As I compiled ideas for our holiday gift guide, I thought about how these items might hold a child’s interest and if the excitement will last beyond winter break.
My top pick is the Osmo Genius Starter Kit. This showed up under our tree last year and was a big hit. The excitement has withstood the test of time. Osmo is not your typical online learning game. I love that players are not glued to the screen and merely swiping away. Instead, they must use physical manipulatives to engage on the platform. Also, we purchased the coding bundle. The starter kit comes with the required tablet stand, camera reflector, and a few games. Osmos is great for kids ages 3 to 10.
Games: New Ideas Mixed with Classics
We love this hands-on learning game! It teaches everything from coding, math, and world geography to spelling and drawing. Kids have so much fun interacting with real-world objects they forget they’re learning. Osmo has kits compatible with an iPad and one for Fire tablets.
- Little Genius Starter Kit (Ages 3-5): iPad or Fire Tablet
- Genius Starter Kit (Ages 6-10) iPad or Fire Tablet
- Add on game kits: Math Wizard, Coding Bundle, Pizza Co., Detective Agency, Monster Games, and more.
Skillmatics Guess in 10 Card Game of Smart Questions
Encourage quick critical thinking while having fun. Skillmatics Guess in 10 covers a wide range of interests and levels of difficulty.
Orboot Earth – Interactive Globe
This app-based globe comes to life using augmented reality and can be a magical gateway to virtually travel the world.
Good old fashioned fun! One of my favorite childhood games and it never gets old. Kids will have a blast racing again the clock -solo or with friends. Perfection helps develop fine motor skills and promotes problem-solving.
This classic is hair raising fun! Hasbro developed upgraded versions to appeal to various interests. Disney/Pixar put a few creative twists on the original.
Learn Something New
Get your hands dirty and make beautiful ceramic pieces right at home. This Pottery Wheel for beginners kit has everything you will need: wheel, clay, and paint. No need to worry about a hot oven. Each piece will air dry.
Move over Chia Pets! Crystal growing hedgehogs and dinosaurs are the new watch me grow pets. Cool science experiments that grow in a matter of days.
Mind & Body
The Monkey Mind | Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards
Support kids being more mindful of others and deeply connected to themselves. 30 cards with fun ways to help them tune in and open up.
Pair The Monkey Mind with a set of Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards and create a calm and peaceful experience.
Building & Engineering
KĒVA Contraptions | ROKR 3D Wooden Puzzle Marble Run
Are your Magna-Tiles collecting dust? KEVA Contraptions wood plank sets keep the spark of building and engineering new things going. No glue or connectors required.
ROKR 3D wooden puzzles are for children 12 and older. Build working models from precision-cut wood pieces. The end result is awe-inspiring.
Entertaining
Put your dance moves to the test! The Light Up Dance Mat has four fun dance modes: flash dance, dance games memory game, and a five-level music game. The mat folds easily for compact storage.
Present Pets, Glitter Puppy Interactive Plush Pet
Present Pets are cute, plush, and interactive. With over 100 sounds and actions, they are sure to be a surprise and keep the recipient entertained.
Arts & Crafts
Paint By Numbers on Canvas (16″ x 20″)
Unleash the inner artist with this easy to follow paint by number frameless canvas using oil paint.
This small box is one of my holiday gift guide favorites. Drawing people can be more inclusive using Crayola Colors of the World. I recommend placing this 24 pack in every child’s stocking or art box.
Washable Tempera Paint for Kids, Shuttle Art 30 Colors
Non-toxic paint set includes standard, neon, metallic, and glitter colors.
In addition to the Holiday Gift Guide, you may also like, Math Tools and Resources to Use at Home.
