A few years ago, I thought I would help out the parents of my gifted and talented students by writing about some games, toys, or books that I thought might make good purchases during the holiday season. I called the series of posts, “Gifts for the Gifted,” and I have continued to do it annually on every Friday in November and December. These gifts are suggestions for any child – not just those who qualify for a GT program. Sometimes I receive a free product for review, but I am not paid for these posts, and I never recommend a product that I wouldn’t buy for my own child. For past “Gifts for the Gifted” posts, you can visit this page. Also, you can see last week’s recommendation here. And, if you want to see the more than 100 games and toys I’ve recommended over the years on my blog, check out my Pinterest board.
Despite the popularity of mobile devices and computers, I think that children still get a thrill out of getting something from a physical mailbox. If your child is interested in making video games, reading about new technologies, and learning different programming languages, you may want to consider getting her/him a subscription to beanz, a monthly magazine about “kids, code, and computer science.”
beanz would probably appeal the most to children between 8 and 13 who are avid fans of reading and technology. However, if you are a parent or teacher who wants to develop a child’s desire to create, this magazine could also be a huge resource for you. This monthly periodical explains technical topics, such as coding with Python, in a way that any layperson can understand. It gives a lot of examples, great graphics, and many suggestions for projects that children can do.
To me, it’s not just important for children to learn how to use technology responsibly but also to learn how to maximize technology’s potential for creativity and innovation. beanz helps to inspire kids to use technology for making things – not just for consuming entertainment.
beanz is available online and as a print magazine. You can view the latest issue here, but some articles are only available to subscribers. For $29.99/year, you can receive the print magazine and online access. I think this is a great deal, but if you want to spend a little less you can opt for the $15/year online subscription.
For a unique gift that will delight any creatively “geeky” parent or child, you should definitely consider beanz!