OT: Xmas Gift Suggestions for Kids

Submitted by LLG on December 18th, 2023 at 9:34 AM

I'm looking for gifts for girls 5-7 years old and want to focus on STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).  I went for "Crazy Forts."  I also bought two lightsabers - those aren't exactly STEM but I loved getting a lightsaber when I was younger and I learned that you have to have two, because the first thing that kids want to do is battle.

May I ask for suggestions on great or overlooked gift ideas for kids?  I figured I'd open it up for all sorts of suggestions (but against girls 5-7 years old is really appreciated).

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wizzy

December 18th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^

Your son is a bit older, but my youngest and I did this model when he was maybe 7 or 8.  It was an exercise in patience.  Those pieces are much smaller than legos, and it's easy to get off by a dot or two and have to tear out part of it and rebuild. You may have better luck, but I'd suggest planning on doing this over a series of sessions and not expecting to knock it out quickly.

Joined: 06/06/2016

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HollywoodHokeHogan

December 18th, 2023 at 1:23 PM ^

To echo wizzy, the non-Lego brand block kits can be arduous.  The build is often shown in like 10 or 20 sets with each step being a picture with like 50 pieces being added.  You spend a ton of time comparing the current picture with the next one to see what the hell is added.  The pieces are also often very hard to differentiate— pre sorting is a must with those kits.   The ones I have done seemed to love using single dot pieces for no reason (why put five singles in a row instead of a five piece?!).  

Joined: 02/12/2011

MGoPoints: 20454

Amazinblu

December 18th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^

When our children were younger - we bought LEGO sets.   And, my only suggestions regarding them are: 1) build them WITH your child - that's part of the fun - let them do as much as they can - but, help out wherever necessary, and 2) if you live near - or can shop at - a LEGO store - just "buy a bunch" of LEGO pieces from the bins on the wall - and, create / build stuff that's "just unique and different".

Enjoy the holidays

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41361

Romeo50

December 18th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^

Things from my childhood not to get (city) kids these days. BB gun, woodburning kit,  molten plastic soldier making kit and Jarts (original), bow and arrow.

Let's just say I have witnessed or participated in mishaps with all of these (city kid).

Joined: 03/09/2013

MGoPoints: 16588

Ghost of North Hall

December 18th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^

Kiwi Boxes are pretty great. Monthly STEM subscription service.

They have different age groups to pick from and the experiments/toys that are included are generally pretty cool. My girls like them a lot!

Joined: 03/13/2019

MGoPoints: 1629

Johnny Blood

December 18th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^

I bought my boys a set called "Electronic Snap Circuits" when they were that age.  It's pretty cool, you can build hundreds of different things that work like an alarm, a fan, a radio, etc.

It isn't cheap (about $100) but they played with it for years and, while certainly not a guaranteed result, both are now pursuing STEM-related careers.

I just checked to see that they are still selling these and noticed they now have cheaper options available at Amazon, starting at $35.  

Joined: 12/22/2010

MGoPoints: 4719

skidrowe187

December 18th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^

Listen to me. Only to me. I have 6 year old triplets that are very popular in school(lots of friends and playdates), and also happen to have a large extended family with small children. The stem stuff is fun for a half hour, then YOU have to clean it up. Don't overspend on it. Also, most toys I'm going to suggest are gender neutral.

First of all, you should already have a "cool" advent calendar. You missed out royally, if you do not have one already.

Itemized, but no particular order.

1.Bitzee

2.Furby

3.Pokemon TCG Battle Academy - I can't stress this enough. Reading comprehension, sportsmanship, critical thinking, and surprisingly complex addition/subtaction/multiplication. Warning: this will open Pandora's box when it comes to Pokemon.

4."Explorer Sofa" - Basically large foam pillows that fold. They can build forts, make a couch, etc. I bought ours from Sam's Club. However, they are everywhere.

5. Flashlights - Always flashlights - Check the lumen level. Don't be irresponsible.

6.Uno Attack

7.SIMPLE Lego sets

8.Any art sets from 5 Below

9.Any science sets from 5 Below

10.GLOW anything

11.Magne-Tiles - My lil demons probably have 7 sets.

12.Magic Mixies

I have many more suggestions, but I'm sure you all are already tired of me.

Go Blue!

 

Joined: 03/09/2017

MGoPoints: 208

skidrowe187

December 18th, 2023 at 3:27 PM ^

Uno Attack is pretty darn fun for everyone. We just found it for 5 bucks, and the kids go bonkers for it.

I've taught no less than 4 families how to play the Pokemon TCG ever since my sister-in-law drop shipped Battle Academy to our house. Including, my sister-in-law's family. You can sometimes find Battle Academy for $11 or less. You can then go onto EBAY and purchase other premade decks once the kids have a favorite Pokemon.

You can find "parachute" forts that hook up to a cheap box fan to inflate. A lot more pros than cons with these.

Leapfrog makes a bunch of electronics that are pretty great. The Leapfrog Rockit Twist Handheld Learning Game System doesn't make you feel as guilty as if you would have bought a tablet or a Switch.

I've given up my gamer ways, and I refuse to allow tablets or a Switch in my house. The kids can ignore me down the road when they aren't as cute anymore! ;)

Leapfrog makes an interactive Microscope that is pretty great. One of the trips received that from Santa last year.

The Leapfrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart was a big hit, but they were 3-4 at the time. They still use it occasionally.

Leapfrog also makes a bunch of junk, too. Don't be fooled. Read reviews.

 

Joined: 03/09/2017

MGoPoints: 208

IYAOYAS

December 18th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^

There are some cool hologram making kits that could be fun. Use caution with any lasers though. 

This would also be a shout out to our very own Professor Emmet Leith. 

Joined: 09/13/2018

MGoPoints: 3485

goblu330

December 18th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^

Hmmm.  Yeah, that's a little too young for edibles.  

I have always found good bang for the buck with Magic Sets, and Nat Geo science kits.  They also make dance mats that light up different sections (kind of like Twister with music).  I am good friends with a father of young girls and they are always on that thing. 

Joined: 01/07/2022

MGoPoints: 32123

Amazinblu

December 18th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^

We picked up an interactive globe for our children years ago (they're college juniors today) - and, the globe had a "pen" attached which revealed a variety of facts about countries around the world.

The globe also could "ask" questions - so, we felt it was a fun "learning" toy for our children.

 

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41361

conradb42

December 18th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^

Not quite STEM, but my girls (7 and 9) just got a baking kit with a food measure. They were doing math as they added the proper grams of sugar and flour etc. Then we got to eat the mini cakes.

My daughter got preying mantis eggs earlier in the year as well. Didn't go well, they either ate each other or just didn't hatch, but she learned a ton about them.

Joined: 09/12/2013

MGoPoints: 3586