12 Ages of Christmas

As dazzling as five golden rings may sound and as practical as three French hens may be, we have a feeling most kids will want for something else this holiday season. Instead of hitting the store with an unknown goal in mind, check out our 12 Ages of Christmas gift guide and see if you are inspired by these fabulously fun tot treasures.

1st Age of Christmas	2nd Age of Christmas	3rd Age of Christmas
4th Age of Christmas	5th Age of Christmas	6th Age of Christmas
7th Age of Christmas	8th Age of Christmas	9th Age of Christmas
10th Age of Christmas	11th Age of Christmas	12th Age of Christmas

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a techie gift! Most 12-year-olds are better at managing their parents' gadgets than dear old mom and pop. They pick up typing as quick as handwriting and they are whizzes with cameras and video games. If Santa is looking for a generous gift, he should consider a small laptop, a simple digital camera, or one of Apple's smart devices — an iPod or iPhone. They may be on the pricier end of the spectrum, but it could be a smart present instead of lots of smaller packages.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a video game console! Try as she may, mama will have a tough time denying her older child a gaming console. It is possible but for those not willing to put up the fight, here are the top of the line video game consoles that youngsters have on their wish lists this holiday. The Nintendo Wii can skew a bit younger and has loads of age appropriate games while the Playstation and XBox 360 may be geared for a slightly older audience. No matter which one is under the wrapping, a smile is sure to be the result this holiday season.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the tenth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... an activity boosting toy! 10-year-old kiddos are more eager to get outside than their wee siblings. Help them out by giving them some rad tools to shake it up. A newer version of a skateboard, the Ripstick is all the rage with this age group and will keep them entertained for more than just five minutes. If mama's got a jumper in the house, the modern-day pogo stick is sure to be a hopping hit. When you're young, every inch counts. Make your tot the tallest of his clan with the Monkey Business Sports Stomp Walkers. And if your babe needs to practice some balance in his life, the Carrom board may physically aid him to the goal. Beyond that, you're on your own!

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the ninth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a Bop It ($15)! One of the hottest games for youngsters, this entertaining gadget is so much fun that they frequently make their way out at mom and dad's cocktail parties, too. A toy with few buttons, it seems easy enough to master but as it yells commands to jump, shout, move or bop, players find themselves tripping over their limbs and providing loads of laughter for everyone in the room. The physicality of the game keeps tots on their toes while sharpening their motor skills and making them more agile. Easy enough to play solo, it is also a fab family night find.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the eighth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a Sparkle It Gem Decorator ($20) and a Nerf Dart Tag package ($40). If mama has an aspiring Christian Siriano in her home, Sparkle It Gem Decorator is sure to be a hit. Lifetime may not have the rights to your youngsters but that doesn't mean they can't whip up a glittery design! Tots can decorate and add flair to their heart's content. For those that don't care much for fashion, the Nerf treatment may be in order. The BB gun may have been the hot toy decades ago, but the concept is still alive and well — just a lot safer! Instead of skin breaking or eye popping pellets, young rascals can use the plastic darts to aim, shoot and fire at their partner in crime. Armed in protective glasses and target adorned vests, players can keep score during their ambush. Take cover mom!

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the seventh day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a stash of sporting gear. Second graders are an athletic bunch, and it behooves mommy to help them get rid of some energy while encouraging them to exercise. Whether they are into soccer, baseball, volleyball or golf, set them up with the accessories to get their game on.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!
On the sixth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a Barbie Townhouse and a remote control dinosaur. I've tried not to be too gender specific thus far, but when tots turn six, their lust for pink and all things motor starts to make themselves known so we've picked out two toys that will suit a young girl's fancy and make a rough and tumble lad very happy. Barbie fans will rejoice when they see the 3-story townhome underneath the tree this year. A throwback to the original home of the '70s, the updated version still includes an elevator but has a flat screen TV and a whirlpool tub. The swanky spot also has operating lights and sounds so the dreamy lady will know when her gal pals or suitors arrive. For the lil man of the house, Imaginext Spike the Ultra Dinosaur ($130) will have youngsters doing cartwheels. The four-legged friend walks, eats, stretches, blinks, roars and snorts on command. He can also stand on his hind legs making him even taller than his 27" resting stature.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the fifth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a wooden counting tree kit ($65)! What does leftover wood plus a deck of cards equal? A sustainable learning toy. Tots who enjoy stacking up and knocking down will be fascinated by this learning game that is made from logs and tree bits. Youngsters will gain knowledge in counting, adding, subtracting and other mathematical skills all while having fun doing it. Pull the dice and deck of 96 educational cards out of the canvas tote and turn a lesson into an entertaining experience. A roll of the dice and challenges adds up to one good time and bulked up brainpower.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!

Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, we're celebrating the ages and the toys that go along with them. Keep an eye out for your age group as we tick along throughout the season!

On the fourth day of Christmas, yours truly gave to thee... a Leap Frog Tag Reading System ($48)! When mom and dad aren't around to read a book to their youngster, Leap Frog can help. By simply making contact with the words on the pages, the Tag Reader device brings the written words to life as it orates on demand. While mama may try to read with emphasis or fun intonation, the characters and learning activities in these special books will have wee ones fired up for story time every time. As their desire to read grows, so will their library of Leap Frog Tag books — Seuss, Disney, and Scooby Doo are just a few of the many options.

Check out what we suggest for the other ages of Christmas!