Fun Gifts for Kids of All Ages by Lee Littlewood on Creators.com

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Fun Gifts for Kids of All Ages

These educational and exciting gifts for kids will brighten up any holiday.

"My Own Leaptop" from LeapFrog; $24.99.

Kids can learn and play on their own "real" laptop that not only teaches the alphabet, spelling and phonics, but also lets tots discover piano, percussion and other musical sounds. They can choose from over 20 songs to make their own playlists, as well as play an animal guessing game, all on their own computer. Best of all, preschoolers can download personalized emails from a family member. They can even check out Scout the dog's blog, and then tell him all about their day.

With an easy folding construction and sturdy handle for carrying it about, My Own Leaptop is the perfect take-along laptop for kids ages 2 and up.

"My Very Own Storytime Pad" from LeapFrog; $29.99.

Akin to the Leaptop above, LeapFrog's electronic reading and story pad has 10 fun tales available that can be personalized to include a child's name. The cute LeapFrog animal characters Scout, Eli, Violet and Penny talk when certain buttons are pressed, and kids can also create their own playlist of up to 10 songs. Internet connection is required for the personalizing features and for selecting stories, songs and emails.

Also from LeapFrog, is the popular Tag Junior reading system, ($9.99 to $34.99). The toys come with a rounded, electronic, colorful animal "reader." Kids touch and hold the reader while sliding it over the text and pictures in the accompanying books. The readers come in light purple and light green. They not only learn a child's name, but they make sound effects while bringing stories to life. The 15 board books, sold separately, have loveable characters and fun stories with beginning-to-read text. The books are great on their own, but when the electronic toy is touched to the pages, songs and words come to life.

The Tag Junior reading system is aimed at preschoolers ages 1 to 4.

"Wuggle Pets," $19.99.

As seen on TV, Wuggle Pets are available at stores like CVS and Target as well as online at Amazon.com.

The toys encourage creativity by letting kids build their own. The set comes with a fill factory, soft stuffing, magic dust, personality charms, a zipper tool and birth certificates. Kids can fill up the cuddly puppy and magical unicorn with their very own personality and touch.

The fill factory is refreshingly easy to use, requires no batteries and is operated by a small crank. Additional Wuggle Pets are sold separately and include a bashful bear, a playful pony, a clever raccoon, a funny monkey and soon, earful elephant and sunny bunny. Designed to let kids see what goes into toy making, it is a great party idea or gift. Wuggle Pets also come with backpack clips, so kids can show off their cuddly creations everywhere. Visit wugglepets.com for more information, other kits and how to order an optional voice box.

"Rockboard" scooter, M.Y. Products, LLC, $159 to $209.

Want a top-notch gift for your older child who still loves scootering but wants to ramp up the action? Turn to the Rockboard two-in-one scooter, which combines the best of both into one cool ride. Designed for kids 8 and older, the Rockboard is equipped with propulsion technology, which lets riders bounce up and down at the back for great speed. But when they want a more casual ride, they can adjust the two-position, locking joint and turn the Rockboard into a regular scooter. It's like owning two completely different scooters but in only one space-saving package.

Sturdily built with an ultra strong aluminum frame, the Rockboard has comfort grips, secure brake handles, a height adjustment lock and a rear spring-enhanced suspension system that creates a smooth ride even on bumpy pavement. The scooter also comes in several cool colors.

"Jungle Speed!" from Asmodee; $14.99.

Jungle Speed is a super fun, fast-paced family game that only takes 15 minutes and is fun for two to 10 people. Players take turns flipping cards. Looking for matches, they must discard their non-matching cards. The winner is the first player to get rid of all their cards.

A super zippy way to play a quick game that doesn't require lots of setting up and accessories, "Jungle Speed!" is a hoot.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.