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Written by Jamie Martin of Simple Homeschool
Still looking for that perfect gift choice for one of your little (or big) people?
To help you in the search, I’ve compiled a list of gifts from Amazon that inspire the imagination.
Many of these we’ve enjoyed in our own home–other ideas came from those of you on Facebook who mentioned what you’re choosing for your children this year. I’ve also mentioned an age range so you can get a feel for which would be right for your kids. I hope it’s a help!
Create Your Own Book Kit
Age Range: 4 and up
Everything your child needs to write and publish their first book!
Sewing School
Age Range: 8 and up (Pair this book with a starter sewing kit for a sweet gift package!)
Featuring 21 projects for young hand sewers, Sewing School allows kids to create fabric masterpieces including items that children can hug (pillows, doll, blanket), hold (wallet, tote, drawstring pouch), give as gifts (coasters, glasses case, pot holder), and wear (sleep mask, hat, cuffs).
4M Weather Station Kit
Age Range: 8 – 15 years
Observe and record the weather with your own multi-functional weather station. The kit features a wind vane, an anemometer, a thermometer and a rain gauge. Also experiment with the greenhouse effect and create a terrarium in a bottle.
Deluxe Art Set
Age Range: 6 and up
This deluxe art set includes 24 color pencils, 24 oil pastels, 24 watercolor cakes, 2 paint brushes, 2 drawing pencils, pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser and sanding blocks.
6″ Brass Telescope with Wooden Box
Age Range: 5 and up
This telescope is made from brass and comes with a leather handle. The scope extends to a full 6″ and can retract to fit into its own ornate box. The magnification is approximately 3x.
4M Tin Can Robot
Age Range: 8 years and up
Turn a metal can into a walking, wobbling, bog-eyed robot or robotic monster that can move. Recycle a tin can into a great toy for exploration and learning.
Apollo Precision Tools 39-Piece Tool Set
Age Range: 8 and up
The Apollo Precision Tools 39-piece pink tool set is heat treated and chrome plated to resist corrosion. It contains the tools needed for most small repairs around the house. (Multiple colors to choose from!)
Calligraphy Kit
Age Range: 9 and up
Three pens, each with a different nib grade, and a generous assortment of ink colors allow for multiple colors on the same project without cleaning the pen. A step-by-step instruction booklet is included, meaning you can become a calligrapher in four easy steps.
Learning Resources Pretend and Play Cash Register
Age Range: 3 and up (Another long-lasting toy in our home!)
The Pretend and Play Calculator Cash Register is the perfect addition to any pretend store—no batteries required. Encourage beginning math and calculator skills while providing lots of opportunities for imaginative play.
Spirograph Deluxe Design Set
Age Range: 8-15 years
Since it was first introduced in 1965, Spirograph has made it possible for aspiring artists of all ages to create beautifully intricate designs. The distinctive wheels and rings cleverly combine the principles of art and mathematics in a way that has inspired and delighted generations.
The Boxcar Children Bookshelf
Age Range: 7-10 years
A deluxe Boxcar bookcase that contains 12 titles – The Boxcar Children® Mysteries #1 through #12. Also included are Boxcar activities, poster, and accordion bookmark with title checklist. The bookcase can expand to hold up to 32 books.
Bruder Trucks
Age Range: 3 and up
My boys adores Bruder trucks; ours lasted for years. And I appreciated that they have no annoying noises–purely powered by imagination! Made in Germany.
Elenco Snap Circuits SC-300 Kit
Age Range: 8-15 years (These have seen a lot of use in our home!)
Snap Circuits makes learning electronics easy and fun. Just follow the colorful pictures in the manual and build projects such as AM radios; burglar alarms; doorbells and much more.
Enjoy! And let us know: What other imaginative presents will make it under your tree this year?
A dose of homeschool inspiration
What a great list! I love the Create Your Own Book kit, my kids would definitely enjoy that. And the Boxcar Children is a favorite series around here!
Heather’s latest post: A Quiet Holiday with a New Baby?
I’m so glad you found it helpful, Heather! Yes, that Boxcar bookshelf has been on one of my wish lists for ages–so cute!
I’m always at a loss when the grandparents ask what to get the kiddos for Christmas. BOOKS is my default answer, but this list gave me some good ideas. The weather station is sure to find its way under the tree (along with a book about weather). The only thing my children gave asked for all year was a set of magnatiles. I scored on set last month!
Glad to see it’s still possible to buy Lincoln Logs! My grandparents had a big set of those when I was growing up. They also had some kind of flocked animals and I spent hours building homes for those animals.
I also like the idea of the Heart to Heart dolls. But I’ve gotta say, I’m sorry to see so many kits listed for kids. They’re all closed-end playthings, more useful for getting them to follow instructions than to use their imaginations. I bought a bunch of kits years ago when we started homeschooling. They’re still right there on the shelf, dusty and unused.
Here’s my go-to list, with 100 non-toy gifts for birthdays and holidays: lauragraceweldon.com/2014/12/04/100-non-toy-gifts-for-toddlers-to-teens/
I just ordered 3 of the calligraphy sets for gifts. I had that set when I was a kid and I loved it. Thanks for the reminder. I was in need of some ideas for cousins.
One of my children is getting those itty bitty books to create her own books from. There are others from this company- they are not all itty bitty. My oldest was given some a few years ago and they are really nice quality.
My kids are also getting some outdoor exploration type gifts- magnifying glasses, bug magnifier (can be used with other things not just bugs). Also ideas like compass, backpack, field guides for kids, etc. are good ideas and we’ve done them in the past.
This is me… always searching for the right toy for imagination and learning! I saw those same pirate scopes online last night, ha! But the electronic snaps circuit is new to me, and pretty awesome 🙂
I’ll throw another one out there, magna tiles! My friend raves about them so we’re adding those to our Christmas list this year. And I might splurge and buy a too expensive cardboard box the kids can color… I’ve seen one that is a pirate ship and another that is a house.
On another note, I just learned what a podcast was! lol… and the first one I listened to was your station 🙂 (Are they called stations? Ha!)
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Hello, I love your posts! I wanted to share (as a mom and scientist) that fimo clay and similar products are not safe for children. They are composed of pvc, which is not suitable for children to play with or wear, and gives off toxic gases when baked. Please google ” fimo clay pvc”, there are numerous studies.
Thank you so much for mentioning this, Claire. I will definitely look into it!
It doesn’t release toxic fumes as long as you follow instructions clearly. Don’t bake at incorrect temperature. Fellow homeschooling mom and scientist.
http://www.polymerclayweb.com/aboutpolymerclay/thebasics/safetyissues.aspx
Love the brass telescope idea!!! My kids will love them!!! I never even thought to look for something like that. Also, I really like that Heart to Heart dolls, my daughter received Nahji when she was 3 yrs old and we still have her at my mom’s house. We’ll made and a great way to introduce other countries and cultures.