There’s no doubt about it—holiday shopping can be a huge hassle. But did you know there’s a one-stop-shop in Austin that’s always stocked with fun, unique and educational gifts for children of all ages? Yep, it’s the Thinkery Shop! If you’re looking for the perfect present for someone you love, look no further. Our hand-picked 2017 Holiday Gift Guide is a curated selection of some of our favorite holiday finds designed to inspire and delight.
Also, you can feel good about what you buy in the Thinkery Shop. All shop sales directly support fun and learning in the museum. That’s right, every single purchase goes toward enriching the Thinkery experience for our guests. Take a look at our top holiday picks, then pick ’em up in the Thinkery Shop during your next visit!
Explore conductive electricity and engage in open-ended play with Light Stax! You may have seen these colorful and interactive blocks in our Light Lab gallery, and now you can bring the fun and learning home. Light Stax also makes for a cool “night light” option—construct your own creation and it will automatically shut off in 15 minutes.
Perfect for: Brick and block enthusiasts ages 3+ (larger blocks) and 6+ (smaller blocks).
Let’s dance! Both manipulative and musical, this precious pull toy from Plan Toys promotes physical and emotional development in toddlers. Not only is this Dancing Alligator super cute—it’s also environmentally conscious. Plan Toys‘ manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy while creating safe, environmentally-friendly toys.
Perfect for: Mini-music makers ages 12 months and up.
Vroom! The intuitive technology behind Myland™ Race Car inspires creativity and encourages exploration, and it facilitates free and open-ended play for children to discover at their own pace. Instructions? Who needs ’em? Rules? Not applicable. All that’s required is an insatiable imagination. (And maybe a need for speed, too.)
Perfect for: Curious kiddos ages 2+.
Does your little learner love shopping in our Fresh! Farmers’ Market? Then Melissa & Doug’s Wooden Grill & Serve BBQ Set is a perfect fit! Let your budding BBQ aficionado explore the wonders of cooking and ‘cuing through creative expression and imaginative play. Bon appétit!
Perfect for: Future (or current!) chefs ages 5+.
Friendship bracelets? Yep. Pom pom monsters? You bet. Pipe cleaner crowns? But of course. Inspire the artist in your life with a creative and crafty Arts and Crafts Library from Kid Made Modern! With more than 12,000 pieces of crafting materials, the possibilities are endless. (The practical carry case makes storage and transport a breeze, too.)
Perfect for: Artists, dreamers and designers ages 8+.
Love tinkering and creative exploration? Meet GoldieBlox, the world’s first girl engineer character! Goldie and her pals represent a diverse and unique group of characters motivated by building and action. Each figure comes with inter-compatible construction sets so you can grow and expand your creative masterpiece(s).
Perfect for: Future engineers ages 4+.
Build moving vehicles using kid-friendly tools, nuts and bolts! 4M Thinking Kits‘ hands-on Build A Vehicle STEM learning set is designed for little hands and helps develop fine motor skills. Build away!
Perfect for: Tinkering tots ages 4+.
“Stripes for Eliana” by Ana Carmelo Jackson is a heartwarming story about embracing diversity.
Perfect for: Teaching the values of empathy, kindness and respect.
“Cassandra and the Night Sky” by Amy Jackson is a super sweet and starry adventure about the night sky.
Perfect for: Introducing constellations, space exploration and astronomers.