We've been battling sickness in our home for the past two and a half weeks, but didn't want to miss our chance for one last set of holiday gift recommendations based on our home testing of products. We have used and handled every one of these products except the last one in the post, and several of the items here are among our favorite children's products of the year. If you see something you like, order quick - you have until Thursday, December 17 for orders from Amazon with free Super Saver Shipping and pre-holiday delivery.

This gift guide's theme is products that can inspire joyful interactions between parents and children. Unlike the other types of toys and children's products we have focused on in our other gift guides this year, these toys celebrate active and creative play ideas that are as surprising and joyful for parents as for the children they love.

Coursing Around: An activity book full of "exercise" courses for kids. Different symbols are used to represent different actions, and we found this book inspired us to develop our own crazy obstacle courses that combined exercise with mini games of skill, all outlined in a sidewalk chalk course. You can take off with this idea without a book, but there are enough ideas and inspiration here to occupy an extended family on a holiday afternoon. | $20, CoursingAround.com


Swinxs:An electronic game leader for a dozen fun and active games, with more available for free download. Players use RFID bracelets to identify themselves to the game console. Brilliant. We are chomping at the bit to do a full review of this thing - for now, suffice to say that we don't think it will disappoint. | $150, Amazon.com


Thumballs: A simple, engaging way to teach concepts or explore topics with children, from shapes, numbers and animals to feelings, and there are others that make great icebreakers for older kids to get to know one another or share with family members. | $10-$15, Amazon.com


Dancing Eggs: A quirky, fun, fast-paced game for kids that combines physical activity and charade-like elements and consists of 11 rubber eggs and one wooden one in an egg carton. Full review to come! | $25, Amazon.com


Playing with Stuff: We always cherish good guides to making something from nothing, and when that something is not an object to stare at and scratch your chin while contemplating but an engaging and riotous game to play, all the better. Entertainingly illustrated, curiously translated from the Dutch, and endlessly imaginative, Playing with Stuff should not be out of print, but it is. Get it while you can - this is a book that doesn't leave a home easily. | Used from $0.01, Amazon.com


The Black Pirate: ZRecs review | $40, Amazon.com

Castle Knights: Players work together using elastic-banded strings to transport blocks onto towers to match patterns on randomly selected cards. Coordinated movement and collaboration make this game one of both concentration and infectious energy. | $35, Amazon.com


Conversations to Go: An affordable, approachable format for the ubiquitous "conversation games," Conversations to Go features some of the best conversation starters for kids and adults alike in a field that's crowded with products more concerned about styling than content. | $14, Amazon.com

Complete Idiot's Guide to Backyard Adventures: You don't have to be a complete idiot to realize that some of the most enjoyable adventures you can have with your child occur within a few miles of your house. This book is filled with good ideas for making the most of adventure time and avoiding the expense and hassle of less-inspired activities. | $13, Amazon.com


Suitcase Detectives: ZRecs review | $15, Amazon.com


Said and Done: Another great game that demands a full review, Said and Done is a drawing game in which players must use their language skills to help each other first line up points in a "connect the dots" type of drawing, and then draw the correct lines to create a familiar shape. Another great twist on the traditional game in a box from Haba. | $35, Amazon.com

Invasion of the Bristlebots:Supplies and instructions for creating "bristlebot" robots - robots with small vibrating motors that use the bristly head of a toothbrush as their bodies and many legs. A great project for a parent and child from elementary-school age and up. | $15, Amazon.com

Looking for more ideas? Check out our four other gift guides - soft toys, learning products, kitchen play and cooking, and classic toys - or download the ZRecs Toolbar and find links to our favorite holiday gift guides from around the web.