Santa's Little Helper - Second Chapter

Now that I have given a lot of attention to finding the perfect gift for the style-savvy women in our lives, I am now going to focus on the children. This is, after all, their holiday; filled with magic, anticipation and excitement! I remember being a young child on Christmas morning. I felt sorry for my parents who never seemed to get any presents under the tree. Good thing Santa liked me!

All of the toys at Notice are do-it-yourself, create-your-own, hands-on sorts of toys. They are a great alternative to all that is battery powered now-a-days. These toys have a funky twist on old school concepts. Unwrapping these presents are sure to make the light bulb go off and put a smile on their face.

For example, Seedling is a New Zealand based toy company that puts together creative kits for creative kids. The kit pictured on the left is complete with everything young girls would need to create their very own dolly. Not only do they give you a lot of fabric and yarn to work with, but they also give directions teaching girls how to sow. I should get this kit and learn a few things!

There are also a lot of fun kits for boys. They even have an outdoor explorer kit, which includes a nature journal, creepy crawly critters, and a headlamp for nighttime adventures. 

For the future mechanic, I re-introduce the ever-so-popular Automoblox. These award-winning toys are essentially a lego version of the classic matchbox cars. Most of their body is made from wood, the accessories from plastic, and the tires are made from a soft rubber - which is easy on the home. These toy cars come in a lot of different makes, models and colors. Built by the children themselves, these cars will cruise the floor with a new sense of accomplishment. When you purchase multiple cars in the same size, you can mix and match the parts to create your own model!

These toys are not only cool, but they are official. Don't forget to register your car at the Automoblox Owner's Club. You will then receive your custom 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), as well as many perks that only members have the privilege of getting.

Next on the nice list are the adorable, and irresistible Momiji dolls. Measuring in at approximately three inches tall, these hand-painted figures are sure to bring out the joyous child in all of us. Since they are collectables, their nature is timeless and their designs are classic. It is a great gift for the young girls, for it will teach them the importance of kindness and giving. How, you ask? Each Momiji doll has a folded card hidden inside, which serves the purpose of passing along your own secret message to a dear friend.

Each of my young-hearted friends should expect a Momiji doll from me this Christmas. They are too sweet not to share! What a perfect way to spread the cheer. Anything with a personal touch always adds to the sentimental value of a gift. Speaking of personal touch, each doll has specific characteristics that are fun to match up with your own friends. For example...Love, pictured above - holding the heart, likes lollypops and love letters. Hmm. Do I have a friend that likes lollypops and love letters?

The next gift that is sure to please are the robot-themed Piperoids. Origami is revived by these paper robots with pizazz and intrigue. Similar to the Momiji dolls, each Piperoid has individual traits specific to each character. In order to bring them to life, it is up to you to transform their paper pipes into the predetermined shape. No glue is required for them to maintain their form, and their movable joints allow you to adjust their pose when the inspiration strikes.

The two Piperoids above are
the rockin' out Guyzer and Bean.

Originally, they were designed to provide a childlike experience for adults. Although this may be true, I have noticed that people are typically buying them for children. Apparently, these little figures have the ability to bring out the child in all of us. And trust me...they look more complicated than they actually are, but the process is simple enough for children to understand. The only supplies needed are a pair of scissors and able fingers. These robots come in a thin envelope that would be ideal to use as stocking stuffers. They are also a great collectors item.

The next product, which is ideal for nurturing the artist in each child, is the Modern-Twist placemat for kidz. This item comes in a variety of art scenes, and should be colored on with washable or dry erase markers. Although, each placemat comes with a box of washable markers, you can still use your own. In order to avoid staining from the marker, it is wise to wash the placemats regularly.

By children using the Modern-Twist placemats, they are also contributing to a green way of living. This product is made from silky-food grade and hand silk-screened silicone, which makes it extremely durable and easy to travel with. Each placemat is sold individually, and is measured at 14 x 16 inches. This design-inspired company encourages children to "color again and again." The owl placemat is my personal favorite (pictured right), but there are so many adorable art scenes - it is difficult to even choose a favorite!

Question: What's hip from Holland? Answer: Three-dimensional puzzles...that's what! Each boxed set comes with a variety of puzzle pieces that can take shape in various objects and forms. Forget the old-fashioned puzzle that only gives you one picture to work towards. Now children have the ability to choose the fate of their puzzle.

Notice carries select products from the Totem Collection. The suggested age is six and up, but it was even a challenge for me to assemble the dragon - after accidentally knocking it off of the shelf. Probably something I shouldn't be bragging about, but at least I can say I was attempting to do it without the directions. Since these clever puzzle parts are a fun challenge, they make a great toy for the mind and soul. It is important that children experience the feeling of accomplishment that is achieved in a creative way, as the Hip from Holland toys provide.  

I hope this post has enlightened your thought on what is out there for children this holiday season. I believe that it is so important for children to actually play and use their imagination, rather than let the toy do all of the work. All of these toys nurture creativity, promote learning, and are loved by children and parents alike. Click here to visit Notice's website, or enjoy a day of shopping at either of their two locations. (All of the pictures were provided by their given website.)