As a mother of three, I’m always on the lookout for engaging, screen-free activities that challenge my kids and provide them with hands-on fun. While technology is a part of our lives, I love the idea of giving gifts that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and active play. Over the years, I’ve discovered a range of toys and games that captivate my kids’ imaginations and keep them entertained without needing a screen. Here’s my guide to the best gift ideas for older kids, based on my own experience and some great finds from a few of my favourite shops.
1. Kapla Construction Set
Kapla has been a huge hit in our house. These simple wooden planks offer endless possibilities for construction and creativity. The kids have spent hours building towers, bridges, and imaginative worlds. Plus, it’s a great way to develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills.
Find it here: Kapla Construction Set
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
2. Snap Circuits
I’m always amazed at how much my kids enjoy learning about electronics with Snap Circuits. This toy allows them to build real working circuits while learning about electricity in a safe, hands-on way. It’s perfect for budding engineers and offers endless educational fun.
Find it here: Snap Circuits STEM Electronics
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
3. IQ Puzzler Pro
The IQ Puzzler Pro is one of my favorite portable games to bring along during trips or quiet moments. It comes in travel size and there is an awesome XXL one we keep at home and play together. It’s a brain-teasing game that keeps older kids engaged while developing their logic and planning skills.
Find it here: IQ Puzzler Pro
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
4. Lego Sets
Lego has always been a staple in our house. Not only do my kids love building, but I’ve found that Lego encourages communication and teamwork when they build together. It’s also great for solo play, allowing them to create endless designs and stories. I love building Lego too so it’s a nice one of us all to do together.
Find it here: Lego Ranges
5. K’Nex Building Set
K’Nex is a fantastic alternative to Lego for older kids who want a bit more complexity in their building projects. My eldest particularly enjoys creating moving structures and roller coasters with K’Nex. It’s great for problem-solving and keeps their minds challenged.
Find it here: K’Nex Building Set
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
6. Fitbit for Kids
For active kids, a Fitbit can be a great way to motivate them to stay on the move and track their daily activity. My kids love the competitive aspect of trying to beat their step counts from the previous day, and it’s a fun way to promote healthy habits without a screen.
Find it here: Fitbit Ace 3
7. Cubissimo Puzzle
For kids who love puzzles, Cubissimo is a real treat. This 3D wooden puzzle challenges them to build a perfect cube using various blocks. It’s one of those games that requires patience, persistence, and a bit of strategy—ideal for developing problem-solving skills for kids and adults.
Find it here: Cubissimo Puzzle
8. Janod Human Body Puzzle
I’ve always been fascinated by how curious my kids are about how things work, especially their own bodies! The Janod Human Body Puzzle offers a fun, hands-on way for them to learn about anatomy, with layers that show muscles, bones, and organs.
Find it here: Janod Human Body Puzzle
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
9. Leapfrog Magic Adventures Globe
The Leapfrog Globe has been a huge hit in our house, especially when it comes to geography. It lets kids explore the world and learn about different countries in an interactive, engaging way. Plus, it’s a great tool for family quiz nights!
Find it here: Leapfrog Globe
10. AKASO V50 X Action Camera
If your child is interested in photography or making videos, the AKASO V50 X is an affordable and fun action camera that they can take on outdoor adventures. My older two love recording bike rides, underwater in the pool and nature walks, and the quality is fantastic for the price!
Find it here: AKASO Action Camera
11. Lava Lamp
A lava lamp might seem like a retro gift, but it can be a calming and fascinating addition to any kid’s room. My kids love watching the colorful lava blobs float up and down, and it creates a relaxing atmosphere, especially before bedtime.
Find it here: Lava Lamps
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
12. Yoto Mini Player
The Yoto Mini is a screen-free audio player designed for kids. My children love choosing different story cards, music, and even mindfulness activities to listen to. It’s the perfect bedtime companion or quiet-time alternative to screens. There are lots of great titles available for older kids – I like that the Yoto Mini grows with your child and find it great when we are travelling. I love this case for storing cards on the go.
Find it here: Yoto Mini
(You can use WELCOME10 for a little discount)
13. GAA & Rugby Jigsaws
Jigsaws are a classic, screen-free activity that never fails to entertain. We always have a few puzzles on hand, and they’re perfect for rainy afternoons or family game nights. My kids especially enjoy the more challenging puzzles that keep them focused for hours. These puzzles from JR Games are great because they feature boys and girls playing GAA, Rugby and football.
Find them here: Jigsaw Puzzles
14. Portable Table Tennis Set
For kids with a lot of energy, a portable table tennis set is a brilliant gift. We’ve set this up on our dining table for quick, impromptu tournaments, and it’s been a great way to bond and get some physical activity in without needing to go outdoors.
Find it here: Portable Table Tennis Set
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
15. Minecraft-Style Magnetic Building Blocks
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I rave about magnetic tiles, but these pixel-style cubes are the new obsession. Think Minecraft, but in real life — building houses, mobs, landscapes, even weapons. They’re brilliant for imagination, storytelling and fine motor skills, and they’re the one toy that gets brought everywhere: restaurants, planes, waiting rooms, car journeys.
Find them here: Magnetic Minecraft Building Blocks
16. Kids’ Golf Practice Mat (Indoor/Outdoor)
This one was a surprise winner in our house. You roll it out anywhere — garden, hallway, playroom — and suddenly everyone’s a pro golfer. Great for coordination, turn-taking, “my go / your go” language, and it keeps them moving on wet days.
Find it here: Golf Putting Mat
17. Net Return / Chipping Net
Great paired with the golf mat or used for football, rugby or even beanbags. Ideal for back gardens and for burning energy while you drink a very deserved hot coffee indoors. This is suitable for adults and kids and is a brilliant piece of kit for budding golfers who want to practice and improve their technique and skills.
Find it here: The Net Return
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
18. Kids’ Endoscope / Exploration Camera
This is SUCH a cool STEM gift. They can investigate drains, tree bark, inside Lego builds, under the sofa, into plant pots, even up their nose if you’re lucky 🤦♀️. Great for curious kids and sparks so much language — predicting, describing, guessing.
Find it here: Kids Endoscope Camera
19. Soccer Ball Target Practice Set
This is another “family crowd-pleaser” gifts. It’s small enough to store away and great for rainy days when they can’t get outside. And it instantly becomes: tournaments, league tables, “first to 10”, and endless sibling rivalry.
Find it here: Soccer Target Practice Game
20. Walkie Talkies
These are GOLD. Indoors, outdoors, on holiday, at the playground, at Grandma’s house — they encourage teamwork, imaginative play and loads of language (“Base to Explorer One, do you copy?”). The range on them is brilliant too.
Find them here: Long Range Walkie Talkies
22. ZipString
This is one of those toys that looks like nothing and then suddenly every adult in the room is asking for a turn. It shoots a loop of string into the air that you can control — loop it around objects, bounce it off surfaces, make shapes, tricks and challenges. It’s addictive, totally unique, and brilliant for hand-eye coordination and creative play. Great for indoor play, party tricks and taking on holidays.
Find it here: Zipstring
Use code ‘Emma10’ for 10% off
Final Thoughts
Hope you find these suggestions useful – thinking of screen-free alternatives for older kids can be hard sometimes. With a mix of educational toys, building sets, and active play options, there are lots of great options for gifts here. Whether it’s encouraging creativity with Lego or fostering a little curiosity about the world with the Leapfrog Globe, these options have all been tried and tested in this house and have been a big hit with my lads.
And for more tried and tested gift ideas and inspiration click here.
Happy gifting!
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