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#1. Books!Make reading a part of your Christmas traditions every year. With extra time as a family around the holidays, begin a chapter book or a book series with your kids. Let them stay up late with a book light and a new book on Christmas Eve. One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is a love for reading. Find something you know they'll love or a classic you can enjoy together.
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#2. LegosI love legos. I prefer the value and flexibility of the classic tubs and the way they encourage creativity. However, the character and movie sets are fine too though they are more expensive. There are endless possibilities inside every tub, and they help kids develop problem solving and visual spacial skills. And, unlike most toys out there, these things are built to last. If you do buy any lego sets, I suggest adding a baseplate like the one picture below to provide a sturdy foundation for the structures your child will build and want to keep on display.
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#3. GamesBoard games and card games are an awesome way to encourage problem solving, strategy, social skills and communication. There are soooo many great games out there. Here are just a few I think you should consider. The holiday season is the best time to get board games at the best price. Just watch out for prices that are "too low." Sometimes manufacturers sacrifice in quality and packaging, which can make them a bad deal.
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#4. Kindle FireI use Kindle Fires in my classroom every day. At under $50 each, you can't get a better deal on a tablet. Are they better than an iPad? No. Do they cost one fifth of the price? Yes. These devices are rugged. They have survived many drops and bumps in my classroom. Each Kindle Fire also comes equipped with features that allow you to limit screen time and decide what your child can and cannot do with the device. If you want something a little bigger, I highly recommend the HD8 model. With a bigger screen, more memory and a longer battery life, It's also a great deal.
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#5. Boogie BoardWe own one of these and love it. Kids can quickly draw images on this LCD writing tablet and then, with the push of a button, make it magically disappear. This is great for long car rides or even for writing down quick lists or sketches. After much abuse, ours is still going strong. Do yourself and favor and buy the sleeve as well. It's a great way to protect the slate when not in use and to securely house the stylus.
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#6. Magic TricksIf you know me, magic tricks on this list shouldn't surprise you. Beyond the novelty of performing for friends and family, there is a lot to like about learning how to do magic. The teacher in me loves how much non-fiction reading and rereading it requires. The parent in me loves that kids can develop life skills like persistence, coordination, timing, and public speaking. If you're looking to buy a trick kit, I'd start with one of the ones below. The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Set is very good. This book to the left is the best magic book I've owned, though it's best for kids 13 years or older.
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#7. OzobotWatch the video. Ozobots are super cool mini robots that kids can use to complete challenges and learn basic coding along the way. Simply draw a color coded path for your robot to follow, or use your iPad or computer to write code for your ozobot to perform. Great for tinkerers.
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#8. OsmoNot all screen time is created equal. If you already own an iPad, you need to check out Osmo. This hands on tool allows kids to learn phonics, math, drawing and even coding. Watch the video to see what I'm talking about. While individuals packs are not cheap, you can get a better value by buying in bundles.
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#9. ChromebookHey big spenders! Thinking about bringing an iPad home for Christmas? Think again. Chromebooks may be a better fit. With new touch screens that allow you to access the Google Play Store, you can now buy a high quality laptop that also doubles as a tablet for far less than an iPad. Unlike previous chromebooks, the newest batch released this year are built to take some abuse and have great battery life. These laptops are some of the best deals in technology. See for yourself why so many schools are choosing chromebooks over iPads.
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#10. Thank You CardsLet's make the most of some of the extra time kids have around the holidays. There is something so good about kids writing thank you notes for those who have been so generous to them. While you can buy great Thank You cards (The dollar store sells packs of them), hand-made cards are really the best. If your kid is old enough to write on their own, let them. If not, have them draw a picture of what they are thankful for and dictate the words to you. Even better, record a video of the card writing process and send it to the recipient.
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