Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie SetBake up a batch of fun! This realistic wooden set includes 12 colorful, detailed cookies with 18 toppings, plus wooden knife, kitchen mitt and cookie sheet. With over 30 pieces, this set makes a tasty treat for little bakers.

Young children naturally love to pretend they're doing "grown-up" things -- it's a fun and important part of childhood development. The Melissa & Doug Wooden Slice and Bake Cookie Set lets children ages three and up pretend to bake, decorate, and serve cookies, all while practicing fine motor skills, learning number concepts, and more. The set includes a dozen wooden cookies, a dozen wooden decorating pieces, and toy wooden kitchen utensils.

Slice and Bake Cookie Set Ages: 3+

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Sturdy, high-quality wooden toy is built to last, offers plenty of opportunity for both independent and interactive pretend play The Challenging: It's a toy with a lot of individual pieces, but it includes handy, clever storage solutions In a Nutshell: Wooden cookie set comes with toy kitchen utensils, providing fun tools to foster imaginary play in preschool-age children

Kids love using the wooden spatula to remove their cookie creations from the tray. View larger.

"Slice" cookies from the tube of "dough" with the wooden toy knife. View larger.

Bake Up Something Good
The Slice and Bake Cookie Set features a dozen cookies that are packaged in a cardboard tube that looks just like a tube of cookie dough from the grocery store. Because they're held together with Velcro, the cookies slide out in one piece. Use the wooden toy knife to "slice" the cookies apart -- the Velcro makes a satisfying slicing sound when it separates.

The child can then place the cookies on the cookie sheet and pretend the cookies are baking, making sure to hold the "hot" cookie sheet with the oven mitt once they're done. (Note that the toy kitchen utensils are not meant for use with real food or with real kitchen appliances.)

Once the cookies are done baking, it's decorating time! The 12 "vanilla" and "chocolate" frosting pieces attach to the cookies with Velcro. They are painted with different, yummy looking sprinkles, candy pieces, and icing patterns, so your child can create a variety of different looking cookies. After the decorating is done, your child can serve them up with the included wooden toy spatula.

Perfect for preschool-age children, this toy not only offers plenty of opportunity for imaginary play, it also helps small kids exercise their motor skills. Our preschool-age tester found it challenging, yet fun, to slice the cookies apart. And while our toy tester enjoyed playing with it independently, this toy makes a great parent-and-child activity, too.

Adults can place custom orders for cookies, play counting and matching games, and more. If you're at a loss for ideas, Melissa & Doug includes interactive play ideas on the back of the cookie sheet that help you encourage your child to learn while she plays.

Sturdy, High-Quality Construction
The Slice and Bake Cookie Set definitely has plenty of pieces, so we were glad to find that the cardboard tube is big enough to contain both the cookies and the toppings, making cleanup and organization much easier. We also love the toy's sturdy wooden construction that's built for plenty of rough play. And as with all of their products, Melissa & Doug states that this toy is made with non-toxic coatings and meets or exceeds US toy testing standards.

About Melissa & Doug
Started in the garage at Doug's parents' house in 1988, Melissa & Doug has grown to become one of the most popular toy makers in the world. Their toys have garnered dozens of parenting and "best toy" awards over the years, and have been featured widely in national print media and on television.

One of the company's points of pride is that their toys are thoroughly tested for safety, and meet all US consumer product safety regulations. The toys are tested at the factory of origin during various phases of the production process to ensure that every toy meets the company's stringent safety requirements every step along the way. In particular, the paints and coatings on Melissa & Doug toys are tested frequently to be sure they meet or exceed government recommendations limiting heavy metals and lead in children's items.

Since day one, Melissa & Doug has been in compliance with every US consumer product safety regulation and will continue to stay compliant as the laws continue to evolve, assuring parents that their children can have a safe childhood while playing with Melissa & Doug toys.

What's in the Box
12 wood cookies, 12 decorative toppings, toy cookie dough tube, wooden cookie tray, wooden spatula, wooden toy knife and oven mitt.

