One of the biggest challenges I find in this gift giving season is finding gifts that my two boys (ages 8 and 12) will love but that do not lead to endless hours sitting in front of a TV or computer screen. Rather than encouraging them to be couch potatoes, I would much rather give them the gift of creativity and imagination.
My blog sponsor MightyNest has done an especially good job of curating a selection of gifts that engage kids in creative and imaginative play - or what they call gifts that are unplugged.
Sewing & Knitting Kit
This adorable sewing & knitting kit from French company Moulin Roty has everything you need for hours of sewing and knitting projects, all packed up in a cute suitcase box.
Yesterday 8 year old Liam and I dug in to this kit to see what inspired us. Since neither of us know how to knit (we plan to get a lesson from my mom when we visit her over Christmas), we decided to make yarn pom-poms. Have you ever made them? They are so fun and easy! Look for a tutorial on pom-pom making coming soon on my blog!
The fun part about this kit is that the child has their very own sewing supplies including metal sewing scissors, a thimble, a tape measure, a French knitting dolly and more! The easy to hold wooden knitting needles look like the perfect way for a child (or grownup!) to start learning how to knit.
Artterro Craft Kits
Artterro kits contain everything you need to make a fun craft using natural and recycled materials. I love that the company was founded by a couple of art enthusiasts in my home town of Madison, Wisconsin!
Liam and I have made the Bubble Wand kit - something that MightyNest does not carry right now but this Wire & Bead Art Kit is similar and even cooler! This type of free-form crafting is the type that my boys seem to like best. Bend the copper wire (available in 3 gauges), then add glass or wooden beads, shells or marbles to make whatever creation (or creature!) you want!
Tool Kit
This wooden tool box complete with tools is very tempting. It comes with 6 real tools sized for smaller hands - a ruler, saw, hammer, philips screwdriver, regular screwdriver and pencil. Everything is packed in a sturdy wooden box to keep everything safe for years to come.
If you want to really go all out, spring for the 14 piece tool set that has a Square Ruler, Ruler, C-Clamp, Philip Screwdriver, Regular Screwdriver, Chisel, Mallet, Plier, Plane, Sanding Block, Gimlet, Hammer, Hand Saw and a Spirit Level.
To make your holiday shopping a little easier MightyNest is offering 10% off to all Mindful Momma readers. Just use code MINDFUL10 at checkout.
What are your favorite ways to encourage your kids to unplug?
(Disclosure: I received a free kit from MightyNest in exchange for my honest opinion.)
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