HIGH & LOW TECH
What to buy a kid for the holidays in 2017? Tech may be top of mind, but we kept this year’s gift guide as analog as possible. We’re talking DIY ski-ball, card games, and a dreamy kite to embrace and share the best of the past. That said, we also dug into
GIFTS FOR TWEENS DIY Ski-Ball
DIY the world’s greatest arcade game — fun to build (complete with included kid-friendly tools), further fun to play, and it winds up being killer room decor. $50. lakeshorelearning.com Get cooking A gift that will thrill parents just as much: a weekly delivery of ingredients for a family-friendly meal that kids can make themselves — think pizza balls and taco bowls. Tweens, BYO apron. Starting at $90 a week. Onepotato.com My Golden Ticket A special retelling of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” starring … the lucky kid unwrapping this gift. It’s a hard-copy book that will delight even the most iPad-obsessed. $36. wonderbly.com California kite Because beach days never get old, and a state pride kite will delight everyone from wide-eyed toddlers to surly teens. $48. sistersoflosangeles.com Reversible quilt cover Two kid-favorites — cheetahs and spaghetti with meatballs — bundled back to back in one stylishly wacky duvet cover. 100% cotton, 100% grown-up approved. $135. kipandco.com Sanrio ♥ Sugarf ina Bento Box The holy grail of chic sweets. Sugarfina and Hello Kitty’s collaboration is the stuff that sweet tween dreams are made of. Make ’em share an apple pie gummy with you as a thank you. $20. sanrio.com Rainbow playing cards Sure, kids can play games on their parents’ phones, but a simple deck of cards is never not fun, and rainbows are never a bad idea. $12. studio-lifestyle.com Bear bag A bag-in-a-bear for kiddos to stash in their backpack to bring home stinky gym clothes or extra books. Lightweight, cheerful and earth-friendly. $19. dert-bags.myshopify.com Mermaid shimmer spray We wouldn’t ordinarily endorse grooming products for children, but these sea salt sprays are nourishing, work with all hair textures, and turn any child into a shimmer-headed mermaid. Use carefully. $28. captainblankenship.com FOR PRE-TWEENS Big surprise A glittering melon-sized limited edition toy chest filled with more than 50 “surprises” — think charms, dolls and the like. Which means up to 50 squeals of joy from the lucky kid unwrapping this one. $70. toysrus.com Cardigan The ultimate throw-on-overeverything-and-look-cooler topper. Plus, locally made, affordably priced and free of ubiquitous sports/cartoon logos. $25. yipkids.com Brownstone dollhouse Three floors of urban sophistication for little ones to project fantastical and silly stories onto. The deluxe set comes with all accessories, so it’s move-in ready. $347. landofnod.com Nanea doll and book The newest American Girl doll, Nanea, arrives dressed in traditional Hawaiian clothes — cute, yes, but it also helps set the scene for the powerful story in the accompanying book. Young readers will be enthralled and inspired by Nanea’s journey to help others in World War II-era Honolulu. $115. americangirl.com FOR TODDLERS Milton and Goose play kitchen Forget the plastic and loud colors — this heirloom-quality play kitchen is modeled after designer versions and is sure to inspire envy among any kid’s playgroup — and playgroup’s parents. $699. miltonandgoose.com