We love encouraging the geek in every kid! We think you’ll appreciate this list of some of our favorite Young Engineer geared books, games and goodies.
Coloring book – “Ladyada’s E is for electronics”: Ladyada’s “E is for Electronics” is a coloring book adventure with electronic components and their inventors.
Makers of all ages can learn, color, and share common parts and historical figures throughout history. Explore the world of electronics with Ladyada as your guide! (read more)
*Crayons not included
Hans 555 Timer IC – Circuit Playground Plushie: Hans is the ‘old man’ of the group. He tends to be nervous and is often indecisive. Hans frequently changes his mind, and is a little fidgety (he oscillates) when he’s not moving around. He is very meticulous and precise in other ways; Hans does not like to compromise, preferring to be in a steady state until a dramatic change is called for. Hans speaks with the voice of a kindly old man with a Swiss-German accent, though his voice can become more nasally when he’s upset or feels strongly about something. His catchphrase is “maybe so, but perhaps not.” (read more)
Colorforms Brush with Genius: Made a Drawdio but still want more? This fully-assembled kit contains Drawdio innards as part of a big plastic brush so it acts like a half-theramin/half-paintbrush. When painting, the conductivity of the watercolors changes the sound pitch that comes out of the little speaker in the brush. (read more)
NOTE: 2 AAA Batteries Required (Not Included).
Ages: 3 and up.
Papertronics – Lunar Modules: Papertronics by Sparkle Labs are paper toys with paper electronic circuits in them. The Lunar Landers come in a pack of three. Spaceboy, Alien Girl and Tabula Rasa. Tabula Rasa is blank and can be designed by you.Turn them into a cool night light, partylights or a fun additions to a room or desk. When the spaceships are put in their landers one way, they light up. Turn them another way and they are off. Fold them yourself- they come pre-cut. Fun DIY with paper and electronics. (read more)
Volta Racers Solar Motorcar Kit: Never go looking for some AAA’s again, this solar racer car requires no batteries! The Volta Racer Solar Motorcar Kit contains all of the necessary parts required to successfully assemble your car – including the worlds first flexible polycrystalline silicon solar cell used for powering toys. (read more)
For children ages 6 years and older
We recommend that a parent assist with assembly
LEO the Maker Prince – Journeys in 3D Printing by Carla Diana: LEO the Maker Prince teaches children (both young and old) about 3D printing by following Carla and LEO’s journey through Brooklyn. LEO is a walking, talking robot who has the magical ability to to print (in plastic) any object that Carla draws. (read more)
All of the objects in the book are printable one way or another!
Goldie Blox and the Builder’s Survival Kit: GoldieBlox and the Builder’s Survival Kit is Goldie’s ultimate builder’s kit for the most adventurous innovator! With more than 190 pieces, GoldieBlox and the Builder’s Survival Kit offers hours of fun and endless possibilities. Goldie’s Diary of Inventions (included), offers kids a wide-eyed perspective of Goldie’s world, her friends and family, and all of her secret inventions. From budding engineers to master architects, GoldieBlox and the Builder’s Survival Kit gives inventors the freedom to choose their own difficulty level. (read more)
Age Range: 7+
Skill Concept: Mechanical Engineering
Snap Circuits® Green – Elenco SCG-125: Learn about energy sources and how to “think green”. Build over 125 projects and learning about environmentally friendly energy and how electricity works. Includes full-colored manual with over 100 pages and separate educational manual. (read more)
Ages: 8 and up
Thames & Kosmos Electronics Experiment Kit: This lovely little kit from Thames & Kosmos is a nice alternative to ‘snap-circuits’ type learning kits. There’s still no soldering, but there are proper wires and a bread-board-like workspace so the projects are a bit more realistic. This is a basic starter kit, a good companion to learning with an Arduino since it covers more of the essential analog/digital type basics which sometimes get skipped over when using microcontrollers. It’s also great on its own! (read more)
Ages 8 and up
The Laser Game: KHET 2.0: Add some frickin’ lasers to your game-night with the game that combines lasers with classic strategy. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian-themed pieces having two, one or no mirrored surfaces. All four types of pieces (pharaoh, anubis, pyramid and scarab) can either move one square forward, back, left, right, or diagonal, or stay in the same square and rotate by a quarter twist. Each turn ends by firing the real laser diode built into each player’s Sphinx piece. (read more)
Bare Flashing Card Set – Celebration Circuit: This is a lovely way to get started with Bare Conductive paint, with three fun electronic greeting cards. Use the included 10 mL pen to draw traces and connect components on the front of the card. All three cards have cute robots with blinkie eyes or hearts. (read more)
Sylvia’s Super Awesome Project Book – Super Simple Arduino!: Sylvia’s Super Awesome Project Book – Super Simple Arduino is a book written and illustrated by young maker superstar Sylvia. Sylvia’s a kid who loves making, tinkering, and art projects. She’s also the star of Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show – an online series about STEM concepts with millions of views.
In this book, Sylvia sets her sights on the inimitable Arduino microcontroller with fun projects, clever and easy-to-follow instructions, and whimsical graphics. It’s a great book for young makers and an incredible way to introduce makers of all ages to the wonderful world of Arduino. (read more)
And don’t forget about Sylvia’s Super Awesome Project Book Add-On Pack w/ Genuine Arduino!
We’re excited for the Holiday Season here at Adafruit, and we can’t wait to share that excitement with you! Stay tuned into the blog where you will find new, handpicked gift guides five days a week from November 9th through December 24th, 2015 alongside holiday themed tutorials and builds!
Free Deals
Adafruit offers exciting deals and free items when you shop with us. As of October 13th, 2015 we are currently offering:
- Adafruit Perma-Proto Half-sized Breadboard PCB – Single for order $99 or more
- Adafruit Trinket – Mini Microcontroller – 5V Logic for orders $149 or more
- Adafruit Pro Trinket – 5V 16MHz for order $249 or more
Adafruit Holiday Deadlines 2015
Here are your 2015 shipping deadlines for ordering from Adafruit. Please review our shipping section if you have specific questions on how and where we ship worldwide for this holiday season.
The Adafruit Shipping Department works hard to get your orders out as quickly as we can, but once they’re in the hands of our carriers they’re out of our control.
Carriers have been struggling to keep up with the sharp rise in online orders. UPS, FedEX, and USPS all experienced delivery delays over the last few years.
So all the Adafruit Shippers say: Please be sure you get your gifts early! Order as soon as you can! Once you place your order we’ll ship like the wind!
UPS ground (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 11, 2015 – There is no guarantee that UPS Ground packages will arrive by December 24.
UPS 3-day (USA orders): Place orders by Thursday 11am ET – December 17, 2015 – Arrive by 12/24/2015.
UPS 2-day (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 18, 2015 – Arrive by 12/24/2015.
UPS overnight (USA orders): Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 21, 2015 – Arrive by 12/24/2015.
Please note: We do not offer Saturday or Sunday service for UPS or USPS.
Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, Christmas, no UPS pickup or delivery service.
Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, New Year’s Day, no UPS pickup or delivery service.
United States Postal Service, First Class and Priority (USA orders): Place orders by Friday– December 11, 2014 – Arrive by 12/24/2015 or sooner.
USPS First class mail international (International orders)): Place orders by Friday – November 20, 2015. Can take up to 30 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/25/2015 or sooner, but not a trackable service and cannot be guaranteed to arrive by 12/24/2015.
USPS Express mail international(International orders): Place orders by Friday – December 5, 2015. Can take up to 15 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2014 or sooner.
Gift Certificates are always available at any time.
When in doubt contact us!