That’s right! Don’t be embarrassed if you’re overthinking what to buy for kids in this age range.  It is a tough category for many reasons.  I mean, it could be said that it is the Easiest category because you can buy all sorts of fun toys BUT by the time kids are this age (and I have noticed this all over the world, regardless of socioeconomic situations) they pretty much have enough shallow toys.  I have nothing against Marvel/Disney – in fact, I am still a fan of those brands myself – BUT there comes a point in time where you look at your kids and are like, “There has to be something more meaningful I can give you.”

I also understand that many of the readers of this blog are celebrities, or total ballers.  And yet, there are also some that are not.  Especially in the U.S. with rising healthcare costs the whole instilling a keeping up with the Jones vibe on your kids thing is just silly.    In fact, I was talking to someone who thought a diamond encrusted pet stroller (for their kids stuffed animals maybe?) might be a good idea.  Many of you laugh, but is the latest fad toy/game your kid is demanding that much better?

So we decided to really look into what some ultra cool ultra awesome gift ideas that kids will actually like without compromising your responsibility to them as an adult.   So whether you’re hanging in a mansion in Malibu or living on a reservation in South Dakota – these gifts should deliver the most impact.

Let’s start with the younger side of the range, even think under the age of 7, but should work up to the age of 7.  Maybe higher depending on the kid.

 OWLCONIC

Teaching Clock with Silent Movement

Can I say, AWESOME? It is stylish, cool, and guilt free because kids will learn something.  Here is why this is great.

Educational Clock that Makes Kids Learning Time Faster and Fun. It is a QUIET Child Wall Clock. It really is the ideal gift for any child who’s just getting old enough to where they can read numbers. It has a fun colorful layout too, set up in such a way where kids will pick up how to read an analog clock.  And NO TICKING SOUND!!

BUY THE OWLCONIC CLOCK HERE: https://amzn.to/2P54e75

 Sky’s Amazing Dream

Let’s move up the range (slightly) to one of my favorite gifts: BOOKS!!    Now, fdepending on the kid you can’t just give them any book and hope to not get an eyeroll  – especially if they were hoping for a new XBOX or a diamond encrusted pet stroller (lmao, why is that a real thing???).   I am all about books.  Sky’s Amazing Dream is super cute and has a good message, especially if the kid likes dogs.  You may not be able to get away with this as a feature gift, even your kid will realize it is indie-published, but it might be one of those great add-on gifts that kids will actually use.  They’ll read it, and they will enjoy it.

BUY THE SKY’S AMAZING DREAM BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/2KA5G0u

 

WONDER CRATES

Are you ready? This is some serious greatness going on here.  Wonder crates are cool “lunch boxes” filled with activities along a theme.  You usually get them as a subscription at $29.95/month from wondercratekids.com.   You can also get a popular one just once to try from Amazon.

 

1st Month Box: 1. A metal carrying case. 2. A book to introduce children to inspirational role models who were pioneers in their field.  3. Stories of kids their own age thinking BIG and using their strengths to make a difference.  4. Activities to hone and focus kids’ inner strengths and let their best selves shine 5. Collectible “Roll Models” card game to make inner exploration FUN. 6. A magnet to collect and decorate your carrying case.

Subsequent mailers have new activities and goodies.  The Roll Models aspect is really what makes these shine.  They’re empowering, inspiring, educational, and fun.  To give you an idea: the one I inspected highlights the work of Leonardo DaVinci and Alexander Knoll, a 13 year old boy that created an app for people with disabilities when he was 9. There are activities to build a self supporting bridge and use their creativity to solve real world problems.   And let’s face it, kids will dig the carrying case to put all sorts of stuff in.

GET THE PROTECTING THE PLANET WONDER CRATE HERE: https://amzn.to/2P6uVZ9

 

DISCOVERY ITEMS

Discovery projects are the BEST! When I was a kid, Radio Shack was the greatest place ever because we could get stuff like this.  Radio Shack is no more, and it is really hard to find Fun and Exciting science related toys and games.  Discovery is still cranking out this cool stuff.    Don’t take my word for it though – check out this product description: “Transform your kitchen into a scientific laboratory with the Discovery extreme chemistry set! explore 40 fun experiments and simple chemical reactions for a fun, hands-on, interactive learning experience. From creating temperature reactions to testing your taste buds to extinguishing fires with gas…this will be nothing short of an amazing experience for you and your child to do together! join in on the fun and create liquid ice, work through color-changing litmus experiments, create creepy, crawly, slimy worms and more. ”  WHAT? Even if your kid rolls your eyes (which they won’t), let’s face it you’ll play with it yourself :D.

