Some crafts for children ages 6 to 9 include DIY l anterns, paper plate animals, beaded butterflies, bubble painting and leaf ...

Best for ages: 18 mos and older Finger paints are the gateway medium to get your tiny tot hooked on art. It brings together the tactile and the visual and lets kids get good and messy.

Shopping for toys isn't easy. Luckily, CNET's staff have playtested a wide range of toys and narrowed it down for you -- from must-haves to educational options and everything in between.