Welcome back for another installment of Daily Dead’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide! Since we spent yesterday focused on grown-up toys, I thought it was only fair to dedicate today to all the little ghouls and fiends out there who also enjoy horror and sci-fi. With that in mind, I’ve put together this list of age-appropriate gift ideas that younger fans might dig this holiday season.
And now that we’re just about wrapped up with this year’s Gift Guide series (one day to go!), I just wanted to remind you that Daily Dead is once again giving away prize packs of movies and some horror goodies for 10 lucky readers, thanks to this year’s HGG sponsor, RLJE Films. Winners will receive one copy of the upcoming Christmas anthology All the Creatures Were Stirring, one other title from RLJE Films, and a few other horror-tastic surprises, all just in time for the holidays. To enter, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with “Holiday Gift Guide” in the subject line, and be sure to include your full name and mailing address as well (limited to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted).
TINY TERRORS (AGES UP TO 6)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Picture Book
In this new picture-book story brought to life with cute and colorful illustrations, young readers see what the world's strongest vampire slayer was like back when she was a kid! Join not-so-brave little Buffy, Willow, and Xander as they investigate strange sounds coming from the closet, seek advice from their school librarian Giles, and encounter everyone's favorite Buffyverse monsters. Charmingly illustrated by Pop Classics artist Kim Smith, this sweet, silly, and not-so-scary book borrows Joss Whedon's beloved characters to tell an endearing bedtime story.
The X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird: A Picture Book
Best pals Dana (Scully) and Fox (Mulder) have pitched a tent in the backyard for a sleepover. But the night is full of strange sounds, lights, and shadows. Surely there’s a rational, scientific explanation for everything . . . or is there? With beautiful illustrations of pint-sized Dana and Fox, this humorous and not-scary-at-all story will introduce the cult TV show to an entire new generation of fans.
Ghostbusters: A Little Golden Book
For over 30 years the original Ghostbusters movie has been giving fans of all ages laugh-out-loud thrills and chills. Now, for the first time ever, boys and girls ages 3 to 7 can enjoy the classic Ghostbusters in a lighthearted Little Golden Book retelling that will introduce them to Slimer, Ecto-1, and, of course, the Ghostbusters!
Jurassic Park: A Little Golden Book
In 1993, Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg introduced audiences everywhere to Jurassic Park, which instantly became a worldwide phenomenon that is still regarded as one of the greatest blockbuster films of all time. Now, the movie's youngest fans and dinosaur enthusiasts can relive the movie in this fun, action-packed--and age-appropriate--Little Golden Book adaptation of Jurassic Park!
Vampirina Fangtastic Friends Set
Kids can recreate the fun and bat-tastic world of Disney Junior's new preschool series, Vampirina, with this awesome Vampirina Fangtastic Friends Figure Set! The set comes with 10 characters from the show including: Vampirina, Oxana, Boris, Demi, Bridget, Vampirina 'Case of the Battys', Nosy, Gregoria, Wolfie & Vampirina's backpack accessory. Each figure features ghoulishly fun glitter accents or poseable arms, perfect for encouraging imaginative play. Kids will love bringing the world of Disney Junior's Vampirina to life! Ages 3+
Crate Creatures Surprise – Blizz
Break into the crate to unbox your new beast friend. Pull their tongues for monstrously fun sounds and gross noises. Record and yak back phrases with your Crate Creatures Surprise! Blizz comes in its own crate equipped with a crowbar to unleash the beast. Pull his tongue and Blizz will vibrate and make gross and funny noises. Turn Blizz upside down or tip him over for unique creature sounds. He flaps his arms when you shake his tail and makes chomping noises when you feed him his frozen treat. Put Blizz back in his crate and unleash him over and over.
Crate Creatures Surprise – Sizzle
Break into the crate to unbox your new beast friend. Pull their tongues for monstrously fun sounds and gross noises. Record and yak back phrases with your Crate Creatures Surprise! Sizzle comes in its own crate equipped with a crowbar to unleash the beast. Pull his tongue and Sizzle will vibrate and make gross and funny noises. Turn Sizzle upside down or tip him over for unique creature sounds. His wings flap when you squeeze his tail and he makes chomping noises when you feed him his roasted treat. Put Sizzle back in his crate and unleash him over and over.