Publish your own book with the Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit! This award-winning activity kit allows future authors to write and illustrate their very own story on special book pages provided. Once the story is complete, it is sent to be published, and in a few short weeks the budding writer receives a color-copied, professionally type set hardbound book. Ideal for ages five and up, this innovative kit nurtures enthusiasm for reading, writing, and illustrating.

Let the Fun Begin
Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit is not only fun, it also helps your child build self-esteem. You'll never forget the look in your budding writer's eyes as you proudly display his or her first book on your coffee table or bookshelf. This kit even includes an "About the Author" biography page, title, and dedication, just like a real published book. Your child will also enjoy creating the cover and will be able to select from seven cover colors. Families can have fun too as they create their own story together. Extra books with alternate dedication pages can be ordered to make the child's story a gift or keepsake for family, friends, or teachers.

Once your child is finished with the writing, sending the manuscript to publishing is easy, with the included paid postage envelope. Production time is about three to four weeks, plus delivery time. The finished hardcover book measures 7 by 9 inches with 12 pages, and features a permanent hardback binding, a laminated cover drawing, and book title. For techno-savy young authors, the book can be created entirely online by using the Creations By You bookmaking Web site. The entire Illustory kit includes 18 special book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and a prepaid envelope. The correct spelling option allows a choice between leaving spelling errors in or having the words printed correctly.

Award-Winning Features
This kit was a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, as well as multiple awards from other organizations. It helps builds self-esteem and sparks an interest in reading and writing. Youngsters learn to see a project through to completion, and their final printed story rewards their effort. There are many optional upgrades available (for a charge) to enhance the book. Extra books can be printed and separately dedicated as gifts for family and friends. In addition, the author's photo can appear on the bio page, and rush delivery is also available. The Make Your Own Book kit beautifully captures a child's creativity and turns it into a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.

What's in the Box
18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope.

Using the popular IlluStory Make Your Own Story kit, kids who love to write and color can turn their work into a "published," hardcover book that's complete with personalized dedications for each copy. Aspiring writers ages seven and up will get a big thrill when their finished book comes in the mail featuring their own creative text as well as their own photo in the "About the Author" section!

Kids will love seeing their work published with the IlluStory kit. View larger.

Each kit comes with 10 colorful markers. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Personalized copies of books make great gifts for relatives The Bad: Complicated instructions and publishing options In a Nutshell: Creative kids will definitely be thrilled at becoming a "published" author At a Glance Ages: 7 and up

Write, Color, Publish!
Parents will have to read the instructions carefully to help kids create and mail in their book for publishing. There are several important rules to follow, such as strict word countes per page. Once you've helped your child understand the rules, all they have to do is color and write! There are "cover pages" and "story pages" provided, with extras of each in case of mistakes -- a thoughtful touch.

The kit includes 10 markers, but kids can also use their own. When it comes time to publish, the variety of options parents will be faced with can be confusing. They are all covered in the instructions, which are relatively clear, but you may have to read them a couple times through to fully digest them.

Great Gifts for Relatives
Though kids can only write one story per kit, they can write personalized dedications for each book they order, which makes their published books great gifts for grandparents and other relatives. The "About the Author" section is sure to be exciting for your child, especially when they see their own photo. And while younger kids will love the act of coloring and writing on the pages that are provided, older, computer-savvy kids might enjoy the option to create their book online -- an option that lets your child get published faster!

Watch Out, Stephen King!
We really appreciated the extra cover and story pages that were provided in case of mistakes. The "Story Web: Plan Your Story" page is a nice feature too: it gives kids a quick lesson in storytelling while encouraging them to plot their story out before writing. The ability to create your book online is very cool. But our online attempt to create the cover illustration got sadly foiled by a technical error. There was no explanation of what it was or how to fix it, either. On the other hand, the physical kit, with its quality, old-fashioned paper and pens is easy to use. Also, when you mail the story in for publishing, the postage is free!

What's in the Box
Instructions, story web planner, two cover pages, 18 book pages, order form, 10 broadline washable markers, and postage paid envelope.

IlluStory

Write and illustrate your own book!!

