Secondary school brings bigger ideas, deeper subjects and a need for gifts that take young people seriously. KS3 students are studying genetics, world geography, robotics and more — and the best gifts meet them at that level. Here are our top five recommendations.
1. Makeblock mBot Coding Robot for Kids — £89.99
A programmable coding robot compatible with Scratch and Arduino that introduces real programming concepts through hands-on building and experimentation. The mBot detects obstacles, follows lines and responds to commands — an excellent gateway into KS3 computing and robotics.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3 – Computing: Programming, Algorithms and Robotics
2. The Shakespeare Stories Box Set – 16 Book Collection — £39.90
Sixteen Shakespeare plays retold as funny, accessible short stories with illustrations by Tony Ross. Faithful to the originals but written for young readers, this slip-cased boxed set is the perfect introduction to the Bard for ages 9-11. An ideal gift for KS2 and early KS3 English students.
Curriculum link: Supports KS2/KS3 – English: Shakespeare, Drama and Classic Literature
3. The Periodic Table Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Elements – DK — £16.99
A stunning visual encyclopedia from DK covering every element on the periodic table with beautiful photography, detailed facts and fascinating context. A compelling companion to KS3 and KS4 Chemistry that makes the periodic table genuinely interesting to explore.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3 – Chemistry: The Periodic Table, Elements and Their Properties
4. Wingspan Board Game — £59.99
An award-winning card-driven engine-building game celebrating the birds of the world. Players attract birds to their wildlife preserves, gathering food and laying eggs while learning real facts about hundreds of species. Stunning artwork, genuine educational content about habitats and ecosystems, and deeply satisfying gameplay. For 1-5 players, ages 10+.
Curriculum link: Supports KS2/KS3 – Science: Birds, Habitats, Food Chains and Ecosystems
5. Global Walkabout Scratch-Off World Map (A3) — £15.99
An A3 scratch-off world map where you reveal colourful country flags and capital cities beneath a gold foil surface. A fun and interactive way to build geographical knowledge that aligns perfectly with the KS3 geography curriculum — and doubles as a striking piece of wall art.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3 – Geography: World Countries, Capital Cities and Cultural Diversity
Finding gifts that match KS3 ambition
KS3 students can be a tough audience — they want to be taken seriously. The best gifts for this age group are ones that challenge them, let them build real things, or connect to something they’re already passionate about in school.