Non-Toy Gift Ideas for the Science, Engineering, and Crafty Kid
This gift guide is full of year-round gift ideas for the kid who loves to create, tinker, construct, craft, and build. Those kids who are crazy over crafts, STEM activities, and engineering projects will LOVE these gift ideas.
If your child is anything like my oldest daughter, traditional toys usually end up in the back of the closet or lost under the bed. She loves the “idea†of having the latest toys that flash on the screen in the commercials that interrupt her favorite shows.
But what she really loves is anything that allows her to express her creativity. If you have a kid in your home that loves to build, experiment, create, draw, or craft; you MUST look at this gift guide. Your creative kiddo will thank you!
I’ve left the gift guide open to both girls and boys because most of the gifts are perfect for either. I’ve just separated them between the younger and older kids.
And to make your life even easier you can shop right from this page! Just click right on the image to go straight to that specific item on Amazon.
Disclosure: I do earn a small commission anytime a purchase is made using any one of my Amazon links. If you do decide to purchase any of these awesome gifts, it actually helps to keep this blog running smoothly by purchasing through one of my links. Thanks a bunch! Happy Shopping! 😉
Gift Ideas for Younger Kids (Ages 4-8)
Melissa & Doug Catch & Count Wooden Fishing Game With 2 Magnetic Rods
A wooden magnetic fishing game that’s excellent for developing hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, core strength, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
This 20 piece kit allows your young scientist to explore and learn the basics of science from chemical reactions to the use of science tools Which is it? Might wanna fix that!
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Jungle Crew Lab Set
This kit is the winner of the Parents’ Choice Silver Honor! It shows budding scientists how to conduct simple experiments with 10 hands-on activity cards.
Creativity for Kids Do Art – Pottery Studio
This pottery kit introduces little hands to the history and art of hand-sculpted pottery. The kit includes 3 lbs. of clay, a pottery wheel, and everything else your child will need to make their very own masterpiece!
Backyard Safari Cargo Vest
This adorable little safari vest gets your little explorer outside and exploring their environment. The vest includes binoculars, tons of durable pockets for gathering findings, and strong D-rings for hanging other equipment.
Build & Imagine: Malia’s House
This award-winning dollhouse allows your child to design her very own playhouse for her dolls just the way she likes. This magnetic construction set stimulates imagination and play as she puts her designer skills to work.
Spirograph Junior
The classics are making a come-back! I recently bought this kit for my 7-year-old daughter and she loves creating tons of designs. Plus the kit is portable and self-contained right in the handy case.
Candy Construction Building Set
This building kit encourages the STEM skills by allowing kids to build their own sweet structures with sticks, gumdrops, swirls, and more. This is a great and fun learning tool that blends every kid’s two loves – building and candy!
Osmo Coding Game
Osmo is the easiest way to introduce your child to the concept of coding. This fun and engaging game guides Awbie, the game character, on a Strawberry-munching adventure!
Seedling Design Your Own Headphones
Kids can design their own headphones with stencils and paints to express their creativity. This is a gift that’ll definitely come in handy.
Gift Ideas for Older Children (Ages 9-12)
Piper Computer Kit
This is an educational computer kit that teaches STEM and coding through Minecraft. This is a pricey gift but if you have a Minecraft lover who has the desire to learn how to tinker with electronics instead of just playing with them. This kit comes with everything they’ll need to assemble their own computer.
K’NEX Education ‒ STEM Explorations: Swing Ride Building Set
This engineering toy has 486 colorful pieces that complete a fully functioning battery operated swing ride. They built, then play!
ALEX Toys Craft Knot-A-Lion
No sewing required, just knot and stitch super-soft double-sided fleece. The kit includes fleece pillow and blanket shapes, strips and tail pieces, felt shapes, stuffing, embroidery floss and needle and instructions. This is another gift that’s sure to get tons of use.
Craft-tastic String Art Kit III
This is a fantastic new way to make string art. The kit includes 3 string art canvases to make a bird, starburst, and “fun” designs, or create your own designs. Just push the pins right into the pre-patterned foam bases and string away, no hammer or nails needed.
Project Mc2 Bubble Gum Chemistry
The Popular show Mc2 has a line of chemistry-related kits geared toward young girls. This kit lets kids make their own gum! Yum!
Real Cooking Supreme Baking Set
This 70 piece baking kit includes all mixes, chocolate, candy, and frosting to inspire your budding baker to create yummy treats for your family and their little friends!
Scientific Explorer Young Architect City Planner Set
This architecture kit gives your child the ability to plan an entire 3D city! They start on paper and then build their plans into a real 3D model just like the real thing.
Meccano – Micronoid – Blue Basher
These little robots are actually built by your child and then programmed to do all kinds of commands likes talking, walking, and whatever they come up with! This allows kids to tinker and understand how things work.
SmartLab Toys Get Growing! Greenhouse
If you have a green-thumbed child, this will make a great gift. The kit includes the pots, seeds, and growth chart to tracks their plant’s progress. All they need to add is soil, water, and sunshine!
3Doodler Create 3D Pen
This no mess, and non-toxic 3D pen allows your child to easily create imaginative 3D pictures. This is the world’s first and best selling 3D pen on the mark
These are wonderful gifts ideas for the “non-toy kid and ones I personally plan to purchase this year! Let me know in the comments below if this gift idea guide was helpful to you.
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