Great Toys and Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

If your kids love to play Angry Birds on the iPhone or iPad, here's a way they can play the game in real-life with this brilliant board game version of the beloved app. The familiar cast of characters -- angry birds, green pigs -- as well as a slingshot launcher and blocks to build structures are all here. Kids draw cards and build the structures, which their opponent then attempts to knock down. For ages 5 and up.

If you want your child to get a start on a learning tablet, here's a great version from LeapFrog. The LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet lets kids access games, activities, digital books, videos, and more. Kids can explore subjects including math, science, geography, art, music, and more. The LeapPad tablet comes with a built-in camera and video recorder, and enables kids to combine art, music, and writing as they learn. For ages 4 to 9.

Kids love cranking these lights to power them up. You’ll love the fact that they don’t need batteries. The best part: They’re reasonably priced -- about $10 to $20 for mini flashlights -- and are perfect for emergency kits. Get a few and keep them right next to the crank radio.

You gotta hand it to the people at LEGO -- they sure know how to tie in their products to cool new LEGO-themed toys and games (the LEGO Star Wars, Batman and Indiana Jones Wii games have been quite a hit in my house).

LEGO now has a series of games that are buildable and changeable -- perfect for anyone who loves LEGO and board games.?

These adorable characters pop up from a ball when placed on their magnetized “happitat,” just like Bakugan toys (both brands are made by SpinMaster).

SpinMaster is capitalizing on the Bakugan craze and hoping that Zoobles will take off among girls the way their predecessors did among boys. It’s a fairly safe bet. The Zoobles are cute and collectible, and come with accessories and playsets. Brilliant.

What kid doesn't want to be a spy on a top-secret mission? With this cool watch, they can take pictures, record and watch videos, and even interview suspects with the built-in "lie detector."

Whether you have a toddler or a too-cool-for-stuffed-animals grade-schooler, these cuddly pillow-and-pal-in-one lovies are popular with kids of all ages.

These little guys are sure to be a hit with your younger children (but older siblings will secretly love them, too). One of the hottest toys of the season, these adorable singing sensations can chatter, sing songs, and harmonize when different models are activated next to each other. So adorable!

This decorate-by-number mosaics kit from Orb Factory comes with 400 sparkling magnetic tiles, 10 reusable projects, and an easel with a stand. (For ages 4 and up.)

Paper Jamz musicial instruments are made out of cardboard but they sound so incredibly real, you'll be amazed. Just touch the stringless guitars, for instance, and you can rock out to an already-programmed song or choose freeplay. There are even drums and an amp, also made out of cardboard. Now your kids will really be able to play air guitar, and even form a pretend-band! (For ages 8 and up.)