I am always, ALWAYS, hunting for great gift ideas that will keep my son’s brain (and hands) occupied. He’s so smart (way smarter than he thinks he is, but we won’t get into that), that we can’t just buy any old stuffed animal and expect him to be actually occupied (because there is a difference). He needs things that will engage him, keep him thinking and that will give him a sense of accomplishment when he’s built something or done a cool task. So, I seek out STEM (or STEAM) projects and toys all year long, dole them out when we need to, or just hide them throughout the house so I can surprise him on Christmas morning with a ton of new things to get him thinking. This year, I’ve got a list of 25 STEM activities, games and toys that I’ve been stocking up on all year that I’ve put into a hand STEM Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens for Under $30. Because, you know, we can be all “science, math, tech, art, and math” but still be thrifty-frugal-money-wise.
STEM Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens for Under $30
So, I pulled together this list, but I’d also like to hear from you. If you have any ideas that I could add to this list or recommendations for rounding it out a little more, please comment below and let me know. I still need to get a few more gifts…
To see the gift ideas for teens and tweens that I put together, just use the arrows to click through and see all 25 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Gifts I’m getting my teen this Christmas.
Build Your Own Tin Can Robot
Clumsy Thief Math Game
Backyard Science Experiments
Smartlab Toys Smartphone Science Lab
Building with Magnets
Magformers Inspire 14-piece set (girls)
Build Entire Cities and Neighborhoods
Mag Genius Magnetic Building Block Set
LCD Writing Tablet for Ages 3-6
14-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
Physics Experiments
Awesome Physics Experiments for Kids
Build Gear Sets with Magformers
Magnets in Motion Gears and Gadgets Magformers Accessory Set
Growing a Crystal Garden that Glows in the Dark
Glow in the Dark Crystal Growing Kit
It IS Rocket Science!
Suspend Balance Game
Magic Tricks – with Math
Build Your Own Ballista
Pitsco Laser-Cut Basswood Torsion Ballista Kit
Build Your Own Zoob Robot
3-D Night Sight Goggles
Rubik’s Cube – Classic STEM
Ribik’s Apprentice – Beginner Cube
Rubik’s Original and 100% Recycled Plastic
Build Your Own FM Radio Kit
Have Your Own Duck Pond Matching Game
Model Building Set
Build Your Own Robot Spider
Smithsonian Science Activities Robo Spider Kit
Grow Some Bacteria and Look at It – Ewww
Solar Robo Kit for Recycling Stuff
Make Your Own Snow and Experiment with It
And if you want to really show get out there with STEM on your own, or just have fun because you know…watching them make these STEM kits can be blegh…then try testing your IQ and tackle some STEM for your own brain’s sake!