Here it is! The annual Centerville Destination Imagination STEM/STEAM Gift Idea List!
Centerville Destination Imagination has some ideas if you need stocking stuffers, holiday gifts, Team Manager gifts 
, games for the whole family that will support skills kids need for STEAM flexibility, etc…! These are some tried & true gift ideas for your child &/or family to enjoy that will help bolster their STEM curiosities and talents! Some of them are even specifically tailored to relate to this year’s challenges! Disclaimer: This list contains affiliate links that will benefit CDI.
IDEAS RELATED TO THIS YEAR’S CHALLENGES:
TECHNICAL “Pinball Heroes”:
Smartivity DIY Pinball Machine https://amzn.to/3QZ3vrq
Mini Football, Soccer Table DIY STEM https://amzn.to/46rjQJX
ENGINEERING “Going The Distance”:
DaVinci Model Kit Catapult https://amzn.to/3SHj2NB
Hydraulic Plane Launcher https://amzn.to/3QVaFg0
RISING STARS/EARLY LEARNERS: “Making A Splash”
Sea Monkeys https://amzn.to/3FZewCF / https://amzn.to/3QV2r7J
Light-Up Terrarium https://amzn.to/3SXxHVh
SCIENTIFIC “Blast From The Past”:
Take your mini-Archaeologists on a dig!
Dino: https://amzn.to/47iiBhq
Gemstones: https://amzn.to/49zccQa
FINE ARTS “In Motion”
Spin & Spiral Art Station: https://amzn.to/40SzX21
Kinetic Sand Swirl n’ Surprise https://amzn.to/40B1WTE
Kinetic Spring Toy https://amzn.to/3QXzK9d
OVERALL SKILLS IMPROV / ACTING:
STORY CUBES – great to help kids build their story building skills, especially quickly – instant challenge support! [There are many kinds/prices – I’m just more familiar with the Rory’s Story Cubes.]
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https://amzn.to/3SDZBWa – classic cubes
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https://amzn.to/40xd0RH – voyages
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https://amzn.to/3QsQaWw – Harry Potter edition
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https://amzn.to/3SBcEaE – action
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Roll-A-Story Junior Cubes: https://amzn.to/49xWZip
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Charades for Kids (non reading required) – Charades is a great game for the whole family, and it helps kids learn to communication non-verbally & boost their drama llama/acting skills! https://amzn.to/49ynTqs
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Family Charades (3 words per card; one word also has a picture for non-readers): https://amzn.to/3SJiHdh
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Guesstures – race against the clock charades! https://amzn.to/3sxH0jL
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Cranium – Cranium games are the bomb! There’s a reason Cranium games have been around for 25 years! https://amzn.to/3QYtdfC
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FUNTACTICS XXL https://amzn.to/3Mw6qoJ
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varbertos Wooden Matching Game Puzzle 2.0 https://amzn.to/3Qwc7UZ
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Foxmind, Match Madness Board Game https://amzn.to/49r8gRx
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The Uzzle 2.0 Board Game https://amzn.to/3QNKeZP
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https://amzn.to/3ueqbLh Vtech
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https://amzn.to/40xBRVr National Geographic – build on vertical magnetic surface
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https://amzn.to/3ueXzl6 Gravity Maze – Toy of the Year Award winner
Classic game that helps kids figure out building & balancing concepts!Mousetrap– https://amzn.to/3ucIxfJ
There’s a reason why this is a classic! Two words – Rube. Goldberg.
BUILDING:
MAGNETIC TILES:
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Straw Constructor toys – engineering, structure, reasoning, & imagination all rolled up in one container! Keep an eye out – this set is often on “Deal” status (600 pc set) & some times even has a coupon added to it: https://amzn.to/3uf3eaI (Ex: 49% off, $17.99 with a 20% coupon.)
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Off Bits: https://amzn.to/46fv9EX
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Solar Robot Kit: https://amzn.to/3uhi4gX
We love Snap Circuits in our house – and pieces have been used in the past as part of props!
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Beginner: https://amzn.to/47aN80j
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Junior: https://amzn.to/3MF1fmw
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Classic: https://amzn.to/3SzrCy1
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Arcade: https://amzn.to/3MF2DoZ
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Sphero – beginner, “Mini Sphero”, learn coding! https://amzn.to/3SG0vBw
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Raspberry Pi 4B Starter Kit https://amzn.to/3QzVN5v
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[CLONE KIT] Freenove Ultimate Starter Kit https://amzn.to/3ueW0Ue
- HANABI – all ages (has expansion packs, too!): https://amzn.to/40L1Vwj
- TICKET TO RIDE – FIRST JOURNEY – 6+: https://amzn.to/3G3TPWk
- MUNCHKIN – 10+ (TONS of fun expansion packs – this is a HUGE favorite in our house!): https://amzn.to/46fZUtm
- MY FIRST CASTLE PANIC – 4+, no reading required: https://amzn.to/47rPIyS
- CASTLE PANIC – 8+: https://amzn.to/3QFJiW3
- COSMIC WIMPOUT – great for building math skills! Favorite of Mr. O’s to take for the team to play at Tournaments since it’s small & extremely portable! https://amzn.to/3upt5N3
- COSMIC WIMPOUT **DELUXE** with gemstones, game cloth, carrying bag – https://amzn.to/47y7Xmc
- CHINESE CHECKERS – there is a reason this is an oldie but goodie! This one has PEGS so you don’t have to worry about marbles rolling around. https://amzn.to/40EcoK7
- CHESS / TIC-TAC-TOE / DOMINOS: https://amzn.to/3QIZV2X
- DOMINOES: https://amzn.to/46j3McQ
Miscellaneous:
Get your child away from their Nintendo Switch by having them make something they can use with their Switch! https://amzn.to/3QTtKPL
BUTTERFLY / LIFECYCLE GARDEN HABITAT – our boys LOVED this & you can reuse it multiple times!
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Insect Lore (you buy kit, then send off for caterpillars & pay s/h): https://amzn.to/3uaF69l
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National Geographic – their s/h is $10.95: https://amzn.to/3QEahB8