by TeachingThe Staff of Thought
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We worked hard on this list. Although we are always updating it (with more information, age recommendations, etc.), we have tried to collect various “widgets” that teachers and parents might find useful when shopping for children. To that end, we have everything from horticulture kits to video games to books to microscopes to engineering kits and much more.
If you’re still looking for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, or any other holiday or celebration involving kids, we hope you find this list helpful. We’ll update it regularly so you can find value not only during the holidays, but at any time of the year.
Editor’s Pick: 50 of the Best Educational Toys and Gifts
1. 100 Thought-Provoking Conversation Starters for a Great Parent-Child Relationship
2. K’NEX Education: Introduction to structures
With 207 pieces and 13 different models, kids have a variety of ways to experiment with building structures and exploring their creativity.
3. Wild Crafts! A plant-based adventure game
A cooperative board game that explores medicinal herbs.
4. IQCREW microscope and camera kit
The upgraded all-metal frame microscope features high-quality optics to make viewing easier for your child, and with multiple magnifications, two light sources, and color filters, your child can view all types of samples with this microscope.
This card game will help teach children to express their thoughts and feelings about a variety of issues, including changes in the family, trauma, grief, anger, fears, and more.
6. Periodic Table Playing Cards
A double deck of regular playing cards designed to teach them not only the periodic table of elements, but also several languages at once. These maps show the element in English, Spanish and French, atomic number, category, mass, boiling and melting points, period and group, natural state and common usages.
8x slow motion and 5K resolution? This one is a little pricey, but if you’re buying it for a kid who will actually use this camera, they’ll be able to shoot almost anything, anywhere, and for any reason.
Compatible with all GoPro mounts, this high-quality video camera is waterproof, small and lightweight, and is (for the most part) user-friendly. Quikcapture mode also turns your camera into a one-button camera.
8. LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection 21043 San Francisco Building Kit
This wooden art set includes 142 pieces to let your creativity flow. The wooden box allows you to store each piece in a perfectly organized manner.
10. AeroGarden Harvest-Black Indoor Hydroponic Garden
11. Nancy B’s Microscope and Activity Journal
Bring hands-on science experiments to life with this dual microscope and twenty-two page journal. The microscope has lighting and zoom functions.
12. LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course 71360 Building Kit
Kids can experience history in a whole new way with 21 activities designed to make learning fun.
Nintendo’s latest gaming console (Nintendo —> Super Nintendo —> Nintendo 64 —> Nintendo GameCub —> Nintendo Wii —> Nintendo WiiU —> Nintendo Switch), the Nintendo Switch focuses on games that can take place anywhere : in the living room or on the green light. Nintendo’s consoles never offer the wide range of games that Sony’s PlayStation or Microsoft’s Xbox enjoy, but the quality of games for these consoles is generally high and less violent, aggressive, and “competitive” than other consoles.
We’ve linked the Switch version with the hugely popular Animal Crossing, but any Switch version will work. (Note: There are two versions of the Nintendo Switch: the standard version shown in the image and the “Lite” version, which is cheaper but, among other changes, cannot be played on television and is used only as a portable device.
You can learn more: What is the difference between Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite?
15. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo Switch game)
16. Mastermind for Kids – Decryption game with three levels of play
Miko 3 is an “emotionally intelligent” robot that uses playful and conversational learning to educate, engage and entertain children. He has an adaptive personality, dozens of emotions, and millions of topics and themes to learn about.
18. Holy Stone HS210 Mini RC Nano Quadcopter Drone
This is a great drone for beginners that we have flown for dozens of hours ourselves. With three batteries you can fly for about 20 minutes. And with a sturdy design, it can withstand a decent amount of abuse before breaking (at least in our experience).
19. Even Here Sunshine by Silas House
In this extraordinary novel of letters, an Indian immigrant from New York and the son of a coal miner from Kentucky find strength and perspective as they share their true identities across the miles.
20. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Roald captured a world that captured the imagination of millions and a boy who captured their hearts.
21. Mini-farming: self-sufficiency on 1/4 acre
Start a mini-farm on a quarter acre or less, provide 85 percent of the food for a family of four, and earn an income. Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small-acre farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average family’s food on just a quarter of an acre.
22. Ourlife Kids Camera, Selfie Waterproof Action Camera
24. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel
Multi-use easel to inspire painting, drawing and countless ways of creative play.
25. The Way Things Work Now by David Macaulay
Macaulay updates the best-selling book “The Way Things Work” to capture the latest technological developments and trends that have the most impact on our lives.
26. National Geographic Little Kids, the world’s first big book
Help children explore the world. Filled with over 100 colorful photos and activities to get them exploring and thinking, this book is sure to pique their curiosity.
The easy-to-use design helps kids of all ages explore the land and insects around them.
28. PLUSINNO Kids Portable Telescopic Fishing Rod
29. Bubble Shrimp Aquatic Ecosystem
The semi-enclosed, self-contained bubble ecosystem comes pre-assembled and ready to accommodate live marine shrimp.
The learning drum kit includes three drum pads and a cymbal, each with its own unique sound for sensory development.
32. 4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit
Fully functional 6 inch brass telescope with a wooden box!
34. Code and Go Robot Mouse Activity Set
This set turns coding into a hands-on analog activity for tactile and visual learners.
35. Osmo – Detective Agency: Solve global mysteries (ages 5 to 12)
36. Melissa and Doug suspend the family game
An exciting balancing game, fun for the whole family, that will have everyone “hanging” on the edge of their seat.
A marble race and a logic game all in one. With 60 challenges, there are sure to be hours of fun.
38. Minecraft Stop-Motion Animation Studio
Make the Minecraft world your own. Create in a whole new way with a smartphone app and your imagination.
Build 10 different moving machines with LEGO.
Suitable for everyone on your Christmas list, this large magnifying glass can bring bright clarity to any project, lesson or reading material.
This game can help learn colors, match skills, and develop fine motor skills. The first to collect 5 acorns wins!
42. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
A popular choice appealed to young male readers: follow the adventures of Greg Heffley drawn from Kinney’s imagination. This time, Greg frees himself from electronics and tries the “old school” life.
Take Minecraft to a whole new level with a story you create.
44. National geographic geodes
Complete with a learning guide and 10 different rocks to crack open, this kit is sure to inspire your inner scientist.
This kit includes 24 tools and 10 illustrated learning cards to help your little scientist discover the world around them.
46. The Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Deborah helps kids turn eyebrows upside down in this rhyming bestseller.
47. Little children’s first big space book
National Geographic helps kids explore space in a fun, colorful way.
Help kids explore electronics with over 100 projects to create.
Let children discover the magic of science with their own chemistry set at home.
51. Underdog Games Trekking The National Parks – The award-winning family board game
