Best Kid's Movies on DVD 2013

Movies make great gifts for kids. If you are considering buying a child in your life a movie this Christmas, check out my selection for the best kid's movies on DVD for 2013.


Despicable Me 2

No longer a villain, Gru makes jams and jellies with his herd of little yellow minions and parents his three girls Agnes, Edith, and Margo. After throwing his daughter a ginormous birthday party, Gru is kidnapped by Lucy Wild, who is an Anti-Villain League operative, to help the league apprehend a criminal who has made an entire secret lab disappear from the Arctic Circle and stolen a dangerous transition formula.

Gru joins in on the plan to capture the criminal and starts a bakery at the mall with Lucy. Meanwhile the minions run amuck and completely steal the show. And Gru may just decide to enter the dating scene and give the girls the mom they long for.

Kids and adults have absolutely fallen in love with the minions and in the second film they do definitely take over the show and are hilarious. This movie is great for younger kids because of the minions as well as older ones who may relate to the storyline more.

The Despicable Me 2 release date is December 10, but can pre-order it now and get it on your doorstep on December 10.


Monsters University 

This movie is actually a prequel to the hit movie Monsters Inc. In this movie we get to see how Sulley and Mike Wazowski became life-long friends when they met at Monsters University.

Mike has always dreamed of being a scarer since he was a little monster but things don't go as he plans once he goes to college. Instead him and hotshot scarer (James P. Sullivan) Sulley get kicked out of the elite Scare Program.

The two realize that they must work together along with a bunch of other monster misfits if they want to succeed and make it right.

If your child is a fan of Monsters Inc, they will love the new Monsters University. You have the popular Sulley and Mike and then a new cast of some funny misfit monsters as well. This movie definitely won't disappoint kids or parents.

Monsters University will be released October 29, 2013, but you can pre-order it now.


The Croods

Join this prehistoric family on an adventure as they journey to a whole new world that they never knew existed before. They used to simply just live in a cave and not go very far, but now when their cave has been destroyed they join a boy name Guy as he introduces them to new views and fascinating creatures.

This movie is full of physical as well as slapstick humor. Although the movie is quite funny and kids will enjoy the laughing there is an underlying message of how change can be good and things aren't always the way they seem. There is an actual story to the movie but yet it will keep a child's attention. This is truly a good family movie for parents and kids.

This kid's movie is recommended for ages 8 and older although most parents wouldn't have a problem with their younger kids watching the movie as well.

More Great Movies for Kids To Give As Gifts

Here are even more great movies for kids that came out in 2013 that would make great Christmas gifts this year.

Disney Planes

The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)

Veggie Tales: Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas

Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway the Movie

Disney Teen Beach Movie

DreamWorks Turbo

When Should You Start Christmas Shopping?

I hear the question, "When should you start Christmas shopping?" all the time from friends, family members and even other friends online.

My answer is always, "Whenever you want."

My belief is that it is never too early to start your Christmas shopping. In fact I actually will pick up gifts for other people all throughout the year if I see something that I know they would love and can get it for a really good price.

For example, my daughter absolutely loves stuffed animals. She has about 20 stuffed animals that she rotates sleeping with. (She would sleep with all of them if I let her!)

After Christmas I was at a local department store and they had these Christmas teddy bears that were marked 70% percent off, so I picked up two of them and will be giving them to her as a Christmas gift this year. She will love the teddy bears and I only paid about $5 for two of them when they were originally around $15 each.

If you are looking for an official start to the Christmas shopping season, most people consider Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) as the kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

But, I know lots of people who start their Christmas shopping the day after Halloween because that is usually when stores start running pretty good sales for holiday items.

I have actually been known to be done Christmas shopping (except for a few added bonus gifts) by the time Black Friday even rolls around. I am the type of person that likes to get shopping done early so I know I have everything.

That is just who I am but I know plenty of people who start shopping on the weekend after Thanksgiving as well as people who don't start shopping until the week before Christmas.

It really is your choice when you start Christmas shopping, but I do recommend you try my tip of shopping throughout the year if you can get some awesome deals on gifts you know people would love.

Best Inexpensive Android Tablet for Kids

If you are looking to buy your child an Android tablet as a gift and you don't have a lot of money or you simply just want to get the most out of your money, then check out the best inexpensive Android tablet for kids.

There is nothing worse than buying your child a big gift and then finding out the toy or gadget doesn't work well or doesn't do what you want it to do. Just because you don't have a lot of money to spend doesn't mean you still can't get a good tablet for your kid.

