Happy new Black Friday, well sort of.  If the retailers move Black Friday deals up any earlier, we’re gonna need a name change for this epic shopping day.  Every year as Black Friday encroaches more on Thanksgiving’s turf, I turn into a crochety old lady who starts complaints with “back when I was a girl...”

However, if this is what the shopping elves want, who am I to stand in the way of pertinent information like best toys for children ages 2 through 5.  Here is the Ooh La Laura early-holiday kid’s gift guide.  As the season progresses, check here for updated toys, gadgets, and items.

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STEM Club Subscription

Maybe it’s the engineer I’m married to or the architect I’m raising, but a STEM Club subscription is a holiday [or even birthday gift] my crew will gush over.  Subscription boxes can arrive on a child’s doorstep monthly, bi-monthly or every three months at $19.99 per box.  

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Long Range Walkie-Talkies

There’s just something about walkie talkies that bring me right back to my childhood.  The original “can you hear me now” test and visions of clubhouse meetings immediately come to mind.  Walkie Talkies are a right of passage in my book and these particular ones have the longest range I’ve come across to date.  All the smartphones and iPads can’t compete with this classic toy.

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Light-up Tracing Pad

With over 500 reviews, this nearly 5 stars rated light-up tracing pad is being added to Aria’s [age 4] Christmas list.  While the box touts ages 6+, if you have a budding artist on your hands, this one will take the cake.

The coloring board offers 100 traceable images, a graphite pencil, twelve colored pencils, 10 blank sheets, and 10 traceable sheets.  It is available in a version for the athlete, the fashion fanatic, and the Trolls lover.  Leave a comment if you can guess which one we’ll be snagging for Aria.  

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 Play Doh Play + Store Table

Wanna know a deep, dark secret?  I hate play-doh.  I hate getting it out, I hate cleaning it up, I hate the smell, I hate the millions of play-doh contraptions, but I hold my breath because it makes my kids so dang happy and quiet.  When I came across this Play Doh Play and Store Table, I exclaimed, “FINALLY, GENIUS!“. 

This all-in-one table comes with 25 tools and half-mold shapes built-in to the table itself.  Imagination, creation and easy clean up is a holiday miracle!  Don’t forget to snag a pack of Play-Doh to accompany this gift.

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Our Generation Deluxe Doll

I call these Target dolls the gateway drug to American Girl dolls.  For $35 these uncanny look-a-like dolls come with a handful of accessories, an outfit change, and my favorite, a book all about the doll.  Santa brought the Lorelei doll last year.  We are deeply invested in her life on a dairy farm and the ice cream she churns.  These dolls are so good.  Aria picked another Our Generation doll for her birthday, ya know, to give Lorelei a sister.

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Arts and Crafts Library Set

I can DIY with the best of ’em.  I can monogram burp cloths and paint signs.  But…I cannot craft.  The gene [or rather the patience] skipped me, but I’ve yet to meet a little one who doesn’t love pipe cleaners and pom-poms.  In fact, when we play date at our friend’s house, she actually uses her dining room table…for crafts.  It’s the best and bless her heart for cleaning up the aftermath.  

This set includes 1250 pieces, which is insane, but it can all be stored in the carrying case from the supplies to the end creation.  This seems like something my anxious mama heart could handle.  What about you?  Are you “cool with the craft” or “constantly minding the mess“?

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B.Toys Deluxe Doctor Kit

Paging Dr. Doody [legit LOL-ing as I type because I’m 5].  I have a slight obsession with the B. Toys brand.  I can’t figure out what draws me right to their product selection at Target, but I’ve yet to be let down by one of their toys.  I suggested the B. Toy play keys in my Baby + Toddler Gift guide and now I am adding this comprehensive doctor kit to the list.  The only thing better than the toy itself is the price tag: $22.  That’s a deal, y’all.    

More B. Toy Product We Adore

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Playmags 100 Piece Super Set

Playmags, a  Magna-Tiles knock off, are coming in right under the $50 price tag, which is a little more than half of what the OG magnetic play tiles cost.  This is the perfect item for the grandparents to give.  It doesn’t have to be on your little’s wish list, but it should be on yours.  They literally occupy my 6 year old for hours, I kid you not.  

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3-in-1 Portable Handheld karaoke Mic 

Do you know what’s better than hearing your toddler belt out “Let It Go” off-tune?  Amplifying it with a microphone.  I still remember the first karaoke set Santa brought to our house as a child.  My dad had to hook up XY+Z to the tv and we would serenade the audience to The Rose and the other 5 options the karaoke VHS offered.

Now there’s Roku, Bluetooth, and YouTube to make your American Idol dreams a reality right in the comfort of your home.  Wait, I mean your kids, your kids…this is clearly a gift for the kids.  

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Marvel Super Heroes: 
Electronic Reader with 8 Book Library 

For those nights when ya just can’t read another book, this electronic reader can.  Noah [age 6.75…tears] received this for his birthday last year and loves listening to it, but more than that, he follows along which helps with his reading comprehension and word recognition.  The electronic reader comes in several options sure to delight any child’s literary desire.  Check a some of them in the shoppable widget below.  

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 More Electronic Readers with 8 Book Library

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Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! Sweep!

Are we sensing a theme with today’s gift guide?  Seems like a lot of these items help mom catch a break and this Melissa & Doug 8-piece set just continues the trend.  But seriously, I am a firm believer in the “start ’em young, raise ’em right” concept when it comes to household maintenance and money management.  Whether your babe plays pretend with these items or actually helps out in the chore department, it all adds up to their desire to emulate you which is pretty stinkin‘ cool if you ask me.  

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Little Tikes Shop ‘N Learn Smart Cart

Let’s face it, it’s only a smart cart if it actually does the shopping for you, amiright?  Actually, this cart is not like the millions of other ones you’ll find on a Walmart shelf.  The cart features two modes: free play and game mode.  

During the free play mode, the cart teaches children about food and nutrition as they scan food with the interactive scanner.  While the game mode encourages the child to find the correct items and quantity.  The cart comes with 8 interactive food items & a removable basket [the bottom basket] so 2 kids can play at the same time.  Absolutely adorable, bravo Little Tikes, way to level up.  

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Melissa & Doug Food Truck 

Who doesn’t love a food truck festival?  This 4 foot long, corrugate cardboard “box” brings that creative, hipster chef-vibe right to your playroom.  Bonus, there’s not even a chance of food-related illness [sometimes that’s the price you pay for a street taco though].  In true Melissa & Doug fashion, not a detail has been overlooked.  The “truck” features awnings, a movable steering wheel, a gas tank, and more.

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More Cardboard Creations by Melissa + Doug

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I don’t know about you, but with the purchase of a few of these items, I feel like I’m already winning the holidays.  Can’t stop, won’t stop.  Tomorrow, in a special Saturday blog post edition, I will publish my third and final kids’ gift guide.  When Amazon rolls out their Black Friday deals on Sunday, you should be all set.  

Happy Friday, Friends!  Be sure to enter the giveaway featuring an item from last week’s Friday Faves.  You can enter here and follow me by clicking here.  There are December giveaways that I am a part of that you won’t want to miss!

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Thank you so much for reading!  

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