17 Christmas Gifts To Make Your Kids Smarter

Absolutely, magically quirky toys for your brainy kid, nephew, niece, neighbor.

1. The book of arguments for the future lawyer

Via amazon.com

An illustrated lesson in debate and logic. Possibly runs the risk of backfiring when they start arguing their way out of eating vegetables!

2. Engineering is for everyone

Via amazon.com

Young girls learn that engineering is for everyone with a fun story and is super easy-to-build!

– 2014 Toy of the Year

3. Magical little cubes

Via amazon.com

Shift, sort, shape, play! The classic kid’s cube meets the 21st century.

“A kick in the imagination.”

– NY Times

4. A toy to teach empathy

Via twentyonetoys.com

A blindfolded puzzle game that can only be solved when players learn to understand each other.

5. One-click-erase digital chalkboard

Via amazon.com

A 2.0 version of the beloved Etch-A-Sketch for endless creative possibilities! Children draw on the board using a stylus and when done, click the erase button to clear the screen with one click.

6. A different kind of dollhouse

Via amazon.com

The dollhouse that gets girls excited about building and designing.

– Named the #1 Toy of 2014 by TIME Magazine!

7. Inspire the tinkerer

Via amazon.com

Kids build their very own robot friend using a soda can and pieces from this set!

8. A new meaning for “thinking outside the box”

Via amazon.com

A game that encourages "looking at an object or idea and coming up with an entirely different way." Disruptus for the rest of us.

9. The story of the universe, wondrously told

Via amazon.com

Everything there is to know about the universe… told using only 1,000 common words. Even adults will find it stirring their imaginations.

10. Build your own Kaleidoscope

Via amazon.com

The magic of this classic toy combined with the joy of a DIY project.

11. "The Little Prince" pop up book

Via amazon.com

One of the greatest children’s stories in a beautiful 3D format!

12. “Project Runway” for kids

Via amazon.com

Children can design their own outfits, with colors, patterns, and shapes provided.

13. Draw… in the air!

Via the3doodler.com

This hot new gizmo is a game-changer for the art of doodling.

– The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013, TIME Tech

14. Half digital, full fun.

Via amazon.com

Give the kids an excuse to use the iPad with this fun puzzle that integrates building blocks with technology.

15. They’ve got the world on a string

Via amazon.com

Create colorful works of 3D art with pushpins and yarn! Follow along with fun templates or create your own original designs.

16. Creative challenge accepted

Via amazon.com

A cross between pictionary, creative thinking, and design, this game is fun for kids AND adults!

17. The most fun you can have with colored pens!

Via amazon.com

This classic game actually has a lot of underlying math, but we wouldn’t tell that to the kids!