You actually do have more than one option for an Android tablet that isn't expensive but still works great and has nice features for kids.

The Best Cheap Android Tablets for Kids That Are Worth Buying

FastTouch 7 Inch Android Tablet 4.1

Although this tablet is not specifically for kids, it is one of the best tablets you can buy for under $100 (sale price). I actually recommend buying this tablet over one that is made specifically for children because it will work better and there are tons of apps that you can download for kids that will make it educational and fun for them.

This tablet has everything you would need for your child. You can access the web, play movies, read eBooks and choose from a huge library of Android apps that are geared towards children. It is the perfect size for kids and is lightweight and you can always buy a cover for the tablet if you are afraid of your child damaging it.

The tablet has built in wifi, a dual-facing camera, the latest popular apps and comes ready to use.  The item does come with a stylus pen but it is not a must that you use it. It is super user friendly so kids shouldn't have a problem learning to use it quickly.




Contixo Kids 7-inch Touch Screen Android 4.1 Tablet

If you are looking for an inexpensive tablet that is specifically for kids, then this is your best choice. You can buy this tablet for under $100 on sale and it is especially made for children between the ages of 4 – 12 years old.

The tablet is preloaded with apps that are just for kids and best of all the tablet will actually grow with your child. Your child can use it when they are 5 and still get use out of it when they are 10. There are curriculum programs for grades pre-K through 6th grade and parents can track the child's progress as well.

There are also other fun apps such as drawing, popular games, fun educational games, and puzzles. Kids can also access the internet, watch movies and TV, and read eBooks with the tablet. Parents can also control what the child has access to on the device. It also has a camera so that kids can take and share pictures as well.

When buying this tablet you do have to keep in mind that it is specifically made for children and that you do get what you pay for. Don't expect a high quality tablet for this kind of money but it definitely does do the job if you don't have a lot of money to spend.

It has a rubber protection case that comes with it and is available in green, blue and pink.


With how popular tablets have become you don't have to spend a ton of money on a device for your kids. There are plenty of options for inexpensive Android tablets for kids but I would definitely recommend the FastTouch tablet as one of the best.

Gift Idea for 10 Year Old Girls: Jewelry Making Sets for Girls

If you are stuck on what to get a 10 year old girl for a gift then you should definitely consider jewelry making sets for girls. There are all kinds of different jewelry sets you can choose from such the latest craze of rubber bracelets to fashion headbands.

Check out the all different great gift ideas of jewelry making sets for girls below and make a 10 year old girl really happy this Christmas.

Most Popular Jewelry Making Sets for Girls

Twistz Bands Rainbow Loom Set

Rubber brand bracelets are the latest rage right now with young girls. This is actually a loom that you use to make different patterns with the included rubber bands to make some super cute bracelets. The set comes with 600 latex free rubber bands in a variety of different colors as well as instructions and templates to make several different style of bracelets.

Right now this would probably be the biggest hit with any 10 year old girl. It's fun to make the bracelets with the loom and different colors and then you can show off your styles when you wear them or give them to friends.

Fashion Headbands Kit

This set has a wide array of different plain headbands along with all the accessories you need to make several different fashion headbands. You can create 10 headbands with this kit.

There are flowers, ribbons, feathers, a butterfly, and rhinestones that can all be used to make these pretty fashion headbands.

This would also make a nice gift for a girl's birthday party or a rainy day activity she can do with a friend and they can each make their own headbands.

Opti Art Gemstone Jewelry Kit

This is a pretty cool jewelry kit that combines different paper patterns along with gemstones to make all kinds of different cool jewelry pieces.

The kit comes with everything you need to make pins, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and hairclips.  Girls can come up with their own creations using the supplies and it will keep them busy for quite some time. The jewelry looks nice and isn't cheap looking even though this kit is very inexpensive.

Do It Yourself Friendship Bracelet Set

With this set you can make up to 22 fun friendship bracelets in a variety of different styles. Girls can keep them or give them out to their different friends.

There are 4 looms that are included that allow you to make 2 different style bracelets  for a total of 4 patterns along with 22 colors of floss and beading needle. If you ever made friendship bracelets when you were a young girl this set makes it easier.

Girls can definitely get creative wit these jewelry making sets for girls. Ten years old is a perfect age for these sets and make great gifts that girls can use over and over.

The Best Board Games for 5 Year Olds

Board games can be a great way to teach your kid all kinds of different skills from social skills like sharing and taking turns to fine motor skills with having to balance items or grab something.