Crate Creatures Surprise – Snort Hog
Break into the crate to unbox your new beast friend. Pull their tongues for monstrously fun sounds and gross noises. Record and yak back phrases with your crate creatures surprise!
Crate Creatures Surprise – Pudge
Break into the crate to unbox your new beast friend. Pull their tongues for monstrously fun sounds and gross noises. Record and yak back phrases with your crate creatures surprise!
They’re oozy… and a little bit gooey. They’re GROSS Smashers! What's inside the slimy eyeball? Just throw, smash, surprise to find over 100 disgustingly gross characters hiding inside! Can you find the eyeball with a SLIME surprise? Rebuild & resmash your Smashers eyeball anytime! You'll need a seriously calm stomach to get through this Gross smash pack! With access to Glow in the Dark characters like Horrid Hand, the smashing will never end! Smash your Smashers on the ground, to the wall or anywhere you can think and start building your Smashers collection today!
Scooby-Doo! Fright at the Fun Park Game
Jinkies!! can you help the mystery Inc. Gang save the fun park from a spooky ghoul? whoever figures out where the ghoul is hiding, wins! Kids will enjoy using the ticket cards to make their way around the game board trying to find the ghoul. As they move their favorite Scooby-doo character mover around the board, they will use the mystery decoder to find the answers they need to win the game and save the fun park! they can keep track of all of their clues with the mini maps and wipe-off markers.
LEGO Junior: Jurassic World T-Rex Breakout
Introduce your child to the thrill of a LEGO Juniors/4+ adventure! This thrilling 10758 T. rex Breakout dinosaur toy set features a posable, buildable T. rex with opening mouth, 2 Starter Brick bases with gate, breakable fence and wall element, small science station and a truck with Starter Brick chassis. This Easy to Build dinosaur toy includes a simple guide to build and play, to help build confidence in children. Includes Claire, guard and scientist minifigures, a T. rex figure and a baby dinosaur figure.
MID-RANGE MONSTERS (AGES 6-12)
Goosebumps Slappyworld: The Ghost of Slappy
Slappy's back as a ghost! And this time, the only thing you'll play is hide-and-go-shriek!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New School Nightmare
Buffy Summers is just like any other student...except for the part where she's also a secret vampire slayer. In every generation, one girl is granted great strength to stand against the forces of darkness. Of course, power doesn't matter when it comes to eating lunch alone, getting picked on by the popular kids, or having way too much homework.
Luckily, Buffy finds her way with a can-do attitude, a weird Watcher, and new besties, Sarafina and Alvaro--who might just have powers of their own. But will any of it be enough to turn the tide when an army of villainous vampires invade town? Can Buffy save herself, let alone the world?
Monster High Ghoul-to-Bat Transformation Draculaura
Draculaura doll who can transform from a teen ghoul to a vampire bat in an instant -- and over and over again!
Monster High Great Scarrier Reef Peri & Pearl
The two-headed daughter of the Hydra, Peri and Pearl are twin sisters.
Enter the Zombie Lab of Doctor Dreadful – but be warned: you may be shocked! Inside this lair or horrifying, terrifying nightmares are a few delicious treats! Famous for disgusting-looking, yet delicious-tasting candy experiments, Doctor Dreadful has a whole slew of new concoctions! Drink out of a zombie head, cook up bubbling brains, or take a bite of some zombie flesh! Kids get hands-on as they make their own terrifying afternoon candy snack!
Doctor Dreadful Zombies Parasite Lab
Make candy parasites in your Doctor Dreadful Zombies lab!
The Grossery Gang Trash-O-Saur
The Grosseries have a weapon! Climb aboard the 'Chomp 'n' Chew Trash-O-Saur and get ready for a Jurassic attack! Battle against the Rotbots with this wild- half robot – half dinosaur weapon!
