If your kid is looking for a little more authenticity than a plastic workshop playset, try this Young Builder's Tool Set—a functioning tool kit designed for kids. Inside the tool box you'll find safety goggles, a tape measure, level, hammer, sanding block, hand drill, and even a mini saw. ForSmallHands; $55.00
For Small Hands
Don't buy a playhouse—have your kids build their own! With this MakeDo guided kit, all you'll need to provide is the cardboard; everything else is provided. MakeDo; $25.00
Makedo
Sometimes dinnertime can get tough. But with construction-inspired dinnerware, like a forklift fork, a frontloader spoon, and a bulldozer pusher, your littlest builder can make eating and playing one and the same! The Grommet; $37.95
The best way to instill a do-it-yourself spirit in your youngster is by getting started early. With this wildly popular Build-It Book: 12 Things You Can Make from Junk , your child will be upcycling and repurposing in no time! Barnes and Noble; $16.40
The newest rage in building toys are the highly versatile KEVA Structures. Stack them to create staircases, houses, monuments, or whatever your little architect desires—no glue or connectors required! Mindware; $49.95 and up.
Mindware
Do you remember how exciting gardening was when you were little? How seeing a seedling you planted burst out of the ground seemed like magic? Give the gift of wonder to the budding gardening in your life with this Sunflower Kit. Amazon; $16.70
Building a bird house is as American as apple pie—and one of the first woodworking projects that most kids tackle. With this Build A Birdhouse Kit, all you need to worry about is whether or not your child is old enough to hold a hammer. Amazon; $9.30
amazon
By the time your children are grown up and living in the future, everything will be powered by corn and sunlight. Give your kid a head start with this 6-in-1 Solar Kit. They can snap together different parts to build a solar-powered puppy, car, windmill, or airboat—no tools required. Alternative energy made fun! Mindware; $22.95
From gorillas to pandas, raccoons to dalmatians, Areaware is sure to have a pillow of your child or preteen's favorite animal. Turn their bedroom into a zoo or just give them a little flair. Areaware; $18.00+
2D board games got you down? Go for this dimensional Konexi Gravity-Defying Word Game, stacking letters high into the air—an ideal gift for any budding bookworm. Take that, Scrabble. Amazon; $16.59
For more holiday gift guides, consider:
Even if you've got your heart set on hardwood flooring, it's worth considering the alternatives. Sometimes, materials that only look like wood can be just as good as—or even better than—the real thing. Explore your options now!
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