Holiday Gifts for Kids
In 2012 I wrote gift guide for kids and there’s been so much great new stuff since then it’s time for a redux. As a maker at heart with a goal of minimizing single use plastic on ‘throw-away’ toys, I bias towards tools, platforms, learning kits, and upcycled materials. Wired also has a great list of STEM Toys here.
Platforms for Play
Oculus Quest. This is the breakout moment for VR. The Quest doesn’t need a separate computer, you don’t have to set up special devices to help with tracking, it pairs easily with your Smartphone and just works. At $400–500, they’ve already sold a ton of them and over a million should be out in the world after the holidays. There are incredible games already available including I Expect You To Die, Dance Central, Beat Saber, Superhot, Virtual Virtual Reality, and Acron: Attack of the Squirrels. If you want an expanded catalog the Quest can run titles made for the Oculus Rift by plugging the Link Cable into a beefy computer. More favorites titles here.
Infento. This variety of kits brings the creativity of LEGO and Lincoln Logs to mobility. Using a variety of different components, kids can build their own skateboards, snowboards, go-karts and more. Base kits you power by pushing, larger kits include pedal power and motors.
Google Stadia. At $130 this is the cheapest high-end console available. They only just launched so it’s early but the weight of Google is behind it so great content is bound to show up.
Desktop Fabrication Tools
Glowforge. This is desktop laser cutter. 3D printers tend to get all the airplay for digital fabrication but I think laser cutters are way cooler and more useful. At $4,000–6,000 this unit it’s cheap but it can cut wood and etch scores of other materials. The possibilities are endless.
Kniterate. This computer controlled sewing machines brings the power of desktop fabrication to clothing. At $10k it’s a real commitment but way cheaper than a degree from a fashion school!
Snapmaker. This modular desktop fabricator is an all-in-one solution for CNC, 3D printing, and laser cutting. At $700 it’s hands down the least expensive version of these tools and the fastest way to explore simpler projects requiring desktop fabrication tools.
Cubiio. This is the smallest laser engraver I’ve seen. It will be low power compared to the Glowforge so you’ll only be able to etch most materials but it’ll still cut paper and cardboard.
Games
I’m obsessed with board games so this list wouldn’t be complete without a few.
St. Noire. This is one of the first Alexa-powered board games. Work together with your friends to query the various suspects after nefarious activities have taken place in the little town of St. Noire. It was just awarded the CES 2020 Innovation award. Full disclosure, my dad made this one but don’t let my obvious bias dissuade you :-)
Just One. This game has rocketed into our family’s favorites. A blend of Password and Taboo, players write a single word on a little easel to try and get the active player to guess what the word is. It’s super simple and a lot of fun and has won multiple game of the year awards including the venerable “Oscars for Games,” the Spiel des Jahres.
Robots & Programming
I’m a huge fan of STEM/STEAM. You may know that Two Bit Circus supports a parallel non-profit foundation focused on deploying tools for creative play to schools around the world. Another great source of STEM fun comes from the YouTube science personality Vsauce! They have a monthly box called CuriosityBox.
MakeBlock mBot. This small robot kit is a solid balance of hands on building and programming with accessibility. MakeBlock has a variety of other tools that can be added to this base mBot package to added layers and layers of complexity.
Ozobot. These adorable tiny robots are super easy to program using just pen and paper. Start programming just using markers then get a tablet or computer to build more complex programs using their custom Blockly interface.
Osmo. This connected learning toy uses your iPad together with an attachment on its camera to empower a set of games that incorporate physical objects on the table. Word games, tangrams, shape play and other fun all work out of the box.
Bloxels. This connected toy uses a physical tray and small plastic blocks to allow the player to design their own levels for digital games and puzzles on your iPad.
Papercraft
You’ve probably played with Origami at some point. Folding paper into swans, blocks and little hats is very satisfying. Using digital tools and better materials you can now create much more complex projects. Pepakura are projects you can download. Foldstar is an app that converts your own 3D models into foldable paper projects. Pinbox3000 is a cardboard pinball system you can customize. And Wintercroft has a variety of masks like the one above.
Solutions using Upcycled Trash
There are a lot of great tools that use recycled clean waste or trash packaging. A number of free projects using common objects are listed here and the book Scrapkins details good DIY projects. Both MakeDo and Toyi are tools and decorations that use upcycled materials as the base. TwigJig uses toothpicks and these Water Rockets use regular water bottles. The Offbits are adorable little action figures using gear from the hardware store.
