| Roominate: engineering toys for girls |
There are plenty of great birthday gifts out there to help smart kids get smarter and lots of stuff that will be a waste of your kid's time. I hope this list of educational math and science gift ideas will help you with some suggestions for the best gifts for smart kids!
Each present idea includes suggested age levels and dollar signs to indicate the relative expense of each gift. I have highlighted the costs of the gifts as follows:
- $ - One $ sign indicates an inexpensive present of less than $30.
- $$ - Two $$ signs indicate a moderately expensive present of $30-100 dollars.
- $$$ - Three $$$ indicates gifts costing $100 or more.
All of the present ideas on this list are good for kids brains, develop smarts, creativity and are to some extent educational and good learning toys. If you have any ideas to add to this list of presents for smart kids, please send me your comments below. You'll find electronics, geography, physics, math, chemistry, biology and geology brainy gift ideas below.
General Gift Ideas
- A custom made puzzle-Take a photo of the boy or girl doing a puzzle, then have a puzzle made on Shutterfly based on that photo. $ [Suggested Ages 5-9]
- Walkie Talkies - This is a great gift, that can be relatively practical. There are loads of different walkie talkies on the market. Just know that most of them DO NOT have the reach that they advertise--not even close unless it's line of sight, mountain-top to mountain-top. Even so, these are relatively inexpensive and great fun, even if it is pretty local fun. This set is pretty durable. $ [Suggested Ages 6-12]
- Magic School Bus Science Club- Join the Magic School Bus science club for monthly science mailings. $$ [Suggested Ages 4-7+]
- Educational placemats Let the super-smart kid in your life squeeze in some extra learning while they eat. It is surprisingly effective and I have to say that some of these mats are true works of art. There are a large variety of these with maps, presidents, periodic table of elements, bugs, planets, weather, types of butterflies, rocks/geology, astronomy, multiplication tables. $ [Suggested Ages 1-8]
- Books: There is no shortage of great books for advanced kids. Ken Jennings has a great series of books call the Junior Genius Guides. There are currently six books. They are great. Titles include Outer Space, Ancient Egypt, U.S. Presidents, Greek Mythology, Human Body and Maps and Geography.
- Another one of my favorite choices is the Kid's Almanac. National Geographic Kids Almanac and Scholastic Almanac for Kids both are great for kids who read starting from 5 or 6 years old. $ [Suggested Ages 5-9]
- Logic Puzzle books - Your little genius may also enjoy the Perplexors series of logic puzzle books. They recommend ages 8-10 for this book, but they have several levels. These are fun, interesting and inexpensive. $ [Suggested Age 8-10] See more logic puzzles above.
- Analogy Challenges - This is a great educational gift suggestion. These books come in several levels. $
- For younger kids who are just starting to learn math concepts, there are some great books by Greg Tang. For example, "Math Potatoes: Mind-Stretching Brain Food" and "The Grapes of Math" provide simple, but helpful math riddles for kids to do. These are fun, interesting books and I definitely recommend them. $ [Suggested Ages 5-9]
- Make Your Own books - If your child is a literary genius who would rather write than read, they may like to get started with these short blank books. They make a nice keepsake too. $$ [Suggested Ages 5-8]
- Globes: Globes and maps of the earth are a must have for any smart kid. Here is a decent globe for about $50... If a good globe is out of the budget, consider getting a Painless Learning World Map Placemat which is guaranteed to spark interesting mealtime conversations. $$ [Suggested Ages 3-7]
- Ravensberger Secret codes - Project kit to learn the basics of cryptography. $ [Suggested Ages 8-15]
- Lab Coat - Who doesn't look smart wearing a lab coat. Basic coats cost about $16 on Amazon, but you can go up from there. $ [Suggested Ages 6-10]
Best Gifts For Smart Toddlers
- Subscription to http://more.starfall.com (You can check out the free side of starfall to see what its all about. This is a great resource for learning to read, access to songs and learning many facets of math.) Works on most computers and some tablets that support flash. Very good, highly educational, fun and strongly recommended. $ [Suggested Ages 2-5]
- LeapFrog DVD series - these are great for teaching kids to read, and they really like to watch them. There is a whole series to meet kids where they are at on the road to learning to read (and math too!). BTW, if you're intrested in teaching your kids to read early, consider Hooked on Phonics.
