It can be so hard to find the right gifts for our kids. With 4 kids under one roof, I’ve found it necessary to be extra thoughtful about the kinds of things we bring in to our home, simply so I don’t lose my mind trying to keep up with the stuff-management.
Our kids are definitely not screen-free and love to play video games together or hang out for a movie night, but I love having lots of screenless play options available to them, too!
This thoughtful list contains gifts with long-term play potential. They encourage creativity, help teach problem-solving, and help my kids learn new skills and perspectives.
And also, they’re FUN!
Screen-Free STEM Gifts for Kids
As I was putting together my personal list of the best STEM gifts for kids, I walked through our house and looked at what my kids really play with.
Over the years, I’ve seen many toys joyfully unwrapped and then quickly forgotten, discarded, or broken.
That’s why this list of screen-less gifts has toys that have real staying power. Your kids can get years of use out of any of these, and–at least in our experience–they can hold up to long-term play.
But the best part of all might be the price: They’re almost all under $50. Several of them are even under $25!
High quality toys that grow well with your kids and don’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s the dream, right? 😉 Let’s get started!
The Best Screenless STEM Gifts for Kids
SNAP CIRCUITS
I love the new wave of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) toys that have swept the toy scene over the past few years. One of our favorites are Snap Circuits, a safe way for kids to learn about building electric circuits!
Our kids have loved following the simple instructions to create circuits that turn on a small fan, play music, and light a lightbulb!
Bonus–this is another toy that grows up well. While 6-year-olds will enjoy this more with help from Mom & Dad, older kids can build and create on their own. My almost own 8-year-old boy loves pulling these out on a lazy Saturday.
START WITH… the Snap Circuits Jr kit (only $20!) for younger kids, and for older kids, consider our very favorite so far: the Snap Circuits Light Kit!
MARBLE RUNS
Growing up my brother loved playing with marble runs—building, disassembling, reconfiguring, and watching the marbles run through different courses. They’re pretty affordable, and there are tons of options to choose from!
START WITH… the Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set, or their smaller Marble Run Starter Set. These because they have great reviews AND translucent tubing (fun!).
GRAVITY MAZE LOGIC GAME
We’d never heard of this logic game until our son got Gravity Maze for Christmas last year–and he was immediately hooked.
A great pick for upper-elementary kids and older, Gravity Maze challenges kids to puzzle out pathways that guide a marble from one end of the board to the other. It comes with over 60 challenge cards–from beginner to expert level–and our kiddo has loved stretching his brain to beat even the hardest setups.
START WITH… the ThinkFun Gravity Maze, or check out their other two maze games, Circuit Maze or Laser Maze.
MAGFORMERS
These magnetic building toys were a surprise hit at our house. While I saw only magnetic shapes, my kids (ages 3 to 11) have found all kinds of applications and building possibilities. The 3-year-old loves stacking towers, while the older kids create spheres, giant hearts for mom (I melt!), space ships, and (with wheel add-ons) cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
They’re a little pricier (ranging anywhere from $15-180 depending on the set), but a great grow-with-me investment toy–which is why they also made my preschool gift guide!
START WITH… the 62-Piece Standard Set, and consider adding a vehicle set if you have a car-lover.
HOT WHEELS CRISS CROSS CRASH RACE TRACK
This may not be your traditional “STEM” toy, but it is a great lesson in physics disguised as good car-crashing fun. When we came across the Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash racing track, my husband knew our boy would love it–and he was right.
Yet another gift that has stood the test of time, our son’s Hot Wheels have been racing (and colliding) on this track for years now. Plus it’s got 4.5 stars from over 1000 Amazon reviewers–so you don’t even have to take just my word for it.
START WITH… the Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash racing track, and add this inexpensive (under $10!) 9-Car Hot Wheels gift pack if he doesn’t have any wheels to race yet.
LEARNING RESOURCES GEARS! GEARS! GEARS! SETS
These little gear building sets may not look like much, but man–they are a power-packed toy for little engineers and creatives. I bought some on a tip from a friend when my son younger, and he still regularly enjoys building with them at age 8.
