We like to come up with creative gifts to share with friends. Since we aren’t crafty people, my son and I decided to put together a Christmas tinkering kit to give instead. What’s a tinker kit? A tinker kit is like an inventors workshop. More than arts and crafts, a tinker kit provides materials to engineer inventions and build Christmas STEM projects. A Christmas tinker gift would make a wonderful early Christmas gift to enjoy all season long.
CHRISTMAS TINKERING GIFT FOR STEM
TINKERING KITS
Do you have an inventor in the house? You know that kid that’s always showing you some kind of awesomely crazy contraption he or she has thought up?
Setting up a tinkering kit, tinkering station, or maker space is the perfect way to fuel his or her imagination and encourage engineering skills.
The best part is that these materials don’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of the most inexpensive and even free materials are the best for creating cool STEM projects.
We love to build structures and try out different simple STEM challenges. There are so many places to find supplies like the dollar store, grocery stores, hardware stores, and even your junk drawers and tool boxes. In fact, if you open up your own kitchen cupboards and drawers, you would be surprised at what you already have collected.
ALSO CHECK OUT: DIY STEM KIT Ideas
The materials in our Christmas tinker kit also can make some pretty cool science experiments too and those ideas are listed at the bottom of this page! We hit up our local dollar store to find plenty of inexpensive building materials. Plus many of the supplies contain multiple items which can be taken apart and divided up into several Christmas tinker kits!
Don’t forget to grab your FREE set of Christmas STEM challenge cards
WHAT TO PUT IN A CHRISTMAS TINKER KIT?
SUPPLIES YOU COULD INCLUDED:
- Pipe cleaners
- Mesh tubing
- Styrofoam pieces
- Plastic candy canes
- Curly ribbon
- Colorful tape
- Popsicle sticks
- Pom Poms
- Jingle bells
- Rubber bands
- Paper clips
- Toothpicks
- Straws
- Mini plastic cups
- Ruler
- Play dough
- Container to hold it all!
- Optional: scissors and glue {I figure most people have these items but the tape is an adhesive too}
Please note these are all items I would add for 6+ year old kid. You will have to use your best judgement when it comes to the age and ability of the kids you are making the gifts for. Playdough is wonderful “adhesive” for younger kids!
Our Christmas tinker kit is jam packed with cool stuff to build inventions.
Rubber bands, paper clips, toothpicks and tape are great ways to build on ideas.
Why not add a sketch book to your Christmas tinker kit gift too. Every young inventor needs a place to draw out designs and creations, record notes, and test ideas!
ALSO CHECK OUT: Christmas Catapult STEM Activity
MORE FUN GIFT IDEAS
Christmas Tinker Kit Gift For Kids
What else can you make from some of the items the kit? Click on the image below or on the link for tons of fun Christmas STEM Activities.
BONUS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
DIY Christmas Ornaments 
Christmas STEM Activities Christmas Crafts Advent Calendar Ideas Christmas Slime Recipes Christmas Math Activities
Free Printable Christmas Countdown Calendar
Nadia
Such a fun gift!
Thanks for participating!
Jim
We have a 10 year old he’s a little slower so it is this too early for him to start
littlebins
Definitely not because it’s all about creating at one’s own ability level and you can add supervision as necessary!
Kristi
This is fantastic. My friend is going in for surgery Monday and I’ve been trying to put together a “recovery” bag with some surprises to distract her 6 and 8 year old when they get crazy (as kids do) so she can rest. This is PERFECT. I’ve decided to make some for our neighbors and my kids as well. Genius!! Thanks for sharing!
littlebins
God thoughts to your friend! This would be a great idea! You can also check out our Christmas STEM challenge cards to pair with it.