Here are some current favorites games and kits for the family this holiday season.

GUMBALL MACHINE

Klutz

There’s no question that building things from start to finish is great for kids’ confidence. And if you can sneak in a little (or a lot of) STEAM learning, it’s a double win.

This kit comes with everything you and your child will need to build a working gumball machine (except the actual gumballs).

The detailed instructions are thorough and helpful. However, assembling the machine definitely requires adult involvement.

For ages 8 and up. Under $25. klutz.com

CIRCUIT GAMES

Klutz

Got a budding inventor in your home? If so, he or she will love this kit, which uses real electronic components to build five games that truly work. Better still, you can mix and match those components to experiment and build other projects.

The kit comes with wires, brads, buzzers, tweezers, paper clips, popsicle sticks, LEDs, anxiety-relieving, step-by-step instructions and everything else you’ll need for the five projects — except batteries. There’s a loop race, a quiz show board, an operation game, and more.

For ages 8 and up. Under $25. klutz.com

EVERBODY KNOWS!

Endless Games

This fast-paced trivia game comes with 336 game cards, each with 10 questions that you probably could answer in your sleep. Things like, “What’s the third vowel in the alphabet?” “What’s the Roman numeral for 40?” and “What is a male chicken called?”

But what if all you have is 60 seconds and the sand in the timer is falling fast?

Everybody Knows! also comes with a dry-erase score card and marker, and instructions.

For two or more players, ages 12 and up. Under $20. endlessgames.com