Amazon Holiday Gift List 2017: 8-13 years

Amazon.com has released their 2017 Holiday Toy Guides! I've gone through them and I'll share my best picks with y'all. I'll try to sort them by price, but remember Amazon prices are subject to change at any time. Here's the list for 8-13 year olds. 

Under $10:

This is my very favorite book. A Wrinkle In Time by L'Engle is quite possibly the best science fiction book of all time. No kidding. A classic since 1962, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is sophisticated in concept yet warm in tone, with mystery and love coursing through its pages. Meg's shattering yet ultimately freeing discovery that her father is not omnipotent provides a satisfying coming-of-age element. Readers will feel a sense of power as they travel with these three children, challenging concepts of time, space, and the power of good over evil. This is the first book in the Quintet, and I've read all of them. YOU HAVE TO GET THIS BOOK! 

Star Wars fans will love this The Last Jedi First Officer StormTrooper Force Link action figure. Bring the galaxy to life with Force Link! Wear Force Link gear to activate lights, sounds, and more in Force Link-activated figures, accessories, vehicles, and playsets! With Force Link, the power of the Force is in your hands! (Requires Force Link. Available in Starter Set. Sold separately). When kids wear their Force Link gear and pick up the 3.75-inch scale Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper figure, they can activate authentic figure phrases and sounds! Figure includes movie-inspired design and 2 character-inspired accessories. May the Force be with you! 

This cool-looking Tin Can Robot is a fun way to teach the value of recycling. Challenge your child's imagination with the 4M Tin Can Robot. Perfect for any young scientist, this fun robotics kit teaches the value of recycling by repurposing a used soda can into a moving, functional robot. The included supplies allow adults and kids to build a motorized monster, silly robot, or any combination of the two. Not only does it foster creativity, it's an excellent opportunity to show kids how toys are assembled and function.This kit includes necessary components, accessories, and easy-to-follow instructions. Simply supply one soda can, a Phillips head screwdriver, and one AA battery. 

Under $15

Did you ever have a Terrarium growing up? I did, and it was so much fun. A terrarium is a miniature garden in a simulated natural environment. The Grow N’ Glow Terrarium is a complete kit for helping kids to create their very own miniature eco-system. It’s so easy! You just assemble, decorate, water and watch it grow! It’s a fun way to teach kids about botany, eco-systems and the life cycle of plants. Kids love to see how things work and especially how the magic of seeds, soil, sun and water will blossom into green plants! This is a great lesson in cause-and-effect, responsible stewardship and delayed gratification, since the terrarium needs to be misted each day for the seeds to sprout and grow. Like keeping a pet, the plants will only thrive if they’re given water each day – but no worries – if they forget to water it they learn the importance of water to the life cycle! And when they do water it, the seeds begin to shoot up in 3 to 4 days. After assembly, there are delightful garden stickers and glow-in-the-dark stars to embellish your terrarium further. During the day, when the terrarium is in full light, it soaks up light for the plants and also soaks up light in the glow stickers. Then at night the stickers will glow and it looks like an enchanted little lightning bug house!! This is a great project for for homeschoolers working on a botany unit, or for anyone who’d like to have a sweet little decorative terrarium by day and a glow-house by night! Everything you need is included for 2 full planting life-cycles, so you can plant your terrarium and watch it grow, then do it all again in a month or so, depending upon how long your plants thrive.

Another awesome thing I had as a kid was a Spirograph. Man, I loved that thing. The classic way for aspiring artists to create millions of amazing designs is back and better than ever! The Original Spirograph Design Set features the iconic wheels and rings of the original, re-engineered and updated for today. The kit features a travel-friendly, collectors tin with snap-in storage tray. The precision engineered Spirograph gears work with the 2 design pens included in the set as well as with most standard pens, markers and pencils. The new Spirograph Putty holds the Spirograph pieces securely on the paper so that you can create intricately beautiful designs with no holes in the paper! The set also comes with a 24-page design pad and a full-color design guide, which explains the fundamentals of drawing with Spirograph as well as step-by-step instructions for creating your own designs!

