Multiple Intelligence Gift Ideas
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One of the most influential books I read during my education college classes was Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong. It was about the eight different types of ‘smart’. It made a big impact on me because it gives credit to all types of learners. It shaped my teaching and parenting style. I assembled this list of multiple intelligence gift ideas for kids of all ages.
Gardner, the founder of the multiple intelligences theory, believed we should not limit people to only one learning style. Instead we should “empower” people to learn through a variety of channels.
When I was a classroom teacher I tried to make sure each of the 8 intelligences were accommodated within each unit study.
The multiple intelligences are:
- Linguistic
- Logical-Mathematical
- Spatial
- Bodily-Kinesthetic
- Musical
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalist
When I am selecting gifts for my children, I try to include one gift from each area of intelligence. It gives me a basic framework and makes sure I am not neglecting any area of intelligence.
Multiple Intelligence Gift Ideas
Gift Ideas for Babies
Board Books are a fantastic linguistic gift. The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, by Jeffrey Burton is a cute rhyming twist on the classic, The Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Shape Cubes are a great way to nurture the logical-mathematical intelligence. Babies learn about shapes as they fit the pieces in the holes.
Chunky Puzzles are a good way to develop spatial skills. Babies learn to identify and fit the missing pieces. Melissa and Doug make wonderful wooden chunky puzzles.
- 8-piece wooden puzzle featuring farm animals
- Pieces stand up for use as manipulatives or play pieces
- Chunky wooden pieces are easy for little hands to grasp
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Activity Mats are an excellent way for young babies to begin developing their bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
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Shakers are perfect for developing the musical intelligence. These can be homemade as long as they do not pose a choking hazard.
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Baby-safe Photo Books are wonderful for nurturing interpersonal relationships. You can fill the book with photographs of loved ones and your baby can look (and chew) anytime. This was a favorite when my kids were babies.
Mobiles can help babies relax when they are in their crib so they make a great intrapersonal gift. Another idea is a soft toy or blanket (that still allows airflow) that helps a child self-soothe.
- BLACK AND WHITE DEVELOPMENTAL TOYS: From Manhattan Toy’s award winning Wimmer-Ferguson infant collection – the original innovator of black and white…
- INFANT STIM-MOBILE FOR CRIBS DETAILS: Introduces baby to high contrast images and colors for early visual development with a hanging mobile over little…
- ADAPTABLE FOR BABY’S GROWTH: Adjustable cord on the Stim-Mobile allows you to easily change distance of cards from baby as they grow and their vision…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Stroller Covers can help you take your baby outside even when it is drizzling. Taking babies outside to explore is a wonderful way to develop a naturalist intelligence.
- [Maximize Brightness and Clarity] Visually it is made of completely visible And special materials make it not easy to wrinkle, which maximizes brightness…
- [Air Circulation – Feel at Ease] The rain cover for stroller has mesh vents on both sides and a lid that rolls up to allow air to circulate more easily…
- stroller rain covers are made of high-quality material: Premium Food Grade EVA film, free of phthalates, non-toxic, and harmless, incredibly safe for…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Toddler/Preschool
Audiobooks provide a terrific way for pre-readers to explore language and develop their linguistic intelligence.
Beginning Science Kits are a great way to build logical-mathematical intelligence. My kids LOVED playing with the beakers and test tubes.
Rice, Water, or Sand Tables are an excellent way to develop spatial intelligence. Playing is important work! You can buy a table or make your own with a large tub.
- MADE OF WOOD: Crafted of long-lasting, premium and sustainable materials for a durable toy that can be passed down from kid to kid. Natural finish is a…
- DOUBLE SIDED: Tabletop is either a building bricks surface for constructing or a smooth wood surface for free play with cars, dolls or more.
- INCLUDES BRICKS: Give this wooden activity table as a gift and play can start right away, thanks to the inclusion of 195 colorful building bricks.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dress-up Clothes are one of a preschooler’s favorite ways to develop bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. It combines role play and drama with a bit of make-believe.
