Christmas Gifts that Keep Your Child Active & Last All Year!

This year's Christmas Gift List for your children kicks off with a shocker, but I assure you each of these gifts offer much joy for both your children,and for you!

Nintendo Wii

Turn your childs video game play time into something you will encourage. With the Wii, your child (boy or girl) will get off the couch and get active. The included Wii Sports game includes fully simulated baseball,tennis, boxing, bowling, and golf games that keep you exercised.

An extra feature is a daily test of your fitness age. Your results get placed on a graph, displaying your progress.

You might surprise yourself and enjoy playing Nintendo Wii as well. (If you take the Fitness Age, don't feel bad if your result is 30 years older than you actually are. The more you play,the healthier you will get!) In summary, this one game alone will improve your child's health and energy, in the disguise of a video game.

My family has purchased this video game system as an early Christmas present, and finally found something the whole family can have fun doing together, at the same time literally working up a sweat... even in bad weather!

For wind-down time, try the Big Brain Academy game. This game allows you to rest from the physical exercise and exercise your brain instead.

Karaoke Machine

Though this gift is usually for girls more than for boys, you should already know if your child enjoys singing. A karaoke machine can be lots of fun for any child who likes to be vocal or be in the spotlight, as long as you can withstand the noise.

Easy Bake Oven

This classic toy is still popular and a good way for your young child to develop an interest in cooking (and eating the rewards) before they are ready to use the real kitchen.

However, is very important to supervise children when using this toy. Curious fingers can be trapped and/or burned if inserted into the opening slot, leading to a recall recently, but no child should be left unsupervised with this toy to begin with.

BB Gun / Paintball Gun

If your child is of an appropiate age, and shows full maturity and responsibility, either of these gifts might be a good idea.

Please bear in mind if you are offended by this idea that it is simply a suggestion. I am not trying to argue over whether or not this gift idea would promote violence, but I will say that with the proper control and guidance, many young boys would have fun going outside to shoot cans off a fence or some other form of target practice.

Unless you are strictly opposed to this idea, which any parent is entitled to, it's a thought to consider at least.

An Art Set

This may be an obvious gift idea if your child has already shown an interest in painting or drawing. However,sometimes gifts like these can spark an interest. Nothing can develop creativity more than art, so wether it is Play Doh for younger children or bake in the oven clay for older kids... this gift is one that any parent will love. If you are trying to nudge an interest, there is no need to spend a lot of money on this gift.

You can find a set including pastels,colored pencils, paints, and more all for under twenty dollars. Teach your child that there is a difference with all these tools, because they may get frustrated using one and show great talent using another. Encourage your child to create something of their own unique design, or to draw / paint / create something they are looking at.

Sit down and draw / paint / create with your child.