- The Pengoloo game mentioned above is also a very good gift for toddlers. $ [Suggested Ages 3-6+]
- Educational placemats - As mentioned above, there are some wonderful educational placemats that make learning while eating fun. For example, this ABC placemat or this one on bugs and insects. $ [Suggested Ages 1-8]
- Periodic Table Building Blocks - Well made, non-toxic blocks with periodic table of elements on them. $$ [Suggested agest 2 years+]
Microscopes
Microscopes are a staple of brainydom. Try to get a decent one though--in my opinion, there is nothing worthwhile under the $75 range, as far as I know. The very cheap ones are just frustrating and fall short. They all have issues with lighting and don't do well with magnification--that means they'll be abandoned after a few uses.My only exception is for younger kids: there is something called a "bug microscope" which lets kids magnify a bug from the top and bottom as it walks around in a small container, these are only $10-15, for example: Carson BugLoupe 5x Magnifier (HU-55) $ [Suggested Ages 3-6]. Another example is a quick attach microscope that you can add to your iPhone. $ It gets good reviews, but I really don't know if this is such a good idea.
Otherwise, if you're on a budget, please read the reviews on Amazon and find the best microscope you can for your price range--you AND your smart child will benefit. Here are some of my favorite general science microscopes:
I know this one is a bit pricey at about $200 but it is a reliable, good scope that can really do some very good magnification - AmScope B100B-MS 40X-2000X Biological Binocular Compound Microscope with Mechanical Stage $$$ [Suggested Ages 5-15+]
| Image captured from Celestron 5 megapixel Infiniview Microscope |
- Telescopes-Again, a relatively pricey venture. Expect to spend more than $100 for a worthwhile telescope. For example, here is a well rated telescope for around $130: Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope $$$ [Suggested Ages 5-17]
- Weather Forecasting and Climate Science - There are a few interesting kits to be had in this category. For example, Weather Station Science Kit seems like a great gift for a kid who's interested in meteorology. $ [Suggested Ages 8+]
Biology Gifts
- DNA Kit - For older kids who like biology, 23 And Me is REALLY cool. You send the company some DNA (in the form of saliva) and they give you access to all sorts of reports and fun information about YOU and your ancestors/relatives. The cost of this kit varies from time to time and goes from 99 dollars up to 2 or 300. VERY interesting and sure to generate all sorts of curiosity on various topics (from genealogy to the studies of various diseases). $$ [Suggested Ages 10-99]Anatomy: Skeleton Floor Puzzle, Squishy Human Anatomy and visible man/visible woman These are great learning toys. My kids love the squishy human toy. I didn't figure they would keep using it, but actually they return to it now and then and it makes a cool display toy too. Really "adds some science" to their room. [Suggested Ages 7-10] $
Anatomy placemats are also good, but some people might not like having an anatomy lesson at the dinner table--I think it's a great opportunity for a child to learn about the human body. [Suggested Ages 7-12] $
Building, Engineering and Robotics Gifts
- Meccano Robot Kit - This is really fun and a great introduction to robotics. It does require some assembly but my 9 year old really loves it so that could be worth it and part of the educational value. You program this robot by training it's limbs and also get it to move and record your voice via an app. The robot recognizes thousands of phrases through it's voice recognition software.. There are two versions, the MeccaNoid G15 ($$ - About $90) and the four foot tall Meccano MeccaNoid G15 KS ($$$ - About $220). There is also an expansion kit that I haven't tried but looks like even more fun. [Suggested Ages 10+]
- OWI Air Powered Car - This is an interesting educational toy car that runs on compressed air. Note that there is assembly required and some of it is a little bit complicated, but nevertheless, very worthwhile. $ [Suggested Ages Ages 10*-99] (Ten year-olds may need some help with assembly)
- OWI Solar Powered Robot - Two levels of building so beginners and more advanced kids can be engaged. It has 14 modes. $ [Suggested Ages Ages 8-15]
- Engineering Toys for Girls: Roominate and GoldieBlox are two excellent choices for girls. I highly recommend both of these products. $ [Suggested Ages 4-7]
- Lego Mindstorms NXT robotics kits: This is a relatively expensive birthday, Hanukkah or Christmas gift but the payoffs are huge if your child takes to this.
