For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For parents, the holidays are the ideal time to encourage children to become interested in technology, computer science and programming.
NewTechKids has assembled this 2017 Holiday Gift Guide, a list of Web sites which offer recommendations on toys and books related to computer science, programming and STEM for toddlers and primary school-aged children.
We’ve also added a section on experiences, things you can do with your child during the holidays to learn about technology together.
Toys
The Independent Newspaper: Best Coding Toys for Kids
Live Science: Best Coding Apps and Toys
Wall Street Journal: Toys That Teach the Basics of Coding
Tech Advisor UK: Best Coding Games for Kids 2017
A Mighty Girl: Code Like a Mighty Girl – 25 Toys & and Books to Inspire Mighty Girl Coders
Video Games
Books
Alibris: Best-Selling Children’s Fiction Computer Books
Usborne’s ‘Lift-the-flap Computers and Coding’
Experiences
Watch Hidden Figures movie on Netflix or Apple TV (movie about the three African-American women who worked as human computers and helped NASA launch its space program)
Attend Apple Camp: free workshops at Apple stores around the world
Play Google’s Quick, Draw! game with your child over the holidays (Site which teaches neural network to recognise doodles)
Play MIT’s Moral Machine Game with your child over the holidays (for mature children and teens, game presents moral dilemmas and participants judge what outcomes are more acceptable, you can also design your own moral scenarios)
Send your child to NewTechKids Winter 2018 Computer Science Bootcamps