Sometimes, you want to give a kid a gift that will not only entertain them, but also help stimulate their desire to learn in a hands-on way. Educational gifts don’t always have to be boring, and in fact, many of them end up being great gifts for kids that they’ll end up spending hours on end playing with.
An educational gift can help spark a desire to become a scientist or a doctor at an early age, as well as help their developmental process mentally.
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Telescope
For the kid who loves space, a telescope would be a great option.
You can get any sort of price range when it comes to these, from something small and cheap, to something big and a bit more pricey. For younger kids, the smaller options might be better, but as your kids get older, a better telescope might be more desirable.
While smaller ones can see things like the moon clearly, larger ones can even see planets like Jupiter or Saturn.
Telescope AZ Astronomical Refractor for Beginners
Microscope
On the other end of the spectrum, there are microscopes. Microscopes allow kids to take a deeper look at what’s going on in the world around them that they can’t normally see.
A good microscope is often less expensive than a good telescope, though this may not always be the case. You can even get kits for microscopes that include premade samples of different chemicals or substances so that they don’t have to make any themselves.
TELMU Microscope Magnification Illumination Microscopes
Ant Farm
Another option would be an ant farm. These allow kids to get a closer look at a rarely seen structure, that being the inner workings of an ant community. They can observe how the ants work together to create complex tunnels, find food, and share resources.
These require minimal upkeep, though you should save these for older kids, because if they’re too young and knock it over, you could have some problems.
Ant Farm Castle (note: this does not come with the ants)
Nature Gift Store Live Blue Gel Ant Habitat Shipped with 25 Live Ants
Bug Catcher
If your kid is interested in bugs but not particularly ants, you can get them a bug catcher.
There are tons of different kinds, from a simple net to a more complex vacuum that includes an observation chamber. These work on just about any bug that they can find in their backyard.
Bug Catcher with Habitat Bucket and 7 Piece Nature Exploration Set
Crystal Growing Kit
Finally, one good option might be a crystal growing kit. These are often good because they require just a little bit of setup, and then they can be left alone while the crystals form. It can be a good example for your kids about how chemistry and geology work, leaving them with a very pretty crystal after it’s done.