I am not a fan of guns at all. I'm really not. In my opinion, the only okay gun is a SuperSoaker or a Nerf Gun. Designed for quick draws and fast firing, the N-Strike Elite Strongarm blaster puts elite battle performance in the palm of your hand. When speed and mobility are essential, this is the ultimate blaster. The rotating barrel holds 6 darts and the Slam Fire slide lets you blast as fast as you can fire. N-Strike Elite blasters are the ultimate in blaster performance. Featuring upgraded distance and the revolutionary Elite Dart, this is the final word in today''s blaster technology. With the power of an N-Strike Elite blaster in your hands, you can fire further than ever before - up to 75 feet! Each N-Strike Elite blaster is engineered with amped-up velocity. That means your N-Strike Elite Darts maintain accuracy and flight stability, even at extended distances. Choose your blaster and join the Eilte! Fast-firing and easy to reload, the Strongarm blaster is made for speed and mobility in battle. Flip open the rotating barrel and easily load the 6 Elite Darts. Flip the barrel shut and you’re ready to blast. You have total control over your rate of fire with the Slam Fire slide. Unleash a stream of darts by holding down the trigger and pumping the Slam Fire slide rapidly back and forth. Revolutionary Elite Darts fly up to 75 feet! When it’s time to reload, the barrel flips open so you can get back in the battle fast. It's rated 4.5 stars after almost 3500 reviews!!

Under $25:

It's a battle of attack versus attack with the Clash 3-Pack set of battle tops! You can burst opponents' tops in battle. Most Beyblade Burst components are interchangeable with other Beyblade Burst tops except Rip Fire tops. Burst rates vary. Only use Beyblade Burst tops with a Beyblade Burst Beystadium, sold separately. Subject to availability. This set includes Beyblade Burst: Energy Layers (3), Forge Discs (3), Performance Tips (3), and instructions.

Froot Loop has really gotten interested in electronics, but he's still a bit too young to actually do any experiments. This Snap Circuits Junior would be a great way to get him started in the next couple of years. Give your child an exciting, hands-on introduction to electronics with Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100. This innovative kit contains over 30 color-coded, real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. Recommended for children 8 and older, this set offers 101 do-it-yourself projects that will give your child an entertaining, concrete education on how electronics work. Build 101 different electronic projects. View larger. Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electric Bombing Game View larger. Create Working Electronic Circuits Snap Circuits comes with over 30 pieces to create 101 different electronic projects. The pieces, which include snap wires, slide switches, an alarm circuit, a music integrated circuit, and a speaker, snap together easily on the included plastic grid--no soldering required. Each piece is numbered and color-coded to make identifying them easy. These components combine to create working circuit boards just like the ones found inside televisions, radios, and other electronic devices. With its easy-to-follow instructions, Snap Circuits gives your child a hands-on education in how electrical circuits work to run the everyday devices that they're familiar with. They'll also gain valuable lessons in building and in following instructions. The project manual includes large color illustrations and simple directions for each project. The projects include a sound-activated switch, a musical doorbell, a voice-controlled lamp, a flying saucer, and a light police siren. With these projects, children will experiment with things like electric switches, integrated circuits, digital circuits, fuses, and the transformation of circuit sounds into other sounds.

Who doesn't love Play-Doh! Here's a 24 pack of mixed colors. There's not much to say about Play-Doh that we all don't already know, so just go ahead and buy some of this awesome stuff! This makes great stocking stuffers!

Under $50:

Every kid needs Legos. The Lego sets are a lot of fun, but really, the best Legos are just the loose ones. This Lego Classic Creative Medium Brick Box  has 484 pieces. Young builders can start exploring their creative side with the LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box! Designed with builders of all ages in mind, this collection of LEGO bricks in 35 different colors will encourage open-ended building play, and inspire any imagination. Windows, eyes, and lots and lots of wheels add to the fun and offer endless possibilities for creative construction and vehicle play. Suggest a story-starter to get their creativity going like an undersea adventure or a day at the zoo and watch what 'out-of-the-box' creations they come up with, or use one of the included building ideas to get things started! Either way, this set allows imaginations to run wild! Introduce your kids to the LEGO sets you loved when you were young! 

Another Lego gift for those Lego Maniacs, here's a set of Lego City Town People Pack. The LEGO City People Pack – Fun at the Beach is the best gift for any child who loves adding residents to their LEGO City sets. It features a range of beach-themed buildable models, as well as fifteen minifigures in one set! It also makes a great gift idea for LEGO City fans who already have other sets, or a great introduction to the LEGO City theme. Grow your LEGO City population with this people pack, featuring a wide range of minifigures and endless possibilities for activities, with windsurfing and kayaking, volleyball net with ball, trees with hammock and an ice cream stand. Includes 15 minifigures plus dog, fish, dolphin and lobster figures. 

