Did you ever think you would see an educational Star Wars gift guide? It’s no secret that I’ve harnessed my son’s love of Star Wars for learning activities at home, most recently writing Star Wars books together. Every year I like to make gift guides based on the interests that are swirling around in our household, and Star Wars gifts was the obvious choice. My kids, in fact, helped me make this list. If it was up to my youngest son, it would be filled with LEGO Star Wars sets, but I set some parameters. Since we all know there are a gazillion Star Wars toys out there, I decided to branch out and search out a few unique Star Wars gifts that promote learning. (Not that play doesn’t promote learning, but you know what I mean.) So let’s move beyond the action figure!
Do you have a Star Wars fan? Are they excited for the new movie? We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will be rated PG (but I’m not very hopeful) because there will be some serious disappointment around here if my son cannot see it! (Note: all gift guides include affiliate links)
STAR WARS GAMES
In case you have been living under a rock, the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid is the “hot item” this year. It’s pricey, but it actually sounds like it might be worth the price. Kids who like technology will enjoy figuring out their favorite ways to manipulate the droid.
We love, love, LOVE our Perplexus so, so much! This Star Wars Death Star Perplexus is so tempting! Even I think this looks awesome, and I couldn’t care less about Star Wars! If you’ve never experienced how a Perplexus can capture your kids’ attention for hours, you are missing out. Learn more about the benefits of playing at our Perplexus game of the month feature.
My older son insisted I put Risk: Star Wars Edition Game on the list. I admit, I’ve never actually played Risk. Can you believe it? My son plays Risk when he visits his grandparents and loves it. Board games build all kinds of skills in kids, from logical reasoning to fine motor. There is also Battleship: Star Wars Edition Game and Monopoly Game Star Wars and Sorry! Star Wars Edition Family Board Game. Poke around and you’ll easily find other Star Wars editions of your favorite board games.
STAR WARS BOOKS AND CRAFTS
We love Mad Libs and frequently do them during dinner, including this Star Wars Mad Libs edition. If you are like me and sort of secretly cringe inside at your chid’s deep and abiding love for Star Wars, at least with Mad Libs you can reassure yourself that it is all in the name of literacy. Who knew Luke and Vader could teach your kids about adverbs?
Think of Star Wars Origami as S.T.E.M. learning. I’ve written about how folding paper airplanes is the perfect S.T.E.M. play date activity and we have this terrific Klutz Star Wars Folded Flyers Craft Kit.
My youngest kid claims he dislikes art, but he his always coming home with Star Wars doodles that he did in school. Perhaps these Klutz Star Wars Thumb Doodles Book Kit and Star Wars Doodles will encourage him even more!
Star Wars: Jedi Academy (Box Set). As I said on my list of chapter books to give as gifts, every reader loves a box set! Both my boys love this series. Plus, there is the Attack of the Journal that will encourage writing. Win-win.
The Origami Yoda Files: Boxed Set. This series by Tom Angleberger followers a misfit middle schooler who has a penchant for paper folding and is trying to learn the social ropes of middle school (as we all know, this is a Sisyphean task). I know that some 4th and 5th graders read these books, but I do think they are better for middle schoolers. Pair the set with Art2-D2’s Guide to Folding and Doodling: An Origami Yoda Activity Book.
We checked The Star Wars Cook Book: Wookiee Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes out of the library and it even got my kitchen-reluctant kids into the kitchen. Because there was no way I was going to make “Yoda Soda” by myself, ha ha ha. The recipes are all standards that kids will enjoy, but they are given funny names and short little introductions.
Random Star Wars Gifts
I got a sample of the Firefly Light-Up Toothbrush at a recent conference and my son loves it. There is sound and light for 1 minute. Currently he is brushing his teeth with the help of Obi-Wan, but I have a Darth Vader version to slip into his stocking! The Firefly brush includes lightsaber sounds and voice commands like “May the Force be with you.” Then if you really want to go crazy, pair it with Star Wars toothpaste and send cavities to the Dark Side. (Oh man, I just couldn’t help myself.) How does this gift promote learning, you ask? Well, you can’t do your math homework if your teeth are rotting away.
I’m really glad I bought the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Building Kit early because the price has gone up. I hadn’t been able to convince myself to spend the money on it in past years, but this year I gave in. It sounds a bit shallow but I am super excited to see the look on my youngest’s face. How does this promote learning, you ask? Ummm, well, kids need to exercise patience as they wait each day to open a new door. (Was that too big of a stretch?)
Looking beyond Star Wars gifts for kids? We have more gift ideas that promote learning! Click on an image below to explore further.
This gift guide is part of a huge round-up of ideas! Pop over to 75 gift ideas for kids of all ages to learn more.
Amy says
Thank you for this list! My 7 year-old daughter has recently discovered a passion for Star Wars! I am a bit overwhelmed with the amount of products, books, shows, etc. related to the Star Wars Franchise, and this list has helped! It definitely made her Christmas list longer!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m so glad the list was useful. There is so much Star Wars stuff out there. It is crazy!
Robyn says
Have you seen Jack and Holman Wang’s Epic Yarns books? I have a few of their Cozy Classics and they are among the board books my toddler and I love best (their rendition of Darcy’s proposal in Pride and Prejudice is so hilarious/adorable I would hang a print of it on my wall), and I want to get him the Star Wars ones for Christmas. They’re great for babies and toddlers, but I think they’d be fun for an older kid, too, who might like to take over the storytelling sometimes. And that’s totally educational, right?? Sure! You can see them here: http://www.mycozyclassics.com/star-wars/
(I found your blog after googling for Scandinavian-flavored picture books yesterday – I love your lists!)
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, my son loves the Epic Yarn books! Thanks for bringing that up, those would make a great gift. And, thank you for the kind words about my lists. That Swedish picture book list is one of my favorites. 🙂