At Little, we love supporting the next generation of architects, engineers, and designers as they explore, create, and imagine. Our 2025 holiday gift guide highlights a handpicked selection of STEAM gifts designed to inspire curiosity and creativity in young minds.
From aspiring builders and artists to engineers-in-training, we’ve gathered 30 standout toys and books that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and hands-on fun. Make this holiday season one full of discovery, learning, and play!
Gifts For Young Readers
Built to Last by Minh Le, Illustrated by Dan Santat
Two friends spend their days building imaginative worlds, laughing as each one tumbles. But when their biggest creation collapses, they face a test of patience and friendship. With playful text and bright illustrations, this picture book shows that the strongest creations are built on trust and teamwork.
Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture by Joshua David Stein, Illustrated by Julia Rothman
A curious young brick travels the world to discover where she belongs, exploring iconic structures from temples to castles and learning how each is built from pieces like her. Her journey becomes a warm reminder that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something extraordinary.
Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge by Elizabeth Partridge, Illustrated by Ellen Heck
Golden Gate brings the construction of San Francisco’s iconic bridge to life through the eyes of two curious children. Striking illustrations and engaging details reveal the daring crews who built it, offering an inspiring look at human determination behind one of America’s most beloved landmarks.
If Buildings Could Talk 2.0 by Melanie Hawley, Illustrated by Designers at Little
We couldn’t leave out the sequel to Little’s award-winning If Buildings Could Talk. In If Buildings Could Talk 2, buildings share their bold sustainability goals. Created by Little designers, this charming book invites readers to see everyday architecture differently—and imagine its role in a brighter future.
Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
Join Emmie, a clever inventor, as she transforms everyday objects into extraordinary machines to outsmart a mischievous cat. With Rube Goldberg–inspired illustrations, Emmie Builds Something New celebrates creativity, STEM, resilience, and the power of friendship in this fun, inventive tale.
Mini Architects combines creativity and learning with hands-on fun, introducing children to great buildings through 20 simple art projects. Using everyday materials and clear instructions, kids bring architecture to life, while photos and facts connect their creations to the real-world structures that inspired them.
Gifts For Young Builders
Stack, balance, and play with EverSmart’s smooth, colorful wooden blocks. Designed for creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills, they’re safe for little hands, responsibly sourced, finished with water-based paints, and packaged in recycled materials—a fun and sustainable choice for kids and the planet. For ages 6 months+
Squigz are sticky, flexible, and endlessly entertaining. Connect them to each other—or any smooth surface—to build rockets, vehicles, or a giant octopus, then POP! Perfect for creative play, they spark imagination, defy gravity, and leave no mess behind. For ages 3+
Kids become golf course designers with this colorful mini golf set. Build crazy courses with tunnels, spinners, and bridges, then putt through three fun-filled holes. Endless obstacles, adjustable putters, and vibrant pieces make every game a new adventure! For ages 3+
City of Dreams Construction Kit
Let creativity run wild with the City of Dreams building set. Mix and match patterned pieces to design a city that grows, transforms, and reflects your imagination. Build skyscrapers, quirky streets, and playful scenes—anything is possible in a city that never sleeps! For ages 5+
KEVA Models Monuments Building Set
Bring iconic landmarks to life with the KEVA Models Monuments set—no glue needed. Young architects stack 144 precision planks to recreate the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, and Great Wall of China, exploring their stories along the way. A hands-on set for endless creative and educational fun. For ages 6+
Art-chitect Landscape Designer Building Set by MindWare
The Art-chitect Landscape Designer Set lets kids design gardens, parks, and outdoor spaces using pencils, tracing paper, and templates. They can create landscapes for their 3D Art-chitect house or standalone projects, developing spatial skills, creativity, and a love for planning and building. For ages 8+
Gifts For Young Engineers
Air Toobz turns air and imagination into nonstop fun! Build tube circuits, launch foam balls, and experiment with speed, loops, and spirals while exploring physics hands-on. Quick to set up and packed with creative challenges, it’s an air-powered adventure the whole family will love. Ages 3+
Create-A-Chain Reaction STEM Kit
With this kit, kids build ramps, pendulums, hammers, and switches, then drop a ball to see gravity, force, and momentum in action. With 37 durable pieces, balls, and challenge cards, it’s perfect for open-ended play or guided experiments. For ages 4-7