- ENTERTAINING ASTRONAUT ROLE-PLAY COSTUME: The Melissa & Doug Astronaut Role-Play Costume Set is a dress-up and play set that includes an astronaut’s…
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS: To ensure safety and durability, the Melissa & Doug Astronaut costume is made from high-quality materials and assembled with…
- EASY TO CLEAN: The jumpsuit in our kids astronaut costume is machine-washable for easy cleanup. The reusable nametag also wipes clean, so another astronaut…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Band in a Box is a wonderful way to develop musical intelligence. These types of toys can get LOUD so I keep them up high and bring them out only when noisy play is allowed.
- DIVERSE 10-PIECE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SET: The Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box Clap! Clang! Tap! is a 10-piece musical instrument set with a variety of…
- EXPOSES CHILDREN TO MULTIPLE TONES: Melissa & Doug musical instruments help children develop a musical ear. This set exposes your mini-musician to…
- HANDY WOODEN CRATE: To keep this band set for kids organized, we’ve included a durable wooden crate that has plenty of space to store each of the…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Board Games that foster taking turns and other good sportsmanship behaviors are a fun way to work on interpersonal intelligence. Candy Land also works on identifying colors.
Play Tents provide a way for preschoolers to ‘hide-out’ and have a little alone time so they are a creative way to develop intrapersonal intelligence.
Snowman Kits contain everything needed to decorate a snowman. I have seen these available online, but they are also cheap and easy to assemble yourself. You can’t build a snowman inside, so this helps nurture the naturalist intelligence.
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Elementary Gift Suggestions
Mad Libs are a fun way to practice grammar and build linguistic intelligence. My kids love to play Mad Libs a few times a week.
- Want to boost their fine motor and visual thinking skills? You want Imagines
- The sturdy wood carrying case features durable hinges and rope handles that are perfect for little hands to grasp
- Inside, brightly-colored magnetic blocks can be arranged on the boards to replicate any of the 50 full-color design challenges, including animals, faces…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Snap Circuits are a favorite with my third grade son. He has been nurturing his logical-mathematical intelligence for years while building fans and lights.
- SO MANY TOYS IN A SNAP: Make dozens of cool electronic gadgets – all from one box! A safe and fun way to introduce children ages 8+ to the basics of…
- AMAZING VALUE So many fun electric-powered projects you can make and play! Build 20+ games with fun sounds and lights! 36-piece kit also builds over…
- GREAT GIFT Give the gift of learning and fun this holiday season! Snap Circuits kits will keep kids busy and having fun all year round. Combine with other…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Marble Runs develop spatial intelligence while designing and building a maze. There are a bunch of pieces, so I recommend giving a storage container to contain it all.
- Engaging Marble Fun: Dive into the excitement of the Marble Genius Marble Run Starter Set with 130 vibrant pieces perfect for kids aged 4-8. Watch marbles…
- Perfect Holiday Gift: Delight your child with an educational Christmas present that encourages problem-solving and imagination. This marble run set is a…
- Easy Connection Play: With kid-friendly connectors, assembling your marble race track becomes a breeze, ensuring stable structures for endless play. Ideal…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sports Equipment is an easy way to encourage bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. The best part about this idea, is that it is easy to customize based on a child’s interests.
Recorders are an inexpensive way to foster musical intelligence. They seem to be a classic instrument that many children learn to play in elementary school. YouTube has great tutorials!
- Excellent tuning and sound quality
- Made from durable and safe ABS plastic resin with no BPA
- Double holes for low C/C number and D/D number to improve tuning
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conversation Starter Cards are a wonderful way to work on developing interpersonal intelligence. You can purchase cards, but printable versions are available for free online. Just print, package in a cute box, and slip into a stocking.
- Sample Questions: Who’s the funniest person you know? If you could be one character from a movie, which one would you choose? What was the most fun…
- Ideal For: Families with children aged 4-10, teachers, 2 or more players
- Uses: Family dinner, everyday conversations, game night, children’s party activity, car ride activity, picnics, classroom discussions, class icebreakers
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Customizable Chore Charts are a great way for kids to learn to set goals and they promote intrapersonal intelligence.
- Encourage good behavior with this wooden magnetic tracking-and-reward chart
- Wood-framed double-sided magnetic board
- Includes 90 magnets behavior and reward magnets featuring classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rock Identification Kits are a way to develop naturalist intelligence from the comfort of your own home. My kids love this rock kit.
