Buying gifts for kids is notoriously difficult. It's hard for adults to understand what they really want, and even when you have a handle on this, their desires can change overnight due to nothing at all.
So, while there's no perfect gift for children, we've at least found some pretty cool ones.
Though a child of six can learn the rules of Qwirkle, there are layers of strategy that even an adult will struggle to master. With several million copies sold since 2006, this is a game that really offers something for everyone.
An educational toy that’s no fun to play with is worse than useless, as it reinforces the idea that learning isn’t enjoyable. This is why we get so excited when we see a toy that excels at both, like this Rush Hour game teaching spatial reasoning and planning ahead.
We don’t always give kids credit for how much they like to think. This is an excellent habit to develop at a young age and can be helped along by supplying them with puzzles that are engaging, nice to look at and just challenging enough to keep them interested.
It’s a shame that so many toys for toddlers and young children force them into a role: soldier, superhero, princess or whatever is on TV this week. When they’re that age, all you really need to do is hand them something beautiful and let their imagination take over.
Simple games can be a lot of fun as long as they’re packed with action. Though each player uses only one finger, even the most competitive and physical child will find it hard to stop playing as long as they can find a willing challenger.
While you can probably do your everyday job without learning C++, knowing how to code at least a little makes life a lot easier. At a minimum, understanding how computers think is crucial to using them effectively. This gift comes standard with this kid-friendly robot.
Spatial logic tests are all around us: trying to find a route from A to B, playing squash or even trying to visualize abstract information. The best time to learn it is as a kid, but adults need to keep in practice too, and it never hurts if doing so is this much fun.
Anyone can connect two dots, but what if you have to follow a precise route to get from one to the other? This is all this tabletop game is, but you’ll need quick thinking and speedy fingers to win.
Have you ever thought of automating your swearing? These fine people obviously have. There’s no need to limit yourself to words not allowed on a child-friendly website like All the Stuff, though: you can get this gadget to play any sound you want.
Almost 5 feet (1½ meters) long and self-powered, this interesting toy will intrigue your cat, delight your children and cause numerous fights for possession of the remote control. Just know that it’s not all that easy to use.
If your cat is acting out, she may just be bored. Especially if she’s managed to solve the mystery of the red dot, a new toy that doesn’t require much participation from her human may be just what you both need.
Everybody seems to be chasing better productivity, yet somehow even that ends up with them running in circles. Some “hacks” do actually work, though, including setting a time limit for each task and constantly reminding yourself of how long you have to finish.
Seeing something your mind tells you is impossible is always an inspiring experience. This specially designed disk seems to just spin faster and faster rather than slowing down like a well-behaved object should.
What does the useless box do? The answer isn’t nothing, but the answer is actually pointless. Except, if it has no point, why buy it? Watch as we heroically try to find a point to the infamous Pointless Box.
Some board games are so complicated their rule books resemble novels. Others are so pointless that you may as well watch paint dry. A few will always be won by people who’re good at something like math or spelling, but Spontuneous is simply a barrel of laughs.
A good music stand needs to be stable, yet foldable and adjustable to fit the height and position you play at. This stand from Gleam has proven to be a solid choice, both literally and figuratively, and is priced very well.
The Kalimba is played with just the two thumbs. This makes it mainly an instrument for playing two-note chords and harmonies, but that’s not a bad thing. It makes it a great instrument for kids, starting musicians, and anyone more experienced who wants something to play on when on the go.
Everything you know about Monopoly has been reimagined through the lens of the Star Wars universe. This game features some absolutely lovely box art. The aim of the game is still to make all the money, but now it’s Galactic Credits.
Yes, this is the famous roaring Chewbacca from the Chewbacca Mask Lady. As you wear it, opening your own mouth works the mouth of the mask, which plays a recording of Chewie’s unmistakable mouth noises. Only for fun loving Star Wars fans.
When you hold the larger bulb of the Westminster Hand Boiler Toy in one hand, it heats up very slightly, raising the pressure at that end and forcing liquid into the other bulb. It’s a great way to teach your kids science!
If you don’t want to keep an eye on your children all the time and plan on having a moment to yourself while you drive, it pays to give your kids a self-service option. That’s what makes this a great gift for both your child as well as yourself.
The brightly-colored plastic clip-on bowls from Guyuyii are certain to appeal to children. The cups don’t take up any room on the plate; they help keep sauces separate from foods they’re not meant to mix with.
