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Monday, we gave you five cubicle-friendly finds for Secret Santa at the office. Today, Tralee Pearce offers up some thrifty gift ideas for the most discerning kids in your in life, from your tiny tots to temperamental teens. Click on each gift for more details and come back every day this week for more gifts under $20

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  For the junior techie
  Soda Can Robug

  He can't slip it into his next science fair, but the mechanical nut in your family can dabble in engineering with Green Science's Soda Can Robug kit. Using a pop can from the recycling bin and two AAA batteries, kids 7 and older can rig up this futuristic motorized bug and propel it across a flat surface. Yes, even the dining table. $14.99 at Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada

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  For the eco-baby
  Plan Toys

  On a crusade against plastic toys? Plan Toys produces simple, colourful toys in Thailand, made with materials such as replenishable rubber wood and water-based dyes. But your baby doesn't care about all that. He will dig the smooth surfaces and bright colours. Oh, and the satisfying clunk these toys make when tossed on the floor. For babies 19 months and up. From $10.95 at Indigo, across Canada

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  For your nieces and nephews
  Tune-in Violin

  You've already outfitted your dear niece with maracas and a drum. Here's your chance to round out her musical talents. This multicoloured toy violin, made by Small World Toys, plays 18 songs and comes with a bow to strum faux strings. You won't win any points with her parents (the toy's volume is mercifully adjustable, though) and you may find this gift relegated to your house for use during babysitting. But it will be a blast for the little one. For ages 3 and up. About $18 at specialty retailers across Canada. Call Northbridge Toys and Games, the distributor, at 1-866-924-5510 for store locations.

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  For the sullen teen
  The Headrush radical portable speaker

  They have the iPod. But you're bound to fail if you try to guess which album to buy for this discerning character — what was cool last week may be dead to them the next. Instead, think peripherals. iPod cases, earphones and speakers should do the trick. This Lilliputian speaker won't rock any block parties, but it does project pretty decent sound for something that fits into a jean pocket. Just be sure to check for it at laundry time. $19.99 at the Source, across Canada

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  For the future genius
  Scrabble Junior

  Hook budding wordsmiths with this scaled-down version of the classic word game aimed at the 5 and up set. The letters are cardboard instead of wood and the board eschews minimalism for cartoony word prompts, including images of zebras and cracked eggs. The only downside? No double-word scores and letters are only worth a point each — so no bonus scores for the clever use of Qs and Zs. You may, however, consider that a blessing — maybe you can keep the dark, hypercompetitive side of the game at bay for a few more years. About $20 at Toys "R" Us and other retailers across Canada. Call Hasbro at 1-800-752-9755 for locations.