At Little, we’re passionate about fostering the dreams and talents of budding architects, engineers, and designers from an early age. Our annual holiday gift guide features a collection of STEAM gifts thoughtfully curated for curious and ambitious young minds.
Whether the little ones on your list are builders, artists, or engineers-in-training, we’ve rounded up 25 of the top toys and books that promise to spark inspiration and captivate their imaginations. Celebrate the magic of exploration and discovery this holiday season!
Gifts For Young Readers
Meg is a creative boxitect, turning ordinary cardboard into extraordinary creations that wow her classmates. But when Simone, a talented new student and fellow boxitect, joins Maker School, their rivalry sparks. Can they find a way to push past their differences and join creative forces?
Have you ever wondered how bridges don’t fall down or how really old buildings stay standing up? How Do Bridges Not Fall Down? invites readers to guess and discover the science behind these marvels. With engaging text, diagrams, and photos, it uncovers the basics of architecture and engineering in a fun and informative way.
If Buildings Could Talk 2.0 by Melanie Hawley, Illustrated by Designers at Little
What if buildings could talk? Do they dream of making us healthier or share clever partnerships with the sun and wind? If Buildings Could Talk 2 imagines buildings speaking up about their big sustainability goals. Written and illustrated by designers at Little, this whimsical children’s book invites readers of all ages to reimagine the architecture around them and its role in a brighter future.
Awesome Architecture Activities for Kids: 25 Exciting STEAM Projects to Design and Build by Andrea Mulder-Slater, Jantje Blokhuis-Mulder, Geoff Slater
Architects create the spaces we use every day―but how do they know what a building should look like? Kids will uncover the answer with this book of 25 at-home architecture activities. Inside, they’ll explore the key principles of building and design through creative projects like constructing a bridge, designing a garden, and planning a shopping center.
Architecture Scribble Book by Darran Stobbart, Eddie Reynolds, Petra Baan
Design an underground house, build a bridge, and more with this fun write-in activity book. Packed with puzzles, design challenges, downloadable templates, and links to explore even more architecture facts and activities.
Gifts For Young Builders
Spark imagination with The Big Set. This 24-panel modular kit lets kids build forts, castles, and spaceships with ease, thanks to its magnetic connections. Made from eco-felt using 130 recycled plastic bottles per set, it’s durable, easy to clean, and planet friendly. A 2022 Toy of the Year finalist! For ages 3+
I Can Build It! Architecture Set
Young architects can bring their dream homes to life by slotting together plastic walls, floors, and roofs to create 10 house designs. With each build, they’ll tackle fun challenges from activity cards, honing their spatial skills and learning to think in 3D. Perfect for young builders, this set makes mastering STEM and architecture an exciting hands-on adventure. For ages 4-7
Build the world you want to see with Blockitecture®, a set of architectural building blocks by designer James Paulius. Cantilever and nest hexagonal blocks to create towers, cities and dwellings. There are several sets to choose from at various price points. For ages 6+
The Clixo Super Rainbow set takes creativity to the next level. This magnet-based building toy lets kids bend, twist, and connect lightweight pieces to craft toys, crowns, bags, or abstract sculptures. They can decorate scooter handles, create funky decor, or wear their bold designs. Compact and portable, it’s endless fun on the go. For ages 6+
SmartLab Archi-TECH Electronic Smart House
With 62 pieces, kids can design and construct projects like elevators, drawbridges, and flickering fireplaces—all while exploring circuits, lights, and motion. The modular system lets them stack and customize floors, adding furniture and tiny accessories for hours of hands-on fun. For ages 8+
Gifts For Young Engineers
Survive the Quake Engineering Kit
Kids will love putting their building skills to the ultimate challenge—the earthquake test! With an earthquake simulator that shakes at five intensity levels, they can create and test tons of structures using 30 unique building bricks. Will their designs stand strong or come crashing down? An activity book adds to the fun with cool facts about earthquakes and engineering. For ages 4-11
