Raising kids is hard work, but ultimately one of the most rewarding things you can do in a lifetime. Sure, there are tears and tantrums, but watching them grow, evolve, learn and emerge into young adulthood is a miracle in action.
And kids these days are immersed in cutting-edge technology from the moment they are born. It’s almost scary to older people, but there are billions of children in the world who have never seen a VHS tape, a walkman, a rotary phone or any other obsolete technologies that we all grew up with.
It makes sense to support your kids’ interests, even if you don’t understand them all the time. For instance, they might want to learn to code and make video games, both of which can be the basis of lucrative career pathways today! They could even be budding engineers working on their own rockets or vehicles. Whatever your kids are into, you need to nurture and support their development and engage all their curiosities, be they in the realms of science, maths, literature, or general puzzles and problem-solving opportunities.
This helpful article will share some top gift ideas to inspire all your curious kids. Read on to learn what to gift the little learners and tinkerers in your life.
An Escape Room Experience
They say that experiential gifts make better presents than material items, so why not gift your curious child an adventure room experience? Adventure rooms (or escape rooms) tend to be great environments for kids and teenagers to flex their puzzling skills in real-time. The opportunity to apply skills like decoding or logical reasoning in physical contexts can be incredibly enriching for kids with a desire to learn.
An escape room experience can also be enjoyed by the whole family, or perhaps even with their friends. This level of collaboration and bonding also adds to the adventure room experience, which is precisely why these rooms have also been a popular activity for kids’ birthday parties in recent years.
A Learn to Code Class
Coding resources or ‘learn to code’ classes are another excellent, experiential gift idea for any curious young learner. There are many different types of coding classes available nowadays, but the most engaging ones for kids typically teach them how to code simple scripts – mainly to create video games or other software.
Suppose the young techie in your life has expressed interest in building apps or creating their own video games. In that case, this gift idea will be just what they need to become inspired and creative. And who knows? You could be setting them up for a lucrative career in IT, software development and engineering, so it will be money well spent!
Keep in mind too, that these specialised classes can either take place during school holidays, as an extracurricular after school activity, or even online. Be sure to find the coding classes that are scheduled at the right times, in the right settings, and with the right course materials for your kids to enjoy.
Build a Robot Kit
Another top gift idea for a curious child is a ready-to-build robot kit. These kits are typically designed to contain everything they’ll need to build their first robot, including detailed instructions.
In building their weird and wired companion, your kids will learn all about robotics, circuitry, and the basics of practical electronics – all while having a whale of a time bringing their robot to life. Then, once it’s built, they’ll have their very own robot that they can test scripts or coded sequences on. This will instil a love of building and robotics in your kids and perhaps even tie engineering to mathematics, building a variety of STEAM skills in one easy robot-building bundle.
A Computer
Depending on your child’s age, a computer might be a top-notch gift. They can use it to explore all things tech, code, watch tutorials, and browse the internet to further fuel their endless curiosity.
Computers can also be used for entertainment purposes, including gaming and watching television or movies. However, depending on their age, you should definitely consider restricted access, so they don’t view or access anything inappropriate online. There are various computer monitoring and restriction software packages available, so you can ensure they stay safe on their computer.
A Subscription to a Technology Magazine
Want to encourage your little learner to read a little more and perhaps even reduce their screen time in the process? Then why not buy them a subscription to a tech magazine, such as Wired or Computer World? These publications include all the latest news in the world of technology, so it will make a great gift for any kids that are mad about all things tech and innovation.
And you can even buy a digital subscription if you’re concerned about paper wastage or having piles of magazines cluttering their room. Of course, a digital magazine subscription won’t help them cut down on their screen time, but it can at least boost the chances of them enjoying valuable screen time, rather than just passively watching YouTube videos or playing computer games.
A LeapFrog Device
This is a gift idea for younger kids who are starting to learn to read and write. This is a tool that can assist your kids in learning how words and numbers work. It is essentially a battery-powered interactive book that your kid can use to complete mini-tasks and adventures that helps their literacy and numeracy as they go through a book.
A Smart Watch
Once your child is old enough, a smartwatch is another excellent gift idea. It can be used to remind them to drink water, count their daily steps, monitor their heart rate, and, of course, tell the time and set alarms.
A smartwatch can be an excellent tool for neurodiverse children as well, as the timer functions and time telling can help them transition to different activities without meltdowns or the risk of your kid becoming overwhelmed and refusing the next activity.
A Noise-Cancelling Headset
Last but certainly not least, a set of noise-cancelling earphones or earbuds is a great gift idea for any kids who love to listen to podcasts, watch tutorials on YouTube, or even listen to music to take control over their own musical education. The noise cancelling is essential as it will cut out background noise and allow them to focus on what they are listening to.
Once again, noise-cancelling headsets are a great gift idea for neurodivergent kids who may experience sensory overload or other sensitivities in crowded spaces. This is one gift idea on this list that’s sure to provide years of superb use.
This helpful article has shared our top gift ideas to inspire all the curious little thinkers in your life. From coding classes to robot kits and smartwatches, this list should help you start shopping for the perfect gift that inspires your budding scientists, engineers, and professional problem solvers.