As much as kids love getting toys, toys, and nothing but toys for Christmas, we parents like to work a little something practical and educational in there, too. So here are some of the best gift suggestions that fit the bill for both parents and kids! I've divided them by price range, so you can find anything from small stocking stuffers to The Big One.
Under $10
Mini Chess Set ($6.53 from Walmart)
This travel chessboard is just over 6 inches square and includes metallic gold and silver chess pieces. At ages 6 and 8, my kids are learning to play chess faster than I am, and they love trying to figure out their opponent's strategies and get one step ahead of each other. Chess is a great game for learning patterns, strategy, and planning ahead.
They
think they're playing a dice game, but really they're learning math and probability! For 2 or more players ages 8 and up, this fun family game combines luck and strategy, so everybody in the family has a chance of winning now and then.
Mini Lightsaber Tech Lab ($9.98 from Toys R Us)
Learn about science and optics as you build your own 8-1/4" lightsaber with two different lenses and choice of 4 crystals to create a colored "blade". The 3 required button cell batteries are included.
Rory's Story Cubes ($8.01 from Amazon)
Great for inspiring thoughtful story-telling, these picture cubes offer prompts which one or more authors can then make into a story. Younger children will enjoy spinning their yarn out loud (or even acting it out); older ones may prefer taking some time to think through their story and writing it down. Fun for single players or a whole group.
$10-$25
Made By Dad ($17.95 from Fat Brain Toys)
The subtitle of this book is "67 Blueprints for Making Cool Stuff." Projects include a steampunk robot, a miniature zipline for action figures, 3D snakes, a reversible paper castle, and more. Projects come in varied levels of difficulty, require only common household supplies, and come with step-by-step instructions and diagrams.
Insect Lore Butterfly Garden ($19.99 from Amazon)
This kit comes with a large mesh "cage," feeding pipette, complete instructions, and a voucher for 5 caterpillars (additional cost of $7.95). The caterpillars will hatch in 2-3 weeks, and your resident entomologist can observe the butterflies for a few days before releasing them. The viewing cage is reusable so you can purchase additional caterpillars and do it all over again and again!
Lego Chain Reactions Kit ($17.28 from Amazon)
For ages 8 and up, this kit makes a bunch of different moving machines that set off chain reactions, including a seesaw, falling hammer, elevator ramps, and more. The machines can be used to perform a practical function such as ringing a bell or throwing a piece of paper into the trash. The detailed instruction manual offers helpful hints and tips and provides information on the physical principles behind each machine. Many projects require additional blocks, so this gift is best for kids who already have a Lego collection.
Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit ($14.99 from Target)
Give the pedal a big STOMP to send the foam rockets shooting high into the air! Rockets glow in the dark, so there's added fun when shooting the rockets at dusk or at night against a dark sky. 100% human-powered launch - no batteries required.
$26-$50
4-in-1 Catapult Kit ($39.95 from Fat Brain Toys)
Who isn't fascinated by catapults, trebuchets, and ballistas? If you've got a catapult lover in your family, this kit will allow him or her to build an onager, a ballista, a trebuchet, and a battering ram - and learn the history behind each one. Intended for ages 12 and up but younger weapons enthusiasts will still enjoy using the catapults if an older friend or sibling helps to build them.
Super Magnet Lab ($32.45 from Amazon)
This set includes a large horseshoe magnet and 100 magnetic chips and metal ring magnets. The included handbook has ideas for alone and group play, and explains the concepts behind magnetic attraction and repulsion, as well as explaining scientific methods and critical thinking.
14-in-1 Solar Robot Kit ($29.65 from Walmart)
Build 14 different solar-powered robots with this kit for ages 8-15. Like Transformers, the robot "transforms" into different models rather than building each from scratch. Two levels of building provide for both beginners and more advanced "junior engineers". No batteries needed, but it does require direct sunlight to move.
MudWatt Science Kit ($39.95 from MindWare)
Got a kid (or adult) in your house who's fascinated with mud? Discover what really goes on inside mud with this cool science kit. Micro-organisms in the soil generate electricity and within a few days they'll make the LED blink; within a week they'll power a digital clock! Track your progress with a free downloadable app. MudWatt is reusable and each experiment can last for several weeks.
$51-$100
Stop-Motion Animation Kit ($60 from Uncommon Goods)
This animation kit was a huge hit with my 7-year-old. He spent hours creating funny little characters and then using stop-motion photography to make movies showing them falling down, or suddenly disappearing. He designed his own backdrops, wrote stories, and just generally got creative and had fun. The software is easy enough to use that even this non-techie mom could figure it out.
Even the littlest engineers will enjoy building their own robot with these magnetic click-together pieces. An engine block allows their creations to walk on their own! Comes with directions for 8 different robots, but the set is compatible with most other Magformer toys so they can eventually add on and build their own unique designs.
This miniature 3D printer allows your young artist to bring their imaginary creations to life in real 3D! The pen extrudes heated plastic which hardens instantly, allowing for 3D drawing. If they can draw it, they can create it!
This "watch" reacts to arm movements with multicolored lights, and can be coded to react in different ways. It has 5 modes that can be coded to react to motion and light - lots of ways to experiment with coding that also require physical movement to test the code! The watch is mounted on a slap band and can be worn as a wristwatch or attached to bike or scooter handlebars.
Over $100
DIY Starter Robot Kit ($119.99 from Amazon)
This kit will build either a tank or a three-wheeled car, then allow the user to program it to perform specific activities. Kids will learn robotics, electronics, and coding at an easy beginning level for ages 12 and up. A great way to get kids interested in and started with robotics!
Excellerations Magnetic Building Blocks ($107.61 from Discount School Supply)
This collection of 100 brightly-colored, various-sized translucent triangles, squares, and rectangles adhere using magnets, and can be used to build all kinds of structures. Little ones will enjoy snapping the shapes together; older kids can build elaborate buildings and shapes and explore the behavior of the magnets and how they attract or repulse each other.
Cozmo ($170.99 from Amazon)
Experiment with what this amazing little robot can do. Lots of games to play and experiments to explore, and the more you play, the more options you unlock. He can play Keep Away, Memory, and Quick Tap, and he'll even give you hints that he wants to play, like singing a little song or raising his lift for a fist bump. Requires an iOS or Android compatible device.
Holy Stone Quadcopter Drone ($119.95 from Amazon)
This amazing drone is easy enough to use for a beginner, but has advanced features including a wide-angle HD camera with still photo and live video functions, altitude hold, gravity sensor, and VR headset compatibility. Includes high-powered batteries for extra-long flight time.
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