With Christmas less than six weeks away, some mothers like me who wait until the very last minute for everything are attempting to cram all the shopping in quick while trying to figure out what the best gifts are to give this year, especially for the kids.

Picking out gifts for my two boys is always fun.

However, after I recently fulfilled my need for a cleaning binge in their room, I learned that a lot of the gifts I thought were perfect at the time ended up being just a waste of our money. Much of the toys I bought the children last year just ended up collecting dust in the bottom of the toy bin.

Lesson Learned.

So here is the good news. My aunt called the other day and told me that she and my uncle are getting the boys something pretty cool this Christmas.

(Thank goodness my kids can't read yet!)

Their gift is this exercise bike/video game called a Smart Cycle by Fisher Price.

My aunt said that you just plug the bicycle into the television and pick a video game to play.

All of the games are said to be educational, and in order to progress in the game, our kids have to push the pedals on the bike.

I thought her gift idea was great!

Kids love video games, but most video games are far from educational and usually lead to children spending too much time sitting, stagnate in their room.

With this ingenious gift, my kids might actually learn something and burn off some of that endless energy they seem to possess too.

I love the idea and cannot wait to hook that baby up!

This holiday season, I am going to be looking for more toys like this.

What do you think about this kind of innovative, educational toy?

Do you have any "parent-picks" for this year's Christmas wish lists?

What is on the top of your kid's letter to Santa?