Middle School
Magazine Subscriptions are a wonderful way to nurture linguistic intelligence. There are many subscriptions available so you can choose one related to your child’s interests.
Chemistry Kits develop a child’s logical-mathematical intelligence. It can be a bit of a challenge to find a chemistry kit that isn’t too juvenile for a middle schooler (and they desperately want to be treated as adults), but this set uses professional equipment.
- 250 REAL CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENTS FOR ASPIRING YOUNG CHEMISTS — Discover how fascinating the world is when you understand the reactions behind ordinary…
- 128-PAGE FULL-COLOR EXPERIMENT MANUAL — Clear step-by-step instructions and engaging scientific explanations guide young chemists through experiments…
- INTRODUCES THE ALCOHOL BURNER FOR HEAT-BASED EXPERIMENTS — A key step up from beginner sets, the included alcohol burner dramatically expands what’s…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fashion Design is a creative way to grow spatial intelligence. If you have a budding fashion designer, you might even want to consider a sewing machine.
Charades Cards can get kids moving and role-playing so they develop bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. There are charades cards for sale, but here is a printable set that will be fun for the whole family.
- WE MAKE IT EASY: No more time spent thinking up good charades – the fun starts as soon as the box is opened.
- GET PLAYING IN SECONDS: Takes only 1 minute to learn.
- FUN TIMES: Use your imagination and creativity, and have a goofy good time. Charades is classic family fun!
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Musical Instruments are popular among the middle school crowd. They might choose the guitar, violin, piano, or any other instrument, but the result is the same – strengthened musical intelligence.
Board Games will always be a great way to grow interpersonal skills. Kids now have the patience for longer strategic games.
A Journal and Fun Pens are a fabulous way to nurture intrapersonal intelligence. Middle schoolers can write down their most secret thoughts in the journal.
Microscopes allow kids to develop their naturalist intelligence by exploring nature up close.
- This is an ideal microscope for home school or for students in elementary to high school to learn sciences
- 360 degree rotatable monocular head offers five magnification settings 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X & 1000X
- Widefield all optical glass elements includes single lens condenser with disc diaphragm
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
High School
Poetry Word Magnets are a cute fun way to foster linguistic intelligence. These poetry word magnets will make a great stocking stuffer!
Chess Sets are a great resource for building logical-mathematical intelligence. There are physical and digital ways to play.
- Algebraic Notation For Learning: Go from casual chess player to future Grandmaster-in-training when you start learning what every organization in the world…
- Includes 2 Extra Queens: When you manage to sneak past your opponent and promote your pawn to an all-powerful queen, the experience can feel a little…
- Secure Chess Piece Storage: Never lose another rook, knight or bishop with a unique storage design that keeps all your chess pieces right where they…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Movies seem like they wouldn’t be educational, but they are actually a popular way to develop spatial intelligence. Choose a title from your child’s favorite genre.
Yoga Cards can help teens develop bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. The kit is small enough to fit in a stocking, but would pair perfectly with a yoga mat and yoga block.
Speakers or Headphones that can connect to a cell phone are a practical way to foster a teen’s musical intelligence.
Board Games remain a wonderful resource for expanding interpersonal intelligence. Forbidden Island is a great game that requires a lot of communication between players.
Scrapbook Kits are a creative way to encourage intrapersonal intelligence.
- THE ULTIMATE HARDCOVER SCRAPBOOK: Store and display your keepsakes and cherished memories of the year with the Just My Style Ultimate Scrapbook, a cool…
- 800+ SCRAPBOOKING ACCESSORIES: Includes vibrant, shiny stickers such as unicorns, hearts, flowers, hashtags and phrases, and so much more! Use the alphabet…
- ENCOURAGES SELF EXPRESSION: Make each page its own storytelling experience by adding sparkly frames around pictures of you and your best friends, and…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Binoculars let teens build their naturalist intelligence with their feet planted firmly on the ground. If they are not in to birds, try a fishing kit.
- Fully coated optics for superior light transmission
- Instafocus System for fast focus on moving targets
- Non slip rubber grip pads for secure grip in all weather conditions
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What gifts are on your list this year?
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