Tutu Garnet Hill Cotton-candy tulle frills with satin ribbons and roses. Good luck ever getting your kid to take it off; $48 at garnethill.com.
Shearling Boots Ugg Keep tiny toes toasty with Ugg’s boots and booties. For kids, they run $30 to $90 at uggaustralia.com. Want to match your tyke? Shearling was all over the winter runways. A grown-up pair costs about $150.
My Little Blue Robot by Stephen T. Johnson Never too early to start on that engineering degree. Snap the pieces of the robot’s frame out of the book’s cardboard pages. With your help, it’s good for kids 3 and up. It even says “Let’s play,” after you put in its heart; $21.95.
Dumbledore’s Office LEGO The only toy that can entertain Harry-obsessed kids until the fifth book arrives (and, let’s face it, that could be a while). But be warned, this kit–and the new Chamber of Secrets set–is extraordinarily complicated. Mom and Dad will have to help with the construction work; $49.99.
FurReal Friends Cat Hasbro Remember that annoying robotic dog? Well, forget it. Here’s a mechanical pet that’s actually fun to play with–a frisky, furry tabby that purrs when you brush it, hisses when you pull its tail. Any more lifelike, and this cat would need a litter box; $34.99.
Ultimate Forensics Whodunit Lab Discovery Channel Cops and robbers for the new millennium. As “Agent Omega,” your kid uses crime-lab analysis to crack six cases “CSI” style. The lab includes a microscope, light table and work surface to do fiber, handwriting, hair and blood analyses. It has lots of little pieces. Ages 8 and up; $79.95 at discovery.com.
