STACK THE BONES from Kikkerland

Perfect to leave out the rest of the month, this wooden Skull and Bones Stack The Bones game functions as a game and cool Halloween and Day of The Dead decor.

This is not a Jenga game, but made by Kikkerland and I have never played Jenga, so I do not know how it compares, the bones do seem somewhat lightweight. Players each remove one bone using only one hand, and place it on top without toppling the stack.  The last player to do this successfully wins.  It's appropriate for both little kids and big kids.  I think this would be great in the boardroom  or on a desk as well--studies show that having toys like this around the workplace increases productivity.

Comes in a gift-worthy box--would make a great hostess gift for any Halloween parties you might be attending.

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TWIG, by Fat Brain Toys

The Easter Bunny brought my son this fabulous toy, TWIG, and though I thought at first he might be a little old for it at five, it was a hit.  There is enough going on with the interconnective blocks and endless possibilities that I think it works for a wide age range, making this a great value for purchase during that first year.  They'd probably do well on conference tables for meetings as even adults are more productive brainstormers when they have something interesting to play with.

The blocks are well made of renewable rubber wood and Twig comes with its own cotton bag for storage.  Toys always get huge points from me for addressing the storage issue and the bag is functional and cute.

I love the open ended play concept and Twig is perfect for building brain power and creativity and good old fashioned fun with a modern twist.  Find it HERE.

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Green Gift Guide: Haba Pirate Games ARRGH MATEY!

You can never go wrong with Pirates. Haba comes through again with two wonderful and creative game options for kids, this time in the form of pirates, Pirate's Blast and The Black Pirate Game. Players use "billows" to move their ships around collecting gold and avoiding being pillaged by pirates, engaging motor skills and strategy.

We have the larger Black Pirate game and my son loves it. Like other Haba games, it's beautiful to look at, there's no plastic, and you never have to worry about toxic chemicals. There's also the fun novelty of it being a German game.

Maukilo is an old-school online toy store that offers these games as well as a wide selection of more safe, traditional, and hard to find toys perfect for the Holidays. Check them out HERE for unique gift ideas.

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Green Gift Guide: BLABLA Funky Monkey Doll

This is a modern take on a comforting old tradition, the sock monkey. Can you think of anything cooler for a stocking stuffer--little green monkey head peeking out? Blabla dolls are hand made in Peru in a fair trade manner using high quality natural fibers. I love the funky designs and made-with-love vibe. They're soft and cuddly, but a little edgy too, and completely different from most stuffed animals you see.

Blabla has a wide variety of dolls, including a cat, racoon, and goat. You could get a different one for each kid on your list, matching a doll to the child's personality. A monkey is most appropriate for my four year old son and he Loves it! They are offering Free Shipping through Dec. 25. You can find them HERE.

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Green Gift Guide: Sprig Toys Discover Rig

Now I see what all the fuss was about. I'd been hearing about Sprig Toys for a while, but I didn't realize how ingenious they were. Sprig Toys is the brainchild of three young toy designers who were once in the mainstream toy business. After seeing the environmental damage the production of their toys was causing, they started their own toy company.

Mindful of the trend toward passive electronic toys, they wanted to come up with something that wouldn't be harmful for the environment or the folks making the toys, and would get kids moving. I love the eco friendly concept and thought that has gone into this brand.

The toys are paint free and made of Sprigwood, a recycled non-toxic wood composite that smells like cedar. They are battery free and powered by the child--so smart! And they look cool.

This Discover Rig is quite big and Santa worthy. It's impressive and immediately inspires the feeling of adventure. Moving the rig forward triggers an inner generator which lights up the headlamp on Cap Faraday, the little adventure guide riding inside who also narrates an adventure story for as long as the rig is being pushed (with or without the included push-bar).

Sprig reaches a new, modern level of green. Check them out for some great green gift ideas.

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CONTINA! from HaPe International

As summer is winding down and the weather is changing, kids will be playing indoors more and more. They need compelling activities to keep their attention and so do the parents who play with them. Contina! from HaPe International, is the most awesome way to while away the hours with your children.

Not your average toy, Contina! is an open ended activity that will have you creating and laughing and bonding together. I'm really gung-ho for environmentally friendly, safe, quality, brain expanding toys. Made of non toxic and eco-friendly bamboo, and under $25, it's an incredibly great value for what it is.

This is hands down one of our top three favorite toys. It keeps my son busy for at least an hour every time he takes it out (almost daily) and it holds my interest as well. We sit at the table building towers and knocking them down, creating designs, houses, flowers, animals, spelling names...it's endless.

They are basically flat bamboo blocks, about 1 inch wide by 4 inches long by 1/4 inch thick, in a rainbow of colors and shades all in a box of a generous 120 pieces, both tactile and pleasing to the eye.

The box is sturdy and designed to used as a storage container, it has a little handle so you can carry it like a briefcase. Something as simple as that is really important to me. How many times have I bought a toy and it ends up smashed at the bottom of the toy box never to be really played with, or pieces get lost? I now look at how a toy will be stored before it comes into the house.

Designed collaboratively with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with teachers, technicians and designers from over 15 nations, Contina! is part of The Bamboo Collection, intended to make use of a sustainable resource while helping to provide economic growth for people worldwide. It's win-win genius on many levels.

Contina! is durable, and something you could pass down through the generations. I can't say enough good things about it. If you need a fun activity that won't lose its appeal, a gift, or something for the classroom, this is a sure thing.

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