Gifts for the cool kid

Want to think outside the box for the holidays?

By now, everybody knows that video games are a surefire hit with youngsters when gift-giving time arrives. Still, that doesn't mean your little button-mashers can't be creative, active or learning when Santa's sleigh touches down on your roof. The elves at Crispy Gamer have assembled their choice picks of the toys, books and gadgets that might just tear the little ones away from the couch or television.

By Evan Narcisse, Crispy Gamer
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<b>What it is:</b> This filmmaking kit brings special-effects technology into your home. With the included webcam and green screen, you'll be able to insert your family's frolics into scenes from "Sesame Street," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and other classic movies, TV shows or commercials. Then you can upload them to yoostar.com and share them with friends. <br /><br /> <b>Why they'll want it:</b> New clips will continuously be added to the affiliated Web site, so you'll be able to build your little thespian's repertoire as time goes on. Who doesn't want to insert their kid in the Addams Family's goth-cool world? <br /><br /> <b>Another option:</b> YooStar will only work with Windows (a Mac version is in the works), but Xbox 360 owners can get up to similar on-screen antics with You're in the Movies ($59.99). Once you perform the required actions, they get dropped into wacky short clips for everyone to watch.

YooStar, $169.95, yoostar.com

(Tribune Media Services)

What it is: This filmmaking kit brings special-effects technology into your home. With the included webcam and green screen, you'll be able to insert your family's frolics into scenes from "Sesame Street," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and other classic movies, TV shows or commercials. Then you can upload them to yoostar.com and share them with friends.

Why they'll want it: New clips will continuously be added to the affiliated Web site, so you'll be able to build your little thespian's repertoire as time goes on. Who doesn't want to insert their kid in the Addams Family's goth-cool world?

Another option: YooStar will only work with Windows (a Mac version is in the works), but Xbox 360 owners can get up to similar on-screen antics with You're in the Movies ($59.99). Once you perform the required actions, they get dropped into wacky short clips for everyone to watch.