It can be a tricky age, that stretch between toddler and teenager.
So for our fourth gift guide of the week, we rounded up gift ideas for children a bit too old to be amused by a cardboard box and a bit too young to yearn for an iPod.
Granted, some are appropriate for any age, such as the new book from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, which sees release today. For the most part, though, these items — Star Wars-themed Legos, hands that help a little one act out Hulk-sized fantasies — would look a little odd on an adult’s shelf.
See Good Life on Saturday for the final installment in our five-part gift guide, and visit www.heraldnet.com to read previous guides.
“The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” by J.K. Rowling ($13)
What: J.K. Rowling returns to the world of muggles and wizards for her first post-Potter book. The title compiles five fairy tales popular in the wizarding world, and comes with notes written in the character of Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts’ headmaster.
Upside: There’s plenty of new material here for fans to enjoy. Of the five fables included here, only one, “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” has seen print in some form — that story’s plot was included in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Downside: The book came out today, and odds are most Rowling fans already bought it. If not, there’s a decent chance the fan in your family will get a copy from others hard-up for an idea. So get a gift receipt.
Hulk Smash Hands ($20)
What: The Hulk hands slip on like a foam hand at a football game. Unlike that foam hand, these plush toys are battery powered. When they’re smashed together, they play phrases such as, “You’re making me angry. You won’t like me when I’m angry.”
Upside: The toy can help your kid vent itsy-bitsy amounts of angst.
Downside: Do you like it when your child hits you? How about others? If so, then you’ll love this toy. If not, you may want to pass.
Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon ($500)
What: Two pursuits — Legos and the original Star Wars trilogy — come together in this reproduction of Hans Solo’s Millennium Falcon.
Upside: Once assembled, the 5,000-piece set is 3 feet wide and 2 feet long, making it the largest available from the Danish toy maker.
Downside: In addition to a hefty price tag, the Millennium Falcon will take hours to assemble. If your child can’t handle it — and if you yourself aren’t a huge Lego fan — you may want to go with a smaller set.
Air Fork One ($10)
What: Here comes the airplane! The Air Fork One is an utensil styled for a kid.
Upside: The Air Fork One could get your child a bit more excited about dinner time, though we make no promises about them all of a sudden gobbling down the green beans.
Downside: The Air Fork One looks cool, but may not be too utilitarian. The wings, fitted close to the fork tongs, could make scooping into a baby food jar or child-sized bowl considerably more difficult.
Wild Planet Animal Scramble ($30)
What: This electronic game doesn’t involve sitting in front of the TV. Instead, it gives kids a workout. While holding a talking giraffe, kids are told to tag one of four animals — a tiger, monkey, elephant and bird. Using a radio frequency ID chip, the giraffe measures how long it takes the child to make the tag.
Upside: The animals can be placed across the length of a football field, as kids try to beat past speed records, and the giraffe can keep track of teams, for competitive play.
Downside: If you bought Hyper Dash last year, your kids may not need this. It’s basically the same game, just with simpler commands designed for younger children.
Andy Rathbun, Herald Writer, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
