Its that time of year again when people are thinking of gifts.  Last year I did a Holiday Gift Guide listing old blogs that recommended toys as well as ideas for kids.  I will do the same again this year!

Our Motor Smart Toys and Tips posts always recommend toy ideas and how to use them to encourage gross motor development.  Below are the ones since last December (ones prior are in last years Holiday Gift Guide):

November 2010

September 2010

January 2010

We also did a Let’s Play series that list a ton of toys and ideas on activities that may inspire you!

March 2010

Some other fun ideas that can keep kids active are trampolines.  I would recommend kid ones for the littler kids and older kids can use an adult rebounder.  The difference is in the stiffness of the springs so its harder for the little kids to get any bounce off of the adult ones.

Duck Duck Moose has put out several new educational apps for the iphone, ipod touch and the ipad.  And, Hello Hanna continues to inspire creativity in you and your kids.

Wii Fit is a great addition to any household.  The games encourage activity and you can use the fitness test to challenge your child’s balance!

Some of our staff favorite toys are:

Stomp Rocket

Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank

Parents Shape Sorter

Twister Hopscotch

Pedal-less Bikes, Skuut

LightboardsAnother Lightboard

Puzzles (any kind just make them age appropriate to your child)

Books with Sounds (may not be recommended for kids on the autistic spectrum)

Pop-Tubes

Balls of all types!

Chalk Board with Broken Chalk

Tissue Art

Lite Brite

Wikki Stix