best gifts for elementary schoolers: must-have games and fun

Elementary School spans such a wide age range, that it makes sense that this would be our biggest guide.

From our teeny Kindergartners at age 5 or 6 to our big and bad fifth graders at age 10 or 11, those six years yield a ton of growth. So naturally, tastes, interests, and abilities vary.

From games to crafts, indoor toys and out, this list is everything you need for gifts for elementary schoolers–all of the must-have games and fun for the whole year long.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Best Gifts for Elementary Schoolers–Must-Have Games and Fun:

Remember that this guide is geared toward elementary schoolers–about ages 3-5 years old. Give or take.

If you need something slightly younger, check out our Preschool Gift Guide or even our Toddler Gift Guide, and if you need something a little older, check out our Middle School Gift Guide. Phew. We’ve been busy.

If you want Best Books as Gifts, then definitely visit our Books as Gifts Guide from last year or Books as Gifts from this year.

Click on the image or click on the link; they’ll both take you where you can quickly grab the product, and we even found a few great deals for you.

Many of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the item, teachmama.com gets a teeny, tiny percentage of the sale which helps us keep this website and all of its resources free for everyone. Yay!

Best Gifts for Elementary Schoolers

Make Clay Charms: We’ve tried our hand at Clay Charm-making this summer, and it rocks. Perfect activity for tweens! If you want to go a little wild, get Make Glitter Clay Charms.

Ring It: A game with a bell. Just know that before you buy it. This is a game perfect for a party or group because it gets a little crazy–players search for pairs and when they find one, they strive to be the first to clap and ring the bell.

Zeus on the Loose: Such a fun and simple game, and it’s a great partner to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series! Math + Greek Gods = big win.

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Sands Alive, Glow Kit or Kinetic Sand: This sand is so unusual and intriguing, it’s crazy. We’ve tried them both, and they’re both pretty unique in that their texture is addicting. Kids love it and so do adults.

Quixels Design Creator: These are so cool, and if your kid is into Minecraft, then I’m betting he or she will love these. or you could go big with the Glow-in-the-Dark Fuse ‘n Dry Combo Pack.

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All Queens Chess: This game by ThinkFun is just what it sounds like: all queens chess. Two players. Queens only.

LEGO Kingdoms Chess Set: There are a bunch of these build-your-own chess sets, and they’ve been around for a while, but my goodness are they cool? I know my Owen especially would love it.

Charm Bracelet Studio: Kids can create their own jewels–and these are not your basic beads on string. These are gorgeous gold bangles. And they’re so fun to make.

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Hoverboard: These seem to be all the rage this year, but I have to say that until I read more, research more, and learn more, there’s no way we’re spending upwards of $300 on an electronic device that has a motor and no handlebars. This one by JoyLife is 4.5″ and made for children up to about 6 years. So perhaps it’s wise to go larger for older kids?

Magna Tiles or Magna-Tiles Ice Sets: These are such unique building blocks. And my kids beeline to these blocks whenever they see them. I think we may just bite the bullet and go with the 120-Piece Classic Set because my friends who have them say there are never enough to go around.

Mini PomPom Pets: The possibilities for pompom pets are endless, and it’s amazing to see what kids can come up with. We made tons and tons of mini pompom pets as gifts! Want something else crafty and cool? Try PopCollage!

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V-Tech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX: Cora has asked for this cool techy watch, and I think it’s a great way to give our younger kids a little tech without handing them the farm. It includes a few simple games, activities, and action challenges that kids will really love.

Little Passports Subscription: This subscription service gift will really allow children to go places! Whether kids choose Early Explorers (geared toward ages 3-5 years), World Edition (6-10 years), or USA Edition (7-12 years), each month they will look forward to their travel-type package arriving! Activities, games, and exploration ideas will keep kids curious and excited about learning about the world around them!

V-Tech Kidizoom Action Cam: This is a cool waterproof camera that can hook onto bikes, skateboards, and more. I can see my kids having a blast with this on weekends, breaks from school, and in the summertime.

MORE Best Gifts for Elementary Schoolers

Star Wars Folded Flyers: We’re running with the Star Wars theme here. Kids can make 30 star fighters to fly around the house or glue onto canvas for a cool and creative space scene.

Niya– A Game by Bruno Cathala: Cool strategy game that reminds me of Connect Four. Kids will like it and so will parents; it’s a quick learn and quick play.

Compose Yourself: We moved toward this game with caution since (cough. . . ) we’re not all that musically inclined over here, but we were pleasantly surprised. This game allows you to create, play, and share your own music. It’s really, truly cool.

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Monopoly Hotels or Monopoly Empire: These games are so much fun, and one huge thing is that they’re both variations on Monopoly, but you can play the games in like a quarter of the time.

Shrink & Link Jewelry: Super-cool 3D colorful creations. Shrinky Dinks and PopBeads had a baby, and it’s Shrink & Link Jewelry. Awesome and really something kids will be proud of.

Kiwi Crate: Go with the monthly subscription of Kiwi Crate, and your kids will receive an awesome activity kit every month. Or, go with the single Kiwi Crates and you can try out one Kiwi Crate. EXCLUSIVE Black Friday Preview – Subscription! Get 60% off first month subscriptions with code SUB60: Get me that deal!

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Animal Jam Membership: My crew loves their Animal Jam. Animal Jam is an online playground of sorts, run by National Geographic Kids. It’s totally, 100% worth the paid membership because then kids have access to all of the features. It’s safe. It’s science. It’s planning. It’s games. It’s so fun.

Puffy Sticker Sets: These are awesome. My kids absolutely love the Fairy Set, Riding Club, or the Day of Glamour. But really, my kids would play with any of these sets.

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Potholders: Remember these? They’re awesome. And kids love making them as gifts or to use in new and creative ways.

Mess-Free Glitter: Big fun for kids. And no mess to clean up! My kids love the Mess Free Fashion Set, the Underwater Scenes, and the Mess Free Glitter Treasure Box and Mirror set.

Rolling America: A totally cool game from Gamewright that gets kids playing with the United States, numbers, and strategy.

Mabel’s Labels: Kids love seeing their name on things, so why not get a few name labels for your little love? EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Get 25% Off the Stocking Stuffer Combo until 11/22/15.

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Raise a Reader t-shirts: What better way to celebrate books and reading than by wearing shirts that share a reading message? Favorite reading hashtags, quotes, and more will bring a smile to your little readers’ faces and remind them that reading ROCKS!

Wear shirts that feature this kind of coolness: #read | #RaiseAReader | Love me. Hug me. Read to me. | and more!

I am so very, very, very excited about these items, and I think you will be, too.

Need a few more great ideas?

Here are our 2015 gift guides:

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Want a few more holiday-inspired gift ideas or activities?

Click on the images below:

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