Mystix
(Fashion Angels Enterprises $16 Score:) This bead kit with semi-precious stones makes some mighty fine looking jewelry for older girls! Also special, the Bling Bling kit($16 ) with very fashionable and attractive metal and glass beads. Still top rated for younger beaders, Alphabet Suite ($23.99 four ) creates personalized bracelets. 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Design Studio
(Pamela Drake $18 Score:) Best known for its line of Woodkins, which you simply dress by lifting the frame and placing a piece of fabric on the cut-out figure, this company's new line is meant for older girls. They can use the glitzy fabrics, cut-out patterns, and accessories to create their own unique designs. 8 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Blopens Magic Color Change Kit
(Color Workshop $14.99 Score:) Kids get airbrush effects with the ten Blopens plus a Secret Writer color changer marker, stencils, and 3-D glasses that make drawings look awesome! 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Neon and Glow-in-the-Dark Magic Power Balls
(Action Products $10 Score:) The latest variation of one of our favorite fast activity kits. Still one of the best play-date kits around! A little science here with mixing crystals and water to change them into a solid, bounceable material in just three minutes. 6 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2002.

The Icee Maker
(Spinmaster $24.99 Score:) Our testers were excited with the idea of being able to make their ow slush drinks. In fact they thought it would be grat fun for a party. But, alas, this got a lukewarm response (sorry)- after a whole lot of turning and wishing it made a disappointing drink that wasn't "slushy enough."

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: .

Mosaic Tile Tray
(Creativity for Kids $20 Score:) Both boys and girls will like painting the tiles and using them to decorate the surface of a handsome wooden tray that is 7.5" by 11.5 " Smoothly finished in natural wood, with cut out handles, no two trays will be the same. Allows kids to select the designs and set the pieces in their own way. Comes with ceramic tiles in a variety of sizes, ceramic paints, brush and glue grout. Makes a nice gift to give to familiy or teacher. Or, give a tile to each member of the family to decorate and then combine for a gift that will become a family heirloom. This came too late for the 2003 book or it would have been included. 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Bling-Bling Bracelets and Rings Kit
(Fashion Angels Enterprises $15.99 Score:) A treasure trove of glass and metal beads. There are enough supplies in this kit to make 24 bracelets and 12 rings. So, this will last for more than one rainy day or bring this out for a pleasing activity for a play date or sleep-over party. Sixes and sevens may want this, but it is a better choice for eights- the upper range of early school and well beyond. As with most of these kits you need to use a bit of clear nail polish to make the tip of the string stiffer. 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Crayola Sidewalk Paint
(Crayola $14.99 Score:) Have your own sidewalk art show with this four-color paint kit. "Colors not as vibrant as on the box, but the kids had a great time. I had to fight with the kids to get them to stop and get ready for bed!" 5 & up. Also fun, Crayola Window FX ($3.99 1?2) Remember using glass wax with stencils for holiday decorations? Here's a much more colorful and easy-to-use update that comes right off with water. 4 & up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

It's My Life Scrapbook Kit
(Creativity for Kids $19.99 Score:) Scrapbooking is one of the hottest craft trends for adults. This kit will appeal to older girls ready to memorialize a school year, a trip, or a big event. Comes with a hot pink book, stickers, decorative papers, stencils, scissors, pen, and small memory key chain.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Easy-Bake Real Meal
(Hasbro $34.99 Score:) Our testers couldn't wait to get started. After 15 minutes of preheating, 10 minutes of cooking and 10 minutes of cooling, our 11-year-old testers noted that we could already have had macaroni in the microwave half an hour before!

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: .