Holiday Gift Guide 2012: 10 Educational & Inspiring Toys for Kids

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By Laura Cochrane
Posted 2012/12/14 @ 2:32 pm
Category Fun & Games, Kids & Family

Rubik’s Cube; image used under Creative Commons, by Flickr user Doug Aghassi

The other day I published the STEM Toys for Kids gift guide, focusing on toys that teach skills or concepts in the field of science, tech, engineering, and math. I came up with so many awesome toys researching that list I decided to make another gift guide, for toys that are generally inspiring or educational in some way. Please add your own favorites in the comments below.

Launch the Slideshow

BY Laura Cochrane

I'm the assistant editor at MAKE and CRAFT. I like etymology and dislike endings.

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7 Responses to Holiday Gift Guide 2012: 10 Educational & Inspiring Toys for Kids

Isaac on December 15th, 2012 at 6:51 am said:

Can we PLEASE get rid of the slide shows?

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- anon on December 16th, 2012 at 5:07 am said:
  
  FULLEST ACK!
  
  Reply ↓
- Alan Dove on December 17th, 2012 at 11:34 am said:
  
  “Yo dawg, we heard you like ads, so we made a slide show of toy ads so we can sell you while we sell you.”
  
  Or something like that.
  
  Reply ↓
- Laura Cochrane on December 17th, 2012 at 11:46 am said:
  
  You can click “View all slides” if you want to see them all on one page. (But we are hearing and appreciate the feedback.)
  
  Alan, sorry toys aren’t your thing. Are you giving gifts to children this holiday? Are you handmaking all of them?
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Alan Dove on December 18th, 2012 at 9:42 am said:
  
  I don’t see a “View All Slides” button in Firefox.
  
  As for the sarcasm war you’ve engaged, yes, I am getting gifts for children, and no I’m not making them all. But I don’t see how my purchasing of toys legitimizes Make’s choice to bombard me with yet more advertising for pre-made items. I can get that information somewhere else (or rather, everywhere else). Isn’t this supposed to be the site that talks about making stuff yourself?
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Laura Cochrane on December 18th, 2012 at 11:43 am said:
  
  Hm, not sure what the issue is — I’m in Firefox and I see the “View all slides” option. I’ll forward your note on to the appropriate folks to check in to it.
  
  I’m sorry my comment came across as sarcastic to you. It was meant to steer the conversation in a constructive direction, and I was actually curious if you were making all the gifts for the kiddos on your list. But re-reading what I wrote, I should have said “these toys” and not just “toys.”
  
  I think you have a worthwhile point about the boundaries of MAKE content, and I appreciate you sharing it. But please, hold your fire, I’m waving the white flag! No sarcasm war intended. Honestly.
  
  Reply ↓
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