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Here are some DIY gifts for under the tree or in the stocking this year

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My Hometown with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin Dominik Uher

<p>The holidays are all about making the little ones smile. Here are a few ideas for some gifts that will put a smile on a child&#8217;s face, and are cool enough to keep a parent&#8217;s or another adult&#8217;s attention.</p><p><strong>Ikos 3D Building Toy Creator Pack</strong></p><p>Everyone knows Lego is a popular item with creative kids who like to build things, but let&#8217;s face it, they&#8217;re pretty square - or rectangular. For those creative tykes who might like to throw a curve in the creative efforts, Iko Toys offers the <a href="http://www.ikotoys.com" target="_blank">Ikos 3D Building Toy Creator Pack</a>. The plastic pieces snap together in a simple manner allowing you to build everything from spheres to complex creations. The toy is advertised to foster STEAM education and sells for $19.99. And if you have a bunch of little builders to buy for, you can get 10 packs for $150 at ikotoys.com - a savings of 25 percent on each one.</p><p><strong>The Dinotrux Mega Chompin&#8217; Ty Rux</strong></p><p>Half-dinosaur, half-construction vehicle that appeals to both the dinosaur lover and aspiring builder. With kid-activated lights and sounds, your dinosaur lover can operate the large chomping mouth, the swinging wrecking ball tail and the massive rolling tires as he or she creates an exciting story. There&#8217;s even space for the included Revvit Reptool and others (sold separately) to ride along, expanding the possible adventures. The toy, recommended for ages 6 and up, sells for $59.99 at Toys &#8216;R&#8217; Us and can be found online.</p><p><strong>The Anki Overdrive Starter Kit</strong></p><p>Let kids take command of robotic Supercars Skull and GroundShock on one of eight epic battlefields - that&#8217;s futuristic racetracks, for oblivious adults. Kids can challenge their friends in a variety of game modes or go head-to-head with AI controlled &#8216;Commanders&#8217; in a quest to become champion of the Anki Overdrive Tournament. Included in Parents Magazine &#8216;Best Toys of 2015&#8217; for ages 5 and up. Retails for $149.99.</p><p><strong>J.J., My Jumpin&#8217; Pug Pet</strong></p><p>This little one is more than just an interactive toy, he&#8217;s a sweet, plush pug who wants to be your child&#8217;s best friend. With a built-in light sensor, the cuddly pup will jump up and raise his paws to play as your child waves at him. Pat him on the head, and he&#8217;ll promptly sit down and make cute, happy barking sounds. Requires four AA batteries. J.J. retails for $39.99. For ages 4 and up.</p><p><strong>Candy Craft Chocolate Pen Kit</strong></p><p>This fun toy for the young chocolatier, the Candy Craft Chocolate Pen Kit, lets them draw one-of-a-kind delicious shapes made with real confectioners&#8217; chocolate, write messages that melt in your mouth and fill special candy molds with an incredible level of detail and design. The kit includes everything needed to make several artistic treats, including a half pound of premium confectioners&#8217; chocolate in multiple colors, 50 candy molds, multiple pen tips and gift bags specially made to share their custom candy creations. Retails for $29.99. For ages 6 and up. Requires two AA batteries (included).</p><p><strong>Star Wars</strong></p><p>The Force is strong with these new Star Wars interactive toys.</p><p>The new animatronic Star Wars line from Thinkway Toys is the most technologically sophisticated Star Wars toy line ever created. They move, they talk and they&#8217;re sure to put a smile on your little kiddo&#8217;s face. Available at Toys &#8216;R&#8217; Us, these toys start at $109.</p><p><strong>The Real Cotton Candy Maker</strong></p><p>Kids can make a sugary treat using The Real Cotton Candy Maker. The wand lights up as they stir their concoction, creating real cotton candy from regular or flavored sugar. They can serve their sweet surprises to friends in the three paper cones and break down the unit for quick cleanup. The light-up wand lets them create a sweet treat that glows. Touted to be easy and safe to use, with quick cleanup by breaking down the unit. Retails for $39.99. For ages 10 and up.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Everyone knows Legos are a popular item with creative kids who like to build things, but let&#8217;s face it, they&#8217;re pretty square - or rectangular. For those creative tykes who might like to throw a curve in the creative efforts, Iko Toys offers the Ikos 3D Building Toy Creator Pack. The plastic pieces snap together in a simple manner allowing you to build everything from spheres to complex creations. The toy is advertised to foster STEAM education and sells for $19.99. And if you have a bunch of little builders to buy for, you can get 10 packs for $150 at ikotoys.com - a savings of 25 percent on each one. