‘95 Gift Guide Possibilities Abound For Pleasing A Child

What’s Christmas without buying fun stuff for the children on your list? Here are some ideas to make youngsters’ eyes light up this holiday:

For young bakers: Wolferman’s catalog offers a “Christmas Cookie Making Tin” (item No. 8861, $22) which includes everything needed for an afternoon of memory-making: sugar cookie mix, frosting mix, frosting paintbrush, candy sprinkles, a chef’s name tag, hat and apron - all packed in a colorful Christmas tin. To order, call Wolferman’s at (800) 999-0169.

Creative computer games: Three award-winning children’s CD-ROMs are bundled in a special holiday trio available through Dec. 31, from Edmark Corp.

“Millie’s Math House,” “Bailey’s Book House” and “Sammy’s Science House” will introduce children ages 2 through 6 to the fundamentals of math, reading and science through colorful and creative activities.

These top-rated titles are $80 for the trio, in both Macintosh and Windows versions. For program specifics or to order, call Edmark at (800) 691-2985.

For train lovers: Christmas and Lionel trains are a nostalgic combination. A new video from TM Books, “A Lionel Christmas” ($19.95), brings the magic of toy trains to the whole family.

The 55-minute video features the memories of folks who grew up in the ‘40s and ‘50s recalling the Christmas each found a Lionel train chugging around their family tree. Archival footage from these eras as well as elaborate train layouts and prewar locomotives make this a video treasure especially for older train buffs. To order, call TM Books and Video, (800) 892-2822.

Creative cards: Sending letters and notes is tons of fun when they’re handmade. A new kit from Highlights catalog, “Cards for Kids” (item No. 1955, $15.95), is packed with funny greeting cards, blank “design-your-own” cards, envelopes, rubber stamps (with inkpad) and stickers for hours of creativity for kids ages 6 and up. To order, call Highlights for Children, (800) 848-8922.

Make travel time fly: For long trips ahead, Highlights catalog makes an enjoyable travel kit for all ages. “Fun For The Road” (item No. 2389, $21.95) includes puzzle cards with wipe-off markers, a cross-country board game with static-cling movers, Travel Bingo, an audiotape and two books packed with more travel games and fun, all in a carry-along case. To order, call (800) 848-8922.

Pocket books: Three take-along booklets by Vicki Lansky make great stocking stuffers. “Sing Along Songs for Kids” gives the words to 30 family favorites, perfect for car trips. “Lullaby Songs For Babies” includes 22 soothing lullabies, and “Jump-Rope Rhymes” lists 29 boppin’ beats like “Dutch Girl” and “Anna Banana.”

These 3-by-5-inch booklets are $1 each. To order, call (800) 255-3379 or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (two stamps) and $1 for each title payable to: Practical Parenting, 18326 Minnetonka Blvd., Deephaven, MN 55391.

Design your own tote: Children 5 and up will love a sturdy two-handled canvas bag for carrying books and treasures, especially if they personalize it themselves. Hearthsong catalog offers “My Own Tote Bag Kit” (item No. 02209, $7.95), a roomy tote bag plus fabric dye sticks in seven non-toxic colors. Draw designs on the bag, then cover with a sheet of paper and iron to set the colors. Use the dye sticks for additional projects on aprons, T-shirts, etc. To order, call (800) 325-2502.

Blurt it out: What is the word for “the joint of a finger?” or “one of the pointed ends of a fork?” The newest family game from Patch Products is “Blurt! The Webster’s Game of Word Racing” where players take turns reading simple definitions while others race to be the first to blurt out the correct word. Blurt! is designed for ages 7 to adult, with a junior version of cards also included to make it a game the whole family can enjoy. Blurt! is $25 ($10 for travel version) available at retail and specialty stores.