Give The Gift Of DIY With These Kits And Tools

Sometimes, the best gift you can give is the ability to make something completely new. For the DIYer in your life, a solid new tool, starter kit or organisation tool will make them as happy as can be.

Arduino Starter Kit

While there are a ton of options for different Arduino starter kits, we like the Official Arduino Starter Kit ($159) the best. It comes in a well-designed little box that makes for a perfect gift, and also includes everything you could possibly need to start learning how to make any of the 15 included projects. The Arduino Starter Kit also manages to appeal to a wide age group, from younger children to adults alike. The projects included are easy to follow, but have a ton of potential.

Handy Storage 20 Drawer Compartment Organiser

Organising tiny objects is tough, but for $29, the Handy Storage 20 Drawer Compartment Organiser will make any DIYer’s life a little easier. The little plastic drawers work great for a wide variety of small objects, and once everything’s organised into the drawers it’s lot easier to keep a workspace organised moving forward.

iFixIt Pro Tech

If the DIYer in your life prefers the company of small electronics over power tools, then there’s no better tool kit than iFixit’s Pro Tech Toolkit ($US69.95 [$96]). It’s a costly set, but it has quality components and everything a computer tinkerer could possibly need, from a 64 bit driver kit to spudgers, anti-static wrist wraps and several different types of tweezers.

Leatherman Wave

If they don’t already have a Leatherman Wave ($159), the DIYer on your list needs one as soon as possible. This is the quintessential DIYer accessory and it’s the top multitool for a very good reason. It packs in 17 different tools inside a stainless steel body that can take a solid beating over time. It’s also engineered in such a perfect way that you can even use it one handed. There are other models of Leathermans out there, and there are plenty of knock-offs, but there’s nothing like the Leatherman Wave.

Raspberry Pi Foundation Starter Kit

You have a lot of options for Raspberry Pi starter kits and many of them are pretty good, but few have the elegance and class of the official Raspberry Pi Foundation Starter Kit ($172). It’s pricey, but inside you’ll get a brand new Raspberry Pi Model 3, SD card with NOOBs installed, an official case, power supply, HDMI cable, an optical mouse, keyboard and a copy of the Adventures of Raspberry Pi. This is certainly a premium product and there are cheaper kits out there, but as a gift, it doesn’t get better than this.

Sugru

Sugru ($20 for an eight-pack) is one of those magical things that’s perfect for DIYers of all types. It’s a self-setting rubber that can be moulded into just about anything, which makes it great for electronics, in the workshop or just about anywhere else. Heck, it’s nice for anyone to have around, because you never know when you’ll need it.

LeatherCraft Tool Bag

Tool boxes are all well and good, but for some people, a tool bag is easier to move around and organise. To that end, we like Custom LeatherCraft’s 18- Multi-Compartment Tool Carrier ($US57.99 [$79] plus shipping) because it’s robust enough for someone with a ton of tools without being terribly overwhelming. It’s a great system for organising tools but still manages to be easy to take on the go.

LittleBits Smart Home Kit

Smart home stuff is always fun to mess around with, but the littleBits Smart Home Kit ($500) really steps it up a notch. With it, you’ll be able to connect all sorts of household items to the internet, from outlets to doorknobs. While any adult can certainly find plenty of uses for everything in this kit, a teen DIYer will likely get the most out of this one.

PocketC.H.I.P.

How often does anyone need a handleheld Linux machine? Probably not that often, but for $US69 ($95), the PocketC.H.I.P. is one of the coolest little gadgets out there. The little handheld computer can play games, be customised to a variety of ends or just works perfectly well out of the box. Plus, it works totally fine as a Linux machine, which alone is well worth the price point for kids learning to program or adults who just like to tinker.

Occidental Leather Clip-On Holder

When a tool box or bag is too much to carry around, a clip-on tool holder is awesome. The Occidental Leather 4 in 1 tool holder ($US33 [$45]) is one of the best out there, and is a sure-fire way to inspire a DIYer to get to work on all those household projects.