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Ikos.jpg</photo0><caption0>Everyone knows Legos are a popular item with creative kids who like to build things, but let&#8217;s face it, they&#8217;re pretty square - or rectangular. For those creative tykes who might like to throw a curve in the creative efforts, Iko Toys offers the Ikos 3D Building Toy Creator Pack. The plastic pieces snap together in a simple manner allowing you to build everything from spheres to complex creations. The toy is advertised to foster STEAM education and sells for $19.99. And if you have a bunch of little builders to buy for, you can get 10 packs for $150 at ikotoys.com - a savings of 25 percent on each one. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_dinotrux-mega-chompin-ty-rux.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The Dinotrux Mega Chompin&#8217; Ty Rux is a half-dinosaur, half-construction vehicle that appeals to both the dinosaur lover and aspiring builder. With kid-activated lights and sounds, your dinosaur lover can operate the large chomping mouth, the swinging wrecking ball tail and the massive rolling tires as he or she creates an exciting story. There&#8217;s even space for the included Revvit Reptool and others (sold separately) to ride along, expanding the possible adventures. The toy, recommended for ages 6 and up, sells for $59.99 at Toys &#8216;R&#8217; Us and can be found online as well. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_dinotrux-mega-chompin-ty-rux.jpg</photo1><caption1>The Dinotrux Mega Chompin&#8217; Ty Rux is a half-dinosaur, half-construction vehicle that appeals to both the dinosaur lover and aspiring builder. With kid-activated lights and sounds, your dinosaur lover can operate the large chomping mouth, the swinging wrecking ball tail and the massive rolling tires as he or she creates an exciting story. There&#8217;s even space for the included Revvit Reptool and others (sold separately) to ride along, expanding the possible adventures. The toy, recommended for ages 6 and up, sells for $59.99 at Toys &#8216;R&#8217; Us and can be found online as well. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_JJ-My-Jumpin_Pug.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">J.J., My Jumpin&#8217; Pug pet is more than just an interactive toy, he&#8217;s a sweet, plush pug who wants to be your child&#8217;s best friend. With a built-in light sensor, the cuddly pup will jump up and raise his paws to play as your child waves at him. Pat him on the head, and he&#8217;ll promptly sit down and make cute, happy barking sounds. Requires four AA batteries. J.J. retails for $39.99. For ages 4 and up. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_JJ-My-Jumpin_Pug.jpg</photo2><caption2>J.J., My Jumpin&#8217; Pug pet is more than just an interactive toy, he&#8217;s a sweet, plush pug who wants to be your child&#8217;s best friend. With a built-in light sensor, the cuddly pup will jump up and raise his paws to play as your child waves at him. Pat him on the head, and he&#8217;ll promptly sit down and make cute, happy barking sounds. Requires four AA batteries. J.J. retails for $39.99. For ages 4 and up. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Anki_overdrive.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The Anki Overdrive Starter Kit lets kids take command of robotic Supercars Skull and GroundShock on one of eight epic battlefields - that&#8217;s futuristic racetracks, for oblivious adults. Kids can challenge their friends in a variety of game modes or go head-to-head with AI controlled &#8216;Commanders&#8217; in a quest to become champion of the Anki Overdrive Tournament. Included in Parents Magazine &#8216;Best Toys of 2015&#8217; for ages 5 and up. Retails for $149.99. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Anki_overdrive.jpg</photo3><caption3>The Anki Overdrive Starter Kit lets kids take command of robotic Supercars Skull and GroundShock on one of eight epic battlefields - that&#8217;s futuristic racetracks, for oblivious adults. Kids can challenge their friends in a variety of game modes or go head-to-head with AI controlled &#8216;Commanders&#8217; in a quest to become champion of the Anki Overdrive Tournament. Included in Parents Magazine &#8216;Best Toys of 2015&#8217; for ages 5 and up. Retails for $149.99. </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Chocolate-pen.