Hand Puppets
Imagination takes center stage with these DIY hand puppets. The kit includes puppet forms and 120 reusable pieces to decorate these hand-held creations for hours and hours of dramatic interpretation.
To buy: Target, $20
Keva Constraptions Plank Set
If you have a engineer on your hands, then this 200-piece plank set will unleash your child's creative beast. Using the law of gravity, you can build a structure and send a ball down ramps and tunnels to test velocity, slope, force and momentum—all which you can modify if the ball bounces out of the structure. The ultimate experience of learning while playing.
To buy: Mindware, $50
Creativity Cans
These cans come in different themes so you can tailor it to your child's interests. There's motion, critters, stories, music and art—or if you can't decide, pick the big can that encompasses a whole bunch of creativity into just one container.
To buy: Creativity Cans, $10
Makey Makey
This kit is full of clever and inspiring inventions. From learning how to turn a banana into a spacebar for a computer to turning Play-Doh into a game controller, your kids will learn they can really invent anything in the world.
To buy: Makey Makey, $50
Young Architect
Is your kid ready to take building to the next level? This kit teaches the principles of architecture, along with providing floor plan templates, furniture guides and 3-D model pieces so they can build their vision. Next up? Your dream home!
To buy: Poof Slinky, $100
Giant Art Jar
For those clever crafters in your life, this giant jar of supplies will keep your budding Etsy-seller busy with all those various shapes, felt materials, glitter glues and pom-poms.
To buy: Amazon, $20
Drum Set
Everyone knows that music education is important for fostering educational growth in children. This pretty drum set may not be your (or your neighbor's) first choice but if it gets your kid excited about music, we say drum on!
To buy: Land of Nod, $200
Gobi Magnetic Construction
Kids will love exploring this colorful magnetic construction set that explores "geometry, physics, architecture, engineering and problem-solving."
To buy: Hearthsong, $17
Edible Chemistry Kit
Fun experiments you can actually taste and eat? Sign the whole family up! Your little scientist will get to explore the world of chemistry along with gastronomy. How cool is that?
To buy: Fat Brain Toys, $17
3-D Doodler
You child can now turn their drawings into 3-D sculptures thanks to the invention of the 3-D pen. Instead of going out and buying an accessory for Barbie or Luke Skywalker, you can now just create it.
To buy: Marbles the Brain Store, $120
Fashion Show
Have a future Diane Von Furstenberg on your hands? Then get this kit for your little fashion plate to allow your child to explore sketching, patterns and more for a fashion show that will have everyone applauding.
To buy: Imagine Toys, $32
Kiwi Crate
Each box from Kiwi Crate includes a magazine, a maker project and a creative element piece to foster education from all angles. Give this fun kit as a one-off or send as a subscription to your favorite tinkerer.
To buy: Kiwi Crate, $20
