Giving a child an educational gift is a great way to enhance their learning, help boost their confidence, and create more enjoyable experiences for them. Educational gifts will not only expand their skills and knowledge base, but there are also many other benefits such as helping to improve problem-solving and logical thinking skills. As a teacher, I’ve found that educational Christmas gifts can often last for much longer than regular toys, making them worthwhile investments.
With so many options available in the market today, there’s sure to be something that will suit any type of learner. Whether it’s math and science kits, special toys, or interactive games – when given thoughtfully and with care – educational gifts offer unique opportunities for children to both explore and develop their interests!
We’ve rounded up some of our choices for the best educational Christmas gifts for kids, choosing products we feel are age-appropriate, affordable, engaging, replayable, and informative (click here to learn about our entire Editorial Process & Methodology for product reviews).
What are the Best Educational Christmas Presents for Children?
Here are our picks for the top Christmas gifts that have an educational component.
1. KiwiCo Crates
STEM, STEAM & Science Kits for Kids | KiwiCo
KiwiCo's monthly STEM, STEAM, and Science kits spark fun and learning with their one-of-a-kind hands-on activities kids of all ages love.
Price
Subscriptions on sale for $15.95/month this holiday season (regularly $23.95/mo). One-off purchase options also available.
Recommended Age
All ages
Give your kids a jumpstart into STEM with KiwiCo’s fantastic monthly crates!
These specially curated kits provide the tools and resources to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a quick-starting, fun way.
Each month, kits are delivered with special projects that range from constructing rocket ships or planes to exploring solar systems.
KiwiCo offers kits for kids of all ages and with all interests, so no matter what your child loves, there’s something for everyone.
I’ve tested various KiwiCo kits firsthand with different children, and they’re always amazed by the projects and activities.
KiwiCo offers a range of subscription options, including monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual plans.
Click here to get started today!
Key Features
- Kits come loaded with all the materials needed to build the project
- Tutorials and guides help with easy navigation
- Various engineering challenges to keep the children engaged
- Projects are fun, engaging, and educational, leaving kids wanting more
Click here to shop KiwiCo’s fantastic selection of crates today!
2. Magna-Tiles Clear Color 100 Tiles
Price
$119.99
Recommended Age
3+
If little flashy things have ever attracted you, you’d understand why Magna Tiles are so trendy amongst kids these days.
An educational toy meant for motor development, Magna Tiles will keep the child engaged for hours at a time. You can also turn the toy into a science lesson and teach the kid how magnets work.
Magna Tiles also inculcate problem-solving skills in children.
Key Features
- Dynamics of pattern making
- Grows with the child
- Easy to clean after
- Flexibility in how they function
3. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Fishing Game
Price
$9.99
Recommended Age
3-5
Have an eager toddler who’s just started to get the hang of things? Introduce him to this educational toy and watch his development speed up by ten folds!
This puzzle game will help improve the child’s motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual understanding.
Toddlers specifically need games that are not too technical, and this toy will be a perfect fit!
Key Features
- Encourages social interaction
- Easy-to-understand
- Builds foundations for the next developmental stage
- Encourages matching, sorting, and counting activities
4. Hape – Playfully Delicious Pita Pocket
Price
$15.95
Recommended Age
36 months – 5 years
If your kid is fond of kitchen playsets, he will love this educational toy. It has a range of food made out of non-toxic materials. Children can pretend to make their sandwiches or get down to learning different types of edibles. This toy is also an excellent opportunity to introduce your kids to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Key Features
- Various textures help in building the senses
- Encourages children to explore
- All the food items required to make pita pockets are included in the kit
5. Klutz Bio Chem Creatures STEAM Lab
Price
$19.99
Recommended Age
7-10
Have a kid who’s obsessed with slime? This kit will make an awesome Christmas gift!
As the name suggests, this kit is more like a tiny lab in a box. It includes various chemicals which children can churn together to create the gooiest slime ever.
This kit also helps in improving sensory perceptions and chemical understanding.
Key Features
- Numerous books on instructions and experiments
- Information about real-life animals
- Test tubes to keep the experiments safe
- Ten different activities to teach about biological development
6. Thames & Kosmos Robotics: Smart Machines – Super Sphere
Price
$134.95
Recommended Age
8-14
Saw a kid getting interested in robotics? Gift him this kit, and watch his eyes shine with happiness! This kit gives children a brief introduction to robotics and also lets them practice their skills!
Children are facilitated to build motorized machines of their own which they can show off amongst their friends. You can control this robot through your phone, tablet, or PC, depending on the principles used by your child. The ideal Christmas gift for all robotic enthusiasts!
