I love Christmas shopping for my kids. Because we don't watch TV and they don't have the influence of kids constantly around them, they actually have pretty short Christmas lists and they tend to be items they really want and are really aligned with their interests. Many times they ask for educational items and my husband and I always include books and other educational items. We got him a microscope about 7 years ago and I think it is still his favorite gift.
This year I am sharing tried and true items that my kids love, as well as some things that are on our radar to purchase for Christmas or soon.
1. Dig kits- There are so many available at every price range. These make the perfect gift for any kid because they can dig up anything from genuine fossils/ shark teeth, figurines, gemstones, pirate treasures, and Egyptian artifacts. My son has been digging Dinos with this for years now and this year he is getting a gemstone one. My daughter got her first one last year and this year is getting one to dig up shark teeth. They always take them camping because there isn't always somewhere to dig for diamonds and dinosaur bones. I do suggest starting them with a kit that comes with durable tools because they can be used to dig in the yard and in future kits because some come with tools that are not so good. Try this one that we bought our daughter.
2. National Geographic Kids Ultimate Ocean-pedia- I am a huge fan of anything National Geographic. My daughter is getting this because she is obsessed with the ocean and wants to be a marine biologist. She's never seen the ocean, but I think it's in her blood- I was born on an island and always feel a call to the sea.
3. National Geographic Kids 2023 Almanac- My son gets one every year and all year long he has it near him. He takes it everywhere and usually starts our day with some cool fact he learned that morning while he was reading. If he got nothing else for Christmas, he would be happy with this.
4. Under-Water Scope- I have seen 2 versions of this: a Nancy B Science one and an Educational Insights one. I love that there is a light and the kids can explore the ecosystem of the creeks and rivers all year long. There are also versions that are much simpler, like this that do not have lights.
5. Metal Detector- We have 2. One is a really good one and one is still a good one but it is for our son to use. He bought it with his own money and is his favorite purchase. It folds and fits in his backpack, which makes him really happy to be able to take it anywhere with him. There are even toy versions and underwater versions. Shop around and find the right one for your family. Here is the one my son bought.
6. Cooking Set- My kids are getting one of these for Christmas this year. They love to help in the kitchen and this will allow them to help even more and start learning real safety without mom panicking. I'm very excited to let them do more than stir and the basics. They are going to love it. I might break down and give it to them early to help with Thanksgiving (I'm guilty of early gift-giving a lot). This is the one I have my eye on for them, but I may add in another cutting board and peeler... We'll just see.
7. National Geographic Kids Dinosaur Atlas- My son has this. He's a tad bit obsessed with dinosaurs and wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up. (As much as he digs, I think he's already one). He loves this book and tells us where dinosaurs are from and if one is mentioned, he'll go look it up and tell us where it was found.
8. 5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)- My daughter has this book and loves it. She's a struggling reader, so the short facts are easier for her to digest, but they are interesting enough to keep her attention and even my son enjoys hearing the facts. This is her morning read each day and she's learned so much.
9. Telescope- This is next on our homeschool list. We want to make sure we get a good one (not professional) so that the kids can really experience it, but also so they can use it for the rest of their school years. We cannot wait to take it camping and hope we are able to add it in to this year's Christmas morning surprise.
10. (Not Pictured) Nature- Access to nature continuously is the best gift we have been blessed to give our children. We love to explore more than our property as well. This is something that costs nothing and everyone has access to. We have bought explorer tools like phone microscopes and sifters, but we often use things we have recycled like spice jars. We actually kept a large cheese puff container to put critters in to watch. Isn't it wonderful that the best gift is free and they learn about science and God!
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