The Best $10 Birthday Present You'll Ever Need
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My daughter, Sofia, blasting off a rocket in our backyard today. Photo credit: Amy Suardi
When my daughters were given this unisex, low-tech, all-ages, indoor-outdoor toy, I knew we had found the birthday present panacea.
The Stomp Rocket requires no batteries and it makes no noise -- except for the squeals and exclamations it elicits. Since my kids are too often sedentary, I love how it is physical. And because the rockets are made of lightweight foam, it can even be used inside in the thick of winter.
After assembling the simple launching stand, kids slip the rockets over the air nozzle, and shoot rockets into the air when they stomp on the blast pad. How high depends on how hard one stomps -- or jumps. And whether the missiles shoot across the room or soar as high as 50 feet into the air, depends on where you direct the air nozzle. (Hey, kids even get a free lesson in physics.)
Children as young as two can get the rockets going, and kids as old as 10 and beyond (ahem, 40) have a blast too.
Because it's a unique toy, I don't worry about the low price tag ($10 at Amazon). And because it works for almost every child we've had the pleasure of celebrating, I buy a bunch and keep them on hand, which saves me time too.
Even though the Stomp Rocket is made of plastic, it stands apart from the discombobulating rows of shiny toys offered these days, which are often trendy, character-related, or age- or gender-specific.
My only problem is that, once we've spread Stomp Rocket love to all our little friends, I need to find a new perfect gift for our next round on the birthday party circuit.
Do you have a go-to gift that you think is worth stocking up on? Please share in the comments!
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