Santa’s hot picks for tweens

On the second part of our “Today’s Holiday Toys,” series, it’s all about tweens. Rosemary Ellis, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping magazine, was invited on the “Today” to show viewers some of the products that will big this holiday season for the pre-teen set. Here’s the publication’s hot picks:

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Our tween testers loved these gifts. But you’ll love them too. These products aced the Good Housekeeping Research Institute’s tests for safety, performance, and ease of use.

Gifts for tweens
Bling Ring decorative crystal stickers for cell phones.
They take patience to apply, but the crystals adhere well once they're on.
$10 to $30; www.myblingring.com/

iFrogz iPod Skins in multiple colors
$29 for set, but you can buy just the wrap color for $21, the band for $4 and the screen style for $6; www.iFrogz.com

B2 mi Jam guitar
Anyone can play guitar. It functions with any digital music device, such as iPod® and MP3 player. It can even work with a stereo player and personal computer. And it allows you to play it as a standalone guitar, with or without background rhythms or as an accompanying instrument with your favorite music and music device.
$40; www.b2stuf.com  

Keep Out Door alarm and time stamp from Wild Planet
Privacy-loving kids will always know when someone has entered their room. Comes with an extra key for mom.
$13; www.shopwildplanet.com

Discovery Ultimate Star Planetarium
Your kid can see what the constellations look like from any place on Earth.
$100; www.discoverystore.com

Nerf Showtime Hoops
Take the fun and fundamentals of basketball to a whole new level. The Nerf Showtime Hoops Basketball Game allows you to interact with it in dozens of new, exciting ways. A drink dispenser lets you plug in a bottle of your favorite energy drink, soda, or water, and fill up cups right from the game unit. There's a place to plug in your iPod (or other MP3/music devices), a shining spotlight to show you where you need to take a shot from, tons of preprogrammed games, and much more.
$249; www.hasborotoyshop.com

For more ideas, check out Good Housekeeping's Web site, www.goodhousekeeping.com.