Gift Guide: 10 low-tech gifts for kids that are more fun than screen time

KiwiCo is full of super fun low-tech toys for all ages, but this Race Day toy is the perfect thing to pull out at big family gatherings. The kit comes with two balloon cars your junior engineer and a competitor can design and customize. 

Encourage creativity and expression with this ultimate easel set from Fat Brain Toys. Siblings won’t need to fight over turns since this two-sided easel has a magnetic whiteboard on one side and a blackboard on the other.

Let’s face it–most kids’ playhouses are garish eyesores. Not so with this cute and understated Palm Springs playhouse from Crate & Barrel.

This world map tablecloth is a great way to keep groups of kids entertained during the holidays without sticking them in front of the nearest television. It also makes a cool tapestry to hang in their room once it’s completely colored.

It’s tempting to pull out your phone and let kids play on their favorite apps when boredom strikes. Instead, spark their imagination with this pretty play box. It’s like an on-the-go dollhouse that makes long car trips or doctors office waiting rooms feel fun.

Get creative with this alien clay kit by Hey Clay. Kids can choose from 18 cans of vibrant clay to recreate a custom version of six alien characters.

If you’re looking for a gift that will keep older kids engaged, Society of Curiosities makes tabletop mystery games with escape room challenges and coded clues. The “Who Framed Mr. Wolfe?” game calls upon players to solve the disappearance of Little Red’s grandmother and is recommended for children 12 and older.

Every kid will be more interested in learning about chemistry when the result is two gallons of delicious old-fashioned root beer. Brew your own with this kit from Wicked Uncle.

With this fun and educational pinball kit, kids can design their own pinball board, learn about physics along the way, and then play until they win.

If the child you’re buying a gift for is in that everything gross is cool phase, this National Geographic chemistry set is sure to be a hit.