I don’t know about you, but I start each holiday season with a big burst of excitement followed by a long, labored sigh. Why? Because I love Christmas, but Christmas means lots of gifts for kids, and the presents mine get are often large, loud toys that require batteries (for the toy) and aspirin (for my inevitable headache). I swear, if someone gives my son another light up toy that sings the same whiny song on repeat I am throwing it out the window.
That’s why I decided to be proactive this holiday season. No more weapons or battery-operated eardrum-killers. This year I have done my research and put together a pretty awesome wish list of fantastic gift ideas that are a perfect mix of creative, techy, cute, fun, and 100 percent cool. And best of all, these gifts will not drive you crazy. I repeat, THEY WILL NOT DRIVE YOU CRAZY. If that sounds as good to you as it does to me, check out this list and get ready for the most peaceful, enjoyable holiday season yet.
Gifts for kids that won't drive you crazy
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Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
Get your kids off the video games by exploring chemical reactions! With 11 cool experiments, this kit is both informative and engrossing.
Price: $10
More infoPhoto: Amazon
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Miley DIY House
How cool is this durable, igloo-shaped playhouse made from corrugated, recycled cardboard? Once your kids finish building it, they'll want to hide out inside for hours (bonus!).
Price: $55Photo: MoMA Store
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Neon Light Writer
This electroluminescent wire and pegboard creates some seriously awesome neon writing, and will have your kids in awe.
Price: $19.95Photo: Thames & Kosmos
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View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack
This is not the same ol' viewfinder they made when we were kids. With this cool contraption, kids can be transported to other lands with a variety of colorful 3D images.
Price: $16.99Photo: Amazon
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Minecraft Stop-Motion Animation Studio
How cool is this stop-motion animation kit? More to the point, it will keep your kids entertained for hours!
Price: $24.49Photo: Amazon
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Magnetic Poetry -- Kid Genius Kit
As a kid, I used to love magnetic poetry. It's a great way to get the creative juices flowing, and keep the kids entertained.
Price: $18.95Photo: Amazon
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Rick JR Magazine
Looking for a gift that'll be informative and fun (and won't make any noise!)? Try a subscription to this award-winning magazine full of cute animals and interesting facts.
Price: $24.95Photo: National Wildlife Federation
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My All-Time Top 5: A Book of Lists
With this cool and thought provoking book of games and ideas, your tween and her pals will be have a blast sharing their opinions and getting to know one another better.
Price: $15Photo: Amazon
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Christmas Fun Mad Libs
There will always be a soft spot in my heart for Mad Libs. They're funny, they get the whole family involved, and they get kids thinking about gramma --win!
Price: $5Photo: Amazon
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The Shrinky Dinks Book
My 6-year-old is obsessed with these cool shrinkable plastic decorations. They're super fun to color in and cut out, but even cooler to watch them transform in the oven!
Price: $11Photo: Amazon
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Kinderkitchen Dog Knife with Teeth
Get kids excited about cooking with this adorable dog knife with teeth. Sharp enough to cut food, not fingers.
Price: 11Photo: Amazon
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Mosaic Butterfly Stepping Stone Kit
A cool gift that will appeal to your child's artistic side, and you'll even get a cool stepping stone for your garden out of it!
Price: $15Photo: Amazon
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Color the Earth Kit
This inflatable globe doubles as a coloring book! A great gift for artists and future world travelers.
Price: $20Photo: Uncommon Goods
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Global Alphabet Blocks
These gorgeous alphabet blocks are decorated with different world alphabet scripts and make an inclusive statement through the graphic representation of language.
Price: $80Photo: MoMA Store
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Meddy Teddy
For the ultimate in Zen toys, how about a teddy bear that likes to meditate? Teach children mindfulness by bending this cute teddy's limbs into different yoga poses.
Price: $29.95Photo: Meddy Teddy
