Best Screen-Free Gifts for Ages 5–8
Engaging, screen-free gift ideas for younger elementary-aged children
With only 4 days left until Christmas, I have put together a quick top 10 ten list of favorites for ages 5–8 tried and tested by my own kiddos!
Hape Quadrilla Stack Track Bucket Set
Compete in a marble race with this fantastic Quadrilla Stack Track Bucket Set from Hape! Build the track yourself then send the marbles rolling down through all the twists, turns, holes and ramps. Even the bucket becomes part of the track! We found that this was challenging even for my 8-year-old, so having a parent or older sibling on hand to help with the first build is helpful.
Journey to the center of the earth with the Underground World Puzzle! Find out how many fossils and geological marvels are underground as you journey from the Earth’s crust to its core. Featuring an LED light representing the Earth`s core and a double-sided poster, this 36-piece puzzle is perfect for encouraging a love of geology and the natural world. You can find puzzles from Hape on Amazon.com.
Bake & Explore STEM Activity Kits from BaKIT Box
BaKIT Box is a global baking kit that combines STEM learning with the fun of baking! Each kit includes pre-measured ingredients, easy-to-follow instructions and an interactive STEM booklet — all put together in sustainable packaging! There are multiple global recipe kits to choose from but the Holiday Peppermint Trees, Koulourakia Cookies and the Japanese Matcha White Chocolate Cookies are ideal for the holidays! You can find BaKIT Box on Amazon.com.
A phonics-based learning set that makes learning fun and enjoyable! The Reading Skill Set is a 3-part learning system that features a unique, play-led approach to developing fundamental skills for a lifelong love of reading through phonics. Featuring child-led games and self-correcting activities, books that focus on skills introduced in the games/activities, and a play guide that leads through each skill; it is Lovevery’s goal is to make learning to read approachable and fun for parents, and engaging, motivating, and confidence-building for children.
Found It! Outdoor Scavenger Hunt by Skillmatics
Get kids outside and engaged with Found It! Outdoor Scavenger Hunt by Skillmatics! This exciting outdoor game helps children learn as they go on a scavenger hunt with prompts like Can you find…”Something that is heavier than a leaf? Something round?” etc.. Players must shout “FOUND IT!” as soon as they get their hands on the object. The first one to win 7 cards wins the game!
A magical, mess-free activity! Let your child’s imagination soar with this fun foil art and craft activity. They can create stunning pictures featuring lions, horses, whales and more, sparking hours of creative play! Choose from Animals, Dinosaurs, Space, Dress-Up, Holiday Magic and more!
GoSili Reusable Silicone Straw Cup
Whether at home or on an adventure with family this season, the GoSili Reusable Silicone Straw Cup is perfect for little hands and big squeezes. GoSili reusable cups are made with 100% European grade platinum silicone and feature an embedded stainless-steel ring that prevents the cup from collapsing when gripped. GoSili cups are incredibly durable, can grow with your child, and are meant to last a lifetime…which is kind of the point! It’s an easy, sustainable solution to kicking the single-use cup habit whether at home or on-the go. All components of the GoSili cup are dishwasher and microwave safe and can be boiled to sterilize. GoSili Straw Cups come with interchangeable lids meant to work with 8oz, 12oz, 16oz and 24oz cups. Mix and match all day long! Sustainable, recyclable, stain-resistant, hypoallergenic, and is free from BPS, phthalate, PVC, and lead. You can find GoSili on Amazon.com.
One of the hottest gifts this holiday season, the Yoto Player builds independence & inspire imagination in kids from 3–12+. Used at home or on-the-go, all content is safe & has been specially chosen & created with children in mind! Yoto offers a world of stories, music, learning and adventure in a safe, kid-friendly way. Simply pop in a Yoto card and let the fun begin — anytime, anywhere! We also included the Yoto Player in our Best Gifts for Ages 2–4 as we have found it be a hit with our younger son, too!
Hydro Flask 18 oz Wide Mouth with Straw Cap
The Hydro Flask 18 oz Wide Mouth with Straw Cap is a stainless-steel water bottle that is the perfect insulated bottle for everyday hydration. Tuck one in their stocking! The straw cap makes sipping easy, and the double-wall stainless steel construction keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Available in bold colors, including Goji, Seaspray, Anemone, and Grass.
ChappyWrap Snowfall Midi Blanket
Cozy movie nights, winter forts and snuggled up for bedtime stories, the Snowfall Midi Blanket from ChappyWrap is a fantastic gift this holiday season! The perfect backdrop to the crystalline beauty of a snowflake, the baby blue of this design celebrates the quiet magic of a winter squall. ChappyWrap has blankets in various sizes with gorgeous, timeless designs for every age!
About the Author
Ms. Johnson is a Mom of 4, a Seasoned Freelance Journalist, Publicist and Lifestyle Expert with a career spanning almost 20 years in the industry. She is passionate about fitness, health and wellness. She has written her own website, Tiny Green Mom, since 2010, which highlights parenting and all things ‘green,’ from tips on living a healthier lifestyle to the latest eco-friendly products for the entire family.
As a Freelance Journalist, Ms. Johnson has written for a multitude of publications, including Medium, SheKnows.com, Tiny Beans, and more! In addition, she can be found on TV stations across the country as a Lifestyle Expert, speaking about all of her favorite brands and companies.
You can follow her on Instagram and X at @TinyGreenMom.
*Companies generously gifted samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own. This post contains affiliate links.*