Another fun building toy I had growing up was K'nex. Encourage your children’s creativity and imagination with the highly stimulating K’NEX 52 Model Building Set! With 618 classic and micro K’NEX pieces, this building toy for ages 7 and up gives children an outlet to learn and enjoy themselves at the same time. The K’NEX building system is composed of colorful plastic rods and connectors that snap together with a simple “click”! These pieces can be combined together to create real working vehicles, moving structures, and just about anything your child can imagine. With 52 building ideas, the included illustrated instructional booklet guides your little engineers in constructing truly amazing creations. You’ll be astounded at how your youngsters construct a fire truck with an extended ladder, a military tank, a windmill, and a four-legged animal with just plastic rods and connectors. Your kids can assemble a different K’NEX idea each week! In the process, this educational engineering toy will put your child on a path towards a better understanding of STEAM (science, technology, engineer, arts, and math) subjects. A sturdy included box allows you to clean up and store the set’s plastic pieces easily. With this portable storage container, you can bring K’NEX anywhere. Let your children have fun building and sharing their creations at playdates and family gatherings. The K’NEX 52 Model Building Set also fosters kids’ growth by strengthening hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, and spatial awareness. It is proudly made in America and was tested to the strictest quality and safety standards, ensuring that children will enjoy a hassle-free playtime experience. Start them young. Encourage your children’s creativity and brain development with the K’NEX 52 Model Building Set today!

Under $75:

This Lionel Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos Red Engine toy is amazing! Get ready for high-speed action with Lionel Mega Tracks, the flexible rail system that lets you create extreme racetracks anywhere. Build the track your way: attach TwisTrack to almost any surface, then customize your creation with a quick twist or turn of the track. Rocket straight up a wall or speed through a gravity-defying corkscrew – no matter how extreme the stunt! The Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos is available in two frequencies: race fregency A (Green Car) and race frequency B (Red Car). Get both sets and create the ultimate side-by-side racing showdown! Attach your phone to the remote control and take photos, videos, or access new building ideas right from your controller! 

Under $100:

Marvel fans will be sure to LOVE this Defenders Figure 4 pack. The heroes of Hell’s Kitchen, the Defenders take on crime, criminals, and evildoing in their city. Though they all possess skills in hand-to-hand combat, it is their unique super abilities that prepare them for any and all threats. Imagine the Defenders battling against the city’s dastardliest criminals with the Defenders 4-pack from the Marvel Legends Series, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist figures. Each figure features detailed design and multiple points of articulation, and the pack comes with 4 character-inspired accessories. With the Marvel Legends Series, heroes aren’t’ just super – they’re legendary. 

Over $100:

ALEX Toys Super Art Table with Paper Roll will introduce children to the creative world of art. This solid wood table with artist print is easy for adults to assemble and includes (2) matching benches. The chalkboard tabletop surface features a paper cutter, recessed cup holes, cups and a printed canvas storage bag. Let the artistic fun begin. Using ALEX Toys Super Art Table, your child can learn how to draw, paint and express their creativity. They will learn all of the valuable skills to become more talented at arts and crafts as a whole. By using the included paper roll to draw whatever comes to their mind, they'll also form new hobbies and develop skills that they can bring to future projects. Art and creative work are beneficial for children because they enhance their imagination and foster healthy learning habits. Let your child draw, paint or write whatever comes to their mind to foster imagination and increase creativity. ALEX Toys Super Art Table features a built-in paper dispenser under the table and feeds through an opening on the tabletop. The unit includes an 18-inch by 100-foot paper roll, and child-safe paper cutter. Made of heavy-duty white bond paper, this paper roll is ideal for painting, drawing, pastels or any other creative endeavor. ALEX Toys Super Art Table includes an 18-inch by 100-foot paper roll, child-safe paper cutter, bright yellow canvas storage bin, (3) removable storage cups and assembly tool. The table measures 54.25-inches (L) by 30.5-inches (W) by 4.5-inches (H). 

Kiddos need bikes. This bike is a Shimano 6-speed drivetrain with trigger shifter, which makes shifting simple, giving little ones a boost on climbs. The Hl Zoom 40mm travel fork soaks up rocks and roots just like on a bike for Big kids. Linear pull brakes have adjustable-reach levers to keep them safe and in control. 

Bonus Pick:

Yep, I'm putting the Nintendo Switch on this list! 

Introducing Nintendo Switch, the new home video game system from Nintendo. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system can be taken on the go so players can enjoy a full home console experience anytime, anywhere. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system, with unprecedented new play styles brought to life by the two new Joy-Con controllers. At home the main unit rests in the Nintendo Switch dock, which connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. Lift Nintendo Switch from the dock and instantly transition to handheld mode for on-the-go gaming. By sharing Joy-Con, players can go head-to-head while away from home. You can also enjoy the same great games in tabletop mode by using the included stand to prop the system up. Remove the detachable Joy-Con from either side of Nintendo Switch for more play styles:

• One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
• Two players can each take one
• Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
• Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Bring together up to 8 Nintendo Switch systems for local face-to-face multiplayer.

This really looks like a fun video game system. It's also rated very well: 4.5 stars after over 2300 reviews. We're still in love with our Wii, but give it a few more years and after the price drops, we might get it eventually. 

What's your favorite video game console?