Let the Gadget Wars Begin!

The teenage years are no doubt the best as well as the emotionally hardest phase of life. Lots of energy, new ideas, and the adventure of looking at the world with new eyes. Of course, teenagers have a lot of trouble fulfilling the responsibilities of the society as well plus the peer pressure can be tough to handle at times.

As a parent or guardian it is important to guide the teens in the right direction and help them channel the energy of youth in the right direction. One shouldn’t be too overbearing yet be present when your teen needs support.

Gift your teenagers stuff which will help their brains grow and will keep them busy in a productive manner. I hope the suggestions listed below will be helpful.

Shown here is the book The Gadget War (Puffin Chapters), which is aimed at younger kids.

DIY kits for Teenagers

I am a big fan of DIY Projects. Doing something yourself provides a sense of satisfaction which cannot be matched by ready made stuff. The joy of creating something with your own hands is unparalleled.

The DIY Kit you choose for your Teenagers would depend on her/his interest and age no doubt. There are thousands of choices available for those interested in Science, Arts, Toys, and other Subjects. Help your Teenager develop the grey brain cells and building skills with the Do-It-Yourself Projects listed below.

 Cool Do-It-Yourself Gifts for Guys

Best Tablets for Mobile Teenagers

Tablets have really had a Revolutionary Impact on Computing. A couple of Decades ago not many of us could have imagined that such small devices would pack Computing Power more than the Desktop Computers of that era.

Teenagers love Tablets and the reasons are not hard to find. They look cool, are lightweight and easy to carry, they help them connect with their Friends, and open up a whole new world of learning through the web and ebooks. You don’t need a Kindle to get the Kindle books, for instance.

Personally I think that for a US audience the Kindle Fire is the best buy option. The hardware is excellent and it does everything most teens will want to do on their tablet: ebooks (yes, Kindle), facebook, twitter, internet, mail and games. What more could you need? 

Samsung Galaxy Note is another good choice, especially for artistic teens. It features a 10.1 inch display which is easy on the eyes – unlike the 7 Inch Screen, which many of the lower priced tabs have. The Galaxy Note has two selling points:

  • Wacom style screen with stylus
    This means that you can draw at pixel precision. It’s the reason I bought mine and I love it.
  • You can use multiple apps at once. On the same screen. 
    This started out limited to Samsung apps, but in the latest version (updated on mine as well) you can have your gmail app open while reading a PDF, for instance. Seriously useful when you’re using a tablet for more than just entertainment. 

And yes, of course you can mail, play games and go online on the Galaxy Note as well. 

When we talk about tablets the iPad can’t go unmentioned. The best buy option for most people today is the iPad Mini. Small, fits into your teens bag, and not THAT expensive. 

Latest Gaming Consoles

2013 will prove one of the Hottest Years for Game Lovers.

Playstation 4 and XBox 720 will be launched this year.

However, that’s not all. I hope you are aware about the OUYA Console. It’ll be launched in the month of June and is very sensibly priced @ $ 99.99. That’s not all – The Games can be downloaded directly to the Console! Saving you the trouble of buying discs. No frustration of scratched discs not working on the console! The main selling point of this device, aside from the affordable price, is that it works with your (HD) tv, so your teen can play their games on the best hardware available. 

On the Ouya system you can try games out for free and their collection includes Final Fantasy, brand new never-before-seen titles and hundreds of other games starting with all the games available on Android. Shooters, platformers, role-playing games, action games… 

More Gadget Gifts

If your young children are constantly having to be reminded that they family Nativity set is not to be played with, perhaps a solution would be to give them a toy Nativity set for Christmas this year. Young children love to act out the story of Christmas and it is much better to let them have a set that will not break during their play time. It is also a wonderful opportunity for them to begin to tell the story on their own. Most of the toy sets are made of plastic or a soft vinyl substance so they hold up well to rough play. You can also find sets that are made from wood particles that are also very durable. Some of the toys feature sound and lights that will require batteries to operate while others do not need anything other than your child to supply the energy to move them. I have listed five varieties that are good for small children.

Melissa & Doug Nativity Set

There are eleven figures that come with this toy nativity set that is made from wood particles which makes it very kid friendly and durable. The stable comes in four pieces that is quite easy to assemble. Also included is the Christmas story on the package that the pieces are stored in. Not only does this make a nice toy for children to begin to learn about their faith but it can also become a tradition of setting it up each year after the children no longer play with it as a toy.

Veggie Nativity Playset

Using the characters from the popular cartoon series Veggie Tales, children can play the story of the Nativity in a cute way. Some of the pieces make sounds which also adds to the fun. This set is recommended for children ages three years old and older. It requires two AA batteries that are included in your purchase.

Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset

Play time can be enhanced during the Christmas season while allowing children to learn the religious background of the holidays with this very cute toy Nativity set made by Fisher-Price. Most children probably already have some other play sets that include the Little People so there will be a familiarity with the characters. The set includes twelve different figures and makes a nice scene. At the top of the stable where the Angel goes a song will play if the child presses her down. It also lights up when the song is playing. You will need to purchase three AA batteries as they are not included with the set. Recommended for ages 1 year old and older.

The Nativity Play Set

A cute little set perfect for little hands to handle while they play out the story of Christ’s birth. There are approximately 16 pieces to the toy set. There is no sound or lights so there is no need to have to replace batteries.

Playmobil Nativity Manger with Stable

Playmobil has a toy set for holiday play, also. It is slightly different than many Nativity sets whether they are toys or ones that are used by the family. There are no Wise Men or shepherds. There is a man that appears to be a woodcutter with an axe in his hand and there is a tree stump as a part of the set. The baby Jesus can lay in the manger or be taken out. This set is kind of neat because it has different pieces than one usually finds. Recommended for children four to five years old.

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