The great thing about this is that kids don't even realize they are learning these skills because they are having so much fun. If you have a 5 year old at home or you are buying a gift for a 5 year old, then you definitely want to consider buying a great board game for them.

The Best Board Games for 5 Year Old Boys and Girls

Hoot Owl Hoot!

This game is a little different than your basic board game as it is a cooperative game were players actually work together to accomplish finishing the game.

This game is for 2-4 players and they work together to help the owls fly back home to their nest before the sun comes up. It's a color coded matching game that has a slight twist with the sunrise cards. The key is that players don't compete against each other but actually work together strategically to finish the game.

This board game has won 8 kids toy awards and is one of the best selling games that both parents and kids love.

Trouble Board Game

You may have played Trouble when you were younger and forgotten how much fun it was. Pop the fun dice in the middle of the game and see how many spaces you move. But be aware there may be "trouble" when another player knocks you back to the starting point.

The nice thing about this game is not only is it a lot of fun but it also helps with counting and colors as well. Kids also learn strategic game play and learn how to take turns. Five year olds love popping the dice in the middle and even knocking other players back home.

There are also other versions of the game that feature some cool characters such Dinosaur Train, Scooby Doo, and Hello Kitty.

Monopoly Junior

Now kids as young as 5 can enjoy the fun of Monopoly with the Monopoly Junior Party version.

Players travel around the board with different cupcakes and collect party cards that tell them different places to go or do. This game helps kids with counting skills as well as strategic thinking when it comes to buying and trading properties.

This version of Monopoly is recommended for ages 5-8 and is a great way to introduce Monopoly and board games to a child.

Sum Swamp Addition and Subtraction Game

Math becomes fun for five year olds with this cool board game that will appeal to both girls and boys.

The game takes players on a journey through the Sum Swamp with all kinds of different adding and subtraction problems to be solved. The only way to get through the swamp is to get the answers right and have fun doing it.

Although this is more of a learning board game compared to the other best games for a five year old, kids still love playing and it helps build their skills at the same time. Five years old is the perfect age to start introducing this to your child.

Sequence for Kids

This is another great board game that also teaches a lot to a 5 year old.

The game is to make sequences from the cards to your board game with your chips. When you have 4 in row you win the game. The game comes with an attractive board game full of animals that are matched to the cards. It is not only a great game for matching but helps kids understand the math concepts with getting 4 in a row. For younger kids you can also start out playing the game as strictly matching game and then work up to getting 4 in a row.

Best Scooter for Toddlers

If you want to get your young son or daughter a scooter, but you aren't sure what is the best scooter for toddlers, then check out my selections below.

When buying a scooter for a toddler you want to make sure that you buy one that is an appropriate height as well as weight for the child. You want one that is safe for their age as well as weight limits.

Here are the most popular scooters for beginners and young kids.

Best Scooters for Toddlers

 

Radio Flyer My First Scooter

 

This scooter by Radio Flyer was specifically designed for children between the ages of 2 to 4 years old.
The scooter has an extra wide base to provide the best stability for a younger child. This helps a child to develop their balance better and in a safe way compared to a normal base of a scooter.

The tapered base also allows for a better kick path so your child isn't kicking the base when trying to ride the scooter. There is also a plastic cover for the back wheel which protects the child if they were to hit the wheel when trying kick.

This is a great beginner scooter for a toddler to learn how to kick properly as well as work on their balance and coordination so they can advance to a regular scooter with no problems.

The scooter is available in red or pink.

Mini Micro Scooter

 

This is another great option for a scooter for a toddler. This scooter is significantly different than the Radio Flyer one but has great reviews of parents of toddlers.

This scooter is recommended for ages 2-5 and has a weight limit of 44 pounds.

This particular scooter has actually won several awards for being one of the best scooters for toddlers. What makes this scooter so unique is the lean-to-steer design which means that a child can use their body weight to steer where they want the scooter to go.

With this scooter your child can learn balance and coordination as well as have some fun gliding along the sidewalks.  It has a rear brake which helps toddlers ride the scooter safely and is super lightweight at only approximately 3 pounds.

This scooter is not designed for tricks but that is okay since most toddlers won't be doing tricks on a scooter for some time. It is a great way for a young child to learn how to ride safely and get used to steering.

It is available in blue or pink.




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Best Board Games for 4 Year Old Boys
Best Place to Buy Stuffed Animals