Christmas gift shopping for kids always feels a little bit like déjà vu.
Barbie? Check.
Stickers? Probably.
A sparkly craft set? Almost guaranteed.
And honestly, we get it. Those gifts are classics for a reason. They’re cute, fun, and easy wins with most girls.
But this year, we’d love to gently nudge you to try something a little different. Not to replace the toys she already loves, but to add something new to her world. Something she may have never tried, yet may spark a skill or passion she’ll carry for years.
What Christmas Gift Rule #5 Really Means: Give Them What They Haven’t Experienced Yet
There’s a little philosophy many parents use during the holidays: “A good gift isn’t only what they already love, it’s also what they haven’t tried.”
That’s the spirit behind Christmas gift rule #5: give kids experiences that expand their world.
Sure, Barbie and sticker books are comforting, familiar fun. But adding one gift that’s new, like a beginner-friendly programming robot kit, a STEM building toy, or a hands-on science set, gives your daughter a chance to explore a skill she might never discover on her own.
Kids rarely ask for things they don’t know exist. That’s why new experiences often need a gentle introduction from us.
And sometimes… that tiny introduction becomes life-changing.
The Data Is Clear: Girls Aren’t Encouraged Toward STEM Early Enough
This isn’t about turning every child into an engineer. It’s about giving girls equal access to the kinds of early experiences that build confidence in problem-solving, creativity, and technical thinking.
Right now, the reality tells us we’re not doing enough.
Women are still underrepresented in STEM.
According to UNESCO, women make up only 35% of STEM graduates worldwide.
In the U.S., the participation gap continues into adulthood.
The National Science Board reports that women hold only about 18% of STEM jobs in several major fields.
Interest starts declining early — as young as middle school.
Organizations like Girls Who Code highlight that girls’ interest in computer science peaks before age 12 and drops sharply by 13–17.
Gendered toys play a role.
Research shows that heavily gendered toy marketing affects a child’s willingness to try certain activities and shapes their confidence in technical or building-related tasks.
This doesn’t mean Barbie is “bad.” Absolutely not. It simply shows that girls deserve more kinds of play, including those that help them explore logic, engineering, creativity, and experimentation.
And Christmas is the perfect moment to open that door.
What STEM Toys Actually Teach and Why Girls Benefit So Much From Them
Let’s break down a few categories of STEM toys and why they’re such powerful additions to your daughter’s holiday gift list.
| Category | What It Is | What Kids Learn / Build | Why It Matters for Girls | Recommended Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Building Sets (STEM Blocks) | Sillbird-style bricks, engineering sets, creative construction kits |
• Spatial reasoning • Logical sequencing • Creativity and imaginative problem-solving • Patience & perseverance |
Gives girls a strong “I made this” moment, boosting confidence, especially for kids who don’t naturally think of themselves as “engineering types.” | 6–12+ (varies by complexity) |
| 2. Robot Kits (Programming Robot) | RC robots, coding robots, mechanical build-and-drive kits |
• Cause-and-effect thinking • Early programming logic • Systems thinking • Real problem-solving |
Bridges fun and future-ready skills. Great for girls who like figuring out how things work or enjoy RC toys. | 8–14+ (choose beginner models for new builders) |
| 3. Science & Experiment Kits | Modern, safe, contained science experiment sets |
• Curiosity • Hypothesis testing • Observation skills • Analytical thinking |
Builds confidence in scientific exploration without the mess parents worry about. | 6–12+ (depends on topic) |
| 4. STEAM Creations (Art + Engineering) | Creative-meets-tech kits: moving sculptures, light-up art, decorative robots |
• Artistic expression • Engineering logic • Hands-on problem-solving |
Perfect for creative-first girls who want to explore something new while staying in their comfort zone. | 6–12+ |
But What If She Doesn’t Like It? Common Parent Concerns
“She prefers dolls. Will she even touch a robot?”
Start with a beginner-friendly kit and build the first project with her. Kids usually enjoy what they can succeed at.
“I don’t want to force her into STEM.”
You’re not. You're simply expanding her options, not taking anything away.
“What if it’s too hard?”
Pick age-appropriate sets. Many are designed for absolute beginners with step-by-step guidance.
“Barbie is her comfort zone.”
Great. Keep Barbie, just add one gift she might never choose for herself.
How to Introduce STEM Toys in a Zero-Pressure Way
Here’s a simple, parent-approved method:
1. Start with what she already likes.
Does she enjoy art? Choose a robot she can decorate.
Does she love racing toys? Pick a remote-control model she can assemble.
2. Make the first build a parent-child moment.
It turns the toy into quality time, not homework.
3. Set one tiny goal.
“Let’s see if we can make it move forward and turn!”
Small wins = long-term interest.
4. Capture the moment.
Kids love documenting their creations. It reinforces pride and confidence.
5. Offer a next step, only if she wants it.
Explore local STEM clubs, after-school programs, or kid-friendly coding lessons.
Girls Who Code chapters are a great place to start.
A Real Story
A parent recently told us about her 9-year-old daughter, Emma. Emma’s Christmas list was the usual: a doll, a journal, glitter gel pens.
Her mom added one more gift: a small beginner robot kit. No pressure, just a “let’s try this together” toy.
Emma loved it. Not because she was “a future engineer,” but because she loved decorating the robot, naming it, and making it move in silly ways.
Three months later, she joined her school’s after-school robotics club… the only girl in the room.
And she walked in confidently because she had already tried it at home. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
This Christmas, Add One New Thing
This isn’t about replacing Barbie.
It’s about giving your daughter one more window to see herself differently, as someone who can build, solve, design, and create.
So this year, keep the gifts she loves. Just add one gift she hasn’t experienced yet.
Something simple.
Something hands-on.
Something that might spark a curiosity she never knew she had.
And who knows?
A small robot or building kit might be the tiny beginning of something big.
References
1. UNESCO (2021). STEM education statistics: Women in STEM worldwide.
Source indicates women represent roughly 35% of STEM graduates globally.
2. National Science Board (NSB). Science & Engineering Indicators.
Reports that women remain significantly underrepresented in several STEM occupations, including fields reporting around 18% female participation.
3. Girls Who Code. Research on the gender gap in computing.
Documents early decline in girls’ interest in computer science between ages 13–17.
4. Studies on Gendered Toy Marketing.
Research shows that gender stereotypes in toy packaging influence children's confidence and interest in STEM-related play.
5. Girls Who Code — Programs and Resources.
Provides nationwide programs that help girls explore coding and technology in supportive environments.
