The Best Grad Gifts for Kids That Encourage an Ongoing Love of Learning

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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?!

Light-Up Terrarium Kit

This quirky terrarium kit grows by day and glows by night. This unique graduation gift for kids will help encourage them to get creative and crafty.

More: These Learning Toys Make Education Feel Like Playing

‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ by Dr. Seuss

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.

Ultimate Scrapbook

This scrapbook kit includes more than 800 accessories so your kid can craft a keepsake to always bring her back to her favorite memories.

When you gift this kit, suggest creating a theme so she can share it with her BFF or cheerleading squad at the end of the school year.

PlayZoom 2 Kids Smartwatch

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.

Instax Mini 9

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.

Surprise Box Playset

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.

Gift of Learning Kit

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.

‘The Future Is Bright’ Cookie Bouquet

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.

Gravity Maze Puzzle Game

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.

‘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.

Create and Publish Your Own Story Book

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!

The Coolest Stuff on Earth

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.

Coding Kit

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.

More: Kids’ Playmats That Look as Good as They Feel

Personalized Chess Set

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.

Arts & Crafts Library

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!)

Peace Out T-Shirt

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.

‘Class Of’ T-Shirt

Customize this shirt with your child’s high school graduation year and their name, take a picture each year, and watch them grow into it.

Don’t forget to add a handprint each year on the designated space on the back, you know, because you weren’t already crying enough.

Sherlock Holmes Detective Tool Kit

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.

Subscription Box

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.

The Macmillan Fairy Tales Collection

Every kid needs a comprehensive fairy tale book, and this stunningly illustrated collection of beloved stories from around the world is perfect for readers of all ages.

From ancient Greek myths to the Brothers Grimm to Hans Christian Andersen, your graduate will love reading (or hearing) these timeless tales of love, adventure, and faraway lands.

10-Foot Inflatable Pool

If your graduate already has a pool, good for them. If they don’t, chances are funding the construction of a full-sized pool is out of your budget. Don’t worry: This very large, easy-to-inflate (and deflate) vinyl pool is a great graduation gift for kids because they will live in it this summer!

Deluxe Backpack

It may not be thrilling, but this is a graduation gift for kids that will last forever. Seriously, even for your chaotic kid! L.L.Bean backpacks are built tough, comfortable, and have room for everything, so there’s a perfectly reasonable chance your kid could use this through college!

Folding Kick Scooter

This graduation gift is ideal for zipping around this neighborhood this summer (and beyond), with light-up wheels perfect for evening rides.

And since kids are growing like weeds around this time, you’ll be able to know the adjustable handlebars make it suitable from 26 to 31.5 inches, so it will last for years.

Rainbow Sprinkler

Back when we were kids, we didn’t think it got any better than a sprinkler in our yard… but what if I told you that this experience could somehow be even more magical?

Enter this inflatable rainbow sprinkler, the perfect graduation gift for kids who want — nay, need — an extra touch of whimsy in their lives.

‘Greek Myths’ by Jean Menzies

This brilliantly illustrated book is perfect for budding Hellenists (or just kids who like mythology and fairy tales), introducing kids to the main players of Greek mythology — gods, Titans, monsters, heroes, and the mortals who caught their attention — in profile pages and 30 of the most time-honored myths of Ancient Greece.

The Puffin in Bloom Collection

Your middle-school bookworm will happily spend the summer with their nose pressed against these beautifully adorned hardcovers.

The four classic novels — Heidi, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and A Little Princess — are wrapped in designs from trendy stationery brand Rifle Paper Co., making this a collection to treasure forever.

Untangled Pro Premium Children's Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

With these wireless headphones, your little one can tune in without plugging in. Sized just right for kids with mesh ear pads that are soft on their skin, this headset pairs with an iPod or tablet via Bluetooth.

More: The Most Kid-Friendly Headphones

Deluxe Standing Art Easel

Melissa & Doug’s double-sided easel will turn your graduate’s room into their own art studio, or they can take it outside to create their next masterpiece.

Plastic trays keep all of their supplies handy, whether they’re using the chalkboard side, dry-erase board, or drawing on paper pulled from the roll holder.

Ring Light

If your kid is 13 or 18, they’re probably recording TikToks and Snaps. This telescoping ring light will make their creations pop and make them extremely happy. Does it prevent cringey content from being made? Nope, but that’s why you have all their logins, right?

Photo Book

When your kid graduates, they enter a new phase of life. Chatbooks collects all of their memories in a handy photo book that they can pull out whenever they want to look back on the good ol’ days.

Whether you’re building the photo book on their website or the app for iOS and Android, it’s easy peasy. You can add photos from your kid’s Insta feed or straight from a camera roll.

Disgusting & Gross! Science Activity & Experiment Slime Kit

Get your kids interested in science by getting a little (or a lot) gross. This kit from Play Z has a ton of fun and weird slime materials and toys labeled as things like zombie poop and boogers.

There are also gizzards and eyeballs, beakers and jars, everything your budding cryptozoologist could possibly need.

City Holiday Camper Van Set

Graduating means a summer with nothing but time on your child’s hands. Why not put it to creative use with a new LEGO set? This particular one has a vacation vibe, making it perfect for a summer build. It’s not huge, so it’s a great starter kit for those graduating from kindergarten or just learning to build.

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