December has just arrived, which means there’s one more payday left to replenish your gift-spending fuel. Still out of Christmas gift ideas for that smart kid who’s acing math and science in school (or that kid-at-heart who loves tinkering)? Here are some leads to get you started with your Christmas gift hunt.
Gift ideas for the science lover in your life
Check out our recommendations below. Remember, time’s running out!
1) Rubik’s cube
This one’s a classic among gift ideas. The puzzle lover in your life would go nuts over this. The 2 x 2 x 2 and traditional 3 x 3 x 3 cube may seem like child’s play, but they are actually challenging. Erno Rubik’s 1974 creation is still very much alive today, with various iterations out there to keep you occupied, and yes, frustrated, in replicating solutions or creating your own.
2) Buildable plastic models
Do you think that buddy of yours who still collects Gundam plastic models at the age of 30 is just an old child who refuses to give up? That friend might be up to something, as there are some who claim that a link exists between plastic model assembly and mental exercises. Regardless of what you think, though, one can’t deny the fulfillment of finishing even just one kit.
Not a Gundam lover? You can build your own plastic BB-8 or Darth Vader too, by the way. Bandai is usually your guy.
3) Mini 4WD
It’s the same as plastic models, only with a bigger emphasis on actual mechanics. With the recent revival of the hobby (with kids during the Lets & Go era now having disposable income to buy what mommy and daddy wouldn’t — go ahead, admit it), the Mini 4WD (four-wheel drive) toy is an excellent gift choice. On top of plastic assembly, you are also encouraged to tweak your car according to the race track, which can go from speed-focused to technical. Just make sure that the receiver (ahem, you — we won’t judge, don’t worry) has access to a race track. (And no, you still can’t make it fly and spin by shouting “Magnum Tornado!” at the top of your lungs.)
4) Science kits
Nothing screams “SCIENCE!” like science experiment kits, so what better way to get that kid (or you) started than with a Nat Geo do-it-yourself package or something similar? You can recreate an archaeological dig or build your own battery to power your makeshift clock. Those are just a few among the many options available on the market. You can even go small with a microscope (or big with a telescope)!
5) Sphero
As far as gift ideas go, this toy is on the expensive side, but it’s a technological gem. You can get a talking Spider-Man based on the recent film, or even the bare-bones, smartphone-controlled basic ball. The old but innovative BB-8 of two years ago (from Star Wars: The Force Awakens) is still a nice piece, now at a lower price! (Also, if the Dark Side is your thing, the BB-9E is also available.)
6) The Mighty Mug: The Mug That Won’t Fall
Yes, mugs are included in virtually every listicle on what not to get for Christmas. However, a mug becomes an exception if it is, well, exceptional. The Mighty Mug swears that it won’t tip over when it is filled because, yeah, science.
7) LEGO
Undoubtedly, LEGO is a timeless option, especially if you want the limited edition Millennium Falcon. (That particular kit’s price has gone up, though, and could be much more expensive compared to all items in this list of gift ideas.)
But if all else fails, remember that you can always give a good book. Last on our list of gift ideas:
8) Big Ideas Simply Explained
Big Ideas Simply Explained is a series of books explaining different bodies of knowledge from business and philosophy to astronomy and psychology in easy-to-digest terms. There’s even a book in the series that focuses on general science! The covers look great, too. Uniform in layout and design, these would certainly look awesome together on your bookshelf.
We hope that this list of gift ideas could prove helpful to you. Still, it ultimately depends on what you think the gift recipient might like. After all, gift-giving is not an exact science. –MF
Author: Ronin Bautista
Ronin is a Christmas-loving wandering scribe who wanted to be a doctor, until he learned it meant cutting dead bodies open. He is currently finishing his MA in Asian Studies (major in Japanese Studies), while teaching journalism classes at UP Diliman’s College of Mass Communication.