Imagine your child's face when she or he sees their own story and drawings made into a professionally typeset, hardbound book! With this multi - award winning kit, you simply have your child write and illustrate their story using the materials supplied in the kit, which are then mailed in (in the pre-paid envelope provided) for publication. You'll soon receive a beautiful, professionally typset, 12 page, 7" x 9" hardcover book, complete with an "about the author page", title and dedication pages and your little author's name, title and drawing laminated on the cover. Extras books are optional and make great gifts for grandparents. Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, Parents' Choice Classic Award, Family Life's Best Learning Toy Award and Dr. Toy Best Toy-Classic Award.

Mix and match the 8-9 playfully detailed stamps to create hundreds of beautiful scenes, and then color in the pictures with the 5 colored pencils! Each themed set includes 2 colored inkpads. Ages 4+. Each set 8.75" x 8" x 2".

Stamp and sketch to your heart's content with this cheerfully themed collection. When inspiration hits, this simple stamp and pencil set lets budding artists make countless colorful creations. Friendship-themed images include a butterfly, rainbow, teddy bear, various hearts and flowers, and a bouquet of balloons. The set includes five colored pencils for sketching, scribbling, or coloring in the details, and two large pads of washable ink--a blessing for parents of the overzealous stamper. All of the included pieces stow neatly in the sturdy wooden storage bin with transparent lid, so artists always know what's available, and can tidy up after themselves when they're done. --Heather Lyndon

Stamp and sketch to your heart's content with this cheerfully themed collection. When inspiration hits, this simple stamp and pencil set lets budding artists make countless colorful creations. Friendship-themed images include a butterfly, rainbow, teddy bear, various hearts and flowers, and a bouquet of balloons. The set includes five colored pencils for sketching, scribbling, or coloring in the details, and two large pads of washable ink--a blessing for parents of the overzealous stamper. All of the included pieces stow neatly in the sturdy wooden storage bin with transparent lid, so artists always know what's available, and can tidy up after themselves when they're done. --Heather Lyndon

Spin Master Paperoni Deluxe Cutting Studio Create amazing 3D and 2D artwork using colorful paper rolls ! Dispense and cut the Paperoni with the studio, and build the design on the studio's work surface. Easy and fun to use. Paper and fun rolled into one! Make your own design! Includes: 1 x Cutter Studio 600 x Paperoni pieces (0.5 inch/1.27 cm) 32 Paperoni pieces (9.5 inch/24.13 cm) 1 x 2D Template 1 x 3D template 1 x 2D Self adhesive template 1 x Tweezer 8 x Gems Assorted embelishments

Create colorful, three-dimensional paper artwork using the Paperoni Deluxe Studio. Designed for ages four to eight, this studio features a kid-safe paper cutter, several self-adhesive molds and templates, and Paperoni paper pieces and rods of various sizes. Simple instructions show kids how to safely cut the paper rods into different sizes, stick them to the templates, and create three-dimensional art. A free-form template allows kids to create a work of art from scratch.

Paperoni Deluxe Studio Ages: 4 - 8 years Requires: Adult help with reading instructions

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Kids' 3-D paper creations are eye-catching and easy-to-make. The Challenging: Additional self-adhesive templates will be needed for more projects. In a Nutshell: Empowers kids to create paper art with child-safe cutter and free-form design template.

This colorful studio allows kids to create 3-D paper sculptures. View larger.

Easy, Safe Art Studio for Kids
With the Paperoni Deluxe Studio, kids have the tools to make three-dimensional artwork independently. The Studio's paper cutting blade is set safely out of reach inside the cutter. Kids simply drop one of the paper rods into the small hole on top of the cutter, use the yellow dial to select a size from one to six, and press down gently on the lever to cut. To help keep track of pieces that have already been cut, the cutter features convenient storage compartments on top.

Cut, Peel, and Stick
Very young children may initially need an adult's help to understand the instructions. The studio includes three self-adhesive, color-coded templates, and the instructions show you what sizes and quantities of Paperoni pieces are needed for each template. Kids just cut the right sizes, then match the colors. Over-sized tweezers assist in sticking the Paperoni pieces to the self-adhesive templates, creating art that jumps off the page.

