Craft Kits & Activities. Great ways to keep kids off their tech.
Blue Marble Santa’s Amazing Science Workshop
$19.99; 8+
www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Christmas-Science-Workshop/dp/B0D32FXDVP
This science kit gives you the chance to explore five different types of science experiments. Grow crystal-covered Christmas trees, explore the incredible properties of instant snow, make squishy snowflakes and a bouncy snowball, then experiment with hydrophobic sand. The fun doesn’t stop there, thanks to a bonus booklet with over 20 science activities using common household items. You’ll make dancing snowmen, glue snowflakes, a string of ice cubes, and so much more.
Wow in the World: Sea Creatures Aquarium
14.95; 10+
www.thamesandkosmos.com
Set up an aquarium for your own living sea creature pets. Prepare the salt water and then watch as small brine shrimp hatch from the included eggs, swim around, feed on the included food, and slowly grow larger. A fun, eight-page, full-color guide first explains how to set up the aquarium and hatch and care for the shrimp, as well as offers scientific info about these fascinating creatures and the ecosystems in our planet’s oceans. When properly cared for, the brine shrimp can live for months and even years, and the durable habitat tank can be used for bugs and other things afterward. Customize the tank with the included sea life stickers.
Wow in the World: Dino Egg Dig & Diorama
$29.95; 4+
WonderyKids.com
This kit comes with 10 dino eggs for you to dig into and discover 10 different dinosaur figures. Once you’ve excavated all the dinosaurs, assemble the cardboard diorama and set up your very own dinosaur museum exhibit! Place the dino figures and prehistoric plant stickers in their spots along the prehistoric timeline. Includes durable excavation tools (rock hammer and chisel) and a 8-page, full-color manual that guides your dig, explains the techniques real paleontologists use when on a dig site, and tells you a little about each dinosaur and prehistoric plant.
Dinosaur Gummy Candy Lab
$19.95; 6+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com
As you prepare these yummy treats, you’ll investigate the chemistry related to candy making and explore fundamental STEM concepts such as measurements, conversions, temperature reading, phases of matter, the scientific properties of natural polymers, and more. The kit includes all the food ingredients needed to whip up a gelatin mixture, which you pour into the included mold to form eight different dino shapes.
Blue Marble Glow-in-the-Dark Bouncy Ball Activity Kit
$14.99; 6+
www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Bouncy-Ball-Science/dp/B0D33WHMW9
With this kit, you’ll get everything you need to create 45 glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls. There are five different mold shapes included, along with seven polymer powder colors allowing you to combine colors and create totally unique designs. This kit is fantastic to share with friends, providing hours of creative fun! Instructions are easy to follow, and you will have a phenomenal time playing with all your new bouncy balls.
Blue Marble Paint-Your-Own Magnetic Tiles
$11.99; 6+
www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Magnetic-Tile-Craft/dp/B0D3445TCD
This all-inclusive kit allows kids to design 10 unique works of art using vibrant, kid-safe paints as well as stickers and fun googly eyes. Each tile becomes a personal masterpiece that can be proudly displayed using the included magnets.
Unicorn Dreams Painting Kit
$12.99; 5+
https://www.mudpuppy.com
This adorable painting kit features a quirky assortment of unicorn magic friends ready to be painted however your little one chooses. Includes 10 cards with built-in paint palettes that activate with water and one paintbrush.
Glow STEAM Activity Set – Space Edition
$19.99; 6+
https://micador.com.au
This Space Activity set teaches young artists about the science of light through glow-in-the-dark art and craft activities plus magic black light exploration. This pack includes six neon glow oil pastels, six glow-in-the-dark paint pens, eight double-sided activity cards plus a magic black light pen.
Easy Carry Art Studio
$45.99; 3+
https://micador.com.au/
A take-anywhere art easel full of quality product to paint and draw with! The carry case converts into a desk easel. Art materials are stored in drawers and compartments within the carry case. Easel easily folds away back into a lightweight case.
Enchanted Nutcracker Magnetic Play Set
$17.99; 4+
www.mudpuppy.com
This festive magnetic dress-up includes two Christmas scenes and three sheets of mix-and-match magnets for dressing up the adorable Nutcracker characters. Includes 40+ magnets in a sturdy hinged tin, making it great for travel.
Say Yes! Alphabet Bead Bracelet Set
$14.99; 8+
https://www.makeitrealplay.com/products/say-yes-alphabet-bead-bracelet-set
The Say Yes! Alphabet Bead Bracelet Set is the ultimate friendship bracelet kit. Use over 1,000 assorted beads to create bracelets with fun and inspiring messages. Trade with friends to share the fun and spread positive messages.
Light Ups Recolorable Snowman
$9.9; 4+
Crayola.com
Brighten up the holidays with the recolorable Light Ups Snowman from Crayola! This all-in-one toy, holiday decoration, and reusable coloring activity, gives kids a new winter tradition to celebrate. First use the 3 Washable Makers to color directly on the included snowman. Give him some winter clothes, decorate his mittens, or choose whatever look suits him best that day. You don’t have to worry about making mistakes or changing your mind, because it’s easy to erase and start again as many times as you choose. When he’s ready for display, let him glow in Orange, Blue, and Green!
Deluxe Arts and Crafts Chest
$30.99; 4-12
BlueSquid.co
Hours of fun with your kids.
Snackers Bracelet Kit Vending Machine
$14.99; 8+
makeitrealplay.com
Get five snack-themed bracelets after dispensing snack bags from the vending machine.
