When I hear the name 'DeSerres,' the first thing that pops into my mind is pretty much anything that relates to painting - brushes, easels, canvas, paint sets. Next I think about craft supplies, fancy papers, and cool tools such as craft punches and paper cutters. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that DeSerres also carries toys, activity sets and craft kits suitable for kids as young as toddlers all the way to teenagers. Take, for instance, the newest addition to their store shelves - the Wheee-mote Control car. With a single-button remote that alternates between moving forward and spinning in a circle, this would make an ideal gift for the whee ones ages 1-4. It has fun bright colours and clear windows through which you can see the gears of the mechanism inside it. It also beeps and flashes, too!

For the older crowd, have a look at the Carpenter's Workshop, exclusive to DeSerres. This starter kit includes 29 pieces of wood, glue, a hammer, a bunch of nails and a special 'hand' for holding nails in place.

I thought this kit would be great for father-daughter bonding, especially since my husband is a carpenter by trade. We discovered, though, that patience is a must when hammering the pieces together. Thankfully, mom stepped in and we were able to build a house together. With my five year old son, I found it was better to start hammering the nail and then letting him finish. Due to the need for precision, I would recommend this set for kids age eight and up.

There were so many things that caught my eye at DeSerres but one that really stood out was this Ravensburger 3D Globe Puzzle. Not only is it a fun activity for the puzzle fanatic in your family, it also offers an educational 'spin'. Kids can learn about the countries of the world while trying to solve this super cool 540-piece puzzle. And hey, when it comes to Ravensburger, there is no question that it is a quality product.