Screen-Free Gifts For Under $30 That School-Age Kids Will Love

Computers, tablets and gaming systems can be both fun and educational, but everyone needs a screen break — especially during the holidays, which are overstimulating enough. While some kids may think anything without a screen is boring, the stocking stuffers on this list will prove them wrong.
From fun family games and toys that will get your kids moving, to kits that will inspire their creativity, the 15 screen-free picks on this list all make great stocking stuffers — and even better, they’re all under $30!
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This 208-piece nutcracker Lego set is both festive and fun. The lever on the back actually works, opening and closing the nutcracker’s mouth. It’s something you can build with your kiddo — or they can tackle it solo while you enjoy your own holiday time.Promising review: “Super cute little build. Bought him for a Christmas decoration, however he’s built and standing in our collection.” — Rustysquirrel
This kit includes dinosaur-themed origami, activity pages and coloring sheets (it comes with crayons and markers too). It’s enough to keep kids occupied not just on Christmas, but throughout the holiday break.Promising review: [This review was collected as part of a promotion.] “Perfect activity for dinosaur lovers! My son loved all the different options of activities, especially the build your own dinosaur and the fuzzy coloring pages!” — BAL27
There are more than 500 pieces in this jewelry-making kit, including neon beads, star beads, heart beads and metallic elastic chords. Your kiddo will have fun making something they can give to their friends after holiday break. After all, giving is what the holidays are all about!Promising review: “My girls are obsessed with making bracelets and necklaces! This kit was perfect for them!” — Samantha La Flamme
Easy enough for kids of all ages to play, Taco Coat Goat Cheese Pizza is a card game the whole family can have a blast playing together. The rounds are quick, so you can play for just a few minutes or for hours.Promising review: “This game is an instant favorite in our house. The kids were giggling just reading the name. So easy to learn and fun for the whole family! Parents and kids (9 years old and 6 years old) were all laughing and having a blast — just watch out for the hard slappers. “ – H
There’s a reason why Rubik’s Cubes have withstood the test of time: It’s so much harder than it looks! Your kid will get downright hooked trying to solve it and you won’t be able to resist giving it a try too.Promising review: “Just what we were looking for, at a great price, for our granddaughter for Christmas. She asked for one!” — Sassy1
Want to get your kiddo moving? Slip a football into their stocking. This one is specifically made to fit easily into kids’ hands and has stripes to help with grip placement.Promising review: “Great football. Has held up very well. Nice size and quality.” — Target shopper
Another way to get your kids outside during holiday break is by gifting them a jump rope to either play with by themselves or with others. There’s four in this pack so you can avoid any tears if one unexpectedly breaks.Promising review: “[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My children loved receiving these and have fun with them almost daily. They are very nice quality, vibrant fun colors, and are very durable through all of my children’s use. Not only are they jump ropes but they have use them for other things with their imagination. Highly recommended!” — Mommy6
The Bananagrams game is a great way to help build your child’s vocab skills; it’s similar to Scrabble but without the board or complicated scoring system. The whole fam can get in on the fun! Promising review: “Our family absolutely loves this game. It’s fun, can get competitive and is a fantastic brain teaser. I highly recommend!” — HumbleHardy
With this kit, kids use coding skills to make cool key chains for their backpacks. It combines art, science and math skills using a step-by-step illustrated guide kids can follow on their own. There’s enough inside to make 15 different key chains! Promising review: “My daughter loved this product so much, from reading the information in the coding book to actually creating her own keychains and creations. It didn’t take her long to be completely consumed by the task at hand whilst continually using her creativity and imagination to create all sorts of new designs to hand out to family members and friends. A high quality product that I’d highly recommend!” — Shannon
This cute blue monkey is small enough to wrap around a child’s finger and has more than 70 different sounds and interactions. It has built-in sensors, so it responds to touch, reacting to every belly rub and head scratch.Promising review: “I purchased this as a birthday gift for a family member. I have since heard back that the child LOVES it, and wears it constantly. It’s such an adorable concept, and obviously appeals to its audience. I am planning on purchasing two more as stocking stuffers this Christmas.” — Airi
With their big sparkly eyes, all Plushy Pets are adorable, and there are five soft and cuddle friends in this surprise pack. Will your little one get a tiger, puppy, hedgehog or one of the 12 other little cuties?Promising review: “Super cute, soft and fluffy with small surprises to make your kid smile! Love the design and the plush is the perfect size to carry around!” — Ryan P
Lip Smackers plus Hello Kitty? Talk about a dream collab! Tucked inside this cute purse are lip balms, nail polishes and hair barrettes. Promising review: “Smaller than expected but super cute for a birthday gift.” — Julia
Izzy Moonbow, a purple unicorn with blue hair, comes with lots of accessories kids can adorn her with. Besides the charms, it also comes with a key chain that holds everything so nothing gets lost.Promising review: “They were purchased as gifts for some of my students. They were so excited when they opened their gift and saw what it was.” — TNB
There’s a whole island adventure inside this pineapple! Figurines, kinetic sand, a pineapple vehicle, stickers: Your kiddo will have fun discovering and playing with it all.Promising review: “Super cute! I love pineapple. Well made and cute design.” — Mint chips