Holiday Gifts to Foster Creativity

As I've mentioned before (be sure to check out my holiday giveaway from Mama May i!), I'm done with the toys that have bells and whistles, are faddish (ie: Zoobles, Squinkies, LalaLoopsy, etc), have a million tiny pieces (Polly Pockets, Barbie) that never get played with or need to be plugged in (ie: ipods, Nintendo DS, Nooks, etc). I decided this year I wanted to think outside of the box. I want to get my kids really thoughtful, meaningful toys that will force them to use their brains, be creative, and that weren't necessarily the latest and greatest in the toy catalog. In fact, I haven't even shown my kids any toy catalogs this year except for the catalogs for Fat Brain Toys and Mindware. I looked through the Target Toy Book and the Toys R Us toy catalog on my own, and I have to say, there was not one single toy in either one that I wanted my kids to receive for Christmas, aside from Legos.

So what DID I put on my kids' wishlists this year? Some of these great items that can really get your little ones' brains working and the creativity flowing:

For my little artists:

Xonex Snap Case Art Supply Set

Colorix Silky Crayon Set

Jumbo Outdoor Art Book

Jumbo Paper Crafts Book 

123 I Can Make Prints

123 I Can Collage

Mystery Mosaics

Multipication Mosaics

Color Counts

Building Materials to foster creativity, fine motor skills, spatial reasoning and perspective:

Legos

Smart Max

Magformers

CitiBlocs Neon (for building with a black light on)

CitiBlocs Little Builders

Laser Pegs

Crazy Forts (and playsilks to cover it with)

Tall Pegs Stacking Set

Games & Puzzles:

Colorku (with Tic Tac Toe companion)
Plus Plus

Path Words

Puzzle Blox This one is actually on MY list. 

But great for older kids (12+)

Pajaggle

Shape Sorter Clock

Shape Sorter Puzzle

 What's on your kids' wishlists this year??? Happy Holiday shopping!