If your kids are a bit too young for cellphones but you want to get them schooled on the ways of text messaging you may want to pick up a set of Scholastic Electronic Text Messengers ($16.99).
These wireless texting gadgets have a 600 foot range and even work through walls. You can have up to 24 users in your texting network and can send up to 40 characters at a time.
Each package comes with two electronic messengers to get you started.