THAT SPECIAL PRESENT...

1. The Green Machine: What's Christmas without a new bike under the tree Back in the 1970s, the Green Machine was the Jaguar of Big Wheels, a sleek green bike that could do impressive skids end spinouts. Huffy's new model can do all that, only now it's made of sturdy metal tubing with a rubber front tire, instead of the breakable, all-plastic affair of 30 years ago. $99.99, from Huffy Bicycle Co.; www.huffybikes.com or 937/743-5011.

DOLLS AND ACTION FIGURES WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE

2. My Scene: Traditional Barbie has gone more active and modern with this line of cooler, hipper dolls, decked out in the latest fashions-but also the latest active wear, such as skis and snowboards. $13.99, Mattel; www.myscene.com or 800/524-8697.

3. Justice League: Based on the popular Cartoon Network series, this action figure line includes all the classic superheroes-Superman, Barman, The Flash as well as dynamic female figures, such as Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl. $699, Mattel; www.mattel.com or 800/524-8697.

4. Major Powers: Great for parents who might want something less violent than, say, a gun-toting soldier. Each Powers figure comes with accessories to fight "world problems" rather than evil adversaries. $6.99, Hasbro; www.hasbro.com/majorpowers or 888/836-7025.

5. Barbie Happy Family:. Many Barbie dolls and play sets now emphasize empowering careers or just good old-fashioned family values. Grandma's Kitchen comes with loving Ken and Barbie as grandparents in a stylish, eat-in kitchen complete with a turkey dinner. $49.99, Mattel; www.barbie.com or 800/524-8697.

CONSTRUCTION SETS TO BUILD IMAGINATIONS

Lego: This year, the company released Clikits (6), which lets kids make jewelry, picture frames, and other personal accessories. Meanwhile, the Inventor Series (7) challenges imaginative kids to build motorized creatures, vehicles, and much more. From $3.99 to $99, Lego; www.lego.com or 860/763-3211.

8. Skyrail Suspension: For the budding roller-coaster tycoon, here's a set that lets kids build a suspension track more than 3 feet high and 120 feet long. $60, Quercetti; www.quercetti.com or 800/631-1272.

9. Kid K'Nex: Made of large pieces of soft rubber, these sets are easy younger builders (ages 4-8) to manipulate. Each set comes with an idea book for creating bug-eyed animals, crazy cars, and more. Sets start at $9.99, K'Nex; www.kidknex.com or 800/543-5639.

10. Erector Design Series: Erector sets have been around for decades and for a while it showed, as the old nuts-and-bolts versions looked almost obsolete. Now they've gotten a facelift. Pick from numerous sets categorized by skill and age levels, from simple trains and motorcycles for ages 4-8 to multi-model sets for more seasoned (ages 8-12) engineers. From $4.50 to $100 for large sets. Erector; www.briotoy.com or 888/274-6869.

Thomas the Tank Engine: The popular series of wooden trains based on the lovable anthropomorphic engines seems only to improve with time. The best of this year's offerings includes the Thomas Boulder Mountain Set, based on a classic story about the trains and a runaway rolling rock. The Thomas Trundle Table (11) comes with a play-table-size playboard that rolls under most beds for convenient storage. Trains cost from $999; play sets from $3999 to $99. Trundle table $199. Learning Curve; www.learningcurve.com or 800/1704-8697.

COOL GADGETS

12. Air Boom Box: A radio in a trendy, inflatable housing. Great for bedroom or dorm. $19.95, Wild Planet Toys; www.roomgear.com or 800/247-6570.

13. Inspiration Station: Inside this snappy briefcase is a read-along book and cartridge that hooks into the TV. Kids can sing with Barbie and create original stories with music, art, and sound. $60, Oregon Scientific; www.oregonscientific.com or 949/608-2848.

14. GameBoy Advance SP: The greatest handheld gaming device now comes in sleek seasonal red and black colors. Plays all GameBoy games too. $100, Nintendo; www.nintendo.com or 800/255-3700.

15. Leapster. This handheld unit automatically adjusts to the child's ability level as he/she plays action-packed educational games. The touch screen lets users color, paint, write, and draw. $80, Leapfrog; www.leapfrog.com or 800/701-5327.

16. Video Now Personal Video Player:. Compact video player that lets kids watch such popular TV fare as SpongeBob Squarepants and educational programs designed just for the unit. $49.99, Tiger Electronics; www.hasbro.com/tigertoys or 888/836-7025.

GREAT GAMES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

17. Break the Safe: This game is actually more fun when players work together to reach the ultimate goal of cracking a secret-filled safe before the 30 minute timer goes off! $19.99, Mattel; www.mattel.com or 800/524-8697.

18. Conga: Here's a high-energy party-maker that requires players to guess what each other is thinking. Questions like "How many trees has your morn climbed?" and "What animal could your brother beat in a race?" make game play uproarious. $1995, Cranium Inc.; www.cranium.com or 877/272-6486.

19. Scaventure Kids: Players are encouraged to be creative and resourceful as they are sent in teams to make and acquire various items. $19.99, Rumba Games; www.rumbagames.com or 905/795-3533.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Meredith Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group