Paint-Your-Own Chair
(Action Products $34.99 Score:) A '50s-styled 36" folding canvas sling chair that kids paint with their own design. However, the company's Bubble Chair ($16 ) received poor marks from our testers for being too small and hard to paint.

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

Scratch Magic Activity Kits
(Scratch-Art Co. $4.99 Score:) Remember making scratch art with crayon scribbles covered with black paint that you scratch away? These sheets give you the same effect. Come in small packs and in stationery kits. New for 2003, Scratch Magic Stickers (20 or 48 stickers in a pack). These are fun for notebooks, envelopes and gift wrap decorations! 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
(Hasbro $9.99 Score:) In the battle of the Snow Cone our 4th grade testers were initially attracted to Snoopy, but they reported that the directions were not as clear and it is harder to work than some of the others in the market.

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

Paint Pail Beads
(Fashion Angels Enterprises $15 Score:) New and special this bead kit makes bracelets with round wooden beads that you paint with toothpicks! Comes with enough material for a play date that company will enjoy doing and wearing home! 8 & up.

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

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.

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.

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.