Create a Lion, Mouse, or Custom Design
Kids will enjoy sticking the pieces to the included two-dimensional template and watching a pink-and-blue mouse take shape. To ensure the pieces stick, kids should try to mold the pinched ends of the Paperoni pieces into their original round shape and evenly space the pieces on the template.

Another three-dimensional mold can be transformed into a lion. Kids decide how long -- or short -- to make the lion's mane. Additional panels let you add the lion's eyes, ears, and nose.

In addition to the mouse and lion, an additional free-form template gives kids the chance to make their own design. Kids can place the transparent template over a favorite photograph, and then stick Paperoni pieces to the template's sticky surface to make the photo three-dimensional. Additional jewels and stickers are included for giving designs added sparkle.

What's in the Box
One Paperoni cutter studio, 600 short Paperoni pieces, 32 long Paperoni rods, one two-dimensional mouse template, one three-dimensional lion mold, one two-dimensional free-form template, one tweezers, eight gems, assorted embellishments, and instructions.

The kit includes several templates for eye-catching, elaborate creations. View larger.

The Paperoni pieces come in a variety of colors. View larger.

This handy little suitcase holds hours of fun! Great for parties, rainy days, camp, scouts, and much more. Make friendship bracelets for everyone you know! Kit includes 2 styles, 8 patterns, 22 bracelets! This package contains 22 colors of floss (solids, variegated, and multi-colored), 2 double-sided color-coded foam friendship looms, 2 best double-sided color-coded foam friend band looms, beads in various colors, beading needle, detailed instructions, and it is all packed inside of a convenient 8-1/2" x 9-3/8" x 2" neon bright suitcase with a acetate window, snap closure and a carry handle for taking your bracelet making on the go! All contents conform to ASTM F963. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. WARNING: Choking Hazard-small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Dream it, draw it, design it. Have you ever dreamed of becoming a fashion designer? With this ultimate set, you can show off your unique sense of style and turn your dreams into dresses or skirts... or whatever fun fashions you can think up.

Fashion Studio includes 12" dress mannequin, white satin dress with garment bag and hanger, spiral-bound sketch book, fabric swatches, fabric samples, black satin, pink lace, animal print and blue sparkle (60" x 5", each), assorted trims - white pearls, sequins, black fluffy fiber, gold sequins, pink satin with beads and spangles (each 6" long), small round spangles, white fur fleece, 6 spools of thread, scissors, tape measure, wrist pin cushion, straight pins, 2 sewing needles, plastic needle threader, thimble, dressmaker's pencil, craft glue, instructions and ideas. More than 30 pieces in all! Contents may vary slightly from those shown or listed.

Make your own lip balm! With this kit, girls can mix up their own fruity lip balm combinations; then decorate the five colorful containers with fun stickers. There's even a cool carrying case that holds everything.

Kit includes: five cosmetic tins, lip balm carrying case, lip balm base (2.1 oz/60g), three flavor colors - citrus, cherry and berry, sticker sheets, stir stick, spatula, melting container, measuring cup, illustrated instructions and ideas. Contents may vary slightly from those shown or listed.

Get beautiful results with this decorate-by-number jewelry box. Includes hundreds of glittering sticker with an easy to follow design. Includes 1000+ sticky foam and jewel pieces and 1 numbered jewelry box.

Art kits that inspire young imaginations! Your child will love creating unique and vibrantly-colored greeting cards, holiday wishes, thank-you notes and invitations. Contains over 500 Pop-Outs!TM (fun and easy pop-out shapes), 20 cards & envelopes, and a glue stick.

Animal lovers, here's the stamp set for you! Mix and match the detailed stamps with images of wild and domestic animals from land and sea, to create hundreds of beautiful scenes. All the pieces, including 16 stamps, 7 colored pencils and a durable inkpad, store in the sturdy wooden box. Washable, non-toxic kid-friendly ink.

Make lots of cool SHRINKY DINKS jewelry. Includes over 30 precut Shrinky Dink shapes, 8 colored pencils, beads, earring hoops, barrettes, string and clasps.

