Get creative with children's gifts

Shapescapes at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Museum Store (Photo by David McDaniel/The Oklahoman)

These finger puppets are some of the kids items offered at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. (Photo by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)

From Sunday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.

Give gifts kids will love
Present possibilities run from high-tech to handmade items 

It’s a Christmas scenario all parents dread: After the effort and expense of shopping, their child gets more excited about the crumpled wrapping paper and empty box than the actual present.

From high-tech stuffed animals to environmentally friendly tea sets, this holiday season offers many creative gift ideas for parents willing to look beyond the usual options.

Everyone loves a puppet show, and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman carries hand-knitted finger puppets in a variety of species, from turtles to turkeys. All ages, $4.50.

The music of Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash and George Strait are converted into soothing lullabies in the “Hushabye Baby!” CD series. Infants; $16.98; www.hushabyebabymusic.com.

A colorful Muppet-like character named eebee helps tykes play and learn in the quirky ebee’s Adventures toy, book and DVD line, which includes a cute plush bowling set. Infants and toddlers; $17.95 to $38; Barnes and Noble and www.eebee.com.