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GIFT GUIDES

I get a lot of questions about what products I recommend. I've included my favorite items below, divided by category (kids, teens, family fun, travel, baking, scrapbooking, crafting, and rabbits). Use these as gift guides or treat yourself to a little something! These are affiliate links; any purchases you make will help support My Creative Life. Thank you!

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When shopping for kids' gifts, I look for the trifecta of fun, affordable, and educational. I don't always hit all three, but fun is non-negotiable. Below are some of my favorites, all of which are gender-neutral and Trevor Approved. If you have a specific age in mind and would like more suggestions, just ask!

  • Snap Circuits Kits - A safe and fun way to learn about electricity and circuitry
  • Kanoodle - This comes with us during our travels and fits easily on a lap desk or tray table
  • Magformers - It's amazing what you can make with these - so much room for creativity!
  • Floor Map Puzzles - We love our US and world floor map puzzles
  • 14-in-1 Solar Kit - Tons of fun and no batteries required!
  • Keva Plank Sets - Such a simple concept with so many possibilities
  • K'nex Thrill Rides - What's not to love about building your own roller coasters?
  • Fold and Fly Paper Planes - This is one of Trevor's all-time favorites
  • LEGO Chain Reactions - Use the LEGO bricks you already have to make chain reactions!
  • Little Passports - Fun subscriptions for science- and geography-based learning
  • Rubik's Cube - This 80's favorite is back and becoming really popular.
  • Marble Run Set - Fun for kids and the adults who play with them!
  • Izzi - This is a really unique and challenging puzzle with almost a zillion solutions (literally). 
  • Solitaire Chess - Trevor loves this. It's great for travel, too. 
  • Everything Else by ThinkFun - Single-player, travel-friendly games, brainteasers, and more
  • Gravitrax - A sophisticated marble maze set for older kids and teens 

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You can't go wrong giving teenagers money. I have tutorials for a bunch of creative ways to give money as a gift. Read on for more gift ideas for teens.


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Our family loves board games. I've never counted how many we have, but I'm positive it's more than 100 and we play them all regularly. Here are a few of our very favorites that are fun for the whole family.

  • Labyrinth - Quite possibly my very board favorite game and that's saying a lot.
  • Fluxx - This card game is silly, ever-changing, and totally unique. We love all the variations!
  • Quirkle Cubes - The original Quirkle is fun, but Quirkle Cubes is even better.
  • Tsuro - I usually lose and I don't even care. It's easy to learn and never gets old. 
  • Qorridor - I always lose this one. I'm ever hopeful that I'll eventually win!
  • Disney Apples to Apples - Great with a big group, and still fun when it's just the three of us.
  • City Square-Off - A fun strategy game that is easy to learn and only takes a few minutes.
  • Exploding Kittens - The perfect combination of skill, luck, and silliness.
  • Rummikub - I loved it as a kid and love it just as much as an adult. 
  • Funglish - This game is difficult, but in a good way! It's a great party game.
  • Ticket to Ride - All the varieties are hugely popular and for a good reason.
  • Sleuth - This is my mom's favorite game. It's a lot like Clue, but better. 
  • Blokus - This game is best for four people, but still fun with three.
  • Tetris Link - It's like Tetris, but without the time pressure.
  • Patchwork - You wouldn't think a quilt-themed game would be as awesome as this is.
  • Castle Panic - This cooperative game that requires quite a bit of strategy (and a little luck) to win.
  • Where in the World is Carmen San Diego - Pay close attention and use that deductive reasoning!
  • Twixt - A fun strategy game for two people.
  • Suspend - This game is addictive. It's a bit like Jenga, but a lot more fun. 
  • Potion Explosion - Strategy, luck, and tons of fun for 2-4 people. 
  • Compatibility - Pair up and see if great minds think alike!
  • Disney Eye Found It - A cooperative game of I Spy! (Check out the other themes too!).
  • Imaginiff - A fun (and silly) party game where you have to "Imagine if..."
  • Big Money - A dice game of "risky rolls and fabulous fortunes." Tons of fun!
  • Flash! - This fast and furious dice game for 2-6 players is sort of like Yahtzee
  • Nomids - Easy to learn, travel-friendly, and fun for 2-10 people. 
  • Martian Chess - A fun two-person strategy game with some elements of regular chess.
  • The 50 State Game - Educational and fun, easy to adapt for different knowledge levels.

Non-game Family Fun:

  • StickTogether - Addictive sticker art that's fun and easy and great for groups.



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Our family does a lot of traveling via car, airplane, and cruise ship. Below are some of our tried and true travel essentials, plus one silly item that I couldn't resist adding. 


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I love to bake almost as much as I love to eat, which is a lot. I've listed some of my absolute favorite things that the cook / baker in your life is sure to love. I have tons more suggestions, so just ask if you need more ideas.


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Below are my favorite tools, adhesives, and other basics. I haven't listed consumables like paper and embellishments because they come and go so quickly, plus different people have radically different styles and tastes. I'd be more than happy to direct you to specific consumable products for someone on your list. Just email me - cindy@mycreativelife@gmail.com   



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I think all crafters agree - you can never have too many craft supplies! Below are some of my favorites.



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Of course I have a gift guide for rabbit owners! I considered making a guide for rabbits themselves, but not many of them read my blog. So rabbit owners it is.

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