Best Kids' Gifts At Audubon Marketplace

When it comes to gift giving, Audubon Marketplace is a fantastic place to shop for the kids on your list. Children of all ages are the most fun to give presents to. In fact, it's wonderful to experience everything about holidays, vacations and events through the little guys' eyes in order to remember what awe is all about. We adults have been around for so many years; we may forget how delightful certain things are like ice cream or a baby tiger. When we watch our sons, daughters, nieces and nephews squeal with delight at the sight, sound, taste or feel of food, toys or zoo animals, we remember just how amazing the world is. Shopping for lads and lassies from babyhood on up will not only delight them, it will give the buyer a chance to journey back into their own childhood to remember all the things they used to love. Remember your favorite book, toy or puzzle? So will they. Here are some ideas for all age groups:

- Babies and toddlers: It doesn't take much to make babies and toddlers happy as clams. They're even thrilled with the wrapping paper and boxes. But this is also a critical time for learning through their senses. Soft, plush animals such as a white tiger or Happy Napper ladybug or penguin will be a hit with these tots. They might even take a nap more easily with a soft animal to cuddle.

- Preschoolers: Preschool aged kids are avid learners and pretenders. Getting them play sets to enact real life helps them to learn. At Audubon Marketplace, there are multiple items to allow them to do just that. There are some fun items such as laundry or cook sets, a zoo-bin play set, fairies-in-the-tub, sports sets and more. Books and CDs are available, too, such as the storybook Goodnight NOLA and "Where Ya At?" on CD.

- Elementary School kids: Puzzles, board games, books and art sets will be a hit with this age group. "Create-A-Scene" kits for dollhouses or construction sites, a poodle to decorate with markers, sea life and zoo animal puzzles, books and even backpacks. What kid wouldn't want to carry their homework and schoolbooks in a backpack adorned with a fuzzy giraffe head?

- Pre-teens and teens: For the pre-teen and teenaged group, there are books, clothes, and more. Is there a budding scientist in the group? There's a chemistry set geared for ages 8 and up, but it's actually appropriate for nearly everyone. Come on, you know that dads and uncles will be trying the stink bomb experiment, too. There are tee-shirts, flip-flops, and LSU gear to delight this crowd, too. Does your pre-teen or teen love animals? How about adopting something strange in his or her name like a Louisiana pine snake or a pink katydid?

It's often more fun to buy presents for kids than adults. Not only is it heartwarming to watch their faces as they unwrap the boxes, it's a chance to go down Memory Lane yourself. The cool items available at Audubon Marketplace will make it even more delightful.