Ah, graduation season. Back in the day, it used to be a milestone pretty exclusively for high schoolers... maybe a college kid every now and then. But now, it seems, there’s a graduation every other year. Preschool. Pre-K. Kindergarten. Grade school. Middle school… and then also high school and every level of college. Don’t get us wrong: We’re always down for a good cookout, but it does make finding gifts every year challenging. But since we’ve been to our fair share of grad parties, we’ve come up with ideas for graduation gifts for kids that will celebrate their accomplishments, nurture their minds, and keep them out of their parents’ hair this summer.
We tried to focus on three main criteria: educational (or education-themed) gifts, gifts that celebrate their achievement, and gifts that will keep them occupied during the summer holiday. And yes, OK, sometimes we just put a random cool toy in there, because kids love toys and we want them to think we’re cool — is that such a crime?!
The last book published before Dr. Seuss’ death in 1991, its inspirational message of exploration and self-discovery will encourage graduates of all ages to find the will to succeed that exists inside of everyone.
We love this kids’ smartwatch because it does not connect to the internet. There is no Wi-Fi, no credit card needed, and your kid’s pictures and videos aren’t accidentally going to end up on the internet.
A smartwatch is a great choice for kids graduating from kindergarten because it’s long before they’ll need a phone, but just around the time that they’re begging for a smart device. This is a simple solution that also teaches them how to tell time, take pictures, and even track their movement.
An instant camera with its vintage style brings your kid’s photos to life. Instead of simply scrolling through pictures on your phone, this compact camera dispenses full-color, pocket-sized photos in seconds.
Its automatic light adjustment takes the guesswork out of finding the right lighting, so kids can get a great shot with every snap.
A spritely doll and her puppy will seriously help your kid celebrate graduation. Your little one will have a blast popping her Party Popteenies to reveal cute collectible dolls, accessories, stickers, confetti, and more. This party surprise box contains 10 little gifts to unwrap — and of course, a popper.
Stumped for ideas to keep your graduate busy this summer? Gift them a subscription to Kiwi Crate to have hands-on experiences delivered right to your door with all the supplies you’ll need.
Whether making their own kite or a birdhouse for the backyard, kids will be too busy having fun to pick up the video game controller.
Are you aware of the “mom tax?” It’s that little-known rule that allows Mom to take a bite of any sweet that comes around their child. That said, this gift is a little mercenary, but your kids won’t mind — they’ll be too dazzled by the bright colors and sugary goodness.
This gravity-powered game comes with 60 challenges of increasing difficulty, from beginner to expert, to encourage logic, STEM learning, and fun!
Build towers in different configurations to get the marble to go from the starting position to the target. These puzzles will entertain and challenge kids and adults alike and is a perfect graduation gift.
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10
An Inspirational Read
‘Never Too Young!: 50 Unstoppable Kids Who Made a Difference’ by Aileen Weintraub
10
An Inspirational Read
‘Never Too Young!: 50 Unstoppable Kids Who Made a Difference’ by Aileen Weintraub
Graduations are all about accomplishment, so this is a graduation gift for kids to let them know that this milestone is just the start of all the exciting things they can do.
The book highlights the young lives of 50 luminaries like Picasso to Malala Yousafzai, who made an impact in politics, sports, the arts, science, and more before they were adults.
With this kit, they can apply all their new writing skills to writing their epic on the pages provided (with illustrations, of course). When they’re done, they just send off their manuscript in the prepaid envelope, and within a few weeks, a hardcover copy of their story will arrive by mail. It’s the perfect summer project!
Here’s the thing about kids: They’re weird, and they love learning similarly weird facts. This book is just chockfull of fun facts revealed through cool stories, action-packed photos, fantastic infographics, and exciting Q&As with in-the-field experts that will make them look at our planet in a whole new way.
This hands-on coding adventure is designed for grade-schoolers to learn the basics of coding. Using the colorful blocks, they’ll create codes in the real world and see what they can do on their screen!
Set includes the Osmo base and reflector for iPad, 31 coding blocks with storage, and three fun games.
Chess is a lifelong hobby that can help kids develop patience, critical thinking, spatial intelligence, and more, so it’s a perfect graduation gift for kids.
This handsome wooden set folds for easy storage. Each component is magnetized so that the pieces stay put on the board, which can be customized with an engraved name.
The ideal graduation gift for the kid you know is going to spend all summer with that big ol’ imagination of theirs, this huge arts and crafts set comes complete with everything they’ll need to make anything they want! (You’ll be amazed to see what a kiddo can make with pipe cleaners and some googly eyes!)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young graduate in possession of all those monetary graduation gifts must be in want of a place to put it. This piggy bank’s unique design gives kids a place to designate money for saving, spending, and giving, and can be personalized with their name.
When an adult throws deuces on their way out the door, it’s usually pretty obnoxious. But when a kid flashes a little peace sign it’s a delightfully cheeky way to bid adieu to the previous year. We think this unisex T-shirt is just too cute.
Your graduate will need all their hard-earned knowledge to solve these 10 cases! The magnifying glass, cipher wheel, fingerprint ink, and other handy detective tools will be useful as well. Hours of fun for children ages 9 and up (which, with summer vacation coming up, is great). Holmes and Watson would surely approve.
This year-long outdoor curriculum for kids 7 to 16 encourages exploration of the great outdoors while teaching a range of survival skills. Each box covers a new theme from outdoor shelters and nighttime discovery to first aid and nutrition.
It’s a great graduation gift for kids whose parents want them to spend the summer outside as much as possible.
Jamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
Latifah is the former parenting editor at BestProducts.com, where she spent her time researching and testing the latest, greatest, and coolest products created to make parenting a breeze; her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan, Romper, and Elite Daily.
Cat Bowen has been writing about all things parenting for well over a decade. She spends her days researching, reviewing, and testing everything from strollers to breast pumps to changing tables. Her work has been featured in Romper, Bustle, and franchised across dozens of media outlets. In her spare time she loves volunteering at her kids' schools, reading everything she can get her hands on, running, and cooking for her family.