While most kids will be more than happy to select action figures, dolls and video games for their birthday, finding a unique and awesome gift can take some effort.
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If you want to buy a present that will excite and stimulate your child into new interests, here are seven outstanding birthday gift ideas.
A telescope
Telescopes range from simple and inexpensive hand-held models up to professional quality. Children can study the constellations, view the features of the moon or even take a peek at the International Space Station as it orbits far above.
Younger kids may like to begin with studying the phases of the moon and how they relate to the calendar, while older children might like to observe the phases of Venus over the course of the seasons.
Astronomy is appropriate for all children and can spark a love of physics and mathematics early in their lives.
A stop-motion animation kit
Appropriate for children 10 and older, a stop-motion animation kit is an awesome idea for kids who love movies, fantasy and technology. A basic kit costs under $100 and works with most computers and laptops.
Your child can make anything from a short to a feature-length film, depending on their level of interest and patience, and load it onto the Internet for friends and family around the globe to enjoy.
If your child loves to create videos and you’re not quite comfortable with them being on camera, stop motion is a great compromise that can keep their creative juices flowing. Additional clay and putty sets are inexpensive and allow your child to create one-of-a-kind characters and sets, too.
An edible chemistry set
Chemistry sets sold decades ago were not always the best idea, as they could produce foul smells, minor explosions and fires that could spiral out of control.
If your child is interested in how carbonation works or why gelatin jiggles, an edible set is a safe means of exploring and learning beginner’s chemistry without the possibility of disaster. While marketed for kids 10 and over, kids as young as six or seven can enjoy a kit with your help and supervision.
A microscope
For kids who show an early interest in biology, a microscope can allow them to see exactly how cells work to allow plants and animals to live. Beginner kits can focus on simple magnification, while more advanced microscopes allow for staining, illumination and even photography of the subject.
Sites such as http://www.microscope.com/digital-microscopes/ showcase many beginner and advanced models, or you can also browse the wares at your local science center for inspiration.
A cross-stitch kit
Needlecraft is not just for ladies of a certain age. Cross-stitching motifs run from sweet kittens to monster trucks and everything in between. Choose a kit that relates to your child’s interests, and he or she may develop a knack for needlework.
For older children, a tablet of graph paper and colored pencils can help them draw and design their own projects. Related skills such as embroidery and felting can be a natural extension of this interest as well, making cross-stitching a great introduction to needlework in general.
A magazine subscription
For kids who love to read, books are great. However, purchasing and storing all the latest titles can get expensive and take up a lot of space. Highlights magazine produces a monthly publication in three age ranges from infant to 12 years old.
National Geographic puts out two child-appropriate monthlies, National Geographic for Kids and National Geographic for Little Kids. Search around to find a magazine your little reader will love receiving each month.
An origami set
Learning to fold origami is a skill that can be immediately enjoyed yet takes a lifetime to fully master. Kits are available in a huge range of ability levels and interests.
Everything from Star Wars to jungle animals to architecture can be recreated with careful folding and tucking. Additional paper and instruction books are not expensive and can allow your child to grow in the craft, should their interest be ongoing.
If you’re looking for a gift that’s more than just another toy, these ideas are all wonderful options. Early exposure to the sciences and arts can instill a life-long love of learning and experimentation in children, so give them the tools they need to investigate the world around them.
Lizzie Weakley
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