Educational Gifts That Homeschoolers Actually Love

The holidays have a way of sneaking up fast, don’t they? Every year I tell myself I’ll keep things simple, and every year I end up wandering down the rabbit hole of books, kits, and games that promise a little more wonder in our homeschool days.

If you’re shopping for your own kids (or another homeschool family), this list is filled with things that have actually worked for us, gifts that make learning fun, spark curiosity, and get used long after the wrapping paper’s been recycled.

1. Books (You Can’t Go Wrong with Books)

If you’ve been here a while, you already know: I will always recommend books.

• High-interest reference books (DK is a big favorite around here) are perfect for those “I just want to know everything about sharks/dinosaurs/outer space” phases. Specific series that make good gifts for the elementary crowd: DK Children’s Anthologies Series and DK’s Our World in Pictures. For older kids and teens consider Science Comics, History Comics, and Smithsonian’s The Definitive Visual Guides.

• The Story Orchestra series make great gifts: they’re beautiful, interactive, and sneak in a little music appreciation without feeling like a lesson. Due to their fragile nature, I do recommend buying these new (but I did find some at Book Outlet this year!)
  
• Fun, silly books are a great fit for a lot of kids. The year my kids got ALL of the Elephant and Piggie series was a blast and they’re still very well loved to this day. My struggling reader also loved getting a banana joke book last year (even though I was VERY tired of it by January haha).
  
• If your kids have hobbies, how-to books make the best gifts. Drawing, coding, baking, crafting, you name it, if it helps them dive deeper into something they love, it’s a win.
  
• Honestly, any book your child will love is a great fit even if you’re a bit thrown off by it. Your teen wants a book on history of underwater basket weaving? Sure. Your ten year old wants yet another Pokemon book? Sounds like a plan. Reading is reading is reading.

My mother (the best Homeschool Nana ever!) has done a few different years where she’s done “book count downs” for my kids. She’ll buy a few different sets of books, wrap them, and my kids get to unwrap a book everyday leading up to the holidays. This has been a HIT every time she’s done it.

Keep in mind: Kids rarely care if their books are new. Many thrift stores sell books for a $1 or less! I’ve found some AMAZING deals this way. If you do want NEW books, check out Book Outlet for some great prices.

To encourage giving back: we will also buy our favorite, good quality books that we already own in thrift stores and donate them to free little libraries.

2. Subscriptions & Experiences

If you’re looking for something that keeps giving all year long, this is it. Subscription boxes are our favorite surprise each month: science, art, world culture, you name it. It feels like getting a mini unit study delivered to your door.

Magazine subscriptions are great too (National Geographic Kids and Bravery are big hits here). And don’t forget about experiences: museum memberships, zoo passes, concert or theater tickets. Those gifts turn into family adventures and the kinds of learning that stick forever.

Recommendations:

• Kiwi Crate: A lot of different options for just about every age group (hint hint to any grandparents reading this!)
• Yoto Club: even if you don’t have a yoto this is awesome
• Universal Yums: A unique way to explore the world!

3. Globes

We have a bit of a globe obsession, but our favorite is the Orboot Globe. It connects to an app and turns geography into an interactive adventure. My kids love scanning countries and discovering animals, food, and culture from around the world.

Our first globe that is STILL well loved is our Hug-a-Globe. We spent so much time throwing this back and forth and exploring where ever our thumb landed. All my kids learned their continents and so much more from this one.

Olly Ball Globe: I don’t own this, yet, but this ball version looks like a fun option as well. I’m really intrigued that you can color it and that you can buy more inserts for when your kid pops it (cause I know mine will).

Also a classic globe or a light-up one makes a great gift. It naturally invites questions and spark curiosity about places far beyond our own little corner of the world.

4. STEM Kits, Building Toys, & Open-Ended Play

I’ll be honest, these are the toys that never get old. Whether it’s LEGO sets, magnetic tiles, or marble runs: open-ended play is where creativity thrives. My kids can spend hours building, testing, and redesigning.

STEM kits are another favorite because they blend play with problem-solving. They’re the kind of gifts that sneak in engineering and critical thinking without anyone realizing they’re learning.