They also make a GALACTIC FIZZ KIT/FIZZING DIG where you can fizz an unearth gemstones.  C’mon, how cool is that??

 

GET A DISCOVERY CHEMISTRY LAB HERE: https://amzn.to/2FMe2U5

 

THE MERGE CUBE

OK, this is a clear winner here.  This is a holographic cube STEM toy.    (WHAT? Yeah, that is what you read).   Actually, whether you have kids or not you want this thing.  Trust me.  I hope they’re at CES this year, because this is truly a cool concept.   Check out this checklist from their description: ” HOLD A VIRTUAL OBJECT IN YOUR HAND: learn, play, and create in augmented reality by holding and interacting with virtual objects. FUN STEM TOY: The MERGE Cube is used by hundreds of schools to inspire and engage kids in math, science, anatomy, engineering and more. TRAVEL GAMES FOR KIDS: No need to pack up additional chargers, wires, or batteries. The durable and soft Cube is the perfect travel companion to entertain and teach on the go. With over 30 available apps (13 are free), your kids can play for hours.”

Stay tuned, I may update with some videos once I figure out the best way to demonstrate this.  However, it is surprisingly affordable so I am guessing you don’t want to wait and want to take the plunge and just buy one anyway.    If you do, let me know what you think- let’s share our experiences with this thing.

The MERGE VR Glasses are also quite comfortable and a good companion to the CUBE as a Quick 1-2 supergift.     Kids can also connect to what is called the MERGE Universe – which is exactly what it sounds like.

BUY THE MERGE CUBE HERE: https://amzn.to/2E1JBHE

BUY MERGE VR GLASSES HERE: https://amzn.to/2FK01X4

 

TWO BROS BOWS

The Two Bros Bows Peacock Archery Set is another innovative option.  Initially we were researching gifts for boys, because they are a little harder to shop for, and this product came up.    I remember girls rocking archery in gym class while we had to play football or something.  Yeah, the 90s were that sexist :D.   After checking out the Peacock archery set, I can’t think of a single kid (or pair of kids) of any gender she/he/they that can’t benefit from this.  It is fun, it looks good, and teaches them all sorts of skills.  Best part, it is safe.  Actually more safe than those suction cup bow and arrow sets that mess up your windows.  (and that kids aim for adults no matter how many times you tell them not to).  I am quite fond of this and I recommend it for sure.  This beats an xbox or a marvel/disney toy any day in my book.

BUY THE PEACOCK ARCHERY SET HERE: https://amzn.to/2P6ilJo 

 

MURBLES

Murbles is a great safe version of Bocce Ball.  Made from recycled materials, Murbles are meant for outdoors but actually work pretty well in the basement as well.   I like this game quite a bit, not as active and tiring as Tag, but yet much better than them slumped on an ipad playing a game/watching Netflix.  My favorite part is the whole family can play, and for this age group quality time around an activity is essential.  The Amazon link is below and you can also get them direct at www.murblegame.com

BUY A SET OF MURBLES HERE: https://amzn.to/2KBxS36

 

MINDWARE PRODUCTS

When you see the box of Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 Lights edition your first thought is “What a crazy name?”  Then you play with it (well, hopefully your kids play with it, but truthfully – you’re going to want to play with it first).   Now the name sounds like exactly what you would call it.   It is a lightbright meets mousetrap super fun build your own motion activated light up marble maze.   I am quite fond of this, in fact I am quite fond of Mindware as a brand in general now that I’ve had a chance to really pay attention to them.  These are the closest thing to those Radio Shack toys I mentioned at the beginning of the article.  Not quite the “Build your own radio broadcasting kit” of the 80s, but as close as you’re going to get to the combination of really really fun and really really cool while still being mentally stimulating.

BUY THE Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 HERE: https://amzn.to/2P8RXOT

Mindware also makes a SQUISHY BALL LAB which is a pretty awesome sceince chemlab style kit to make your own stress balls.  The kids will make them, you will use them :).  In all seriousness though, imagine playing with slime and learning about polymers.  This is quite the cool gift idea as well.

BUY THE SQUISHY BALL LAB HERE: https://amzn.to/2TULhre

STASH FOLDING KIDS CHAIR

OK, this is technically a gift for you – your kid will use it though.  Watch a movie with them and let them sit in the chair.  When unrapped, they may say “A Chair?” But let them know it is their Very Own chair.  It is a pretty cool idea, they can store all sorts of stuff in it.  From toys, to game controllers (yeah you can’t get away from their games 100%), heck give them their own remote.  The obvious benefit to parents is there.  I really think the kids will appreciate their own chair – that secretly serves to help keep the room organized.

BUY THE STASH FOLDING KIDS SOFA CHAIR HERE: https://amzn.to/2E0kw02