When it comes to holiday gift giving, we could all use a bit of help. But if you're an adult looking to buy a gift for a child this holiday season, the task can be especially daunting. Children's interests always seem to be changing and new toys are constantly on the market. Sylvia Barsotti, editor-in-chief of scholastic.com, offers some guidance on what hot toys to buy kids of all ages.

Ages 0-2
Baby Einstein Playful Discoveries: This “Gift of the Month” is the perfect gift for the busy pre- and post-natal mom, who wants the best for her child — high-quality, age-appropriate materials that stimulate and nurture her child’s development in the first two years of their life.  Each month mom and baby will receive a new board book, exclusive Baby Einstein DVD, collectible Playful Discoveries Animals Cards, Discovery Cards ring and tether, Parent Pages and member’s-only Web site.

Ages 2-6
Deliciously fun food toys
At this age, toddlers and preschoolers love pretend play and love helping in the kitchen. If your child is an aspiring chef, then try these great wooden, safe pretend play toys that are fun and can help to encourage healthy eating habits.

Cookware set: Realistic stove graphics, a colorful sturdy wooden pot and pan with an interchangeable lid, three highly-detailed wooden food pieces, utensils, adjustable knobs and an oven mitt make this convenient cookware set a must-have for your child! Melissa & Doug, $24.95

Food groups set: Encourage healthy eating habits with this 21-piece food set that allows children to mix and match the pieces to make a well-balanced meal. Includes the four major food groups. Melissa & Doug, $19.95

High notes for music maniacs
As kids begin school, they experiment with sound, and at the same time, sing nursery rhymes, clap along to a beat and listen to their favorite CDs. Give the gift of music through a wonderful book, CD or a band in a box.

Deluxe Band-in-a-Box: This sturdy wood and metal 10-piece set opens up a world of music and discovery for your child with a tambourine, maracas and a triangle! Melissa & Doug, $14.97

World Playground Activity Kit and CD: Combining the music and culture of places such as Senegal, Chile, Israel, Australia, France and others, this kit, with more than 50 simple, hands-on activities involving movement, music and art, makes the world your child’s playground. Putumayo, $19.98

“Dizzy”: This picture book about jazz great Dizzy Gillespie’s life will captivate your young music lover and introduce him to jazz and bebop. Scholastic, $16.99

Ages 7-8
Inspired alternatives for artists
Seven-year-olds are starting to develop their own individuality and interests, and finding their own creativity and personal expression, so fun and creative gifts work well.

Plate Works: Add extra pizzazz to your next meal! Now your children can mail in customized designs to create their own special break-resistant, dishwasher-safe, melamine plate, bowl, mug or sippy cup that will last a lifetime. Plate Works, $14.95

My Accessory Place Kit: Now your daughter can paint and create a mirrored accessory holder for all her hair doodads and jewelry! A work of art by itself, the mirror features six pegs, four ribbons, four flower stoppers and a wooden bow hanger. Ages 6–12, $19.95

Ceramic frames: Parents can encourage creativity and fun by letting their little loved ones paint picture frames to match a room or for a very special gift. The kit includes one 4" x 6" frame, one 2" x 2 3/4" frame and one heart-shaped frame with a 1 3/4" diameter opening. Paint the Wild, $19.95

Ages 8-10
Ideas for collectors
At eight years old, kids jump into “collecting mode.” These new “Gift of Month” clubs allow kids to collect a new gift every month for up to a year. It is truly the gift that keeps giving. Each gift also combines learning with books and journals.

Official Pokemon Handbook: If your school-age child loves to collect and categorize, this colorfully illustrated handbook guide to the Pokemon characters is for him. And it includes a fun poster! Scholastic, $12.99

Build-A-Bear Workshop Bearrific Friends Club: This brand new “Gift of the Month” brings three exclusive seven-inch bears, a collection of 10 bear outfits, stuffing, craft books, a Membeary sticker book and a nifty Bear Cub Condo. And it delivers it all to the child’s door step each month. Kids will be running to the mail box to see what comes next!

Marvel Super Heroes Collector’s Club: The perfect “Gift of the Month” for the comic book enthusiast! Throughout the club, members can collect suspenseful chapter book adventures with different Super Heroes and Super Villains, and an exclusive Marvel Magazine, a set of trading cards, a collector’s card tin, a grow-your-own Spider-Man figurine, a sheet of stickers and a collectible poster. This program collector series brings Spider-Man, Wolverine, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and hours of adventure to kids’ doorsteps.

“Gift of the Month” clubs priced as low as $3.99 for the first month and $11.99 for each additional month.

Gooey gunk for grossing out
For the 8- to 10-year-old set, anything gross is in! Kids are experimenting, creating and discovering how things work from chemistry to the human body. Here are some top picks for the budding scientist or fashionista that will keep kids learning while having fun.

Totally Gross: The Game of Science: Your children can get some serious science knowledge while being amused — and mildly disgusted — by scabs, snot and what a rhinoceros's horn is made of. University Games, $19.95

Bacteria and fungi set: Budding chemists will be fascinated by this set that includes petri dishes for growing all bacteria and fungi, as well as litmus paper to test substances for acidity. The experiments shed light on antibiotics and how they cure diseases and help your scientist learn about density. The Young Scientist Club, $24.99

Crochet kit: A cold winter day is fun for mother and child with crochet projects like a chic scarf, super cute purse, stylish hat and more. This activity book shows you how in plain language and in great detail. Klutz, $24.95

Spa and perfume kit: The Ultimate Spa and Perfume Kit includes everything needed to create natural bath oils, oatmeal soap, foaming baths, bath balms and five different perfumes. Scientific Explorer, $29.95

Tweens
For the love of words
The tween years (around age 11 and 12 to teens) are a great time to support reading. For the child that has outgrown toys, try gifts that celebrate books and reading and encourage quality time with the family.

Oxford Dilemma: This innovative board game transforms vocabulary and spelling into fast-paced fun. Players earn cash for correctly defining and spelling a wide range of words spanning difficulty levels and subject matter. Rumba, ages 12+, $24.95

Super Scrabble: The super-sized version of one of the best-loved, most challenging board games! This all-new version turns up the heat with more competitive extras like quadruple point squares and twice the regular number of letters — 200 tiles in all! Winning Moves Games, ages 8+, $23.96

Magazine subscription: One of the best ways to support personal interests and encourage kids to read is by giving magazine subscriptions. Try Sports Illustrated for Kids or Girl's Life.

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