Construction Kits:

• Classic Options:
  • Wooden Blocks: All kids deserve to have a classic set of blocks!
  • Standard Unit Blocks: These are pricy, but a great investment.
  • Railroad Tracks: I still enjoy playing with railroad tracks.
• Lego 3-in-1: If you have a kiddo who really likes to build with the instructions, the 3-in-1 sets really give you a lot of bang for your buck.
• Lego Classics: If your kid prefers the more creative freestyle play, you can’t go wrong with the creative kits.
• Magnatiles or Picasso Tiles: We’ve owned these since my kids were small and they still get daily play
• Marble Run: We picked up a marble run at a thrift store for $4 years ago and it’s probably given over a hundred hours of enjoyment for my kids. We also enjoy the gravity maze version.

STEM Kit Recommendations

• DIY Versions
  • Science Experiment Version:
    • Supply ideas: BIG things of baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, salt, food coloring, kool-aid packets, lemon juice, alka seltzer tablets, oil
    • Make sure to get a container that will hold in the mess!
    • We included this science experiment book by Emily Calandrelli (from Emily’s Wonderlab!)
  • Engineering Version:
    • Supply ideas: Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, binder clips, cardboard strips, toilet paper tubes, paper cups, straws, pipe cleaners, masking tape, string or yarn, wooden skewers, plastic spoons, velcro dots, brads (paper fasteners), old gift cards (for structural pieces), bubble wrap, plastic bottle caps, small LED tea lights, aluminum foil, paint stirrers
    • We included this book and it’s gotten a lot of use!
• Learning Resources Science Kits: These are all sturdy for young scientists!
• Snap Circuits: One of my absolute favorite STEM supplies!
• Lakeshore Woodworking Kit: I haven’t tried this one, but it’s on my list! I bet you could also DIY too.

5. Board and Card Games

Board and card games are a homeschool staple in our house. They’re sneaky-learning at its finest: reading, math, strategy, cooperation, all disguised as family fun.

We love mixing up classics with new discoveries. Strategy games for critical thinking, word games for literacy, and cooperative games for teamwork. Plus, they’re a great excuse to slow down and spend time together after a busy homeschool day.

My recommendations for pre-readers can be found here. Working on a list for readers next!

6. Art and Craft Supplies

Art supplies are one of those things that make a huge difference in how kids experience creativity. While there is something about using real, high-quality materials that inspires confidence and pride in their work….art and craft supplies in general are worth the investment.

A good set of watercolor paints, smooth paper that doesn’t tear, vibrant markers that actually blend, those are gifts that last long after the holidays. We especially love stocking up on sketchbooks, watercolor sets, oil pastels, and quality brushes. They make art feel like an invitation instead of just another activity.

If your kids love creating, you can even pair their supplies with a how-to-draw book or an online art class subscription for an extra-special gift.

Recommendations for Art Supplies:

• Stablio Woody 3-in-1: These can be used in so many ways and an amazing investment for young artists!
• Prisma Colored Pencils: A step up for more advanced artists, these are the ones I prefer for drawing.
• Artboard Paper: If you’ve got a kiddo who loves to paint, I highly recommend this for economical paper!
• Model Magic: My kids are ADDICTED to this stuff and have made some awesome items.

Crafting Recommendations:

• Creative Box: I honestly recommend you DIY for this one and just grab scissors, glue sticks, tape, pompoms, pipe cleaners, jewels, beads, etc. Don’t forget a container! The year I did this for my middle kid they declared it was the “best solstice present ever” BUT there are some great predone kits.
• Chunky Yarn for Finger Knitting: Chunky yarn is MUCH easier to work with for finger knitting and it makes a bigger and faster project for them to see.
• Crochet Kits: While the woobles kits look amazing, their are cheaper alternatives out there!
• Rainbow Loom: I know this one is debatable for a lot of parents, but it’s been enjoyed in my house….though yes I find the little bands EVERYWHERE

How to Books and Subscriptions:

• How to Draw Cute Stuff Books: This is an entire series and both myself and my kids have LOVED them. They’re easy to follow and appeal to the kawaii look.
• Art for Kids Hub: I have no experience with their subscription, but we’ve enjoyed the books and their youtube channel!
• Soul Sparklettes Art: An expensive investment, but I’m impressed with their offerings

A Few Final Thoughts

The best homeschool gifts don’t need to be complicated — they just need to inspire curiosity, connection, and creativity. Whether you’re adding a few of these to your wish list or tucking them under the tree for your kids, I hope they bring a little extra wonder to your homeschool this season.