Top 10 Gift Ideas: Froggy's Toy Stop

Our Around Town Top 10 Gifts series continues today with a trip to for the kids on your list.

Froggy's top 10 gift ideas

Froggy's owner Geoff Lytle is the father of three young boys, so he knows his toys. Lytle helped guide me through this list:

1. Ukuleles: This all-wood line of musical instruments is made in the USA. The Zither Heaven collection ranges from $39.95 to $79.99 and comes with a tuning wrench and song booklet.
2. Constructive Eating: Made right here in Michigan (Ann Arbor), this utensil set and plate make every meal fun, no matter what's on the menu! The plate is $15 and the utensil set is $19.95.
3. Pengoloo: With Happy Feet 2 in the movie theaters, look for penguins to be all the rage (again). This colorful wooden memory game is good for ages 4 and up and the winner of Oppenheim Best Toy and Dr. Toy Best Game awards. It's $30.
4. Twilight Sea Turtle: If bedtime is a struggle for someone on your list, the Twilight Sea Turtle might help. This plush turtle with a hard shell projects a starry night sky on the ceiling in your choice of three colors. At $31.95, it's a peaceful ending to any day. 
5. Playmobile Noah's Ark: Playmobile is known for its outstanding attention to detail in toy-making and its Noah's Ark does not disappoint. The ark floats on water and has a working crane. There are store rooms, a sleeping room, cages and 13 pairs of animals. At $89.99, this set is recommended for children ages 4 and older. Playmobile also offers a take-along set with a handle and bigger pieces for toddlers. It's $29.99.
6. Electronic Snap Circuits: Is there an engineer-in-the making on your list? This Dr. Toy Best Product Winner contains more than 60 parts to build more than 300 projects, including a siren, motion detector and AM radio. It's $59.95.
7. Dolls! Dolls! Doll!: Little girls want them and Froggy's has more than 50 to select from, including Madame Alexander, Miss Corelle and Berenguer. Prices range from $20 to $80.
8. Furry Couture: Pooches in purses! Different breeds and different designs. Find one for the little fashionista on your list. They're $25.
9. Easy Weaver Loom: Make scarves, placemats, pillows and even ponchos with this fabric-weaving loom. For ages seven and older, the loom is $120.
10. "Tickle Monster" and "Boogie Monster" books and accessories: Books always make a great gift and these come with tickle gloves and dancing feet to accompany the stories. Each book is $19.95 and the gloves and feet are $14.95 each.

What Christmas means

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling toys, Lytle shared these holiday favorites with me:

• Favorite holiday movie: "A Christmas Story — Ralphie always makes me laugh and, just like Ralphie, I really wanted a Red Ryder, too!" Lytle said.
• Favorite thing about the holidays: "It's just a happy time of year. Everyone is real friendly. It's a fun time with family," said Lytle.
• Best gift: "When I was about 9 or 10 I got a really cool microscope set. I still have it," Lytle said. "It's part of my boys' collection now."

Around Town Laura is delivering holiday gift ideas to you in an ongoing series. Read here about 's Top 10, read here about . Which store should she check out next? Post a suggestion in the comments or let Laura know by email.