In Brief:

• Mathnasium of Tallahassee highlights gifts for children in elementary and middle school that can help improve math abilitiy and encourage STEM activities. 
• You can find these gifts at Toy Nation, on Capital Circle NE. As a locally owned small business, Mathnasium of Tallahassee supports other locally owned businesses such as Toy Nation. Be sure to check them out. 
• Gift Ideas include games, LEGO and other build toys, STEM / Science kits, and you can even build your own Rubik's Cube.   

The holiday shopping season is under way.  If you’re looking for gifts for your children or grandchildren that are both fun and educational, we have several suggestions you’ll want to check out.

In this edition of our Number Sense video series, we highlight several gifts for children in elementary school and middle school, that can help improve math ability and encourage STEM activities.  All while having fun!

Yes, math education and fun do go together, and they can make great gifts.  

Games

Sumoko
You’ve heard of sudoku?  We’d like to introduce you to Sumoko.  This crossword style math game can be described as Scrabble meets math.  The game allows younger students to practice addition and subtraction skills, while older students will also have an opportunity to work on multiplication and division skills.    

Head Full of Numbers
This game is a favorite of the Mathletes at Mathnasium of Tallahassee. If Sumoko is Scrabble meets math; Head Full of Numbers is Boogle meets math.  The game promotes algebraic thinking as players earn points by solving a series of equations involving different operations. Over the course of the game players will practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Chess
Chess is always a popular activity with students at our math learning center.  However, the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit has increased interest in the game.  Children (or teens or adults) learning chess benefit from improved problem-solving skills, increased creativity, and enhanced planning and foresight abilities.

STEM Activities

Gear Bots for LEGO
In our 2019 list, we featured Chain Reactions for LEGO.  This year, there’s a new option … Gear Bots.   If you’re child is a Lego fan, this gift will help give new life to those old Lego sets that may be sitting in bins in the closet or attic.  Gear Bots features a series of physics-driven projects that you can build.  The book comes with more than 60 special new LEGO pieces that help build axles, cams, and  cranks. This a great gift to help introduce the concepts and theories in engineering.  

Engineering Makerspace Off-Road Rovers
Powered by a battery operated motor, these off road creations introduce the builder to belt drivers, wheels, treads and more.  The kit features directions to build 10 different off-road vehicles.  Or, kids can use their imagination and create a vehicle of their own.

Creatto Light Up Crafting Kit
Creatto is a building system of flexible tiles that can be interlocked to create three dimensional creations.   There are a variety of kits available. Each one can be used to create multiple designs and then illuminated with the included LED lights.  The directions include a QR code that you can scan with your phone bringing up a video to walk you through the building process.

Glow-in-the-Dark Science Lab
With this kit, children can perform chemistry experiments to learn more about neon pigments and glowing substances.  You can mix up solutions to create your own neon sidewalk chalk, sprinkle it on flowers or plants to make them glow in the dark and more.  The kit includes glowing pigments, UV flashlight, plaster for chalk and instructions.

Rubik’s Build It Solve It
The Rubik’s Build It Solve It kit comes with all the parts you’ll need to build your own Rubik’s Cube!  Of course, you’ll then have to solve it.  But no worries … it includes hints and tips to help you master the Rubik’s cube.

Snap Ships
Snap Ships is a new “building system” on the scene.  There are several models available, however you can get creative and build your own creations from each set.  The ships feature moving parts and each comes with a surprise piece knowns at the UJU tech piece.  One of the unique aspects to Snap Ships is the Youtube video series they have created.  Plus, there’s a complimentary augmented reality app that you can download to your phone that will “bring your ship to life” according to the Snap Ships website.

From all of us at Mathnasium of Tallahassee, we wish your family a safe and enjoyable holiday.  We hope these stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts help provide ideas that are both educational and fun.   

And if you need even more ideas, you can check out these suggestions from our 2019 and 2018 gift ideas. 

Mathnasium of Tallahassee: Real Instruction, Real Learning, Real Growth

Mathnasium of Tallahassee's team of trained math instructors is the solution for advanced math enrichment, math tutoring, and math homework help for elementary, middle school, high school (including SAT and ACT test prep), virtual and home school students. 

Mathnasium of Tallahassee, a small family owned local business, creates customized math learning plans for each student leading to a deeper understanding of math concepts, improved academic performance and greater self-confidence in math skills.  

When you search for a "math tutor near me" or "Tallahassee Tutor" it's important to know, at Mathnasium of Tallahassee, we create an experience … an opportunity … for students to get it!  It’s just a matter of teaching math in a way that makes sense to them.  That's what we do! We help Mathletes get engaged in their academics for math class, homework and standardized tests.  

Fill out the form above or call us to learn more about our free assessment process, our in-center and Mathnasium @Home one-on-one video conference instruction options, and how we are Making Math Make Sense everyday for Mathletes at all skill levels and abilities.