Arts and crafts toys

The listing of toys below is in order of popularity with the 6- to 12-year-olds at our test.

Fisher Price Color Me Gemz

$20, ages 5 and up

Kids can make jewelry or decorate other items using these stick-on “gemz” and markers. (Shirts or other clothing items are not included.)

What kids liked

You can design your own things. “It’s nice and simple, and when you’re done, it looks cool!”

What kids disliked

“I got marker on my fingers.”

Bottom line

The girls at our test enjoyed decorating the shirts and caps we provided, and making necklaces or bracelets.

Crayola Glow Station

$25, ages 6 and up

For best results, kids should use this craft toy in a completely dark room. Toy includes Glow Station Canvas, light wand, dry-erase marker, stencils, texture sheets, and acetate sheet. Use stencils to color in shapes with light. Use dry-erase on acetate sheet to draw your own pictures, then place sheet on Canvas to trace the picture in light.

What kids liked

The glow-in-the-dark feature is “cool.”

Bottom line

A nice novelty for kids who like to draw.