STEAM Holiday Gift Ideas

STEAM is all about hands-on learning and creativity – and that’s why we think STEAM gifts are some of the best options for everyone on your list. Keep reading our recommendations for different ages and at different price points, including homemade gifts that you can make from items around your home.

Gift ideas for any age

• Museum annual pass – Did you know that there is a network of science and children’s museums that have reciprocal relationships? That means if your favorite museum, like Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science + Industry, is part of the network your membership allows you to visit hundreds of other museums around the world at free or discounted rates! Giving the gift of an annual museum pass can unlock the doors to amazing adventures.
  • There are too many amazing museums in northern Illinois to list them all, but one starting place is this list of science museums that participate in the ASTC Passprt Program.
• STEAM-themed clothing – We love to wear our love of STEAM on our sleeves with clothing from Svaha. From science themed dresses to pajamas to nature loving t-shirts, there is something for every STEAM lover in your life. svahausa.com/
• Cardboard cutter – At less than $8, this cardboard cutter is a great stocking stuffer for a creator who loves working with cardboard but struggles to cut it. We love these, and they are indispensable in any maker space.
• Blank journal or sketchbook – Is there anything better than getting a new journal or sketchpad and imagining all the exciting ways you’ll fill those pages in the year ahead? There are so many different journal or sketchbooks to choose from, and you can even add in pens, pencils, paints or any other favorite medium!

For younger children

• LuxBlox – If you have a creative builder on your list, check out LuxBlox. These interlocking pieces let you build masterpieces that move and flex, and different kits comes in a wide variety of price ranges.
• Marble Run – The Super-Fun Marble Run-Master Set is a fun way for kids to learn about how pieces connect, consider the effect of gravity and try out different combinations to see how their marble travels through the built system.
• Trace and Draw Projector – This Trace & Draw Projector is a great gift for kids who are in the early stages of learning how to draw.  They can choose which objects they want to trace, and it doesn’t require the use of a tablet or other device for instructions. 
• Smartmax Magnetic Building Set – The Smartmax Discovery Starter set is a good gift for young kids who are interested in how pieces connect and move together. The large size and magnetic connection make for easy handling by little hands.
• Magna-Tiles – Magna-Tiles are one of our all-time favorites for preschool through elementary children. With dozens of sets at different price points, you can tailor the gift to your child’s interests and add to their collection year after year.

For older children through teens

• Handheld Digital Microscope –   This handheld digital microscope integrating 2-inch high-definition LCD screen and 6 adjustable LED lights is a big hit with all our students! Its portable design makes direct exploration of the micro-world easy and convenient, and the LCD screen allows for easy viewing by glasses wearers and by multiple users simultaneously.
• Sphero Coding Robots – Sphero coding robots are very popular with our afterschool programs and summer camps. They offer a ton of fun challenges that help to develop kids’ problem solving and coding skills.
• Drone – A drone might sound like an expensive proposition, but inexpensive starter drones are available for as little as $99, and they help young people learn about STEAM concepts such as aerodynamics, lift and drag. Check out this blog from Consumer Reports for some recommendations.

For older youth and adults

• The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design – For the curious adult on your list who loves design, check out the book The 99% Invisible City. Based on the popular 99% Invisible podcast, authors Kurt Kohlstedt and Roman Mars explore the amazing stories behind the invisible parts of our cities and towns.
• LEGO International Space Station building kit – This International Space Station model comes with a stand, two astronaut microfigures, a brick-built mini NASA space shuttle and three mini cargo spacecrafts to create a spectacular display and rekindle nostalgic memories of childhood LEGO projects.
• Indoor Garden Hydroponic Growing System – This hydroponic growing system allows you to grow herbs and vegetables indoors all year round.
• Astronomical Reflector Telescope – This Newtonian reflector telescope is great for beginners. It uses mirrors instead of lenses, avoiding the common chromatic aberration issues found in refractor telescopes, and providing clearer images. 

Homemade gifts

• Home preserved foods – Canning your own foods is the perfect intersection of science and art, and it’s easier than you might think. (Check out this blog post from Jessica Cima to learn how to can your own tomatoes.) If you’re not up for preserving your own food, look for a local farmers’ market for handmade jellies, preserves or local honey – these are inexpensive, unique, and make great gifts!
• Knit, crocheted or needlepointed items – There are few things more special than a hand-made textile!
• Home baked cookies – Who doesn’t love a batch of home baked Christmas cookies? Check out this recent blog from Becky Swiontek to learn why it’s so important to chill your dough before baking!
• Paper “stained glass” decorations – These waxed paper “stained glass” planets are beautiful in a window or on a Christmas tree! This fun, simple activity for kids and adults results in a lovely homemade gift.
• Check out our STEAM blog for more fun craft ideas that make great gifts!