Although you won’t get the benefit of a real arena’s special layout, this laser tag set comes as close as you can for the price. With four pistols and vests, for us at least, this offers the best combination of value and functionality.
Many people are turning towards the past. This is true of gamers, too. This little gadget is shaped like the arcade machines that ate so many of our childhood quarters and, at about six inches high, is small enough to sit in your hand.
This insect house simulates spots where bees and other insects normally like to hibernate, lay their eggs, and nest. As a bonus, you may also see more butterflies, ladybirds, and other beneficial species. A great idea.
Rockhounding, as it’s called, may seem like an unusual pastime, but rocks look really pretty and teach you a lot about science. This entry-level rock tumbler is a fun little machine that kids, crafters, science teachers, and fledgling geologists will all love.
The sight of this surrealistic tumble train won’t impress many adults, but it’s totally the business when you’re five years old. You can’t go wrong with a gift like this.
With this bowl you can keep your breakfast cereal from getting soggy by lifting it above the milk. You can also use it for things like separating oatmeal and fruit.
This bottle holds enough water to get youngsters through a school day. It’s also very tough, with a well-designed lid and a covered spout for better hygiene. Most of all, it just looks cool. This is definitely something kids will enjoy using.
With playing fetch it’s only a real chase if the ball goes far and fast. With this cannon you can be sure that your dog needs to do some running before catching the balls.
The blast of air from this Airzooka Air Blaster can blow someone’s hair back or pick up a sheet of paper as far as 20 feet away. Fun guaranteed!
Most people don’t need to use a microscope on any kind of regular basis. If, however, you are a kid or work in a field such as forensics or geology, you might really like to have one in your pocket.
When you see a rare bug, the last thing you want to do is harm it by picking it up (which children are likely to do). This clever bug catching tool solves this problem, while actually learning something as well.
Some puzzles are meant just to waste time, others are a little more challenging, and a few barely stop short of being infuriatingly difficult to solve. This one falls somewhere in the latter category.
This magnetic globe is only 3 inches in diameter, but it is one of the coolest globes we’ve ever seen. The way it floats in midair is spectacular.
Hasbro’s Yellies aren’t a suitable gift for kids who live in apartment complexes (and certainly not in mine!). It can, however, be a huge amount of fun, especially for group play.
A super romantic gift. With synced friendship lamps, when you touch your lamp, the corresponding one in your loved one’s room lights up in sync, giving you a small shared experience.
This light-up sculpture isn’t a true hologram, but rather a flat acrylic wire mesh that lights up. Still the 3D effect is pretty cool, and you can view it from multiple angles.
Although you should never promise the moon to a woman, you can give her a reasonable facsimile. This 3D moon lamp can be the romantic gizmo you’re looking for, but it’s also a cool celestial artifact for a kids room.
Gyroscopes move in a way that all our senses and experience tell us they shouldn’t, and they resist any force that tries to change the direction. It’s definitely fun to play with and will easily amaze your kids.
It’s amazing how much fun anyone who’s young at heart can have with only a ball and a few friends. With Teqball there’s no XBox required.
There are very few things more frustrating than getting ripped off. Locks and chains are often ineffective, but some people have thought of technological solutions. This bike tail light alarm is one of our favorites.
This kinetic flow ring is highly entertaining. You can transfer it to a friend’s arm just by holding hands, while the movement itself is fascinating to watch.
To an imaginative child, a simple flashlight can be an object of wonder. This SpyX light hand flashlight is an excellent way of keeping young ones occupied and one of the coolest handheld lights out there.
These lightsaber-style chopsticks are bright enough to make an impression in daylight. With dimmer illumination, however, they’re simply spectacular. Before long, someone is definitely going to start swinging these around at the dinner table.
Biking to and from work or school is one of the best ways to keep fit and lower your carbon footprint, but this often means cycling in the dark. These LED lights for your wheels will make you hard to miss, though, and they’re fun too.
To get good results in your crafting, you need the right tools, no matter how talented you are. This minc foil applicator starter kit will certainly help.
Encouraging your child to develop the habit of saving? Soliciting donations for some noble cause? This is by no means a new concept, but it is evergreen. Adding an element of fun to the process certainly can’t hurt.
Is your child interested in something educational or ecological? This parabolic sound collector device adds a sense of hearing to observing wildlife, which makes it even more fascinating.
We sometimes find our attention wandering while working or studying. With this buildable magnets set, you get a chance to quickly reset your brain.
3D printing seems to be all the rage these days, but the complexity of 3d printing machines prevented younger children from participating. Until now.