Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

2021 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (ages 5-8)

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The links in this best gifts for early elementary ages post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. 

Before I was a middle school teacher, the first teaching job I ever had was as a first grade teacher. As challenging as it was to wrangle my 5 and 6 year olds on some days, on other days I could see light bulbs go off constantly.

It was incredibly rewarding to teach this age group and witness the development of knowledge and skills. My students always had a wide range of knowledge and skills which is indicative of early elementary ages.

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

Kindergarten through second graders experience huge growth in their social, emotional, and academic skills. Kids this age grow physically, emotionally, and academically by leaps and bounds. The best gifts for early elementary ages should allow them to be kids while practicing what they know and learning new things about the topics they love.

Here are some of my favorite gifts for early elementary ages this holiday season.

Klutz Gear Bots ($19.75)

Get your favorite elementary schooler involved with hands-on STEM learning thanks to Klutz Gear Bots. This kit contains everything you need to build 8 physics-driven kinetic creatures with LEGO Technic bricks and papercraft. As kids build, they’ll learn about axles, cams, cranks, and engineering in everyday machines. A 64-page book and step-by-step instructions are included for your young engineer.

Koosh Smart Shot ($45.99)

Practice hand eye coordination by using Koosh Ball shooters to fling Koosh at the targets and score points. Koosh Sharp Shot features criss cross, lightning flash, and target toss game modes that can be played standing up using the built-in kick stand and hung with the enclosed door hanger. Red and green lights and sound to drive gameplay and all games feature a 2-player option for playing with friends and a single-player mode against the Sharp Shot AI!

Hape Discovery Scientific Workbench ($69.99)

Young imaginations can run wild and be inspired to conduct new experiments and invent wonderful new devices thanks to the Hape Discovery Scientific Workbench. This 58-piece scientific play set includes over ten amazing experiments and creations that teach basic physics principles including momentum, pulley drive system and levers. It’s a great toy for developing logical thinking and an understanding of STEM concepts.

Farting Frenchies Card Game ($29.99)

Elementary ages will love this card game where the objective is to collect, feed, and steal each other’s Frenchies. This energetic game is perfect for family game night as players use new tactics and strategies to steal their dogs and  battle it out for the title of top dog. The game is fast to learn, can be played with as few as 2 players, and takes anywhere from 15-25 minutes to play. Expansion packs allow for up to 8 people to play together.  

Elmer’s Celebration Slime Kit ($29.99)

Learning about science is fun when making slime! The Elmer’s Celebration Slime Kit contains an assortment of glues and slime activators to make a variety of slime. There’s no need for any additional ingredients thanks to Magical Liquid, an all-in-one formula that eliminates the need for contact lens solution and baking soda like in other slime recipes. Kids can mix and match different glues and activators to create their own slime. The kit contains Includes 1 bottle of each: teal metallic glue, green glow in the dark glue, yellow to red color changing glue, pink translucent glue, silver glitter glue, metallic Slime activator, glow in the dark Slime activator, Crunchy Slime activator, and 2 bottles confetti Slime activator for tons of slime making fun!

Animal Woodland Stationary Set ($9.99)

Even the most reluctant writers will be more inclined to pick up a pencil to write a note when using this super cute tri-fold stationary set. The pack of 48 includes 6 animal designs featuring bear, lion, zebra, fox, giraffe, and panda. Made from premium paper, the tri-fold features lines on one side. Fold and seal with a cute sticker and then write the recipient’s address on the back.

SyncUP KIDS Watch from T-Mobile ($174)

Parents of early elementary ages want to stay in touch with their kids but don’t want to put a smartphone in their hands quite yet. Fortunately, T-Mobile’s new SyncUP KIDS Watch is designed to help kids explore with confidence and give parents more peace of mind. When paired with the SyncUP KIDS Parent/Guardian App (available on iOS and Android), the SyncUp Kids Watch allows parents and other approved contacts to stay in touch with their child via text, call and video or voice messages.

Real time real-time location tracking and virtual boundary alerts helps you keep tabs on your kids at all times while kids can seek help with the Help feature that sends an alert to assigned contacts and 911 button. SyncUP also aids kids in developing healthy digital habits thanks to the School Mode setting that helps them stay on task.

Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit ($13.99)

In our neighborhood, kids have been painting rocks and leaving them in neighbor’s yard and it’s been delightful to spot them on walks. This kit might inspire a young artist to do the same or keep them for themselves to decorate their own yard. This kit contains 10 rocks that can be painted and customized with fluorescent and glow in the dark waterproof paints.

Flybar Pogo Ball ($34.99)

Get kids off the couch and away from screens with the Flybar Pogo Ball that will get them bouncing their way to a healthier life. This gift not only burns calories but improves gross motor skills. Choose from 5 different colors, each of which comes with a pump and has heavy duty grip tape on the surface for maximum traction. While Flybar Pogo Ball has been extensively tested and can withstand weight of up to 160 lbs, Flybar ships replacement balls free of charge to help keep your kids moving.

Spot It! NFL Edition ($14.99)

Young football fans can build visual discrimination skills thanks to this game that features unique symbols to identify and match from card to card. Many of the symbols on the 55 cards represent the NFL teams and the game. Spot It! is a great game for family game night because you’ll find yourselves wanting to play again and again. There are also five different mini-games that mix up game play.

Crayola Ultimate Light Board Drawing Tablet ($24.99)

This light up drawing board will keep young artists engaged thanks to 6 washable gel markers that can be used to trace glowing designs or draw your own. Built in marker storage helps keep everything at home or on the go. Be sure to include 3 AA batteries with this gift!

Glow in the Dark Moon and Stars ($12.99)

I had originally wanted to include the Moon in My Room from Uncle Milton but when I saw the price of $85, it felt a little much for this age group who could be just as happy with a set of glow in the dark moon and stars. $12.99 buys you 1 moon room decor and over 1000 pieces of glowing stars that glow blue when the lights go off and create a dreamy sky to fall asleep to each night.

Jetson Jupiter Kick Scooter ($29.99)

Scooters are a great way to get around the neighborhood and get some exercise, but the Jetson Jupiter Kick Scooter is great because of the integrated LED lights. Over 100 LED lights are integrated in the stem, deck, and wheels to provide extra visibility and improve safety. The sturdy wide deck and durable frame are built to last, and the adjustable handlebar ensures the scooter can grow with your child. Rear braking makes it easy to operate and it folds for portability and storage.

The World of Beverly Cleary ($75.98)

Beverly Cleary books are a classic and no child should go without reading the collection featuring Ramona, Beezus, Henry, Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse. This incredible set is a must-have for any family library because it contains this collection of 15 Beverly Cleary books that are great for reading aloud and also independently:

  • Beezus and Ramona
  • Ramona the Pest
  • Ramona the Brave
  • Ramona and Her Father
  • Ramona and Her Mother
  • Ramona Quimby, Age 8
  • Ramona’s World
  • Henry Huggins
  • Henry and Beezus
  • Henry and Ribsy
  • Ribsy
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle
  • Runaway Ralph
  • Ralph S. Mouse
  • Ellen Tebbits

NEED MORE IDEAS? VISIT MY PAST GIFT GUIDES FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:

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

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

2021 Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

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. Images courtesy of the companies featured.