Another cross-over that works for preschoolers and up, we’ve found Gears! Gears! Gears! sets to be a fun blend between building blocks and moving parts.
START WITH… the Gears! Gears! Gears! Super Building Set (this is the one we have). It comes with plenty of pieces and the included storage container is super helpful for cleanup.
BATTLESHIP
Have you ever thought about how much strategy, reasoning, and math goes into a game of Battleship?
It’s a great get-thinking game, and one of my go-to mom-son activities when I get some one-on-one time with my boy. 🙂
TRY… The Amazon Exclusive Battleship edition, which has airplanes as well as ships!
LEGO
When it comes to the best STEM gifts for kids, Lego is my absolute number one. I have yet to meet a kid of any age or gender who doesn’t quickly fall under the spell of Lego!
While Lego can be expensive, their cost-per-play has always been worth it in our experience. In fact, we have a whole dining table in the playroom set up specifically for Lego play. It’s a whole thing around here. 😉
Our kids use them both to build their own worlds and to play hours of pretend. One of the most fun things about them is how many licenses and themes Lego has–you can probably find a Lego set for anything your child is interested in, from Disney Princesses to Fire Stations, Star Wars to Harry Potter.
START WITH… a LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box for all around creative play. Consider adding a Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lego City, or other themed set based on your child’s interests.
K’NEX
With lots of potential for guided building or open-ended creativity, K’nex building toys were a STEM toy before the acronym existed. A combination of connectors, rods, and wheels, their sets span from cars and helicopters to working miniature roller coasters! While we don’t have any K’nex yet, they’re highly rated on Amazon and–I’m not kidding–when my 8-year-old saw me looking at them today he said, “I WANT THOSE!” and immediately asked me to add them to his wish list.
Like Lego’s Duplo, K’nex has a line for younger kids under 6 called Kid K’nex. These sets look great for preschool or Kindergarten ages, and also have great reviews on Amazon!
For age 7+, START WITH… the K’nex Imagine Box, and consider the Power and Play Motorized Building set, which comes with a motor to make things move!
For age 6 & under, START WITH… the Oodles of Pals set.
Screen-Free Gift Ideas for Creative Kids
Creative minds are always buzzing with ideas, and I love giving my kids a way to connect their busy brains with busy hands. These gift ideas for creative kids are a combination of things we have and things with awesome Amazon reviews–and they’re almost all under $25!
Crayola Art Case
My kids love working with different mediums–from paint to markers, crayons to colored pencils. Crayola art cases are a quick way to get lots of high quality supplies in one place!
Kids will love the variety, and I love that the included case provides a clear place to put everything away.
TRY… The Crayola Inspiration Art Case for a great starter set, or level up to the Crayola Masterworks Art Case if you have a more serious young artist in your midst.
Sketchbook
Sketchbooks are one of my mothering secret weapons: my kids love how grown-up a real bound sketchbook feels, and I love that their creations are automatically compiled in a single book (instead of scattered all over the house!). They’re a win-win for creative kids and their parents!
TRY… The Pentalic Hardbound Sketchbook for a real-book feel, or the Canson Spiral Bound Sketchbook for easier page turning.
Twistable Crayons & Colored Pencils
There’s nothing like a brand new, giant box of crayons or colored pencils. The perfected rainbow order, the tips still sharp and full of promise. I’m waxing poetic, sure, but the feeling is real:
A fresh box of art supplies is a box of possibility when you’re a kid!
We transitioned to the Crayola Twistable brand a few years ago, after I noticed how many broken crayons were getting discarded at our house. The twistable ones are much more durable, and have the same great color and quality. I’m a fan!
TRY… Crayola’s Mini Twistable Crayon 50 pack or Twistable Colored Pencil 50 pack.
Easel
Easels are a great option for busy toddler and preschool aged artists.
Like a sketchbook, they help contain artistic endeavors to one place, and they also offer some variety: this one has a white board, chalk board, magnets, and a paper roll for lots of different styles of creativity.
TRY… The Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel
Ed Emberly’s Thumbprint Book + Stamp Ink
I heard about Ed Emberly from a friend, and find his thumbprint drawing book so cute and fun! Simple lines make these thumbprint creations easy for almost any level of artist, with the added fun of inking their own fingerprints into the mix.