Powerup 4.0 Smartphone-Controlled Paper Airplane Kit
These aren’t the paper planes you remember from school. Now, fold your plane and connect it to a phone or tablet to perform loops, rolls, and high-speed tricks like a real pilot. With quick charging, Bluetooth control, and STEM-ready features, every flight is a hands-on lesson in aerodynamics and fun. For ages 8+
National Geographic Epic Circuits Science Kit
The National Geographic Epic Circuits Kit lets kids explore electricity with 40+ hands-on projects. Build circuits to power lights, launch a copter, levitate a ball, and more—all with a safe, tool-free system. Easy instructions make learning circuits fun, interactive, and full of electrifying discoveries. For ages 8+
Thames & Kosmos Gecko Run: Marble Run Starter Set
Winner of the 2025 Construction Toy of the Year, Gecko Run reinvents marble runs with flexible tracks that stick to doors, windows, and any smooth surface—no supports needed. Kids build twisting, bouncing tracks while boosting creativity, motor skills, and problem-solving, all with durable, eco-friendly materials. For ages 8+
Thames & Kosmos RoboRails: The Robot Monorail System
RoboRails lets a single-wheel robot glide along a monorail track with a clever gyroscope system. Snap together tracks, add twists and obstacles, and explore hands-on physics like rotation, acceleration, and angular momentum. Fun, fast, and educational—watch science and green transportation come to life! For ages 8+ with help | 12+ solo
Gifts For Young Artists
Frank Lloyd Wright Painting Kit
This set lets kids paint beautiful geometric designs with a built-in watercolor palette and brush—just add water. Finished artwork pops out along the perforated edge, ready to display. Ages 3+
Design endless outfits with this beginner kit—no sewing or cutting required. Mix fabrics, ribbons, and buttons on the included dress form to create tons of stylish looks. With 30 pieces and a design booklet, kids can craft their own runway-ready fashions again and again. Ages 4-11
The Sculpd Pottery Kit lets kids craft pots, coasters, wall hangings, and even their favorite characters from air-dry clay. Fully customizable and available in Classic or Ultimate options, each kit comes with a guidebook, video tutorials, and loads of creative inspiration. Ages 4-9
BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers
BodyMark temporary tattoo markers are a creative gift perfect for older kids and tweens. Vibrant and safe for skin, they’re ideal for parties, sleepovers, or just everyday fun. Transform any moment into colorful, hands-on body art! Ages 8+
The Print Making Studio from Wish Craft lets kids create their own colorful designs with 20 fun stencils, fabric paint, and a squeegee. Each project turns into a crisp, screen-printed poster or pillow that they can keep or display. It’s a hands-on way to explore art and creativity. Ages 8+
The Emily Lex Watercolor Workbooks turn simple sketches into colorful masterpieces—perfect for tweens, teens, and adults alike. With themes from flowers and birds to animals and camping, each book offers just the right mix of guidance and creative freedom. Ages 10+
Gifts For Young Digital Designers
Print stickers, notes, and photos anywhere. This portable, inkless thermal printer connects to phones and tablets for instant, fun, and customizable prints. Perfect for school, DIY projects, or creative play, it turns ideas into stickers, labels, and memories in seconds. Ages 5+ with help
FAO Schwarz Art Tracing Projector
Learn to draw with the FAO Schwarz Art Tracing Projector. Spin through five themed gears—pets, vehicles, food, space, and fantasy—and trace 40 colorful images. Adjustable focus, markers, and paper make it easy to practice skills and build confidence while having fun! Ages 6+
If you can draw it, you can play it with the Pixicade Game-Making Kit. Create characters and levels, snap a picture, and dive into platformers, slingshots, and more—no coding needed. With 108 pages, 30 activities, and thousands of community games, imagination is the ultimate controller. Ages 6+
Bring anything to life with easy-to-use stop-motion software. From LEGO brickfilms to claymation, flipbooks, or time-lapse experiments, kids can create amazing animations in minutes. Fun, educational, and endlessly creative. Ages 7+
Experience art like never before with the DK Virtual Reality World Art! Gift Set. Explore 29 iconic masterpieces in VR, dive into art history with a 112-page illustrated book and create your own mini masterpiece with paints and canvas—perfect for inspiring creativity at home. Ages 8+
KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro Instant Camera + Printer
Teens will love the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro for snapping, editing, and printing photos instantly. This 2-in-1 camera and Bluetooth printer lets them create retro-style prints straight from their phone while on the go. Easy, fun, and perfect for sharing memories with friends! Ages 13+
Want even more gift ideas? Revisit our previous gift guides from 2024 and 2023.