You're brainy child will learn programming, physics and many more things that are going to be very important to the economy in their lifetimes. There are several different kits you can buy, for example the EV3 kit and the NXT 2.0,
Lego Mindstorms kits are the de facto standard robotics kids used in teaching at K-12 schools. I strongly recommend this as a gift. $$$ [Suggested Ages 7-16+] - If the price for Lego Mindstorms is out of the question, there are various other robotics kits that can be great fun for kids--for instance this tin can robot kit. You might also consider a KANO kit that teaches kids all about building computers using the Raspberry PI.
- Younger kids might also enjoy Little Bits kits.
Chemistry Gifts
Chemistry Sets
Chemistry experiments are all kinds of fun for boys and girls...and a great way for parents to work with their children to learn chemistry.
There are varying levels of these kits:
There are varying levels of these kits:
- Magic School Bus kid's chemistry kit. $ [Suggested Ages 5-12]
- Amazon sells more serious (and more expensive) chemistry sets $$
- This a great middle of the road chemistry set $$
- This one is the ultimate set $$$ [Suggested Ages 5-15 -- More serious sets are available for older teens.]
Other Chemistry Brainy Gifts
- Beaker Mug - This could be a fun gift for older kids who love Chemistry. It's a mug that looks like a beaker--it even has a caffeine molecule on it.
- Hand Boiler - Fun, novel gift $ [Suggested ages 9+]
Math Gifts
- Fractiles 7 - Award wining fun. This is somewhere between a math activity, a creative jaunt and meditation. Kids will enjoy creating fractal patterns with diamond and square magnetic tiles. $$ [Suggested Ages 8+]
- Prime Climb - An award winning math game. 2-4 person game uses multiplication and division. Manufacturer recommends it for ages 10+, but it should be okay for younger kids who are good at math. $$ [Suggested Ages 10+]
- Equate - The Equations Thinking Game - Kind of like Scrabble for simple equations. $$ [Suggested Ages 8+]
- For younger kids who are just starting to learn math concepts, there are some great books by Greg Tang. For example, "Math Potatoes: Mind-Stretching Brain Food" and "The Grapes of Math" provide simple, but helpful math riddles for kids to do. These are fun, interesting books and I definitely recommend them. $ [Suggested Ages 5-8]
Physics Gifts
- Physics experiment kit - This looks like a very good kit with lots of interesting experiments. $$ [Suggested Ages 10+]
- Bubble tools from Zome Tool...there are all sorts of interesting things you can learn from bubble kits...plus they're just fun. Some of the zometool kits let the kids build geometric shapes and then the bubbles are framed by those shapes. Here is one example kit for about $15. The zometools are also great for just creating stuff. Check out the more advanced kits for 12 year olds and up and here is a more advanced kit for kids ages 6 and up. $$ [Suggested Ages 5-9]
- Sick Science Fast Physics Kit - A fun way to learn about inertia and some other physics concepts. Smart kids will enjoy the activities in this kit. $ [Suggested Ages 10+]
- Chaos Machine - A fun and interesting way to learn a bit about chaos theory [Suggested Ages 12+]
- Chaos Tower - This is some great Rube Goldberg fun + great physics learning from this kit. $$$ [Suggested Ages 7+]
- Car Engine Model - This is a great brainy gift for kids who like building models, and especially if they are interested in cars and engines. This is a "working" model of an internal combustion engine (it runs on an electric motor). It's meant for older kids, but could be a project a parent and younger kid could work together on. $$ [Suggested Ages 12+]
- Plasma Ball - This is somewhere between science and fun. Plasma balls are the staple of any smart mad scientist. $$ [Suggested Ages 8-11+]
- Spherio Ball - This is another toy that may be a stretch for educational, but it sure looks fun and could have some educational value in physics. It's basically a remote controlled ball--kids can build mazes and use ramps to get it to do some really fun tricks. $$$ [Suggested Ages 7+]
Magnetic games and toys
