by Norton Juster is just right for school age kids learning language, math, and staying interested in it all! Whimsical illustrations by Jules Pfeiffer. Follow Milo and the watchdog “Tock” on their journey through the magic tollbooth gates |
These songs, written by Margaret Wise Brown are illustrated by twelve award winning picture book artists. This is a new find – previously unpublished song lyrics by the beloved author of Goodnight Moon.Sweet Dreams! |
Blocks and Building
Fun to use heavy duty straws anc connectors can be put together in an infinite variety of possibilities. Build houses, rockets, bridges, framework ideas for other projects, or invent your own idea! |
Build anything your mind can imagine with this set. Includes building pieces including nuts, bolts, a hammer and a screwdriver. |
More than a model, this is the most advanced Lego Technic plane yet, with many real world functions. Comes with a joystick controlling flaps and elevators. Power Functions motors open the cargo bay, retract the landing gear, and spin the propellers. Rebuilds into a Transport Hovercraft |
Rokenbok Get Rok’n Young Builder Set Rokenbok is a construction set that grows with your child and jumpstarts imagination. Box includes blocks, figures, and accessories to build whatever the imagination can conceive of! |
Educational
This game is a great way to share and connect with the whole family. Great for teaching kids about financial planning, giving, philanthropy, and building meaningful connections |
Kids Glow in the Dark Constellation Pajamas These cotton pajamas have a galaxy of glow in the dark constellations. Great for young astronomers |
Great for science at home! Includes huge 256 page instruction book more than 300 experiments in ecology, magnetism, physics, solar energy, and electricity. Has components of a real lab. Parents Choice Award Winner. |
This little box will delight baby like no other! Shake and tap for chimes, horns, drums, and animal sounds. If you choose the piano or chimes, you can play a scale by tapping from one edge of the screen to the other side. |
Fun Card game lets kids practice beginning consonant and vowel sounds in the pictured words. There’s an element of surprise to this game. If the Sunken Ship card turns up, game over! |
Use this clever map to teach about the role of delegates vs popular vote in the USA electoral process. Blank states can be colored red or blue separately and marked with the number of delegates. Then put them together for a huge 40″ by 60″ map of the USA. Comes with teachers guide and letters to spell USA |
This is the coding game everyone is talking about. Robot Turtles is for little programmers. Its a great introduction to coding basics, and kids have fun trying to move the turtle to its matching jewel |
These goggles are perfect for seeing in the dark! Push button light beams a blue ray to light up the dark up to 25 feet away |
Add some sunshine and water, and see what prints! Make pressed leaves, or other shapes and pattern. This is photo paper which develops naturally with sun exposure. Great way to teach kids about light, art, prints, nature. |
Helps children practice coin recognition, addition, subtraction and place value with 4 engaging games |
This is the first chemistry kit for kids, safe and educational. Also, it’s very entertaining. Kids can mix ordinary ingredients found in the kitchen to form glowing slime, invisible ink, technicolor foam, and edible rock candy. Includes mix and measure scoop, glow in the dark powder, test tubes with soft lids, and a 24 page booklet. |
This observation dome has a real microscope with a 360 degree swivel to better observe the insects. Made in Holland from 65% recycled plastic. Statement on the box says to “be careful with animals, return them to nature after your observation”. |
See carrot, radish, and onion seeds grow up while the roots grow down! Self watering system with special view window. Great to show how roots grow and learn about plants |
This giant poster is a big size for the Big Apple! Measures 39.51 x 71 inches, and is a sure hit for kids interested in city design. Whimsical map has all the buildings and landmarks in detail, A fun project for the family |
This is an impressive starter collection of rocks and mineral for the budding geologist. Specimens are number coded for cross reference with included identification sheet. Comes with streak plate, magnet, magnifier, and handbook. |
Games
In this competitive strategy game, players build a city with a die and a set of cards. The city starts with a wheat field and bakery and grows to become the largest city in the region. Players manage their own resources – and maybe use some of their neighbors… |
Match colors and shapes with strategy! Player with the most points wins! Ages 6 and up. |
A fun non competitive game for players of all ages |
This is a whole new way to play Apples to Apples. For the first time, the whole family will be able to make hilarious comparisons by playing outrageous picture cards. |
Place pieces on the board, each touching at least one other piece of the same color, only at the corners. The goal is to get rid of all your pieces, and the game ends when all players are blocked from laying down any more pieces. Great for logic and spacial perception and developing tactical skills! |
Dolls and Pretend Play
Here’s some fun for budding builders! Kids can play construction worker with this bright orange, machine-washable, vest high-lighted with reflective material and a tool belt, a yellow hard hat, goggles, a hammer, a saw, and a name tag for personalizing. |
Beautiful luxury dollhouse for Barbie is totally renovated! Three levels of fully furnished rooms, lights and sounds, a center elevator, a separate elevator for fashion, and yes, the ultimate closet! |
The classic oven has been updated to be light bulb-free and comes with yummy mixes and pans for cooking up all kinds of sweet treats! |
Home
Zips in seconds, making neat bedmaking easy for kids. Washable, includes zippered side pockets, and glows in the dark! Easy fit for bunk beds. |
Robin Wilson Home Hypoallergenic Comforters and Pillows These luxurious pillow cases and comforters are hypoallergenic and feature a chemical-free cotton barrier fabric that protects against pet dander, dust mites, and other microscopic allergens. |
Convenience and style in paper and plastic tableware – and help a good cause. For every Cheeky product sold, the manufacturer will donate to a hunger relief organization |
Teachers
The perfect gift for a math teacher. |
This crystal apple clock is a beautiful gift to show appreciation and looks great on any desk. |
Technology and Apps
Casio Colored Graphing Calculators Graphing Calculators in attractive colors. Perfect for high school student. |
![]() Now you can make a smooth timelapse video with your smartphone! This is a simple rotating stand for your iPhone or compact camera. Take panning timelapses anywhere. Rotates 360 degrees in an hour. |
An update on Grandma and Grandpa’s old slide shows! This slide projector mounts your smartphone and creates a slide show for all to enjoy your photos. A contemporary experience in retro style! |
The World’s First 3D Printing Pen The only pen that creates three dimensional plastic drawings! Instead of ink, this pen releases warm thremoplastic that will harden in seconds. You can create three dimensional freehand drawings. |
PUNK portable speaker is smaller, tougher, and louder than you expect. Goes anywhere and everywhere. Your music will be heard. |
Never lose track of your phone again. This stylish accessory plugs into your phone and clips onto your bag. Assorted colors |
This app keeps your family organized. No more frantic text messages back and forth. Just update the app and the entire circle of people you want to connect to can see the message, appointment, or change in schedule |
This convenient GPS tracker can be used to keep kids safe, or keep track of valuable items. Put one in your purse, or use with your phone, laptop, or other valuables. Establish safe zones and get notifications when the Ezoom enters or leaves an area. |
This unique Android tablet can be customized with up to five different “personality packs”. (Hello Kitty is shown here) Each separately sold pack includes customized wallpaper, widgets, lock screens, camera and photo editor and a themed bumper case. In addition, each tablet includes themed games, built in Wifi, a camera, and parental controls. Great tablet for the whole family. |
![]() Highest resolution of all the Fire Tablets, this new generation HDX 8.9 boasts dynamic image contrast, which makes it easier to see any image outdoors |
Spark up kids books with added connections to distant grandparents or loved ones. Let kids listen to their favorite books being read aloud by the people they love! |
If you have a site recommendation for next year’s guide, please contact us here
Pat Wyman and HowToLearn.com publish the annual Top 101 Best Holiday Gifts and Toy Guide 2013
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