Educational and scientific toys have always been among my favorite, even as a child. There is just something special and empowering about discovering exciting new things, building your own creations, and exploring the world of the future. Today we’ll take a look at some fun holiday gift ideas in that category and see a few different options for the budding minds on your gift list.
Sphero BB-8
The Sphero BB-8 App-enabled droid is bound to be one of the hottest toys this holiday season. After all, who doesn’t want a real working droid? Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, this toy is undeniably cool and a bit of a technical marvel. It can really set imaginations alight as it rolls around guided by your smart device, responds to your voice, explores, and it’s unique personality evolves as you interact with it.
LEGO Mindstorms
Another great option is LEGO Minstorms. This set is a marvel for young and old alike. You can start learning by building some of the pre-designed robots in the instructions or be adventurous and make your own amazing creations. I’ve seen people do impressive things with this set and the only limit is your imagination. It’s a great way to learn some basics of mechanics and programming as you build your creation and bring it to life.
RC Drones
RC drones can also be a wonderful way to learn since they’re exciting and can help you get a different perspective on things. They can also help you learn some basic piloting and navigational skills, and are even a help to aspiring filmmakers looking for that perfect camera angle.
Microscopes
While we’re on the subject of getting a different perspective on things, microscopes have always been a fun way of doing this. I have fond memories from my childhood of scouring the house to weird things I could put under my new microscope to see what they looked like up close. With each new item I put under it, it was like discovering a whole new world that was under my nose all that time. These days its even easier with digital microscopes. You can even get something like this Carson MicroMax Plus Galaxy 60-100x microscope adapter for your smartphone which can fit comfortably in your pocket!
Puzzles
Lastly, a look at educational gifts wouldn’t be complete without a look at the world of puzzles. They can be a rewarding way to have some fun while learning at the same time. There is wide variety of jigsaw puzzles that can help with learning. Of course motor skills and visual memory are developed when working on these puzzles but even the subject matter of the puzzle can have an impact. Any geography or history themed puzzles, for example can be an awesome way to encourage learning and kick-start some interest in a subject. While we didn’t have them when I was a kid, I’m a big fan of 3D puzzles. You can recreate models of cool buildings from around the world and really get a great understanding of what they’re like from every angle.
As you can see, there is a tremendous variety when it comes to educational and scientific toys so no matter where your interests lie, there is surely something there for you. Take a look and explore the category. I promise you’ll find something that will surprise, delight, and help in that lifelong journey of discovery and learning.
