Searching for activity books or kits . . .

[MoJo]

My DH's sister is raising her 4 1/2 year old granddaughter. I'd like to get them something for Christmas that they could enjoy doing together, because I think that would be helpful for both of them. (Unfortunately, they live in the middle of nowhere, so the obvious zoo/museum type ideas won't work.)

At this point, something that could be ordered from Amazon would be perfect.

My sibs don't have kids yet, and my own DD is only 18 months, so I don't know where to begin. Or maybe I do: with a post to the BBB!

TIA!

[Seitvonzu]

i got an email from dover yesterday for 20 dollars off a 40 dollar order-- they have a bunch of "activity kits" that are already 40% off and you can use this promotion on them.

Save $20 on an Order of $40!
You still have time to enjoy our most money-saving offer of the year! Monday, December 21, 2009, is the last day that you can save $20 on an online order of $40 or more. Just use Coupon Code HLP4 during checkout. Your savings are good on the more than 9,000 books on our website, including the fun Gift and Activity sets for children that are now on sale. But make sure to use your coupon by Wednesday, December 16, 2009, if you want to take advantage of Standard Shipping for delivery by Christmas.

Use this to start saving now—
http://www.doverpublications.com/hlp4b

[randomkid]

My DD will be 5 in Jan and we have done puzzle books for a while - she loves them! We have several, but these are our favorites:

High Five by Highlights. DD likes it and it is a good one to start with. More simple/easier http://www.highlightshighfive.com/

A subscription to Puzzle Buzz also by Highlights http://shop.highlights.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=16151&catalogId=17603&categoryId=241891&productId=692725

Usborne Puzzle Books - you can get some of them on Amazon. DD loves these and I like them because they incorporate a story so there is also some reading along with it. It usually takes us a few nights to do one of these books. They have a couple that are a compliation - Puzzle World has 3 books in it. These are a little more advanced, but DD loves them and it is something we can really work on together. I feel like she can do the Highlights books almost on her own except for the reading. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=usborne+puzzle+books&sprefix=usborne+pu
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=E0699&gid=90883779&title=Puzzle+World+%28C%2FV%29&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dpuzzle%2Bworld

I also have some dot-to-dot books that we do together although not as often. I bought one that each puzzle goes up to 50. It has helped her learn the concept of counting past 20.

[Melbel]

How about this:

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Color-Wonder-Magic-Light/dp/B0018Z4HY6/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I21P9Y0C5FCJV3&colid=113E151HJY12D

Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush
List Price: $24.99
Price: $7.98 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime
You Save: $17.01 (68%)

[egoldber]

Klutz has really nice activity books for kids that age. They have a really nice paper dolls book, making tiaras, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Book-Paper-Dolls-Klutz/dp/1570546312/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260885513&sr=8-43

http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Socks-Make-Tiaras-Activity/dp/1591743710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260885541&sr=8-1


Alex craft kits are also really fun. A little expensive for what you get, but if they don't have a lot of resources sometimes it's nice to have everything you need all in one kit, KWIM?

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Giant-Busy-Box/dp/B001AQDA50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260885596&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Crafty-Fashion-Little/dp/B001UHBDE4/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260885596&sr=8-15

And there are many, many more....

[Asianmommy]

I love Kumon--you can get them some of them at Target. My favorite one is My Book of Pasting: Jigsaw Puzzles (http://www.amazon.com/My-Book-Pasting-Puzzles-PASTING/dp/B001TJMBXK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260885460&sr=8-5). They also have My First Book of Mazes (http://www.amazon.com/My-First-Book-Mazes-Commonwealth/dp/1933241780/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260885460&sr=8-7) and lots of others.

[vonfirmath]

Zrecommends posted a gift list today of their picks for things for families, adults and children, to do together.
http://www.zrecommends.com/detail/2009-zrecs-gift-guide-part-5-family-play/

[brittone2]

Insect Lore sells butterfly kits, ladybug kits, etc.

It may be too cold for them to ship this time of the year (the kit comes w/ a voucher that they send in with a few bucks at their convenience) and would be too cold to release, but you could get it and they could do it in the spring.

http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Lore-1010-Butterfly-Garden/dp/B00000ISC5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260890652&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Lore-4100192-Butterfly-Pavilion/dp/B00004U5UF/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260890652&sr=8-5

We've done these kits before and enjoyed them.