A Long List of Knowledgeable Gift Ideas All Priced Under $20

As a no-nonsense schoolmarm, I have a seasonal responsibility to urge parents to consider an education angle when they shop for holiday gifts for children.

In fact, I’ve already found some great gifts, each under $20.

The Golden Step Ahead series of books are, I think, just as enjoyable and effective as a lot of high-tech learning games and toys.

The books exercise reading, writing, spelling and math skills for children in preschool through sixth grade. I’ve found about 40 titles in the series so far.

Each book has 32 pages of exercises, colorful stickers to reward readers, answer keys, a special game or activity, perforated pages (for easy mounting on the fridge), and enrichment ideas and guidance for parents on tutoring the children.

And what a steal: just $1.99 per volume. (Books in a related series, Golden Step Ahead Plus, are 64 pages and $3.49 apiece.)

Now an oldie but goody: the Frame-Tray Puzzle of the United States, made by Golden ($1.99). It’s for all those rumored American kids who can’t find key places on a map.

A nice feature of the puzzle, besides its large and colorful pieces, are the pictures of crops, products, or landmarks that are famous in each state. California, for example, has pictures of forests, assorted fruits and vegetables, and an offshore oil-drilling platform.

Sesame Street’s Magnetic Alphabet Board is still my favorite low-tech toy. There’s a chalkboard on one side and a white erasable board on the other. The alphabet is clearly printed on both.

The board comes with 36 colorful magnetic letters, six magnetic Sesame Street characters, chalk, erasable crayons and eraser.

The Alphabet Board costs $15.99 and is suitable for ages 3 to 6.

Uncle Milton’s Fascinating Giant Ant Farm promises that if “You take the farm, we mail the ants!” So how can you resist?

Kids will learn a lot about some of the basic behavioral principles of the animal kingdom by watching the little critters fight, cooperate, dig tunnels and move mountains.

Mom and Dad will be glad to know that Uncle Milton’s ant farm is break-resistant and escape-proof. It’s also a good size for observation (10-by-15 inches).

For $15.99, the Giant Ant Farm includes sand, food (a year’s worth), feeder, an official ant watcher’s handbook and a certificate redeemable for a shipment of live ants.

Aspiring scientists will find a variety of microscopes at most toy stores, but I think those made by Edu-Science are the best quality for the money. They make several, including a model which, for $10.99, offers 100-times and 300-times magnification, prepared and blank slides, and a pocket magnifier.

Astronomy has been one of my lifelong loves (right up there with literature and raspberry sherbet) and it’s a subject that easily lures children into a fondness for science.

And you don’t need an expensive telescope to give your child the universe. Try one of the many night sky maps that sell for just a few dollars.

My favorite is the Edmund’s Star and Planet Locator (about $3.99). It shows all the stars, planets and constellations for any specific date and hour you choose, and the attached booklet helps you master its use in just minutes.

Model cars aren’t usually thought of as learning tools, but I think they’re a great way to develop some skills that I find lacking in students of all ages: following directions, paying attention to details and being patient.

Start with the Monogram series; its cars are labeled according to level of difficulty. Level 1 cars, for example, include a small number of pieces and are designed to snap together, so there’s no glue or paint.

Monogram cars range from about $7.99 to $10.

Model airplanes, ships or structures are just as educational, but they vary dramatically in price--up to hundreds of dollars in some cases.

Finally, consider a couple of freebies: a library card or video rental club membership card. I know it doesn’t sound very exciting at first, but you can actually make this gift into a big deal.

Talk to your child about all the adventures, laughter, music, heroes and heroines, romances, and surprises that come with the right to borrow books or videotapes.

Make a morning or afternoon of browsing through the library or video store, and promise more regular visits that the child can count on and look forward to.

Design some kind of home reading or viewing program, and let the child help you make a list of rewards possible along the way. These can be free too, such as an extra story at bedtime, a day without chores, or more telephone time.

If you choose the video rental club route, ask your child’s teacher for a list of titles or topics that will supplement what he or she is studying in school.