Finding Christmas presents for any child can be challenging but finding gifts for high learning potential (HLP) or dual or multiple exceptionality (DME) children can sometimes feel even more complex. These children are often intensely curious and have highly specific interests, meaning that finding niche gifts that offer more depth, challenge or creativity than typical toys can feel like a full-time job sometimes!

This updated 2025 gift guide brings together parent recommendations from our members and team to help reduce some of the stress and help you choose Christmas presents that encourage exploration, autonomy, learning and joyful play.

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Best Christmas Gifts for High Learning Potential and DME Children

  1. Open-ended gifts that grow with your child

High learning potential children frequently enjoy resources that offer multiple routes to explore, revisit and adapt. Open-ended gifts support flexible thinking, problem-solving and long-term engagement.

Popular options include:

  • Science experiment kits
  • Construction set toys such as LEGO, K’Nex, MAGNA-TILES or Meccano
  • Electronics sets
  • Art and creative materials
  • STEM toys with progressive challenge levels

These gifts support depth, autonomy and repeated discovery.

 

  1. STEM Gifts for Gifted and Curious Children

STEM toys continue to be favourites in the recommendations from our HLP and DME. They encourage experimenting, tinkering, building and independent investigation but can also offer opportunities to build resilience.

Top STEM Gift Ideas

  • Perplexus 3D Maze Puzzle Balls are fantastic for spatial reasoning and learning about persistence
  • Portable / Pocket Microscopes encourage outdoor exploration and scientific curiosity
  • Molymod Molecular Model Sets are ideal for children fascinated by chemistry or molecular structures
  • Kid-Friendly Circuit Kits give kids the opportunity build alarms, sensors, robots and more in a fun but safe way which helps protect appliances around your home from being tinkered with
  • Mechanical Wooden Model Kits (UGEARS, ROKR) are beautifully engineered, hands-on building kits
  • Advanced Marble Runs (GraviTrax, National Geographic Sets) are physics-based, endlessly customisable and offer multiple add on options that other family members could buy as gifts
  • K’Nex, LEGO and Magformers timeless engineering and construction favourites that can be taken apart and rebuilt again and again.
  • Turing Tumble is a great option for logic-driven who love elements of computing in their play.

These STEM toys can spark new interests or deepen existing passions.

  1. Best Books for High Learning Potential and DME Children

Books are frequently recommended by families of gifted and DME children, especially those that offer depth, strong visuals or opportunities for shared discussion.

Recommended Non-Fiction and STEM Books

Subscriptions and Comics That Support Learning

  • The Week Junior
  • First News
  • Aquila
  • Whizz Pop Bang
  • National Geographic Kids
  • Science + Nature
  • What on Earth?

Graphic novels, manga and comics (such as Pokémon, Bunny Vs Monkey and InvestiGators) also support visual learning, inference skills and sustained interest.

  1. Creative and Make-It-Yourself Gifts

Creative gifts allow HLP and DME children to express ideas, experience sensory satisfaction and produce meaningful finished objects. Some HLP and DME children may prefer kits with a defined end product whilst others may enjoy materials to make their own creation, you know your child best so consider whether a pre-defined finished product would make your child feel anxious or offer structure that they find reassuring.

Creative Gift Ideas

  • Modular craft kits (mosaics, model-building, woodcraft)
  • Build-your-own kits (planetariums, kaleidoscopes, music boxes)
  • Art and Craft materials
  • Step-by-step drawing books
  • Musical instruments

These resources suit children who enjoy working with their hands and producing something original.

  1. Gifts That Support Social Play and Peer Connections

Some HLP and DME children find peer interaction easier if there us shared purpose or structured play, these recommendations aim to support developing social play skills.

Helpful Social-Connection Gifts

  • Flying orb balls
  • Portable gadgets or interactive toys
  • Storytelling or imaginative-play figures
  • Small STEM or logic toys suitable for group play
  • Tamagotchis and other digital pets

 

  1. Board Games for HLP and DME Children and Families

Board games are excellent for practicing strategy, communication, collaboration and flexible thinking but also offer great opportunities for family connection.

Highly Recommended Games

  1. Experience-Based Gifts for Gifted Children

Many HLP and DME children appreciate shared time and experiences more than physical toys, games or ‘things’. These ideas can require a little more creativity from the parents’ side but are generally low-cost, can be tailored to your child’s interests and create lasting memories whilst building confidence and autonomy.

Experience Gift Ideas

  • Create a home escape room
  • A “You Choose the Activity” family voucher
  • Annual passes to museums or attractions
  • Science experiment afternoons
  • Craft or cooking projects
  • A family theatre or storytelling activity
  • Shared gaming or puzzle time

 

  1. Quirky and Niche Gifts for Highly Specific Interests

HLP and DME children often enjoy niche or unusual topics. Embracing these interests can help them feel validated and understood but we understand they can be tricky to track down.

Some Niche Gifts Our Families Shared

  • Soft toy Numberblocks
  • Plush natural phenomena (storms, volcanoes, clouds)
  • Plush historical figures
  • Plush microbes
  • Laminated insect or plant specimens
  • Overhead projectors
  • Giant Microbes plush toys
  • Specialist books or fieldwork tools

Following a child’s genuine interests (however unusual they may be) can make a gift truly meaningful.

Final Thoughts

There is no single perfect gift for a high learning potential or DME child, you are the expert in the weird and wonderful things your child is passionate about. Although we have included specific items above based on the recommendations and experiences of our community there will be things we’ve missed. General advice we can offer to you when shopping for gifts for your HLP or DME child is that the most successful presents tend to be those that:

  • acknowledge their individuality
  • encourage exploration
  • offer depth and discovery
  • support social connection or self-directed learning
  • validate their interests whether they are mainstream or niche

Whether you choose a puzzle ball, a coding kit, a STEM subscription or simply a day of dedicated time together, thoughtful gifts can nurture confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.