TRY… Ed Emberly’s Thumbprint Book, and add in a selection of rainbow of stamp ink for fingerprinting fun.
Pentel Markers
These markers are so great that we have two sets of them at home. My kids and I like them so much that we’ve purchased multiples to give the kids’ friends as birthday gifts.
Brilliant colors, nice line thickness, and a case to keep them in–these are a win!
TRY… The Pentel Color Pen Set of 36
Notebook Doodles Coloring Books
All three of my girls love to color and I just added a couple of these Notebook Doodles Coloring Books to their Christmas wish lists. My 5-year-old will love the fun, cheerful designs, and I think the color palettes and technique tips at the beginning will vibe with my artistic tween.
TRY… The Notebook Doodles Super Cute Coloring Book for fun animal doodles, or their Superstar Coloring Book for inspirational quotes and designs!
Star Wars / Marvel Doodle Books
Part coloring book, part activity book, these doodle books get kids started with part of a drawing, and challenge them to finish out each page with their own ideas and artistic skills!
TRY… Star Wars Doodles for fun in a galaxy far, far away, or Marvel Doodles for some earthside super-hero creativity.
Spirograph
My daughter got a Spirograph as a gift this year and quickly dove into creating easy-to-make mandala-style artwork.
Graph-like works of art come to life as kids spin different sized gear-toothed wheels across the page. A combination of art and math with gorgeous results, these sets make could easily have made my list of STEM gift ideas for kids, too!
TRY… the Original Spirograph for older elementary kids, or Spirograph, Jr. for little kids as young as 3!
Beginner’s Sewing Kits
My kids love creating things that they can use–from stuffed-animal homes made of cardboard boxes to bedroom decor made from spare gift ribbon. If your artist also likes venture beyond the world of paper and pen, a beginner’s sewing kit can give them a new medium to play with.
These two kits both come with pre-cut felt so Mom or Dad can skip over the tricky pattern cutting (yes, please!) and all the tools and supplies to start making cute little stuffies–so your kid can get right into sewing!
TRY… The Little Monsters Craft Kit for cute-but-not-frilly crafting, or the Alex Toys My Sewing Kit for brightly colored creations.
The Sewing School Books
The Sewing School books by Andria Lisle and Amie Plumey are project-based books that teach kids sewing skills by helping them make things they can use and love.
Aimed at ages 5 and up, they teach both hand-sewing (1st book) and machine sewing (2nd book) techniques!
We have some cooking/baking books from the same publisher and love them, so I’m adding these to my gift ideas list for my oldest this Christmas!
TRY… Sewing School for an introduction to sewing for ages 5 & up, or Sewing School 2 for kids ready to level up to a sewing machine!
Klutz Sew Mini Sewing Kits
These darling Sew Mini sets come with everything you need to whip up lots of miniature stuffies: needle, thread, felt, stuffing, patterns, and instructions are all included.
Best suited for the 8+ crowd–kids with a little more patience and dexterity–these kits are fun because the end result is a special (adorable) creation to keep or give to a friend.
My oldest daughter has loved using her kit to make tiny plushies for her brother and her best friend–she even got brave and customized them a little!
TRY… Sew Mini Animals for miniature animals, or Sew Mini Treats for tiny food!
Cook Books & Baking Books
Felt food is adorable, but real food is messy, delicious fun, too! If your Picasso is ready to move to the kitchen, a kid-centered cookbook is a great place to start.
We bought the Cooking Class cookbook and Baking Class cookbook for our daughter, and she has loved learning from their straightforward instructions and illustrations. (I even use the crepe recipe myself!)
The recipes range from simple (fancy ideas for toast) to complex (baking a cake from scratch), so they’re a great option for ages 5+.
Our oldest is getting more comfortable in the kitchen, so I’m eyeing the highly rated Young Chefs cookbooks from America’s Test Kitchen for her this year!
TRY… Cooking Class for meals and snacks, and Baking Class for sweets, breads, and treats. Or check out the Complete Cooking/Baking Books for Young Chefs, from the popular America’s Test Kitchen.
