Trying to pick out the perfect holiday gift for your niece, nephew, or other young person in your life can be difficult. Usually the last thing they want is a new sweater or something they would rather choose for themselves. Clearly, some of the best gifts are those that educate, inspire, and stimulate their developing minds. These are noble and commendable goals, and guaranteed to be a hit with parents. However, to be successful with recipients, gifts should provide hours of entertainment, as well. There’s nothing better than giving the gift that they will want to explore first. In addition, the ideal gift is something they’ll not only appreciate, but fondly remember both the gift and the giver. Who knows? Perhaps the gift you give them will lead to expanded career choices or lifelong interests.
B&H is happy to share the following ten holiday gift ideas to educate, surprise, delight, and inspire the young people in your life. Our selections are fun, and selected to encourage interest in science, nature, and creativity.
Microscope, Book, and Slides
The Celestron 44121 Cordless Microscope Kit, the Celestron Book: The World of the Microscope, or the Konus Slide Set for Science Teaching (includes 10 prepared slides)
With so much to see in the world, let’s begin with a microscope, instructional book, and a collection of slides to investigate. Even if the young person in your life isn’t set on a career in medicine, they’re still interested in things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Common items, such as water from a pond, spices, and even a strand of hair become monumental and magnificent when viewed many times their actual size. Best of all, what they’ll learn will be useful in biology class.
Telescope and Astronomy Book
The Celestron Travel Scope 50 Portable Telescope, the O'Reilly Digital Media Book: Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky by Robert Bruce Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson, or the Celestron Sky Map - Planisphere
Next we’ll travel from the infinitesimal to the infinite distances of outer space. With a telescope and an astronomy book of their own, they’ll have a new appreciation and perspective of the phases of our moon, a nearby comet, or cloud cover on a distant mountain.
Binoculars and Bird-Watching Book
The Tasco 10x25 Essentials Compact Binocular, and the Celestron Book: Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
And for getting off the couch and into the great outdoors, what could be more fun than a new pair of binoculars and a bird-watching book? While not everyone is a budding ornithologist, most people love having a pair of binoculars for getting closer to the action at a concert or sporting event. In fact, when completing the sentence, “I wish I’d brought…” a pair of binoculars is often the answer.
Tent and Lantern
The Stansport McKinley 3-Person Dome Tent, and the Go Green 30 LED Indoor/Outdoor Lantern with Dimmer Switch
Remember when you were younger and loved to play “Fort” in your parents’ living room? You’d tell stories with siblings and friends by flashlight while feasting on holiday treats and pretending you were on a safari or another amazing adventure. Instead of having the kids resort to a fort constructed from a bed sheet and chairs, get them a wonderful freestanding tent that’s equally at home in a bedroom or in the great outdoors. Combined with an equally versatile lantern for spinning memorable tales, this is a winning combo that’s sure to please.
Treasure Hunting Kit – Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter Junior Metal Detector with Coin Collecting Kit, or the Bounty Hunter Handy Man with Telescoping Magnet
Perhaps one of those tall tales included pirate adventures and maps to buried treasure. If they did, then the young dreamer in your life will definitely love receiving a treasure-hunting kit. This metal detector will transform a stroll on the beach or a walk in the park into the stuff that dreams are made of. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even find a Maltese Falcon.
Walkie-Talkie
The Midland LXT500VP3 22-Channel 2-Way Radios (Pair)
Does your niece or nephew have a best friend who lives nearby, or a sibling they wish to secretly communicate with? If so, they’re bound to have fun with a set of two-way walkie-talkies—also great to borrow from the kids for ski trips and other outings where cell phone service is unreliable.
PC Computer Games or PlayStation TV System Bundle
The Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: Ultimate Edition (PC), the Take-Two NBA 2K15 (PC), and the Sony PlayStation TV System Bundle
This gift selection is sure to please, and it has the added advantage of being great for a rainy day or long car trip and is great for mastering computer-related skills. And it’s also a great deal of fun.
Fuji Instax and Film
The Fujifilm instax mini 8 Instant Film Camera, and the Fujifilm instax mini Instant Color Film (10 Shots)
Is there a budding photographer, anthropologist, or family archivist in your clan? If so, they’re bound to welcome an instant film camera. While friends and relations are gathered together during the holidays, this gift can be used to record the precious moments for fun and posterity.
Portable Printer and Album
The Canon SELPHY CP910 Wireless Compact Photo Printer (White), and the Pioneer Photo Albums HC-146 Hard Cover Photo Album
For the budding photographer who already has a camera, there’s this portable printer, capable of producing 4x6 inch prints, wirelessly. Best of all, this is one gift that can give back in the form of family photos. Paired with the printer is an attractive photo album for storing up to 36 prints.
Drone with Camera
The HUBSAN X4 H107C-HD Quadcopter with 2MP Video Camera
It’s hard to imagine a gift that would appeal more to a young person’s sense of adventure and interest in science and aviation than a drone outfitted with a camera. The Hubsan X4 is a great introduction to the world of drones.
B&H hopes this list of 10 gift ideas will brighten your holidays. Please feel free to explore each gift category for expanded choices. And please leave comments and suggestions for other B&H gift ideas. We’d love to hear from you in the Comments section, below.
To read more about the full line of drones available at B&H, click here
1 Comment
Great ideas! I like how you bunch items together to create an adventure that the person will enjoy based on their interest.