Key Features
- Allows giant robotic constructions
- Includes various sound sensors
- Customizable introductions
7. Osmo Explorer Start Kit
Price
Varies
Recommended Age
3-10
This educational kit has all the materials and activities to play the nine famous Osmo games.
These games help your child develop critical thinking skills and also learn STEM in a fun way.
This kit includes all the games from its previous kits, making it a worthwhile investment.
You also don’t have to worry about the supplies because it includes all the game pieces, art supplies, and stackable storage.
Key Features
- Comes with a base and a reflector.
- Introduction to phonics
- Builds reading fluency
- Improves comprehension
8. Geomag Magicubes Full Color Try Me Recycled, 64 Pieces
Price
Starting at $58.49
Recommended Age
1-5
Nothing beats the classic building blocks when it comes to attracting children.
This building set has converted the conventional blocks into cubes that kids can stack according to their preference. The cubes have magnets attached, so your child’s constructions don’t disintegrate.
Each of the 64 pieces is made out of recycled plastic, so you don’t have to worry about environmental damage!
Key Features
- Improves logical thinking
- Encourages creativity
- Flashy colors attract children
9. MEandMine Journey Down The Belly STEAM Kitchen Science Kit – Digestion & Nutrients Lab
Price
$29.95
Recommended Age
4-7
Want to teach a child how his body works? Gift him the MEandMINE Science kit!
This educational kit takes a biological approach and breaks down each body function in a fun, non-boring way. This helps the children better understand themselves and inculcates a love for biology.
From food breakdowns to how that food becomes poop- this kit has an attractive way of explaining everything related to the human body!
Key Features
- Allows children to build 3 STEAM projects
- Designed by learned professionals, including physiologists and scientists
- Numerous sensory activities
- Helps breakdown stimuli such as anger and fear
10. LeapFrog 100 Animals Book
Price
$19.99
Recommended Ages
18 months+
Want to teach a toddler about different animals? Choose this book as your next Christmas present, and watch your child read the pages for hours!
The book has six double-sided pages and three play modes. These allow your child to choose what he’s interested in, hence making learning more impactful.
This toy also has a bilingual setting where children can sing along in Spanish.
Key Features
- Fun facts about animals
- Features animals from twelve different categories
- Mimics animal sounds
11. Educational Insights Spindoodle Game
Price
$27.99
Recommended Age
8+
If you want to give something which the entire family can play, this game is your answer!
The layout is very similar to Pictionary, where players are supposed to write or draw something on the spinning board. The rest of the members have to guess what’s drawn and whoever gets it right wins the points!
This game is designed for older kids, and adults can enjoy it too.
Key Features
- Five different categories to choose from
- Helps build positive relationships
- Encourages sharing
12. Crayola Model Magic Deluxe Variety PackÂ
Price
$18.29
Recommended Age
4+
Want to teach soft skills with clay but are scared of the mess?
Choose this modeling set and watch your child mold magic for hours!
The kit comes with colorful, squishy clay, which your child can use for making 3D objects. It hardens after 24 hours, making your child’s crafts a permanent toy!
Aside from the colorful pieces, you also get a white clay piece which you can color yourself using acrylic paints.
Key Features
- Boosts creativity
- Improves sensory skills
- Helpful in school projects
- Dries into lightweight objects
13. Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure!
Price
$18.95
Recommended Age
5-6
If the child is not a fan of winning and losing games, gift him this kit for collaborative learning! The game has multiple players trying to unlock a treasure before the ogre does.
During the process, kids learn crucial skills such as collaborative work, team spirit, and communication. This game has a roll-over dice method, so there’s also a lot of luck at play!
Key Features
- Improves strategic thinking
- Builds communication skills
- Encourages a non-stressful play environment
- Includes game board, dice, game cards, key tokens, Ogre snack, and instructions
14. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Price
$9.84
Recommended Age
8-12
Have a child who’s a fan of card games? You know what to buy this Christmas with Taco Cat!
The game can be played by both children and adults, where players are supposed to get rid of their cards. Whoever goes cardless first wins the game.
The kit has several illustrated cards that attract children and also has many variations of play.
You can make your own rules or even set up a reward at the end.
Key Features
- Easy to carry
- Hilarious illustrations
Final Thoughts
Educational gifts are an excellent way to ignite the minds of kids in a creative, yet useful way.
Not only are they an enjoyable present for those who receive them, they also provide lasting value that goes well beyond the excitement associated with opening up presents on Christmas Day.
Instead of short-term happiness, educational gifts help foster curiosity and other important skills like problem-solving and critical thinking.
Start your holiday shopping now and get something truly special that your kids will remember for years to come.
Have any questions about our guide to the best educational Christmas gifts for kids? Leave a comment below.
