A Guide to Meaningful Gifts for Unschoolers
Here's a little inspiration for anyone seeking some.
Hi Friends,
'Tis the season for gift-giving, and as we search for presents for our loved ones, I wanted to share some suggestions with you for those wonderful unschoolers in your life. Here are a few ideas that might just bring a smile to their faces!
Unschooling, the art of self-directed learning, is a journey that celebrates curiosity, exploration, and discovery. If you're seeking gifts for the unschooler in your life, why not elevate their learning adventures with presents that nurture their innate inquisitiveness and foster their creativity?
Here are some things my kids have loved throughout the years.
Subscription to Curiosity-Driven Platforms
Unschoolers thrive on exploring various subjects. Subscriptions to platforms like Curiosity Stream, Outschool or The Great Courses Plus offer a treasure trove of documentaries, lectures, and educational content across diverse fields, catering to their ever-curious minds.
Open-Ended Play Items
Think about gifts that light up their imagination: building blocks, versatile construction sets, simple dolls or figures, dress-up costumes, play tents, or everyday items that transform in their make-believe world.
These toys aren't confined by rules. They let unschoolers dive into their imagination, creating stories and exploring their ideas. Open-ended toys help them be inventive, solve problems while playing alone or with friends. The magic of toys like this is the endless possibilities they offer, nurturing a world where creativity has no limits and where learning is woven into the joy of playing freely.
DIY Science Kits and Experiment Sets
Fuel their passion for hands-on learning with DIY science kits or experiment sets. Brands like Kiwi Co or Thames & Kosmos provide engaging kits that cover everything from chemistry and physics to robotics and engineering.
Art Supplies Galore
Unschoolers are known for their vibrant creativity, often channelled through various forms of art. Consider presenting them with top-notch art supplies like deluxe sketchbooks, a rich assortment of paints, finely crafted charcoal sets, or a diverse array of sculpting materials. These gifts not only support their artistic endeavours but also validate their unique approach to learning and self-expression.
Membership to Museums or Learning Centres
Foster their love for exploration by gifting memberships to local museums, science centres, or nature reserves. These places offer a rich learning environment and often host workshops and events suitable for unschoolers of all ages.
Books, Books, and More Books
Books are windows to endless worlds. Find titles that align with their interests—whether it's fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, or biographies—to stimulate their curiosity and broaden their horizons.
Coding and Technology Resources
For the tech-savvy unschooler, coding kits or online courses (like Codecademy or free Code Camp for older unschoolers and Code Monkey for younger ones) can be the perfect gateway to understanding the digital world and exploring programming languages.
Homemade Gifts Straight from the Heart
Think of crafting something unique—a personalised scrapbook capturing your adventures together, a DIY science or baking kit, or even a custom board game tailored to their interests. These heartfelt creations carry your care and thoughtfulness, becoming treasured tokens.
Outdoor Exploration Gear
Encourage their love for nature and outdoor adventures with gifts like camping gear, telescopes, penknives, fire strikers, binoculars, maps or gardening kits. These tools can turn any outdoor escapade into a learning opportunity.
Music Instruments or Lessons
Music serves as a catalyst for creativity, providing an avenue for self-expression. Consider the gift of musical instruments or lessons to facilitate their journey into this captivating world of melodies and rhythms. Moreover, second-hand options are readily available, offering an affordable way to delve into this enriching experience.
Educational Board Games and Puzzles
Foster learning through play with educational board games and puzzles that challenge their critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy skills.
Support for Passion Projects
Sometimes, the most meaningful gift is the encouragement to pursue their passion projects. Whether it involves funding for an online course, materials for a science experiment, or resources for a creative endeavour, supporting their interests can be incredibly valuable. Additionally, offering your personal skills and time to assist them in their endeavours can be an invaluable gift, fostering not just their passion but also the bond between you.
Unschooling isn't just about academics; it's about embracing a lifestyle of continuous exploration and discovery. By choosing gifts that nurture their interests and foster their innate curiosity, you're not just giving them presents; you're supporting their lifelong journey of self-directed learning and growth.
I hope this guide sparked some inspiration for you if you were looking for ideas. Feel free to share your thoughts or any other gift suggestions – I'd love to hear from you!
Warmest wishes,
Just beginning to dip my toes into this lifestyle of Unschooling. Thank you for the list. My son was just given boxes of recycling ie other boxes and tubes and he has loved them!
Wonderful! Such an inspired list, and so useful to a home educator like myself. Thanks for putting this together!