Rechargeable LED Cat LightTurn its crank a few times and this kitty is ready for nighttime reading and spooky-space exploring. $10 at geniusjones.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.CatLightx476.jpg746911
Da Vinci’s CatapultOur advice: Take cover after your kid assembles this wooden throwing machine based on the inventor’s design. $25 at Marbles: the Brain Store.
Dub Garage D-JayzFuture club kids can scratch the turntables on the back of this sports car to mix their own beats. $15 at toystate.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Djayzx476.jpg746953
Geomate JR.More than 250,000 geocache (a sorta high-tech treasure hunt) locations in all 50 states are preloaded on this adventure-ready device. $95 at REI.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Geomatex476.jpg746974
Razor Graffiti ScooterSpeed demons get to multitask, making chalk art while they ride. $46 at sears.com.
Photo: Randy Harmon012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.GraffitiScooterx476.jpg746995
Hand-Drawn Super T-shirtEvanston artist Fred Funes hand-paints these tees to order: Krypto the Superdog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more. $15 at AlleyCat Comics.
Fairy KiteFlora the fairy’s wings span six feet as she glides through the air. $50 at ebeanstalk.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Kitefairyx476.jpg7470910
Eeboo 24 PencilsTwo-dozen nifty colored pencils, including metallic Gamma Ray Gold and Shooting Star Silver, $15 at eeboo.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Pencilsx476.jpg7471111
The Annotated Phantom TollboothIn honor of the 50th anniversary of the kid-lit classic, Random House has released a new, annotated version, including pieces of interviews with author Norton Juster and illustrator Jules Feiffer. $30 at amazon.com.
PoofinsLet your young star stuff these Evanston-made plush toys with supercute mini pillow charms that reflect her favorite activities and interests. $3.50–$25 at poofin.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Poofinsx476.jpg7471513
Ravensburger Earth PuzzleballIf he wants to learn about geography, he’ll have to work for it by putting together this curved puzzle first. That’ll teach him. $45 at Marbles: the Brain Store.
Fila Skele-Toes 2.0All the hip kids are embracing the “barefoot” running movement, in case you didn’t know. $45 at dickssportinggoods.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.skeletoes2x476.jpg7471915
Year ’Round SledFor your winter-cravin’ nieces and nephews in warmer climes, a sled that works on grass as well as snow. $90 at hammacherschlemmer.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.sledx476.jpg7472116
Remote Control Flying SpacemanNo rocket-fueled jet pack necessary here. $25 at discoverystore.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.Spaceman2x476.jpg7472317
Yellow Owl Workshop Cityscape Stamp SetYour little city slicker can put his urban stamp on anything with this wooden kit. $30 at yellowowlworkshop.com.
012.so.ft.tock.op.ages8.YellowOwlx476.jpg7472518
Superhero Shoe WingsThese will surely put some serious huzzah in your kid’s step. $24 at etsy.com/shop/smallfly.