ELECTRONICS$show=/search/label/electronics

We think it's really important for kids to get hands-on with electronics and learn how to make circuits and write code to control hardware. Younger kids can start with conductive playdough. For kids who like to combine craft and tech, littleBits are fab. And we love SAM Labs wireless electronics components for making it easy for kids to make Internet of Things inventions. Lots of electronics kits for kids have support for the Arduino microprocessor environment. The DuinoKit Jr is one of our favourites. Arduino is a fab skill for older kids and teens to develop.

MAKING AND CRAFT$show=/search/label/making

We're advocates of the creative use of technology, but this needs to be balanced with developing physical skills such as papercraft, woodwork, clay modelling, technical drawing and soldering. If children don't develop these skills as they grow up then physical making projects can become frustrating rather than fun. The Maker Community uses the term 'making' as a broad term to include all sorts of artisan skills or craft activities. Being able to make things can lead to life-long hobbies or even careers. It's a great feeling to be able to take a project from an idea in your head to a real object that does something. We're particularly interested to explore products that combine maker skills with tech skills such as electronics but others focus purely on the physical making skills that are still important to modern making.

Tech Age Stocking Fillers for Techie & Maker Kids

Elbrie de Kock Tuesday 24 November 2015 Edit this post

We've put together some ideas to fill those Christmas stockings for tech-loving kids. Our picks are (mostly) under $20 and include mini robots, items from popular online games, goodies for maker kids and pocket games and products that promote STEM and coding skills.

Cube-Tastic

Cube-Tastic! 3x3 Puzzle Cube with Free IOS/Android App. Brain Teaser Toy for Kids
? @ Amazon

Cube-Tastic is puzzle cube, by Pai Technology, which you can scan and solve using augmented reality with the free Cube-Tastic app. Although the cube doesn't look like a traditional Rubik's Cube, it is solved using the same principles.

Read our review.
OiDroids

OiDroids Series 1 - Pack of 15 Papercraft Robot Cards
? @ Amazon

The OiDroids are a favourite at Tech Age Kids, having used them to make a homemade advent calendar and also in as party bag fillers for a robot party. These little cut-out cardboard robot character make a great stocking filler for any kid. They come in a pack of 12 robots and there is at least one rare robot is each pack. MY kids have had hours of fun building and playing with their OiDroids. They are hoping for some more to add to their collection (There are 96 to collect in total).
Minecraft Papercraft

Minecraft Papercraft Animal Mobs Set (Over 30 Pieces)
? @ Amazon

A small set of Minecraft papercraft will keep kids engaged for hours and can later be expanded with additional sets. Ideal for kids that love Minecraft and need to have a screenless activity.

Read our review.
LEGO Minifigure Blind Bag

LEGO Ninjago Movie Minifigure - Blind Bag Pack (71019)
? @ Amazon

A LEGO mini figure is a great idea for kids that love LEGO. Blind bags add to the surprise element in a Christmas stocking. There's a lot of different choices, but we've selected the Ninjago set as the characters use cool tech and the Ninjago movie was recently released!
Origami Paper

Alex Toys 287 Origami Paper 70/Pkg
? @ Amazon

Origami is a fantastic maker skill to encourage kids to learn. There's lots of thinking and precise working involved as well as developing spatial awareness. Youtube is filled with instruction videos on how to fold origami from the very simple to super complex designs. Orgami papers is a perfect gift to promote screenless activities that are fun and engaging.
Cross Stitch Kits

ALEX Toys Craft Simply Needlepoint Flower
? @ Amazon

The Alex cross-stitch kits have a plastic canvas, making it much easier for kids to learn the skill. We like cross-stitch because it's like pixel art and it is an easy way to get started with e-textiles. Once you've mastered some simple sewing skills, you can start adding electronics. How techie!
Math Dice Game

Math Dice Chase Action Game
? @ Amazon

A small game to help support computational and logical thinking skills is a great stocking filler. The Math Dice Game is small, travels easily as it comes with a storage bag. My son loves this game and we play it often.
3Doodler Start Doodleblock Kits

3Doodler Start Emoji & Symbol DoodleBlock Kit
? @ Amazon

If you already have a 3Doodler Start, then an add-on pack would make a great stocking filler. The Doodleblock kits have templates and 2 packs of plastic. There are a number of different themes to choose from. If you don't have a 3Doodler Start 3D pen, then check out our review. They are fantastic for modern maker kids.
Ocean Pets VR

Ocean Pets - Create Your Own Virtual Aquarium Combining Mess-Free Putty and Magical Augmented Reality. Free iOS and Android App!
? @ Amazon

Ocean Pets is a craft activity injected with AR technology for digitally minded kids. What you end up with is a virtual aquarium with your own homemade fish swimming around in it. The fish are made using air drying clay, which is fantastic to work with. The kit comes with everything you need to make a number of different fish. We used it with 4 boys and they all made a good number of their own little fish. Read our full review of the Ocean Pets kit.
Augmentify

? @ Amazon

The Augmentify It Space Cards are physical cards with images on one side and facts on the other. You scan them with the free app to see an AR image. And there's a simple quiz in the app based on the facts on the cards. Currently only availabe in the UK.

Read our full review.
Lightseekers Trading Card Packs

Lightseekers Trading Card Game Starter Deck, Astral
? @ Amazon

Lightseekers is an awesome new mobile and trading card game that launched this year. You can get trading card booster packs to add to your collection and improve your trading card game. You can also use them as power-ups in the mobile game and trade them with friends. If you like Pokemon or similar trading cards, these are a similar thing. Read our full review of the Lightseekers trading card game.
Family-Safe Sugru

Sugru Mouldable Glue - Family-Safe | Skin-Friendly Formula - Red, Yellow & Blue (3-pack)
? @ Amazon

We've been waiting for this product and it's arrived just in time for Christmas - a family-safe mouldable glue. Sugru is great for making things and fixing things and now kids can safely use it too! Read our review of Sugru (not family-safe) and our family-safe Sugru review is coming soon.