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My first teaching assignment was as a first grade teacher which allowed me to get to know early elementary ages quite well. My students always had a wide spectrum of knowledge so I know that kids this age are the same way.

Kindergarten through second graders are experiencing huge growth in their social, emotional, and academic skills so gifts for this age group should allow them to have fun while practicing what they know. Knowing your kids and their interests and skills should always drive your purchases but if you’re looking to get away from L.O.L. Surprise!, my best gifts for early elementary ages that have the power to increase their confidence, self-esteem, and skills through fun.

Best Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (ages 5-8/grades K-2)

Invasion of the Cow Snatchers by ThinkFun ($29.99)

Called the most fun new STEM toy for boys and girls, ThinkFun’s Invasion of the Cow Snatchers features a fun magnet maze logic game with 60 challenges at different levels, from beginner to expert. It’s perfect for kids who love to problem solve through fun games and enjoy challenges. Best for ages 6+

Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set ($24.99)

Channel your inner artist with this kit that includes 64 crayons, 20 short colored pencils, 40 washable markers, and 15 large pieces of paper. Since there’s a place for everything inside the kit, the built-in spaces help kids ensure that everything goes back in place—an organizational skill that will benefit them for years to come! Best for ages 5+

Echo Dot Kids Edition ($54.99)

Kids talk to Alexa so why not get them one designed just for them? The Echo Dot Kids Edition allows them to play music, hear stories, call approved friends and family, and encourages them to explore kid-friendly skills but also provides peace of mind for parents through safety features. You can set daily time limits, review their activity, and filter explicit songs from select music services (Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Audible, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and more). This device is also built with multiple layers of privacy protection and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. Echo Dot Kids Edition comes with a year of FreeTime Unlimited that grants access to over 1,000 Audible books, thousands of songs, plus favorite games and skills. Best for ages 5+

Small Voice Says by Mike and Mackenzie Morrison ($18)

Do you listen to your inner voice or quiet it? Small Voice Says is a about that little voice in your head that helps you think through your feelings. This picture book celebrates the importance of listening to that small voice when we don’t feel right about things and using our courage to do the right thing. It’s a delightful story with powerful messages that every child can hear over and over again. Best for ages 5+

2 in 1 World Globe LED Lamp with Day & Night Modes ($24.99)

The 2 in 1 World Globe LED Lamp is perfect for young geography enthusiasts or those who just want a physical representation of the earth. This fully detailed world globe features geographic and political boundaries and features. It also sits at a natural tilt and rotates on its base just like a full globe you would find in a library or study and even works as a night light. Just set the globe out and it can provide gentle and automatic lighting that shuts off on its own during the day. Discovery Education recommends this product for ages 8+ but I think kids ages 6 and older with an interest in geography will enjoy this too

Ara the Star Engineer ($15.95)

Featured in last year’s Early Elementary and STEM Gift Guides, this book is back because it’s too good to leave off! Ara the Star Engineer shatters every stereotype we might pass along to our kids about who engineers are, what they look like, and the kinds of things they do in a darling picture book written by an engineer mom after her daughter said, “Engineers are boys.” Through her book, Google engineering program manager, Komal Singh, inspires kids – especially girls and children of color – to explore STEM as it follows a 6-year old girl, Ara, on a quest to build an algorithm to solve a big problem (suspense!). During her adventure, Ara is helped by a diverse set of real-life women engineering leaders of color — a Tenacious Troubleshooter, Code Commander, Prolific Problem Solver, Intrepid Innovator. The book aims to teach basic problem solving & computer science concepts in a whimsical manner but also includes an attached mini-booklet that provides a deeper dive into tech thanks to online activity sheets with hands-on tech activities. Great read-aloud for ages 5+

Slime-o-logy 101 DIY 5 in 1 Kit ($9.97)

Even if you’re not a fan of slime, this tactile substance gets kids involved in chemistry as they mix 5 different types of slime styles. Just add water to turn your home into a chemistry lab where kids can mix up foam, glitter, glow in the dark, bubblegum and grape scented slime, and neon slime. Best for ages 6+

Holy Stone Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone ($25.49 and an additional 5% off through Amazon)