- Magentic Levitation base- This is something an older kid might like. It basically "levitates" lighter metal objects (you provide those). It is pretty cool. $$ [Suggested Ages 5-9]
- Euler's Disk - This is basically a large metal coin that spins for quite a long time and makes sound. Another cool but simple item kids would love. Here's a video to give you the idea of what this miracle of physics actually is. $$ [Suggested Ages 8-11]
Geology Gifts
- Geodes - This brainy gift is great for any budding geologist. You get unopened geodes -- kids can break them open themselves. $ [Suggested Ages 4-9+]
- Rock and Mineral Collection - Kids who collect rocks will like this. Note that the packaging is not fancy, but the actual rocks you get are very cool and numerous. $
- Rock Tumbler - There are a few of these on the market. The professional one from National Geographic is very well liked and they also offer a lower-end kit, this one is also rated well and somewhat lower cost. With patience, rocks can be polished exposing some real beauty...remember, it takes about a month to polish rocks and glass! This is especially good gift for brainy kids who are patient... $$ [Suggest Ages 6-15]
- Metal Detector - Great for beach combing. $$ [Suggest Ages 6-14]
- Crystal Growing Kits - These are always fun and interesting. There are several levels to these kits. This one is a bit more on the pricey side, but is more complete. $$ [Suggest Ages 10+]
Geography Gifts
- Geography jigsaw puzzle. Learn about geography by doing puzzles. $ [Suggested Ages 4-9+]
- Geo-Cards- This a great card game. $ [Suggested Ages 6+]
- Globe - Here's a great globe that kids interested in geography will definitely like. $$ [Suggested Ages 5 - 14]
- Levitation Globe - This is not the greatest political globe, but still really cool because it floats magnetically. $$
- Maps and Geography book by Ken Jennings - Jeopardy! superstar Ken Jennings offers his insights about maps in this excellent book.
Electronics Kits
- Snap Circuits - These are good for kids of all ages...Snap circuits makes various kits for several age groups, for instance the Snap Jr. kit is for younger children. If your super-smart kid takes to these kits, they'll have an advantage for the rest of their lives. $ [Suggested Ages 6-16+ These are invaluable at any age for the budding engineer]
- The Raspberry Pi learning computer - This credit card sized, $35 device is an excellent tool for teaching a child how computers and electronics work. Here is an article that explains the device better. $$ [Suggested Ages 7-16+]
- The Kano Kit - This is a very interesting kit for kids 6-12. I've heard nothing but great things about it. Also based on the Raspberry Pi, it seems like a great way to get your genius child on the path to computer programming and becoming a "maker". Definitely comsider this gift if it's in the budget $$$ [Suggested Ages 6-12+]
Computers
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the idea of getting your favorite brilliant kid some sort of computer of their own. Tablets are a good option -- consider going with a cheaper Android tablet such as the $50 Amazon Fire or a Google Chromebook. I am a fan of the Google Chromebook because it is so simple and malware/virus free. They are currently priced at about $250. $$$ [Suggested Ages 5-16+]Games and puzzles for smart kids
There are of course the usual suspects such as Chess Sets...but there are some other games for various ages.For example, there is the Perplexus line of mazes that come in various levels of difficulty. My seven year old loves the Perplexus Rookie and has spent hours working on solving it by getting the ball all the way to the end of the maze. Someone who enjoys puzzles like this might also like these Japanese puzzles. $ [Suggested Ages 7-16+]
There are other games I can recommend:
- Chess is always great for the developing genius mind. Aside from general Chess Sets for kids who already know how to play, there are some great learn chess kits and books that teach chess for kids as well. Your brainiac might also enjoy Chess Solitaire. [Suggested Ages 7-10+]
- Othello and Scrabble Junior also make pretty decent gifts as well. [Suggested Ages 5-10+]
