Creative Christmas gifts for kids: three sets rated 4/5

Buying a creative gift starts with knowing what a child enjoys doing. A keen drawer might welcome new ways to experiment on paper, while someone who likes building could prefer a set they can take apart and remake.

For a creative experience rather than a boxed present, our pottery-painting visit with Cyrus offers another idea.

This Cyrus Tries It selection covers both, with each product receiving 4/5. Alongside what each set offers, I’ve included where there’s room for improvement and what I’d like the companies to develop next.

The prices below are those supplied for this feature. Check the retailer’s current price, stock and delivery information before ordering, especially when shopping close to Christmas. At the latest link check, both Marvin’s Magic listings displayed “Sold Out”.

Our rating: 4/5

Marvin’s Magic Glow Art is a reusable, transparent drawing board with four fluorescent pens and lighting effects that illuminate the artwork. Children can draw directly onto the screen or trace a picture underneath, then wipe it clean and start again.

The combination of tracing and freehand drawing gives children different ways to use it. Tracing provides a starting point when they’re unsure what to draw, while the lighting changes how the finished picture looks. A Christmas tree or snowy scene would suit the season, although the board has uses well beyond December.

At the supplied price of £21.99, it is the lowest-priced option here. The manufacturer lists it for ages 5 and over.

What could improve, and what should come next?

The buying information could explain the everyday essentials more clearly, including power requirements, cleaning instructions and where to find compatible replacement pens. These are useful details when buying something intended for repeated use.

I’d like Marvin’s Magic to make replacement pens easy to find alongside the board and provide downloadable tracing sheets with different difficulty levels. That would give children fresh projects without needing another drawing set.

The verdict: A reusable drawing option with the added appeal of illuminated artwork. Before ordering, check the colour carefully, as the link below leads to the black version.

Check Glow Art Black availability

Our rating: 4/5

Marvin’s Amazing Magic Pens come as two packs of 25, with effects designed for colour-changing artwork, secret messages and lettering. The range also includes pens that erase colour from drawings.

Those effects give children something specific to investigate alongside ordinary colouring. They can experiment with changing part of a picture or creating a message, following the instructions to see how the different pens work together.

The two-pack format is useful when comparing prices. The supplied £26.99 price covers both packs, which could suit siblings or be split into separate presents. The manufacturer recommends the pens for ages 5 and over.

What could improve, and what should come next?

The product page could show the contents of each pack more clearly and identify which pens create each effect. Parents also need a clear distinction between erasing colour from artwork and removing ink from clothing or furniture. An erasable drawing effect doesn’t establish that a pen is washable.

Short demonstrations would help children get started, supported by clear guidance on suitable paper and care. I’d also like to see replacement effect pens available separately, so a set remains useful if those run out before the ordinary colours.

The verdict: A drawing gift with scope for experimenting on paper, and a twin-pack format worth checking before buying two separate presents.

Check Magic Pens twin-pack availability

Our rating: 4/5

TRIDO Honey is a magnetic construction set with geometric pieces that connect to make characters and abstract sculptures. The 36-piece box includes different shapes and eye pieces, plus a leaflet and an inspiration book.

H and I enjoy this one too, and the warm golden colours make it a great addition to the coffee table. A finished construction can stay on display until someone decides to change it, which gives the set a place in the living room beyond a single building session.

The eye pieces provide a starting point for making characters, while the geometric shapes leave room for more abstract designs. There is no single finished model to preserve, so the pieces can be rearranged whenever someone wants another go.

What could improve, and what should come next?

At the supplied price of £129, this is a substantial Christmas purchase. Buyers need clear examples of what they can build with this particular box, with the number and type of pieces identified. That would make it easier to judge whether the 36-piece set suits the person receiving it.

I’d like TRIDO to publish building challenges specifically for Honey, progressing from small characters to more complex sculptures. A compact storage tray that works on a coffee table would also suit a set that adults and children can enjoy together.

The verdict: The most expensive choice here, with the added appeal of being something H and I enjoy using and are happy to leave on display.

TRIDO lists the set for ages 3 and over and warns that it contains small magnets. Follow the packaging’s safety instructions and keep it away from children under 3. The Child Accident Prevention Trust provides guidance on magnetic toy safety.

See the TRIDO Honey 36-piece set

NB: No spam. Just stories, discoveries and the occasional big question. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.