The fine motor skills that are practiced during handwriting and typing come into play when piloting a drone. Early elementary ages will love mastering the little movements to make this drone fly while technology in this affordable drone help to provide stability and flexibility thanks to a 6 axis gyro stabilization system. While we haven’t tried this particular drone, it’s similar to others we’ve had in our home. Plus with 4 star rating by more than 5400 Amazon reviewers and a 5% off coupon that brings the price under $25, you can’t go wrong! Best for ages 7+

Art Sketcher Projector ($19.97)

Kindergartners through second graders who love to draw will delight in being able to project their artwork on to walls and ceilings. Simply draw or trace on the discs, place your creation on to the projector lamp, and project it on to the ceiling or wall. Kids can layer multiple discs to achieve a cool look. This kit includes all the art supplies you need to get started like 10 reusable clear coloring discs and 6 colored markers. Just use batteries or a wall AC adaptor (neither are included), set it up, and start exercising your inner artist.

Picturing America: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American Art by Hudson Talbott ($17.99)

Picturing America may be a story of Thomas Cole and the start of American art, but this captivating and inspiring book also skillfully weaves together a history lesson with messages about protecting the environment. Thomas Cole’s most beloved paintings are framed by the author’s own watercolor illustrations for a book that captures America’s beauty and encourages us to preserve it. Best for ages 6+

My First Sewing Kit ($11.64)

Perfect for travel, a rainy day, or just because, the My First Sewing Kit helps foster creativity and fine motor skills. This kit includes 28 felt shapes, embroidery floss, stuffing, fabric, ric rac, scissors, measuring tape, pins, needles, thimble, pin cushion, 6 buttons, pom pom strip all in a suitcase-like carrying case. Best for ages 7+

Where’s Waldo? Double Trouble at the Museum ($18.29)

Where’s Waldo is a classic and Double Trouble at the Museum has been called the ultimate Where’s Waldo book. With over 500 differences to spot, visual discrimination skills are put to the test as kids and adults alike work to spot the differences among the many Waldo look alikes!

Best Subscription Boxes for Elementary Ages

Raddish Kids ($24/box) 

Get kids in the kitchen with Raddish, a monthly cooking kit for kids ages 4-14+. With a mission to deliver culinary experiences that nurture kids’ confidence in the kitchen and beyond, Raddish provides education, family-time, and fun. Kids are encouraged to explore and experience new foods while they learn to chop, sauté, whisk, and measure with each Raddish kit that includes 3 illustrated and laminated recipe cards, collectible apron patch, conversation starter cards, a kitchen tool to add to your arsenal, complete grocery list, and dietary modifications, playlists and lesson plans, and more.

KiwiCrate (3, 6, 9, and 12 months available starting at $19.95/month or $16.95/month for 12 months)

For ages 5-8

Full of high quality materials and kid-friendly instructions, KiwiCrate is a fun way for ages 5-8 to explore art, science, and engineering. Each box contains explore! Magazine that includes comics, experiments, games, and more plus all the materials needed to inspire kids to see themselves as scientists, artists, creators, and makers.

Little Passports World Edition ($13.95/month or $11.95/month for 12 months)

For ages 6-10

For families trying to teach their kids geography as you raise young global citizens, Little Passports is a fun way to start because the subscription is a ticket to an exciting global adventure. Kids ages 6-10 will enjoy traveling with fictional friends, Sam and Sophia, who find a magical scooter in a garage that takes them all over the world. The first month comes in the blue Explorers’ Kit suitcase filled with a passport, wall sized map of the world, welcome letter from Sam and Sophia, stickers, photos, and activity sheets, plus access to online games through the Boarding Zone. Each month a new country is featured and kids will love collecting stickers to affix on their suitcase and in their passports. 

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES:

• Toddlers & Preschoolers 
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

• STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
• Best Subscription Boxes
• Outdoor Adventures
• Gadget Lovers
• Frequent Fliers
• Dog Lovers
• Teachers

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Samples were received to facilitate this post and affiliate links are included. No compensation was received for this post or hosting this giveaway and all opinions are my own.