These colorful jewelry sets offer a delightful variety of shapes, colors and patterns to create necklaces and bracelets that are sure to please everyone! Each kit has over 150 beads and 5 laces stored in a handy wooden box. Ages 4+. 10.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 each. Recommended Age:4 and up

A case full of everything you need to learn how to sew and create fantastic art and fashions. This sewing set inculdes precut patterns for quick and easy projects, eight colors of embroidery floss, stuffing fabric, ric-rac, needles, scissors, a measuring tape, straight pins, thimble, pin cushion, buttons, and a pom-pom strip.

24 Pack of different colors of 3oz cans for hours of fun and projects!

Melissa & Doug Joey Magnetic Dress-Up PlaysetWhether he's dressing up as a firefighter, police officer, or super hero, Magnetic Dress-Up Joey is always on the go. With 26 pieces, there's no end to what he can do. Set includes stand, wooden doll and accessories. Include him with our other Magnetic Dress-Up Playsets for endless fun.

BFF! Make best friend bands or round friendship bracelets! 2 styles of bracelets with 4 patterns and 10 colors are included, along with 2 looms, 10 colors of floss, seed beads, beading needle and easyto follow instructions. Ages: 8 + Manufacturer: Alex

Get loopy! Here's a traditional craft with a bright new twist. Create bold patterns with awesome colors to make purses, head bands, belts and of course pot holders! Kit includes enough colorful loops to make five pot holders, plus a 7.25" x 7.25" metal loom, crochet hook, yarn, large needle and easy instructions.

Water, road, track or air this wooden stamp set has it all! Includes 10 wooden vehicle stamps, 5 colored pencils and durable, two-color stamp pad. Washable, non-toxic inks.

The Pixos Super Station represents the most complete activity center yet. Make 2D and 3D creations that incorporate a moving wheel or hinge. With a built in fan and a suction tool, you'll get everything you need for a total Pixos experience.

The Spinmaster Pixos Ultimate Design Station allows young children to make a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional sculptures and designs with no ink or mess. Designed for kids age four and older, the PixOs Ultimate Design Station is a clean and easy way for children to explore their artistic sides as they create original sculptures.

Note: Because of its many small pieces, this toy is not appropriate for small children under the age of four.

Ultimate Design Station Ages: 4+ Requires: 2 "AA" batteries (not included)

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Unique artistic median stimulates creativity and lets kids create their own sculptures. The Challenging: PixOs beads pose a swallowing hazard for young children. In a Nutshell: A entertaining and mess-free way for kids to experience art.

This PiXos design station allows your kids to create unique 2-D and 3-D sculptures. View larger.

An Easy, Clean Art Studio
PixOs are tiny, colored beads that adhere together when lightly sprayed by water and allowed to dry. The premise is simple, but it allows kids to create fairly complex sculptures in a non-toxic and mess-free way. Using PixOs, children create designs by placing the beads on a grid-like tray. To place PixOs, kids can use either the provided "pen," or use their fingers. Once the PixOs have been placed, the child sprays them with water using the included spray bottle and allows them to dry. Once dry, the PixOs sculptures can be removed from the tray and placed anywhere.

The Ultimate Design Station requires some assembly, which a parent should be able to quickly do. Once assembled, the station provides many tools that make playing with PixOs even easier. It includes a PixOs sorter and dispenser, which is helpful since the tiny beads are often easy to lose track of. It also features a bendable hose fan, which can help speed up the drying process. This hose fan can also function as a clamp, allowing kids to hold their creations in place and work on them piece-by-piece.

Please note that the PixOs are tiny. Although the recommended age on the box says four and up, younger children may require close supervision.

Templates and Accessories Expand Creative Options
Included with the Ultimate Design Station are four template designs of varying difficulty that will help children get accustomed to using PixOs. With these templates, kids can make dinosaurs, cars, fish and more. Once these templates have been mastered, kids can create whatever they want and will only be limited by their imaginations. Also included are two wheels and two hinges, which are designed to clasp onto PixOs beads. With these accessories, you can make cars, crocodile jaws, or anything else one can think of.

What's in the Box
500 PixOs, PixOs Sorter and Dispenser, hose fan, six template designs, two trays, water sprayer, standard instructions, 3D instructions.