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">This fun toy for the young chocolatier, the Candy Craft Chocolate Pen Kit lets them draw one-of-a-kind delicious shapes made with real confectioners&#8217; chocolate, write messages that melt in your mouth and fill special candy molds with an incredible level of detail and design. The kit includes everything needed to make several artistic treats, including a half pound of premium confectioners&#8217; chocolate in multiple colors, 50 candy molds, multiple pen tips and gift bags specially made to share their custom candy creations. Retails for $29.99. For ages 6 and up. Requires two AA batteries (included). </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Chocolate-pen.jpg</photo4><caption4>This fun toy for the young chocolatier, the Candy Craft Chocolate Pen Kit lets them draw one-of-a-kind delicious shapes made with real confectioners&#8217; chocolate, write messages that melt in your mouth and fill special candy molds with an incredible level of detail and design. The kit includes everything needed to make several artistic treats, including a half pound of premium confectioners&#8217; chocolate in multiple colors, 50 candy molds, multiple pen tips and gift bags specially made to share their custom candy creations. Retails for $29.99. For ages 6 and up. Requires two AA batteries (included). </caption4><photoCredit4></photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_the-real-cotton-candy-maker.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kids can make a sugary treat using The Real Cotton Candy Maker. The wand lights up as they stir their concoction, creating real cotton candy from regular or flavored sugar. They can serve their sweet surprises to friends in the three paper cones and break down the unit for quick cleanup. The light-up wand lets them create a sweet treat that glows. Touted to be easy and safe to use, with quick cleanup by breaking down the unit. Retails for $39.99. For ages 10 and up. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_the-real-cotton-candy-maker.jpg</photo5><caption5>Kids can make a sugary treat using The Real Cotton Candy Maker. The wand lights up as they stir their concoction, creating real cotton candy from regular or flavored sugar. They can serve their sweet surprises to friends in the three paper cones and break down the unit for quick cleanup. The light-up wand lets them create a sweet treat that glows. Touted to be easy and safe to use, with quick cleanup by breaking down the unit. Retails for $39.99. For ages 10 and up. </caption5><photoCredit5></photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Chewbacca_Thinkway-Toys_No-Logo.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Star Wars Animatronic interactive toys </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Chewbacca_Thinkway-Toys_No-Logo.jpg</photo6><caption6>Star Wars Animatronic interactive toys </caption6><photoCredit6></photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_stormtrooper.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Star Wars Animatronic interactive toys </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_stormtrooper.jpg</photo7><caption7>Star Wars Animatronic interactive toys </caption7><photoCredit7></photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_R2-D2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">With Star Wars: Episode VII about to hit theaters Dec. 18, this R2-D2 Interactive Droid is sure to be a big hit with sci-fi lovin&#8217; kids. This droid, at 16 inches tall, comes with a remote control that can initiate over 1,000 action combinations. R2-D2 will respond to voice-activated commands and his head turns during entertaining sound effects. He moves forward, backward, left and right and makes turns. He even projects an image of Princess Leia on the wall. Retails for $159.99. Ages 4 and up. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_R2-D2.jpg</photo8><caption8>With Star Wars: Episode VII about to hit theaters Dec. 18, this R2-D2 Interactive Droid is sure to be a big hit with sci-fi lovin&#8217; kids. This droid, at 16 inches tall, comes with a remote control that can initiate over 1,000 action combinations. R2-D2 will respond to voice-activated commands and his head turns during entertaining sound effects. He moves forward, backward, left and right and makes turns. He even projects an image of Princess Leia on the wall. Retails for $159.99. Ages 4 and up. </caption8><photoCredit8></photoCredit8></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Gift Guide: Must-have gifts for the little ones</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Steve Mocarsky</p><p>smocarsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

For the little ones, here are some gift ideas for those toy lovers