This engineering kit turns bedtime into an adventure! Kids can build their own night light with an easy circuit board, then choose from five awesome projections—dinosaurs, outer space, undersea worlds, and more. For ages 5+
With this roller coaster-building challenge, kids can tackle 40 epic designs packed with twists, dips, and loops—or create their own wild rides. The goal? Build a track where the coaster car zooms to the finish without flying off. With over 75 pieces, a game grid, a speedy coaster car, and leveled challenge cards, they’ll have endless fun mastering each track and pushing their creativity to new heights. For ages 6-11
Thames & Kosmos Robotics Smart Machines Junior
Kids will love bringing their own robotic buddy to life! This 9-inch bot lights up, moves, and makes sounds, all controlled through a simple keypad or a fun app. They’ll learn real-world robotics while driving Junior, programming its actions, and playing interactive games—all in an exciting, hands-on way. For ages 8+
Lego® Gravity Drop Building Kit
The LEGO® Gravity Drop Kit combines creativity and science! Kids build an 18-inch marble maze with twists, turns, and gravity-powered contraptions, then watch wooden balls race through. With 150+ LEGO® elements to customize, it’s a fun way to explore physics, engineering, and endless creativity. For ages 8+
Gifts For Young Artists
This vibrant, non-toxic, air-dry modeling clay lets children sculpt adorable animals like bunnies, cats, and chihuahuas. With the Hey Clay app’s step-by-step tips, creating is easy and fun. The best part? Every creation is one-of-a-kind, letting kids build their own clay worlds and unleash endless imagination. For ages 3+
Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush
Painting feels like magic with the Color Wonder Magic Light Brush! The brush lights up to reveal vibrant colors on special mess-free paper—no stains on walls, clothes, or skin. With six colors, 18 sheets, and a brush that won’t dry out, kids can enjoy endless creative fun! For ages 3+
Beetle & Bee Build a Bird Bungalow
Little designers can create their own colorful birdhouse with this DIY kit. They’ll build and paint a 6″ tall birdhouse bungalow, perfect for welcoming birds to the backyard. With safe, FSC-certified wood, paint, and all the tools included, it’s a fun, hands-on project that sparks creativity and love for nature. For ages 5+
With reversible tips that last twice as long, these non-toxic, water-based markers work on over 50 surfaces—from rocks and T-shirts to skateboards and glass. Whether decorating, doodling, or designing, Posca markers bring bold ideas to life, making them the ultimate tool for young artists ready to create anything, anywhere. For ages 8+
Frank Lloyd Wright Saguaro Cactus and Forms Paint By Number Kit
Tweens and teens can bring a masterpiece to life with the Frank Lloyd Wright Saguaro Cactus Paint By Number Kit. As they paint, the iconic design takes shape, turning into a stunning work of art they’ll be proud to display. Perfect for creative minds, it’s both a fun activity and a cool piece of décor. For ages 10+
Gifts For Young Digital Designers
Digital Children Toy Camera and Video Recorder
Designed for small hands and big imaginations, this fun and easy-to-use camera lets budding photographers and filmmakers snap photos, record videos, and explore their creativity. Perfect for turning everyday moments into magical memories. For ages 4+
Bill Nye’s Virtual Reality Science Kit
Bill Nye’s interactive science kit takes learning to the next level with augmented and virtual reality. Kids can tackle 30 hands-on experiments, then dive into VR to soar over volcanoes, ride hot air balloons, and explore in 360°. With a book, materials, and an app, it’s science like they’ve never experienced before. For ages 8-12
Create Your Own Video Game Set
This customizable gaming device lets kids code their own 8-bit games, play retro classics, and even use motion controls! With beginner-friendly coding tools and smartwatch features, it’s the ultimate mix of play, creativity, and tech fun. For ages 8+
The Studio Creator 2 Kit from Canal Toys lets kids create pro-level videos like their favorite influencers. With an LED ring light, adjustable tripod, green screen, and custom lighting, they can film trends, tutorials, and livestreams with ease. For ages 8+
Whether they’re dreaming of filmmaking or hosting epic movie nights, the VOPLLS Mini Projector is the ultimate gadget. Compact and portable, it delivers stunning 1080P visuals on a 210-inch screen with built-in Hi-Fi speakers—perfect for gaming, movies, and the coolest sleepovers. For ages 8+
Want even more gift ideas? Check out our 2023 Little Gift Guide for Aspiring Architects, Engineers & Designers.