The Grossery Gang are back and ready for the Grossest battle of all time! After accidently opening up a time portal through a stinky toilet, the Grossery Gang are battling for their slimy survival. Gather Grosseries from different time periods and help them defeat The Rotbots from the future! The Rotbots are ready to launch a splat attack on the Grossery Gang in their Rotbot Assault Vehicle! Place the exclusive Scummy Onion-Bot in the driver's seat and drive into battle. Fire missiles from the Roof Rack Rocket Launcher! Use the Wind and Winch Grappling Hook to pull the Rotbots out of trouble! Then transform your vehicle into Hovercraft mode by flipping up the wheels! And sneak your Grosseries out of the Quick Escape Trap Door! The Rotbot Assault Vehicle comes with 2 exclusive Grosseries and is also the perfect size to use with Grosseries Action Figures!
The Grossery Gang Time Warp Large Pack
Comes with 8 Grosseries on display with two hidden surprise Grossery inside the Flush 'n' Fizz toilet! Pour in water and watch 2 Grosseries fizz out form the bowl!
In Werewords, players guess a secret word by asking Yes or No questions. Figure out the magic word before time runs out, and you win! However, one of the players is secretly a Werewolf who is not only working against you, but also knows the word. If you don't guess the word in time, you can still win by identifying the werewolf.
You are deep in a dark, ancient forest with only your lantern to guide you. Tall, looming trees cast shadows all around. Off in the distance you hear a faint rustling sound and your heart begins to race. Could the legend be true? Will you finally discover the creatures who hide in the forest shadows?
Shadows in the Forest is a thrilling, immersive play experience that brings a distinctive twist to game night - you play it in the dark! One player moves the LED lantern around in search of Shadowlings, mysterious creatures who avoid the light. The lantern illuminates the forest and trees, casting real shadows on the game board. The rest of the players work together, strategically moving their Shadowlings to stay out of the light in this innovative board game for kids and families.
LEGO Scooby-Doo! Haunted Lighthouse
Seek out the hidden gems at the Haunted Lighthouse! Help Scooby-Doo and gang find the treasure in the Haunted Lighthouse with secret compartments and skull cave, plus speedboat and water skis. Investigate the creepy Haunted Lighthouse with Scooby-Doo and the gang! Steer the boat with Daphne and Scooby, while Shaggy rides the water skis. Dock at the foot of the rocks, by the light pole. Move the planks with the crowbar and reveal the map with the clue to find the golden key. But beware! The Lighthouse Keeper and Swamp Monster have been hiding in the skull cave and are ready to ambush meddling kids. Battle past them, avoiding capture in the prison. When you reach the top of the lighthouse, open the secret compartment holding the golden key. Then seek out the hidden treasure chest under the lighthouse and reveal the villains' true identities! Includes 4 minifigures with a weapon and an accessory element: Shaggy, Daphne, Lighthouse Keeper/Verona Dempsey and Swamp Monster/Mr. Brown, plus Scooby-Doo (sitting version).
LEGO Scooby Doo! Mummy Museum Mystery
Investigate the Mummy Museum Mystery with Scooby and Shaggy! Solve the Mummy Museum Mystery with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy including opening sarcophagus and secret compartment in stairs with gem elements. Enter the spooky museum with Shaggy and Scooby-Doo and solve the mystery of the missing gems! Jeepers, it's a creepy place-our heroes are spooked. and hungry, as usual. But hang on! Are they seeing things or is that a hamburger hanging from the ceiling? Reach for the burger to accidentally open the golden sarcophagus or take off the mummy's headdress to reveal the mastermind behind the robbery. Then open the secret door in the stairs to reveal the hidden treasure! Includes 2 minifigures: Shaggy and Mummy/Dr. Najib with an accessory element, plus Scooby-Doo (standing version). The Mummy Museum features an opening golden sarcophagus with brick-built hamburger and chain, secret compartment in stairs containing 3 gem elements, spotlight-style elements and a secret file tile with mystery clues.
PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters Firehouse
Bring the classic movie to life with this authentic firehouse headquarters, where heroes Egon Spengler, Ray Stantz, and Janine Melnitz on geared up and ready to fight supernatural forces! Their proton packs, lasers, and ghost traps will make catching that pesky Library Ghost as cinch! The firehouse can even accommodate the heroes' iconic ride, the Ecto-1 (9220 - sold separately).
