19 Christmas gifts for babies, kids, tweens and teens
If you really want the trendiest toys under your tree this year, go ahead and buy them.
But if you can't see yourself spending the equivalent of your phone bill on a Hatchimals Surprise or an LOL Big Surprise, fear not.
There is more to choose out there than expensive plastic balls filled with small plush or plastic toys.
Here are 19 gift ideas, just to get you started. From classic toys and books to high-tech gadgets and fashion must-haves, these are gifts that will please the kids on your list and hold their attention for longer than it takes to pop open a plastic egg. LOL.
1. Hess Truck
Why: A classic toy for generations. Collectible, if you're an older kid. Irresistible at any age. This year's Hess Truck is a dump truck and loader. The dump truck features a hydraulic-powered lifting bed, LED lights, four realistic sounds and a fold-down tailgate with slide-out ramp. The loader, which has an extending excavator arm and bucket combination, self-propels in multiple directions via dual-track treads and a 270-degree rotating cab. With 350 parts, this set is the heaviest and most complex Hess Toy Truck to date.
Hess also developed STEM curriculum with eight lessons featuring the 2017 Hess Toy Truck, available as a free download. The lessons teach concepts such as lifting forces, leverage and degrees of freedom.
Ages: 3 and up.
Cost: $33.99, includes shipping and five Energizer batteries
Where: Exclusively at hesstoytruck.com
2. American Girl
Why: Wholesome, detailed, educational and extravagant, American Girl dolls spark the imagination and encourage an interest in history. New in the "BeForever" line of historical dolls is Nanea, a native Hawaiian girl from 1941. New play sets include Nanea's Family Market and, for the contemporary dolls, a Grand Hotel.
Ages: 9 to 12 for "BeForever" and "Truly Me" dolls. Don't get American Girl dolls for younger girls — they won't appreciate the cost, or the stories. Little girls can enjoy American Girl's smaller, less expensive "Wellie Wishers" and "Bitty Baby" dolls.
Cost: BeForever, Truly Me and Girl Of The Year dolls cost about $120. Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby dolls are $60 each. Books are under $10. Grand Hotel is $275.
Where: American Girl stores, including the new location in Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, and americangirl.com. Books are available at major retailers.
3. Star Wars smart watch
Why: Anything "Star Wars"-related is a safe bet this season, with "The Last Jedi" hitting movie theaters Dec. 15. Choose lovable BB-8 or ominous Stormtroopers as the motif for this smart watch by VTech, which can take photos and video, to which you can add "Star Wars" effects. A motion sensor triggers sound effects of light sabers, droids and spaceships. The watch is both digital and analog and comes with 30 "Star Wars" clock faces. A calendar, calculator, three games and a voice recorder with effects add to the fun.
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $69.99
Where: Toys R Us, Target, Walmart and other major toy retailers
4. Star From Afar
Why: A storybook and chunky, wooden Nativity set to teach children about Advent and Christmas. Manufacturer suggests playing a game: Each weekday in the week before Christmas, hide the star and let the kids search for it. When they find it, they can move the Three Wise Men, until they reach the stable and the newborn Jesus.
Ages: 3 and up
Cost: $36.99
Where: Hallmark stores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and catholicsupply.com
5. Compound Kings Squishy-Like Slime
Why: Because it's 3 pounds of ready-made, neon-colored slime! But if your kids insist on making their own slime, get them the Makin' Station, which lets them mix and make their own, with ingredients for one pound.
Ages: 4 and up
Cost: $19.99 for the bucket of slime, $24.99 for the slime-making kit.
Where: Michael's, Amazon.
6. 'Random Illustrated Facts'
Why: Author Mike Lowery satisfies curiosity and answers lots of "Why's?" with this book, published by Workman and packed with cute, funny illustrations. Subtitled "A Collection of Curious, Weird and Totally Not Boring Things To Know," the book will enlighten you on the longest traffic jam (12 days) and why uninjured pirates wore eye patches (probably to keep one eye adjusted to the dark).
Ages: All readers
Cost: $14.95
Where: Book stores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.
7. Stomp Rockets Stunt Planes
Why: Kids jump and stomp to launch three planes that loop, flip, turn, soar and glide. Stomp Rockets let kids get some exercise and teach STEM concepts. This is a fun toy for outdoors or in a large indoor space, and it's portable so you can take it to the beach, park or playground.
Ages: 5 to 12.
Cost: $24.99
Where: Target, Toys 'R' Us, major toy retailers.
8. Sway
Why: Convince the other players why a bad situation (like an alien abduction) isn't really so bad and you'll win Sway. Teens learn debating skills and critical thinking, while emphasizing optimism and fun. Includes 500 topics, 75 challenges, 1 alternate case card, a spinner and a 30-second timer.l
Ages: 13 and up
Cost: $30
Where: Amazon.
9. Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
Why: Load the balls into the bulldozer, start pushing and get ready for action as colorful balls pop up through the smoke stack, into the scoop bucket and back again. Lots to occupy a little one, including sounds, music, and buttons with colors and numbers.
Ages: 12-36 months
Cost: $24.99
Where: Major toy retailers
10. Stadium gear
Why: Know a sports fan who already has lots of team stuff? How about a hoodie or fleece blanket emblazoned with a special stadium? Ballpark Blueprints puts an architectural drawing of your favorite professional or college sports stadium, arena or golf course. An unusual addition to someone's collection.
Ages: All ages for the blanket. Hoodie will fit tweens and teens.
Cost: $42 for a cotton-poly hoodie in unisex sizes from small to 5XL. $65 for a polyester fleece blanket.
Where: ballparkblueprints.com.
11. Zoo Jamz Stompin' Fun Drums
Why: Toddlers and pre-schoolers can practice counting and develop coordination with this elephant-shaped musical toy from VTech. The elephant's trunk moves when you step on the bas pedal. Sing-alongs and other games encourage creativity. Comes with a little stool, too.
Ages: 18 months to 4 years.
Cost: $39.99
Where: Major toy retailers
12. Jane Austen
Why: Any excuse to buy more Jane Austen. James W. Gaynor has re-interpreted an Austen classic with "Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in 61 Haiku," published by Nemeton Press. Gaynor's book is a series of short commentaries or responses, expressed in haiku poetry, on each of the first sentences of every chapter of "Pride and Prejudice."
Ages: 10 and up.
Cost: $12.95
Where: Book stores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.
13. Gizmo Pal
Why: Imagine a really fancy walkie-talkie. The GizmoPal 2 by LG allows kids and parents to make quick calls to each other. Parents can locate the device with their own phone, and can get notifications if a child crosses GPS boundaries. They can take it to the park, after-school activities, etc. If your kid's not ready for a phone, but wants some independence, this device might fit the bill.
Ages: About 4 to 7.
Cost: $79.99
Where: VerizonWireless.com
14. Seeding Square
Why: Young gardeners can better enjoy growing plants from seed if they can quickly distinguish seedlings from weeds. With a Seeding Square, kids can sow seeds in the holes in the square and leave the square on the garden bed until seedlings emerge. The square blocks weeds from hogging up all the room. The square also provides room for orderly rows of seedlings.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $26.
Where: seedingsquare.com, Amazon, eBay.
15. Sophie La Girafe
Why: Sophie has been a friend to babies since 1961, when the little giraffe was introduced in France. The squeaky toy has not changed its look since then, and remains chic and safely chewable. Free from phthalates and BPA, Sophie is made from 100 percent natural rubber derived from the latex of the Hevea tree. Available as a freestanding giraffe, as a teether or a bath toy.
Ages: Babies and toddlers.
Cost: About $15 to $25.
Where: Target, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids, Toys 'R' Us, Barnes & Noble, Buy Buy Baby
16. Chooka Boots
Why: Fashionable, eco-conscious teens will appreciate these perky rain boots, made from sustainably harvested natural rubber. The boots come in several styles and many colors: Choose red for a Christmasy look, or floral tapestry to be on-trend. Chooka recommends pairing these boots with gray denim skinny jeans and a button-up blouse for a casual yet polished vibe.
Ages: Teens
Cost: $70 for Bainbridge in navy floral tapestry, $85 for Nina in red.
Where: DSW, Zappos, Amazon.
17. UE Roll 2
Why: Listen to your music with the UE Roll 2, a wireless, portable Bluetooth speaker that is waterproof and includes a Floatie. The sound is about 15 percent louder than the original UE Roll, the better to annoy your elders.
Ages: 10 and up
Cost: $99.99
Where: VerizonWireless.com
18. Inglot vegan lipstick
Why: Vegan, vegetarian and animal-friendly teens can get a trendy metallic shine with a plant-based lipstick by Inglot. Contains argan oil, so it's moisturizing for the winter. A splurge of a stocking stuffer.
Ages: Teens
Cost: $18.
Where: InglotUSA.com
19. Utter Nonsense
Why: Know any goofy kids? Play Utter Nonsense, a card game in which players combine silly accents with sillier phrases in an effort to crack up their opponents. Good for high school drama club students, too. Made in U.S.A.
Ages: 8 and up.
Cost: About $18.
Where: Target
MORE FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
Things To Do:31 places to see The Nutcracker in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia
Holiday Shopping:Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar to return to Grand Arcade, Convention Hall
Music:Shore man's Christmas song helps Broadway help needy
Food and Dining:10 ways not to overeat during the holidays