Our Favorite Things:
Creative Tools for Crafty Kids

This item had our testers -- kids and grown-ups alike -- giggling with glee. Simply use the 5 double-sided sticks to draw a scene, then don the special glasses to see the warm colors (red, orange) float and the cool colors (blue, green) sink.
Ages 3 and Up
Crayola, $5
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Plastic-coated Twisteez Wire is super pliable -- and easily cut by scissors-wielding kids. Our testers made armfuls of bracelets and wove several colorful strands together to form decorative bowls. A bonus: the companion Web site has instructions for making 3-D sculptures, mobiles, and other cool projects.
Ages 6 and Up
Twisteez, $9 for a pack of 50
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The kid-safe Rock Drill proved to have deep appeal for rock hounds. After our testers banned their mom from the room, they carefully followed the directions -- clamp a rock between two plates, fill the chamber with water, then drill a hole -- in secret so they could present her with the dangly earrings they made. Includes a replacement drill bit and supplies for 3 key rings, 3 pairs of earrings, and 2 necklaces.
Ages 8 and Up
Science Tech, $30
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Cuttlekids is a kid-safe die-cut machine that uses pressure to punch decorative shapes and letters from paper or craft foam. Kids simply place the material and a foam-covered die between two heavy-duty plastic mats, insert them in the machine, and turn the crank. Comes with two dies (bug and oval); additional dies available for $5 to $16.
Ages 7 and Up
Provo Craft, $32
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The Favorite Objects Paper Punch Set lets young crafters decorate notes with 15 kid-friendly images (hearts, trees, and the like). The interchangeable punches slide into the press; when you are ready to change designs, a pull on the lever releases both the punch and a confetti shower of shapes.
Ages 5 and Up
Melissa & Doug, $30
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While we can't guarantee the end of dried-out markers, you'll up your odds with Twistables Markers and Flip-Top Markers. Both are self-explanatory: either twist the top or flip the attached cap to open and shut them. Simple brilliance!
Ages 3 and Up
Crayola, $5 for a pack of 6
Buy Twistables
Buy Flip-Top

We have to say it: we have an inkling your kids will love Inklings. These 1-inch square stamps leave photorealistic images of animals, toys, and more. Each of the 30 stamps holds enough acid-free ink for 3,000 pictures.
Ages 3 and Up
Wild Planet, $5
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The Ultimate Cutter, from Crayola's new Total Tools line, had testers saying "Cool!" With its safety blade and swivel head, it lets kids cut curvy lines on paper more easily than with scissors. A mini cutting mat is included, but you'll still want to protect larger surfaces.
Ages 6 and Up
Crayola, $5
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Better keep an eye on your cupcakes -- Silly-Feet bake cups look as if they might run across the table and take their tasty treats with them! These reusable silicone alternatives to a muffin pan are oven-safe and, when filled, can be decorated to look like clowns, space aliens, and more. When you're not using them for cupcakes, they're great for holding candy, serving ice cream, or feeding veggies to a finicky toddler.
Ages 6 and Up
Wilton, $10 for a package of 4
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