Tooning In

If your kids already have every SpongeBob DVD and game and still want more, the Nickelodeon Toon Twister 3-D from Scholastic ($20; Windows only) should keep them busy — at least for a while. The software helps you direct your own cartoon. First you pick characters, props and scenes from a list of more than 100not from just SpongeBob but from The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron and Rugrats too. Once you have selected actors, you click and drag them through motions, giving them actions (dance, throw a tantrum) or lines (funny quotes from the shows or even your own words). The actions are recorded on a timeline, so once you've directed SpongeBob to walk to the pizzeria, you can turn back the clock and have Patrick do the same. Modeled after more complex movie-making software, Toon Twister can be tricky; your little directors may either love the challenge or become frustrated.