Speed through the city in the iconic Ecto-1! This legendary action vehicle has plenty of space for proton packs and ghost traps thanks to the detachable roof. With original sounds and functioning lights, this vehicle is set for ghost busting action. Set also includes Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore and Janine Melnitz in their official uniforms with two detachable proton packs and proton wands, ghost trap, PKE meter for measuring psychokinetic energy, and silicone slime splatters that stick to smooth surfaces. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
PLAYMOBIL Slimer with Hot Dog Stand
Prepare to get slimed by Slimer while he hits up his local Hot Dog Stand. Known for his hearty appetite, it's easy to track down the Ecto-plasmic, supernatural being on one of his outings for a snack as he leaves behind a trail of sticky slime. Set also includes hot dog vendor, silicone slime splatters that stick to smooth surfaces, hot dogs, condiments, burger, drinks, bike, umbrella, and other accessories. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Star Wars Ultimate Chewie Interactive Plush Toy
The Star Wars Ultimate co-pilot Chewie interactive plush toy, brought to life by the FurReal brand, is the ultimate sidekick for kids who love imagining their own intergalactic adventures
FOR THE TERRIFYING TWEENS AND TEENS:
You May Now Kill the Bride – Return to Fear Street
Two sisters, divided by time. Each with a terrible resentment she can barely contain. Two Fear family weddings, decades apart... Each bride will find that the ancient curse that haunts the Fears LIVES ON. It feeds off the evil that courses through their blood. It takes its toll in unexpected ways, and allows dark history to repeat itself.
The Wrong Girl – Return to Fear Street
Poppy Miller swears she will get payback for Jack Sabers’s cruel prank that humiliated her in front of all her friends.
Camp Grizzly – A Survival Horror Board Game
Camp Grizzly is a semi-cooperative survival horror board game for 1-6 players. The year is 1979, players take the roles of Camp Counselors who are being stalked through a maze of cabins and camp trails by 'Otis', a homicidal killer with an unhealthy bear fetish. Working together, the Counselors explore the camp grounds while searching for a combination of objectives that can trigger one of four different game endings. Those who survive the finale win the game! It won't be easy.
In Castle Panic players must work together to defend their castle, in the center of the board, from monsters that attack out of the forest, at the edges of the board. Players trade cards, hit and slay monsters, and plan strategies together to keep their castle towers intact. The players either win or lose together, but only the player with the most victory points is declared the Master Slayer.
There's definitely something strange in this neighborhood! Slide down the fire pole into action, power up the proton packs and start zapping! The Ghostbusters are chasing Slimer and other mischievous ghosts. Round them up in the containment unit! Take samples of slime to the lab and analyze photos in the darkroom. Or grab a pizza and relax with a game of pool in this detailed play set packed with features true to the movie classics! Get ready to bust some ghosts at the Firehouse Headquarters!
The Ecto-1 vehicle features Ghostbusters logo, removable roof, seats for 4 Ghostbusters heroes, opening front doors, rear storage with opening door for some ghostbusting accessories, side ladder and an ECTO-1 license plate. The Ecto-2 motorbike features a rear storage box and ECTO-2 license plate.
Build 5 posable Voltron lions and combine them all to create the Voltron Super robot toy!
This faithfully reproduced LEGO Star Wars incarnation of the diminutive BB-8 droid from the new Star Wars movie trilogy makes the perfect gift for any Star Wars or LEGO fan. Turn one wheel at the side to rotate the detailed head, and another to open the access hatch and extend the 'welding torch'. This faithfully reproduced model also comes with a display stand, decorative fact plaque and small BB-8 figure, making it a great display piece for any bedroom or office.
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In case you missed them, check here for more Horror Gift Guide ideas, and happy holidays from all of us at Daily Dead!
Heather A. Wixson was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, until she followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. A 14-year veteran in the world of horror entertainment journalism, Wixson fell in love with genre films at a very early age, and has spent more than a decade as a writer and supporter of preserving the history of horror and science fiction cinema. Throughout her career, Wixson has contributed to several notable websites, including Fangoria, Dread Central, Terror Tube, and FEARnet, and she currently serves as the Managing Editor for Daily Dead, which has been her home since 2013. She's also written for both Fangoria Magazine & ReMind Magazine, and her latest book project, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Volume One will be released on October 20, 2021.
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