The Boost kit serves up 847 pieces, which can be used to build five different designs, including a guitar and a traditional, humanoid robot. The building is only half the challenge, however.

2. Melissa & Doug Weaving Loom. The world is their oyster with this do-it-all knitting kit for kids. The loom is one of the most versatile you can find.

Stir kids’ imaginations with Moon & Moth Magic Co. potion kits, ... dragon, magic carpet or skull designs to create an enchanting gift for young wizards and witches. Muggles need not apply.

A new robot kit lets kids build their own rovers to learn more about technology and the spacecraft used to explore other cosmic bodies, like the moon and Mars. The littleBits Space Rover Inventor ...