Kidlandia

Birthdays come and go and so do the trendy presents. Kidlandia, the company known for their maps, will soon offer gifters the option of giving a lifelong keepsake — a personalized puzzle. Children just log on to the computer site and select a landform, type in their name and birth date along with about 20 other names and then the map is created. The virtual map is free, but the physical puzzle is purchased for $40.

The company recently surprised us with a LilSugar one reflective of all the features on the website, and we had a good time putting it together. The 30-piece puzzle was simple enough for a school-aged child to connect without assistance and a good tool for them to practice reading. Older kids may prefer the more challenging 513 piece one. The puzzles are also large enough so kiddos can have their action figures explore "Avery Island" or swim in "Jack's Sea." The puzzles come in a sturdy tin to keep track of all pieces.

A land of spaghetti mountains, ice cream ponds and broccoli forests could move beyond your child's fantasies and right to their bedroom wall. Using Kidlandia, kids and their parents can create personalized maps featuring their names, as well as those of their family, friends, pets, and favorite foods. Once the people and items have been input into the system, the site automatically populates the map with towns, characters, mountain ranges and more. Founded by a former Disney Interactive producer, the site is hands-on and allows users to move characters around the map and providies them with the opportunity to add in back stories. The creations can be stored and shared for free, but the printed versions – that could be the basis for many bedtime stories – start at $40.