The greatest gift you can give this holiday season is not the latest game console or tech gadget - it’s the gift of learning. Instead of buying loved one games or tech, enable them to create future games and tech! Give your loved ones educational toys and gifts for teenagers.
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. All gifts listed are less than $400, many of them less than $75. For simplicity, we round prices to the nearest whole dollar not including shipping and links to the gifts will be via Amazon unless the product is not offered there. There are thousands of potential gifts out there, and we've identified these as unique and creative gifts that will impress any teen. With your gift, your loved one will learn skills and concepts that could translate to a fulfilling career in STEM.
Empower your child to learn coding and have fun in a free special beginner-friendly winter coding event!
Explore The Best Educational Gifts For Teenagers
Your loved one will enjoy these gifts regardless of their experience in STEM. The possibilities are endless! These educational gifts are great for hobbyists or compliments to high school courses.
1. Create & Learn Gift Card
The best way to learn STEM is in a live online class with a highly qualified and passionate instructor. Create & Learn is an award-winning online computer science education platform founded by Silicon Valley veterans where any child can get hands-on experience with today’s most cutting-edge technologies. Popular courses for teens from game development and Minecraft coding, to mobile apps, robotics, graphic design, artificial intelligence, and data science! There are even AP computer science classes. In addition, many courses have free introduction sessions.
Price: Any dollar amount you prefer

2. LEGO Kits
If you search “LEGO college essay” on Google, you will find a lot of results! A 2003 journal study proved that playing with LEGOs in childhood led to higher math scores later on. LEGOs instill a builder’s mentality in those who play with them. It’s powerful to see something start from an idea and turn into something tangible - sounds a lot like engineering!
For teenagers, LEGOs are also a great gateway into the world of robotics. LEGO robots are a lot easier to get started with since they don’t require tools. Specifically, the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Set is a wonderful starting point. Combining colorful LEGO building elements, easy-to-use hardware, and an intuitive drag-and-drop coding language based on Scratch. There's even the option to explore text-based coding with Python using the set.
Some of the most challenging LEGO kits for teens to build include the Technic™ Liebherr Crawler Crane LR 13000, the Icons Concorde, and the Eiffel tower.
Price: Basic LEGO kits start as low as $5. The Prime Set is $399.95 on the LEGO website.

3. STEM Board Games
Who doesn’t love a chill game night?! You and the rest of your family and friends can join in on the STEM learning action with a STEM board game. These board games instill programming concepts that can translate away from the game. It doesn’t even feel like learning.
- BLUE ORANGE GAMES Photosynthesis Board Game - $40 on Amazon
- CodeMaster - $23 on Amazon
- Hacker Cybersecutity Game - $30 on Amazon

4. Micro:Bit
Has your loved one ever wanted to learn how a computer works? A Micro:Bit is a small programmable device that has 25 LED lights, two pressable buttons, and a wide variety of sensors. A Micro Bit can be programmed using Scratch. One can program the Micro:Bit’s LED lights to change based on the inputs (either buttons or sensors). Programming Micro:Bit sensors is a great introduction to robotics since robots rely a lot on sensors. If your loved one wants to explore more with Micro Bit with a live instructor then Create & Learn offers a Micro:Bit course!
Price: $34 on Amazon

5. Snap Circuits Green Energy Kit
This is another great gift for any loved one interested in hardware or robotics! A Snap Circuit is a great introduction to how electronics work. Instead of using actual electronic components which can be dangerous and fragile, Snap Circuits use plastic magnets to connect electronic components together. No tools or real wires! Examples of electronic components are switches, fans, light bulbs, and batteries. With 45+ parts teens can build over 125 fun green-energy projects using this kit including a solar light clock and a mini car powered by wind energy. The kit also includes a booklet for teens to have fun learning about different types of alternative energy, such as solar, wind, hand-crank, hydro, and even geothermal power. Create & Learn also hosts free kids events for learning and building with Snap Circuits a few times a year. Check out this page to see if there's an upcoming lesson!
Price: $44 on Amazon