Air Dry Clay & Modeling Clay Book
My kids love the tactile fun of sculpting with clay!
This colorful air-dry clay from Sago Brothers hardens without any baking, so your kiddo can make creations, let them dry, and keep them or give them as gifts. (Do your kids love making gifts as much as mine do??)
Pair it with this beginner sculpting book, which teaches kids to use three simple shapes (teardrop, ball, and snake) to make lots of different animals!
TRY… Sago Brothers Air Dry Clay, and pair it with the how-to sculpting book Modeling Clay!
Melissa & Doug Bead Lacing Sets
Jewelry-making has been a favored pastime at our house over the years, and we’ve owned at least one of Melissa & Doug’s bead sets.
These high-quality kits come with wooden beads (my kids always love spelling their names with the ABCs), a storage tray, and cords for stringing necklaces and bracelets. Great for ages 4-8!
TRY… Created By Me Multi-Color Set or the pink-and-purple Created By Me Sparkle & Shimmer Beads Set.
Jewelry Making Kits
If your artist has leveled up from simple bead-stringing, these fun and colorful jewelry kits will let them try their hand at some more challenging designs!
Beads, supplies, & instructions are all included–just add a kid. 😉 Great for ages 6-11.
TRY… Just My Style ABC Bead Kit or for trendier tween styles, the Make It Real Neo-Brite Charm Kit or Scent-Sational Jewelry Kit
Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Set
Kids can take drawing to a new level with this scratch art set, using a stylus tool to reveal beautiful colors and patterns beneath the scratchboard’s black coating.
My daughter loved receiving a scratch art kit for her birthday, and the effect of her drawings set off in black and rainbow colors was really cool.
This kit comes with 2 styluses, 16 scratch-off pages, a stencil sheet, and three easel frames.
TRY… Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Kit
Paint By Sticker Books
These Paint By Sticker books are fantastic for filling downtime, great for quiet afternoons, plane travel, or vacations. I love that they’re a self-contained coloring book alternative: no crayons required!
My mother in law recently brought one to a family reunion for the kids, but we all (ages 5 to 50-something) ended up sitting around the table in the evenings working on these. Once you get the hang of the stickers, they’re incredibly satisfying!
Younger kids can also try the Paint By Sticker for Kids line.
TRY… the original Paint By Stickers Kids book, or level up to one of the more complicated books. We’ve liked the original Paint By Sticker book, and the Vintage Travel version.
Needlepoint Kits
I started teaching my kids to sew a few summers back, and it has been such a nice way for them to keep their hands busy.
Needlepoint is simple enough for preschoolers (age 4+) to start with, but satisfying for older, more independent elementary ages, too.
These kits are colorful and very inexpensive–under $10.
TRY… Alex Toys Simply Needlepoint Fox or Simply Needlepoint Butterfly.
Lego Classic Box & Lego Creative Books
Lego are my all-time favorite kids’ toy–which is why you’ll find their younger sibling, Duplo, on my preschool gift guide!
While they’re not much fun to step on, Lego are fantastic for play.
They’re durable, colorful, and incredibly versatile: My kids use them to create buildings, tools, vehicles and whole cities. They play hours of pretend with the minifigs. And my oldest is even beginning to dabble in Lego stop-motion animation.
We’ve read through (and even purchased) several different Lego books, and my absolute favorite is Lego Awesome Ideas. Other books are filled with ideas but not much practical help. This one actually teaches how to make cool Lego creations come to life.
The Lego Animation Book teaches principles and practices of stop-motion animation, covering everything from sequence and focus to special effects. A fun gift idea for older kids (8+) or teens! (Psst: We use a free app called Stop Motion Studio for the actual filming!)
TRY… The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick or Large Creative Brick (pictured), and add an awesome Lego book: Lego Awesome Ideas or The Lego Animation Book.
Happy gifting!
xo,
Jamie
Need More Gift Ideas for Kids?
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Images via Nik, Freestocks, Aaron Benson, Amazon, and Target
My boys would love any of these but especially Legos and Star Wars. Pinned and hope you will linkup with our Small Victories Sunday Linkup open all week.
So many fantastic ideas! Great sharing!!!