These colorful lacing and bead sets offer a delightful variety of shapes, colors and patterns. Each set comes in a sturdy wooden storage case. Contains five jumbo, double-sided lacing panels, plus five color-coordinated laces. Measures 8.25" x 7" x 1.25".

GENERAL FEATURES: Fairies Sticky Mosaics by The Orb Factory allows you to create four fun fairy patterns with the 3,000 colorful foam pieces. Follow the numbered patterns of this historic art form and watch the images emerge. You'll be instantly inspired! Contains 3,000 sticky foam and jewel tiles in 10 colors and four patterns. Create beautiful mosaics by the number or design your own! Let you imagination and creativity run wild. Ages 6 and up. Small pieces make this set unsafe for children under three.

LOEW CORNELL-This Colossal art kit is made for hours of fun drawing painting coloring and creating. 315 pieces! Kit includes: 60 oil pastels 48 fine line markers 40 chalk pastels 36 watercolor cakes 36 jumbo markers 24 colored pencils 15 stickers and 32 accessories. Everything is stored in a snap-close black square container. Non-toxic. Conforms to ASTM D4236. Warning: choking hazard-small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Made in China.

Create an inspired look by projecting unique fashions onto a model sketch pad... trace, color, embellish, and voila! Use the pattern slides in the projector to create any inspired look to get started. Then make it your own with color and extra embellishments. Create unlimited fashion combinations and use the style guide for inspiration for your looks. Includes: projector, 6 viewing wheels, 2 slide holders, sheet of colored transparent slides, 10 colored pencils, croquis pad and design instructions. Ages 8+

16 great projects in one giant box of fun!
Make dough animals, collage a farm and sticker art.
Create paper bag puppets and tissue art pictures.
Includes 2 plastic frames, 4 animal punch outs, 10 colors of dough, 2 peel and stick tissue art pictures, tons of tissue paper, glue, easy instructions.
Comes in a 12” x 12” x 4” box with a woven handle.

The innovative bracelet maker provides you with a wonderful new way to make friendship bracelets. Just lift each thread, hook it to the opposite side and turn. It makes 10 different bracelets in 10 bright colors and 4 terrific patterns. Your friends will be amazed! Set includes 10 colors of string and two friendship wheels.

A fun and easy way to draw...just turn down the lights, switch on the projector, insert a preprinted slide and trace away| Comes with 124 slides, 6 markers, 10 sheets of paper, and a flip book.

Sketch runway ready fashions - just like a real fashion designer. Sketch your ideas and designs whenever you are inspired with the Fashion Design Sketchbook! Create multiple styles and outfits by sketching on the pre-printed fashion sketch pad. The design guide will give you helpful hints and the tools you need to create your own fashion line for the runway. Includes: fashion sketch pad with pre-printed models, 12 colored pencils and design guide. Ages 8+

Melissa & Doug Shape, Model, and Mold Play Set This cool clay play set has all the items your creative kid will need to make fantastic creations from modeling dough. This set includes five easy-grip wooden stamping cubes, three rolling pins, four modeling dough tubs with molding lids, and a patterned wheel press. All items are included in a handsome wooden storage case. The vibrant dough colors are red, yellow, blue, and green.

Your child will go bananas with this silly monkey playset! Mold pretend reptiles, fruits, flowers, and more. Create an entire island of fun! Your child will go bananas with this silly monkey playset with island-themed accessories! Molds and pressers let your little one create reptile pals, fruits, flowers, and more with colorful Play-Doh. Press the ape's tail to make him clap and mold pretend bananas and pineapples. Or push down on his head to grow his hair and tongue! With a tiki-torch accessory and cool molding tools, this is one activity-filled monkey that is sure to bring an island of fun! The playset comes with 3 molds for monkey's hands, a tiki-torch mold, and 5 two-ounce cans of Play-Doh compound. Ages 3 and up. Batteries not required.

Who needs needles, stitching or stuffing' Get "knotty" and easily make a quilt without any difficult techniques. It takes just a few creative hours to make a giant 36" x 48" quilt of fringed squares knotted together into a colorful pattern. Then cuddle up in your new creation. Kit comes with instructions and 48 squares (9" each) of colorful fleece in six colors.