Toys for a brainy kid

November 22, 2011 2:58 PM

Great educational toys for a 12 year old?

My office is participating in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program this year, and I need to find some gifts for a 12 year old boy who picked "educational toys" as the thing he most wants.

Parents of pre-teens - what educational toys / games do your kids really like?

posted by ryanshepard to Shopping (8 answers total)

I keep this Grossology book in the cabinet for indoor recesses - the third through sixth grade boys like it. I've given these science kits for birthday presents, and they've been well-recieved.

There are just a few boys who choose these, but those who do really love these wooden peg games - I'd call them educational.

And it's not a game, but it's educational, in a way - the thirteen year old I just visited had every year's edition of the Ripley's Believe it or Not! books on his shelf.
posted by peagood at 3:29 PM on November 22, 2011

Fat Brain Toys: Top Toy Picks for 12 Year Old Boys
posted by plokent at 4:15 PM on November 22, 2011

Thinkgeek possibly? I always loved those magic rock growing toys. Books might be a good bet. Constructor kits?
posted by Jacen at 6:23 PM on November 22, 2011

Best answer: Snap Circuits, maybe?
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:18 PM on November 22, 2011

I'll put in a specific plug for the Rush Hour Traffic Jam logic puzzle on the list linked by plokent--it's well made and challenging. Our friends' son really liked this game when he was a pre-teen.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:24 PM on November 22, 2011

I would immediately go to HearthSong and check out their selection; they specifically have lots of great crafts kits and science kits that sound like they'd be right up this kid's alley.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:54 PM on November 22, 2011

I'd suggest Lego Technic, but it might be pricy.
posted by Harald74 at 11:11 PM on November 22, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone - I ended up getting a Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 electronics kit, and a Thames and Kosmos chemistry set.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:15 AM on November 23, 2011