With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about that gift list. Not a shopper? Worried about battling crowds? Not sure what your kids want? Don’t worry! From fun to educational, for solo play or group gatherings, we’ve found a few things to get you started.
Keke Bag
For good times on the go! These travel-friendly bags ($64.99 or $34.99/three-month subscription) feature four pouches with different activities in each. Entertaining and educational, Keke offers screen-free fun for trips, dining in, at home (or anywhere!). Included activities encourage emerging skills for children ages 3 to 6: social/emotional, fine motor, pre-academics, and creative.
Available at kekekid.com.
GIRLS CAN! CRATE
This monthly subscription box ($28.95-$34.95/month) was created to empower girls — and boys — (ages 5-10) to do and be anything they can dream. Each month, a new kit celebrates the life of a strong, diverse female role model such as Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Sally Ride, and others. The GIRLS CAN! 28-page activity book tells an original story celebrating a featured woman and includes hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges with necessary supplies, a collectible button, and more.
Available at girlscancrate.com.
The ToDo Game
This family card game ($20-$24) offers editions for children, parents and grandparents, couples and newlyweds. Its purpose is to bring people together without digital distractions. And it’s easy to play! Just pick a random card and follow its instructions. Activities range from 20 minutes to an hour to complete. The “Happy Hands” card, for example, asks players to trace their hand on a sheet of paper and think of five things that make them happy. Players then write these down on the five fingers of their hand and share them out loud. Finished products can be hung on a wall or refrigerator. The couples’ edition helps plan date nights or fun, bonding cooking experiences!
Available at thetodogame.com.
The Geomag Mechanics Challenge Goal
Does your child enjoy building things? This 96-piece set contains magnetic rods, spheres, and plastic elements — all the essentials needed to build a magnetic cannon. It’s made with recycled plastic and the motion is provided by the invisible forces of gravity and magnetism — no electricity or batteries needed! Young builders (ages 7+) can experience the fundamental principles of physics — and a little magic.
Available at maisonette.com.
Kylee Ann Studios
Hope Haven Little Homes
A new take on dollhouses! Created as a miniature, modular, and on-the-go alternative to traditional, large-scale dollhouses, Hope Haven Little Homes ($10-$124) are designed to be played per inch with modern interior designs. Magnetic backs give littles the creativity to easily re-decorate and arrange their houses as their imagination desires. For each purchase, the company supplies an underprivileged child with their own Hope Haven Little Home.
Available at hopehavenco.com.
OG Slimes
Ooey, gooey, squishy, slimy! OG Slimes ($9.99-$17.99) offers one-of-a-kind, non-toxic slimes in various colors, scents, and textures. The brand features new themed slimes weekly, in addition to traditional fragranced faves like grandma’s cookies. The slimes can be used as fidget toy for fun, as a sensory stimulator, or for activities like mixing to create new colors.
Available at ogslimes.com.
I’m The Chef Too!
Is your child an aspiring chef? I’m The Chef Too! ($36.95) is a subscription kit created by a mother/educator that incorporates educational concepts into recipes to make learning fun, engaging, and tasty! Each month's adventures combine food, STEM, and the arts. Kids can learn about outer space as they prepare galaxy donuts, engineer erupting volcano cake as they learn about chemical reactions, or even discover geology as they bake cupcake geodes!
Available at imthecheftoo.com.
Monico Candelaria
EDX Education
EDX education offers an array of STEM toys for kids of all ages. Outside play and education should go hand-in-hand. Actively engage with nature with these 2021 National Parenting Product Award winning toys that encourage learning through play.
Available on Amazon.
Buff City Soap
Don’t forget the adults! Shop local this season with handmade items from Buff City Soap. From fragrant soaps ($7) and sugar scrubs ($16) for the ladies on your list to beard balm ($15) and shave bars ($10) for the men, all products are made in-store with natural ingredients and contain no parabens, artificial detergents, dyes, harsh chemicals, phthalates, or other harmful ingredients.
Available at Buff City Soap locations or buffcitysoap.com.