Stunt Squadron Neon Glow Paper Airplanes
$14.99; 6+
Fabercastell.com
Includes everything you need to make, decorate and fly your own paper airplanes with 2 airplane launchers. Appealing to boys and girls, paper planes come in assorted sizes with vibrant neon colors and cool graphics. With 70 kid-approved paper airplane designs, step-by-step instructions and an online video tutorial, kids will learn how to make a paper airplane with 5 different folding techniques.
Rainbow Bead Jewelry Jar
$14.99; 6+
Fabercastell.com
If making friendship bracelets is your kids "jam," these jewelry making kits are just what they need! With 3 popular themes to choose from: Unicorn, Mermaid or Rainbow, 900+ beads and 10 yards of gel cord per jar, kids can create 40+ bracelets to express themselves and highlight their individuality. Perfect for big and little crafters, the Rainbow Bead Jewelry Jar comes packed with rainbow themed colored beads, in an array of bead shapes and sizes including: rainbow pearls, stars, faceted sparkle and more! Additionally, the jar includes playful alphabet beads, allowing kids to personalize their creations with phrases or emotions to express and exchange.
Stamp-A-Square Double Ended Markers
$15.95; 6+
OOLY.com
One end is designed to be used as a stamping marker, while the other end is meant for writing or drawing. They’re great for adding to your school supplies, for drawing in coloring books, or for creating your own pixel art. Note takers and list makers will love how the stamping end provides an easy way to create a checklist or make bullet points while note-taking or list-making. Gift this stamp marker combo to the artist in your life, or just treat yourself and add it to your marker collection.
Shrink Magic Candy Shop Bracelet Kit
$24.99; 8+
MakeItRealPlay.com
Select, slide, and shrink the wrappers to create these sweet and colorful accessories. Select a bead strand then choose candy design wrappers and align on the beads. Easily apply heat with a hair dryer (not included) and watch the magic happen. Make 20 bracelets and easily refresh with different wrappers for a new style.
Tiny Tadas! Note Cards and Sticker Set - Sweet Treats
$6.95; 6+
OOLY.com
This set of greeting cards includes a sticker kit jam-packed with messages and adorable dessert and party inspired designs. Let the celebration begin with your little one customizing their own note card! Kids love to personalize things for their friends, which is why this inviting set of note cards is sure to wow them! The set includes six dessert inspired greeting cards along with coordinating envelopes. It also features a sticker kit that includes four sheets packed with fun, sweet stickers. Some have messages like “Happy Birthday,” “Thinking of You,” and “What’s the scoop?” while the other stickers boast a party and sweets theme.
The Paper Girls Show Origami Craft Book
$24.99; 6+
Papergirls.com
Based on the award-winning and parent approved The Paper Girls Show promoting the "maker" mindset to imagine, design, and create solutions to overcome daily challenges, The Paper Girls Show Origami Craft Book introduces beginner origami and paper crafts to young readers while simultaneously teaching valuable lessons. This special edition comes complete with 100 paper folding sheets and detailed step-by-step instructions for 20 super fun paper folding projects.
My Gnome in Her Home
$14.97; All Ages
https://mygnomeontheroam.com/shop-products/my-gnome-in-her-home
Introducing Gnaomi, your customizable DIY gnome who comes with her very own home. This packed kit includes Gnaomi herself, along with an award-winning book that doubles as a coloring book, a journal, and a twig pen (or colored pencils). It's an invitation for a family experience crafted to encourage exploration and creativity, providing countless hours of fun and connection.
Sensory on the Go Magical Playground
$12.99; 3+
Fabercastell.com
A fun and delightful way for preschoolers to explore their senses, develop their fine motor skills and promote emotional well-being, all while on the move. Preschool kids will love exploring all the different textures, sounds and shapes with bubble gum scented play dough, a magical playscape scene, mini magical friends, a functional teeter totter, sound toys and more.
National Geographic Clay Dino Modeling Kit
$16.99; 4+
Amazon.com
Kids can create 5 colorful dinosaurs using 5 colors of air-dry clay and googly eyes! A sculpting tool is also included to make molding and shaping easy for kids.
Undercover Art Hidden Pattern Coloring Activity Art Cards - Rainforest Fun
$5.95; 6+
OOLY.com
This fun coloring activity features different hidden patterns within each illustration. As your little one fills in each coloring card with a marker, they’ll reveal patterns within the image! This coloring activity set is a creative gift for any kid, and features animals from the rainforest. Each cute coloring card features a different illustration, whether it’s a dolphin saying hello to a snake, or a lizard having a snack.
Sticker WOW! Activity Pad & Sticker Stamper
$11.99; 3+
MelissaandDoug.com
Let the adorable, collectible Kelp the Sea Turtle stamp, stamp, stamp its way through 24 pages of fun-filled, ocean-themed counting, matching, and search-and-find activities. The refillable sticker stamper comes pre-loaded with a sticker stack of 300 assorted stickers – with 100 unique designs in every stack, each sticker is a surprise.
Tattoo-Palooza x Suzy Ultman: Temporary Tattoos Mini Pack - Ice Cream Party
$4.95; 3+
OOLY.com
Sprinkle these temporary tattoos for kids on your arm and we guarantee you’ll look deliciously fashionable. Designed by the illustrator and toy creator, Suzy Ultman, this mini-pack of three tattoo sheets features a delectable ice cream theme. Non-toxic and designed with poppy, vibrant colors or sleek black and white, these are wearable kids' art.
Updated: December 2024
