What to get Kids for Christmas: Beyond the hottest new toy

Little Passports takes kids around the world, or around the US with Sophia and Sam. Each month is a new adventure.

The Present: A World Tour
Where to Get It: Order Online
Cost: Varies, see each post
Photos: For photos of the Gift Guide, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook or Field Trips with Sue on Pinterest (Like Us while you are there)

Looking for what to get kids for Christmas? Forget the hottest new toy, how about a trip around the world? It’s a gift children can enjoy long after the wrapping paper and boxes have been thrown away. Think you can’t afford it? Think again. These subscription based gifts are very affordable. Plus, kids will think of you each month when they get something in the mail and parents will love you for keeping the kids engaged all afternoon on something educational. It’s a perfect way to extend the holiday season, instill a love of travel or even get children excited for the next vacation.

WonderBox by Education.com includes everything you need for hours of fun. Themes include Once Upon a Time, Nature and Mad Scientist.

The Present: Education.com Wonder Box
Where to Get It: Education.com 
Age Group: 3-6 years old
Cost: $19.99 a month for a 12 month subscription, $30 for a single box or $75 for three boxes (free shipping) Want to send a little love to Field Trips with Sue? Use code HOLIDAY5-05

Education.com is a fabulous site for parents offering information by grade and age level. To take the fun off the computer and into your living room, order a Wonder Box. These themed boxes have everything you need for an afternoon of fun. The boxes are geared toward children age 3- 6, however those a little older will enjoy them too. Each box comes with hands-on activities and a card that explains each item, as well as the skills involved. Each month’s Wonder Box is different. You can see three examples on the education.com website. Here is a review of the Wonder Box from Cool Mom Picks and one from the Adventures of SuperMom.

The Present: Little Passports
Where to Get It: Little Passports Online
Age Group: 5 – 12 years old
Cost: Starting at $10.95 per month (order by Dec. 17 for Holiday delivery) Get a 10% discount by using the code “ATL10″

Sam and Sofia are on a global adventure and they want to bring your child along with them. Parents can sign up for the World Edition or the USA Edition. While kids are following Sam and Sofia, they are learning geography, history, culture and language. In addition to getting a gift each month, there are online games. Gift givers can sign up for a month-to-month plan or a set number of months up front. Here’s a great review of Little Passports from Mara Gorman of Mother of All Trips.

Highlights Top Secret Adventure allows kids to go on a mission and determine, what was stolen, who stole it and where it’s hidden.

The Present: Highlights Magazine Top Secret Adventures
Where to Get It: Highlights Online
Age Group: 7 – 12 years old
Cost: $13.95 (plus $3.45 S&H) (Allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery)

Kids become detectives as they try to solve an international crime. Each top secret adventure is set in a new location around the globe and kids must figure out what was stolen, who took it and where it is hidden. I love the silly suspects like Hattie Nuff, and Major League (who has robbed zoos across the country. He stole a Chicago Cub, a Detroit tiger and a Baltimore oriole.) Adventure kits arrive about every five weeks and are charged directly to your credit card. You can cancel at any time. Printable gift cards are available on the site.

The Present: Highlights Explore America
Where to Get It: Highlights Online
Age Group: 7 – 12 years old
Cost: $5.95 (plus $2.45 S&H)

What’s better than a road trip! With Highlights Explore America, kids visit a new state about every five weeks. In the mail they receive a state map and puzzle book where they must figure out Who, What and Where with the aid of a quirky crew. Along the way they visit man-made wonders and relive historic events that shaped our nation.

The Present: Master Kitz
Where to Get It: Online or Retail Locations 
Age Group: 6-8 years old
Cost: $29.99 plus tax

Master Kitz let kids recreate a masterpiece and add their own flare. A great activity for a pre or post art museum trip.

I absolutely love this gift that lets kids re-create famous paintings by well-known artists. It’s a perfect pre-museum activity or even something to do once you get home. In addition to giving you all the materials to make your own masterpiece, the kit includes a kid friendly biography of the artist and the work.

See our other gift guides too:

• Passports with Purpose: Win three days and two nights in the Coca-Cola Suite at the Omni CNN Center, attraction tickets and swim with the whale sharks!
• Holiday Gift Guide: Experiential Gifts