6. BrainBox Dinosaur Card Memory Game
Here's a real easy and fun one! BrainBox is a fun memory and observation card game. The game helps kids learn about the natural world around them while also developing the cognitive skills of observation and memory recall, foundations of life-long learning. This dinosaur edition of the game features creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous period. BrainBox Dinosaurs contains 55 game cards, each card with individual details of where and how they live, along with hand-drawn illustrations bringing each dinosaur to life.
Price: $36 on Amazon

7. Arduino Starter Kit
An Arduino is a more advanced version of the Micro:Bit and Snap Circuit gifts from the previous section. An Arduino provides a more realistic circuit design experience since it does require basic tools like pliers and screwdrivers but is still easy to learn. Not ready for the official kit? There are also Arduino simulators and the same code from the simulator works for the official kit. Create & Learn offers a Smart Devices course live online that provides a great introduction to Arduino development.
Price: $93 on Amazon

8. Elegoo Arduino Kits
If your loved one is already experienced with Arduinos and wants to take his or her projects to the next level then check out the Elegoo Arduino Project Kits. These kits provide the parts to extend a basic Arduino project into a car or walking robot. These kits unlock a world of new possibilities for an Arduino. Both kits connect to Elegoo phone apps where you can use the phone like a remote control!
Price: Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit - $80 on Amazon, Elegoo Penguin Biped Robot Kit - $46 on Amazon

9. Bioengineering Starter Kit
Your loved one has the potential to save millions of lives. The drugs and vaccines of the future start in bioengineering labs. A genetic engineering starter kit would be a great way to complement your loved one’s interest in biology, chemistry, and technology. Using these kits, your loved one can perform tasks such as separating DNA and growing cells from home! If your loved one wants to continue to explore the intersection between biology and technology then Create & Learn offers a Computational Biology course!
Price: Thames & Kosmos Genetics & DNA Lab - $23 on Amazon, Amino Labs Zero to Geneitc Engineering Hero Ch 1-4 Home Starter Pack - $92 on Amino Labs

10. Digital Microscope with HD LCD Display
The Digital Microscope with HD LCD Display is an exceptional educational gift for teens with a passion for science and discovery. This advanced microscope allows kids to explore the microscopic world in stunning detail, thanks to its high-definition LCD screen, which provides a clear and engaging viewing experience. Teens can easily examine everything from plant cells to tiny insects, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics. The microscope's user-friendly design and modern technology make it perfect for both school projects and independent learning.
Price: $100

11. K'nex Education 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set
Empower your teen to go wild with creativity! K'nex sets are an exceptional educational gift for teens that combine fun, creativity, and hands-on learning. This unique STEM kit engages teens in building three incredible amusement park rides, introducing them to fundamental concepts in engineering, mechanics, and physics. With 744 pieces, this set empowers teens to create a Ferris wheel, Swing Ride, and Boom Ride. As they construct and experiment, teens gain practical problem-solving skills.
Price: $44

12. NASA Missions 3D Puzzle
The NASA Missions 3D Puzzle is an engaging and educational gift that’s perfect for teens fascinated by space exploration and science. This intricately designed puzzle (choose from a space shuttle, the Curiosity Rover and a lunar module) allows them to build a detailed model of a NASA mission, combining the fun of hands-on problem-solving with the excitement of learning about real-world space programs. As they piece together the puzzle, teens will develop spatial reasoning, patience, and an appreciation for the innovation behind NASA’s groundbreaking achievements. The final 3D model serves as a striking display piece, inspiring curiosity and a deeper interest in STEM fields.
Price: $26

Enjoy Educational Gifts And Toys That Teens Will Love
Give the gift of learning this holiday season, and provide a unique learning experience for your loved one. Expand your horizons for what is possible for an educational gift: whether it be a Create & Learn class, a board game, or engineering kit, your gift can unlock your loved one’s hidden STEM potential. Still looking for more gift ideas? Check out coding gifts for teens.
Written by Brandon Lim, a Create & Learn instructor and curriculum developer. Brandon also works full-time as a software engineer and holds a BS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. Brandon has experience teaching coding to students of all ages from elementary school to college and is excited to share his deep knowledge and relentless passion for coding with the next generation of technology leaders.