- Cool Circuits by Sciencewiz - This is a cool looking puzzle game. Complete the circuit to light up the board. 2013 Puzzle of the Year. $ [Ages 8+]
- Melissa and Doug Suspend - This balance game is even cooler than it looks. I know you don't usually think of Melissa and Doug gifts for older kids, but you can make an exception here. $ [Ages 8+]
- Pengoloo - This is a great memory game for people of all ages, but works fine for toddlers and up. Helps with memory and color recognition. Nice wooden pieces. $ [Suggested ages 4+]
- Quardillions - Great strategy puzzle meant for one player. $ [Ages 7+]
Logic Puzzles
- Marble Maze - Learn about gravity and logic with this addictive and challenging gravity game. I strongly recommend this-my 6 and 7 year old both really love this and it is truly educational. I frequently give this gift for children's birthdays. $ [Suggested Ages 6+]
- Quoridor is another good one. Its meant for kids who are six and up...and definitely something a brainy kid would enjoy. [Suggested Ages 6-10+]
- ThinkFun Tilt This interesting logic game is loads of fun and a bit challenging. $ [Suggested Ages 8-15+]
- Laser Maze - This is a logic game that uses a real laser. It's got some things in common with the marble maze above. This is a fun single player game. The same manufacturer makes a two player laser game (The Laser Game: Khet 2.0). $ [Suggested ages 8+]
Drones
Remote controlled airplanes and helicopters can be very educational and lots of fun. There are many levels of price to these...I just saw the Parrot AR Drone at Costco for $240...that would be amazing, but the cheaper remote controlled drones, helicopters and planes can be just as great. Adult supervision is probably required, especially for younger kids. Try to find one with a video camera built in. $$$ [Suggested Ages 6-16+]3D Printers
The 3D printer is the ultimate gift. Probably best for your older braniac or with help from an able adult. The MakerBot is a popular 3D printer that has lots of support from the community. You can print some amazingly cool things. Kids who learn a little 3D design software can create whatever they can imagine (and that fits on the small format printer). Expect to spend $750-$2000+ for entry level models (which can do quite a bit). $$$ [Suggested Ages 7-16+]Creatures, Fungi and Plants
Live insects:
- Butterfly gardens and Lady Bug Land or if you're a little more daring, you could go for a pet hissing cockroach. $$ [Suggested Ages 3-10+]
- Ant farms from Uncle Milton or other manufacturers...there are some great ones out now that use gel instead of sand...and have lights built into them. Very educational and fun! $ [Suggested Ages 3-10+]
- Rolly Polly Farms - This is a great idea. Comes with a voucher for rolly pollies.
Other Animals and Plants, etc:
- Frog hatchery - Your child will receive a tadpole in the mail and watch it grow into an adult frog. Beware this is really a long term commitment--frogs can live many years. The frogs in this kit are aquatic which makes them a bit easier to take care of. $ [Suggested Ages 5-10+]
- Sea Monkeys or Triops This are cool, easy to care for pets. My kids loved having sea monkeys. Consider getting a wrist watch aquarium to transport a few of them to show friends. Fun, educational and interesting. $ [Suggested Ages 5-10]
- Worm Farm - This is a little different. Your favorite intelligent kid can observe earth worms in action and learn about their important place in our ecosystem by helping things decompose/compost. If worms are a bit much for you, you could just get this composting observation system...it's a simple way to watch how things get broken down in nature.
- Grow Mushrooms: A grow your own Oyster Mushrooms kit and a grow your own shitake mushroom kit. $ [Suggested Ages 7-10+]
- Grow plants: Amazon offers a Hydrodome where you hydroponically grow lettuce (I am not so sure you should eat it though with all the chemicals used to grow it). There are also other kits which allow you to grow carnivorous plants, rain forest biosphere or cacti. There is also the Wizard Mountain Garden, which allows young gardeners to grow 5 types of herbs. $ [Suggested Ages 3-9]
