2012 Quirky-Tech Gift Guide– Video Games, STEM Toys, and Geeky Gifts
There is no shortage of tech gifts for kids and video games on the market, but it can be hard to find the quality. Here are our recommendations for some of the best STEM, tech, and game gifts out there.
Tech Toys
Snap Circuits
Snap Circuits from Elenco are the perfect gift for kids 8 and up, although younger kids will enjoy them with some help. The pieces easily snap together to create circuits that do some pretty cool things from shooting a fan into the air to detecting salt water. There are even some games. Check out my full review of Snap Circuits. You can find mini kits that do one or two things and start at around $15. The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 retails for $33 (but is now about $22 on Amazon), and there are larger kits for those with bigger budgets.
Sifteo Cubes
It’s not easy to explain Sifteo Cubes because there isn’t much out there to compare them to. These little cubes have motion sensing and touch screens, and they talk to each other. They make up a gaming system with an innovative play style. Check out my full Sifteo Cubes review to get a better sense of things, and then snap up a set (get an extra cube if you can to help extend the fun!). The basic Sifteo Cubes set with three cubes and the base is $129.95. Additional cubes are $29.95, making this a set that can grow with your kids.
littleBits
A last minute addition! We just received the littleBits Holiday Kit for review and I can’t say enough good things about it. With a motor, bright LED, pulse, light wire, power source, and a couple of connecting wires, there are enough pieces to let your imagination run wild. The parts “snap” together with magnets, meaning you can’t really connect them incorrectly, and kids can quickly and easily build a circuit with almost no help. As a bonus, the pieces are fun and colorful (as well as being color-coded). The littleBits Holiday Kit is just $49, so it’s a great gift idea.
Video Games
Skylanders Giants (Wii/Xbox/PS/DS)
If you and your family liked the first Skylanders, you’re bound to love Skylanders Giants. But even if you’re new to the franchise, it’s worth a peek. The game consists of collectible characters that you can bring into the game by placing them on the Portal of Power. What’s especially cool is that the characters are cross-platform and retain their own stats. You can take them from your PS3 to your friend’s XBox or Wii. The giants are pretty cool and many of the new characters light up when placed on the portal. Skylanders Giants starter sets with the Portal of Power start at around $74.99 (with a giant and two new Skylanders). If you already have the Portal of Power, the game runs about $59.99 (with one giant).
LeapFrog LeapPad2/LeapsterGS
I was surprised when LeapFrog announced a new LeapPad2 Explorer and LeapsterGS Explorer . After all, we though the previous incarnations were pretty nifty. That said, both devices are streamlined in size and shape and are easier to handle. The LeapsterGS Explorer features motion sensing, camera and video camera and enhanced memory and battery life. The LeapPad2 Explorer is also faster with a better battery life and a snazzier screen, among other things. I can’t say you should upgrade due to the changes, but they’re definitely worth adding to your family’s electronics collection. The LeapsterGS Explorer retails for $69.99, while the LeapPad2 Explorer retails for $99.99.
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Cartridge: Jake and the Never Land Pirates
This just may be my favorite Leapster cartridge ever. And yes, I realize that I am making a big claim. Geared toward kids on the younger end of the Leapster spectrum (3-5), Jake and The Never Land Pirates includes puzzles, numbers, shapes, pirates, treasure, open exploration, music, and more. Kids won’t feel like they’re doing the exact same task over and over and there is no prescribed path they have to take (two of my standard complains about LeapFrog games). Each of the game areas levels up in difficulty over time, helping to maintain a challenge for kids as they play. Jake and The Never Land Pirates retails for $24.99 and will work on any of the LeapFrog Explorer devices.
PlayStation Wonderbook Book of Spells (PS3 with Move)
Harry Potter fans in your house? You’ll want to gift them with some magic of their own. The PlayStation Wonderbook Book of Spells invites players to enter the world of Harry Potter, delve deeper, and learn to cast spells using the PlayStation Move controller. Please visit my full review of the Wonderbook Book of Spells, which retails for $39.99.
Touch My Katamari (PS Vita)
By way of disclosure, I have a thing for the Katamari games. The quirky Japanese games involve rolling up objects using a sticky ball called a Katamari. As your Katamari grows (now covered in objects you’ve rolled up), you can catch larger and larger items, including people, cars, buildings, and even planets. Touch My Katamari utilizes the front and rear Vita touch screens so you can squeeze or flatten your Katmari to fit in tight spaces. It’s not a particularly long game, but additional levels are available for a free download once you’ve earned enough “fans” (you’ll find them randomly as you replay levels). It’s weird and fun and different and there’s plenty of replay value if you want to find all of the objects and unlock the in-game content. Touch My Katamari retails for $29.99.
Just Dance: Disney Party (Wii/Xbox 360 w ithKinect)
I had a toss-up between including Just Dance: Disney Party and Just Dance 4 in the gift guide because I like them both quite a bit, but I’ve gone with the Disney title because it has some great family friendly elements. Obviously, you’ve got the wide appeal of Disney songs like “Bibbidi-Bobbidy-Boo” and “The Bare Necessities” and even the infamous earworm “It’s a Small World.” But they’ve also included a “Co-Op” mode where you work as a team to get the best score possible. This is great for multi-age/multi-skill play. Not sure why more kids titles don’t include that mode. There are quite a few new Disney songs from Disney Channel shows. Chances are if you have young kids, you won’t recognize most of them, but there are plenty of familiar songs to keep you occupied.Just Dance: Disney Party retails for $29.99.
Disclosure: We received review samples of most of these items. There was no promise of a positive review or inclusion in our gift guide. The opinions contained in this post are my own unless otherwise specified. This post contains affiliate links.
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So many cool ideas…I played Sifteo cubes over a year ago and thought they were very fun/unique. Of course, I am a gamer at heart!