Five Star Gift Ideas

It sounds like your son has an interest in programming and projects that let him use his creativity, especially ones he can create himself. Here are a few meaningful and personal gift ideas that can help support and nurture his interests:

1. **Raspberry Pi Kit:** A Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer that is great for learning and experimenting with programming. Many starter kits come with everything needed to build and set up the device, and your son can use it to create a variety of projects, from simple programming exercises to more complex creations like a homemade game console or smart home device.

2. **Arduino Starter Kit:** An Arduino is perfect for someone interested in electronics and programming. The kit includes a microcontroller board and a selection of sensors and components to build a variety of projects. These kits often come with a project book that guides beginners through creating different items, offering both a fun and educational experience.

3. **Coding Subscription Box:** Consider a monthly subscription box that offers coding and programming challenges. Companies like Bitsbox provide new projects each month to keep your son engaged and continuously learning. These boxes usually combine both software and (sometimes) minor hardware elements to apply coding in different contexts.

4. **Robotics Kit:** Look for a robotics kit, such as the LEGO Mindstorms or a Makeblock kit, that allows him to build and program robots. These kits are fantastic for encouraging STEM skills and creativity and come with various parts that he can use to build multiple types of robots.

5. **Programming Course Online Subscription:** Platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, or Udemy offer online courses in various programming languages and technologies. If your son has specific interests in certain programming languages or technologies, a course subscription could be the perfect gift to help him dive deeper into those topics.

6. **Interactive Coding Toys:** Toys like the Kano Computer Kit or Sphero provide a more playful introduction to programming. These kits often gamify the programming process, making it fun and interactive, which can be especially engaging for younger programmers.

7. **Personalized Programming Notebook:** Add a personal touch by getting him a custom notebook where he can jot down ideas, sketch project outlines, or write code snippets by hand. You can personalize it with his name or something that motivates him related to his coding interest.

These gifts not only align with his interests but also offer him opportunities to advance his skills and apply his creativity in practical ways. Whether he's just starting or already at an intermediate level, these options should provide both enjoyment and educational value.

Or you can get him a star map with an important date you share.

Madeline Moran Weiler says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“The map was absolutely beautiful! My grandson was thrilled with it (it was a Christmas gift) and has already asked me if I would consider getting another one for him as a graduation gift in a couple of years.”