21 Best Gifts for History Lovers | Unique & Educational Ideas

This history board game is a favorite in our house because it turns learning into an adventure. Players travel through different historical eras, visiting key moments and meeting famous figures along the way. Each turn introduces a new event or milestone, sparking curiosity and encouraging discussion.

What makes it stand out is how seamlessly it blends strategy with history. We’ve had games where one player focuses on ancient civilizations while another jumps ahead to modern discoveries, leading to all kinds of interesting conversations. It never feels like a traditional history lesson, but by the end of the game, we’ve all picked up new facts and connections.

If you’re looking for a way to make history engaging for the whole family, this game is a fantastic choice.

This game challenges players to arrange historical events in chronological order, testing their knowledge while making history feel like a puzzle. With over 1,000 event cards, no two games are the same, and the variety of topics—from ancient empires to modern inventions—keeps things interesting.

One of the things I love most about this game is how it naturally gets kids thinking about cause and effect. They start making connections between events, recognizing patterns in history, and developing a better understanding of how different moments shaped the world.

We’ve played this game on family game nights, and it’s amazing how quickly kids pick up on key historical moments just by playing. It’s competitive, educational, and always sparks great discussions.

A monthly history subscription box designed for kids, Mysteries in Time delivers adventure stories, puzzles, and hands-on activities right to your doorstep. Each month focuses on a different historical period, allowing kids to immerse themselves in the time period through a mix of storytelling and interactive learning.

My son loved getting these boxes—each one felt like a mini time capsule filled with surprises. The illustrated stories were fun, but it was the hands-on activities, like ancient writing or secret codes, that really made history feel alive for him. It was an effortless way to keep him engaged with history beyond books and documentaries.

For kids who love learning through stories and hands-on experiences, this is a gift that keeps history fresh and exciting month after month.

If your child is fascinated by ancient Egypt, this dig kit is a great way to bring that interest to life. It comes with a block of clay that hides gemstones, fossils, or artifacts, allowing kids to chip away and excavate treasures just like a real archaeologist.

When my son got this, he was determined to uncover every single piece. It was messy, but that’s part of what made it fun—he felt like he was on a real dig site, brushing away dust and making discoveries. As he worked, we talked about how archaeologists uncover real artifacts and what those finds tell us about the past.

This kit is a hands-on way to introduce archaeology while keeping kids engaged and excited. It’s a great option for history lovers who like to get their hands dirty while learning.

Mad Libs have always been a fun way to play with language, but this history-themed version adds a hilarious twist to learning. Kids fill in the blanks with different types of words, creating silly versions of historical events, famous speeches, and ancient myths.

We’ve had so many laughs playing this, especially when the results turn serious moments into complete nonsense. What’s great is that, while kids are having fun, they’re also getting exposure to real historical events and figures. It’s a sneaky way to build vocabulary, encourage creativity, and make history more memorable.

If you’re looking for a history gift that’s fun, interactive, and great for group play, this one is a winner.

Related: Free printable mad libs for kids

This history book introduces kids to important historical events by showing what happened on each day of the year. Instead of flipping through a typical history book, kids can turn to today’s date and discover something fascinating that happened on that exact day in the past.

We started using this book as a way to add a quick history lesson to our mornings. Over breakfast, we’d read the day’s event, then talk about what was happening in the world at the time. Some days, it was about a groundbreaking discovery, while other times, it was a surprising or funny moment from history.

It’s an easy way to build historical knowledge without feeling overwhelming, and because it’s broken up into short sections, it’s perfect for kids who prefer quick, engaging facts over long history lessons.

A great gift for kids who love treasure hunting and hands-on exploration. This metal detector allows them to search for buried objects, teaching them about history in a way that’s active and exciting.

When my son first used his, he was thrilled to find a rusty old coin. It led to an entire afternoon of researching what time period it might have come from and imagining who might have used it. Even when he didn’t find anything valuable, the experience itself was exciting—every beep of the detector felt like a potential discovery.

For kids who love history and adventure, this is a great way to encourage exploration while giving them a taste of real-world archaeology.

This whimsical ornament, featuring the phrase "If history repeats itself, I am so getting a dinosaur!" is perfect for history buffs with a sense of humor. It makes a great conversation starter during the holidays and adds a unique touch to any tree.

I can easily imagine it hanging on a history teacher’s tree, bringing a smile every year.

For those fascinated by military history, this daily calendar provides intriguing insights into historical battles, key events, and important military figures. Each day offers a new historical fact, making it an engaging way to start the morning.

I’ve seen friends eagerly flip through to find out what happened on their birthday or other significant dates. It’s a simple but thoughtful way to keep history at the forefront all year long.

This beautifully illustrated book is more than just a history lesson—it’s a stunning visual journey through time. Covering everything from ancient civilizations to modern events, it’s packed with high-quality images and engaging narratives.

I’ve had this book on my coffee table for years, and it has sparked countless discussions with guests. Whether for a dedicated historian or a casual history enthusiast, this book makes a fantastic gift.

This book takes a fresh, witty approach to history, offering irreverent yet insightful lessons on events that should have been taught in school. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh while actually learning something new.

This has been a hit among my friends who love history but don’t take it too seriously. It’s a great gift for anyone who enjoys a more entertaining take on the past.

A beautifully designed history timeline, this poster isn’t just decor—it’s a conversation piece. It features a detailed chronological layout of key historical events, making it perfect for classrooms, home offices, or history lovers who want to visualize how different eras connect.

I love having it in my workspace because it’s both educational and aesthetically appealing.

This quirky historian street sign is a fun way to showcase a love for history. Whether placed in an office, a home library, or even a teenager’s bedroom, it adds personality and sparks conversation.

I’ve gifted this to a history-loving friend, and they loved how it made their space feel a little more personalized.

This custom poster makes a thoughtful and meaningful gift for history teachers and professors. With a unique typography design incorporating historical terms and names, it adds a personal touch to any classroom or office.

I’ve given similar personalized gifts, and they’re always well received because they show thoughtfulness and appreciation for the recipient’s passion.

History buffs can show off their love for the past in a subtle yet fun way with these socks featuring famous historical figures. They’re perfect for history teachers, professors, or anyone who enjoys a quirky twist on everyday fashion.

These socks always get a reaction when worn, making them a great conversation starter.

This book is a fascinating glimpse into history as it was originally reported. Featuring front pages from major historical events, it provides a unique perspective on how news coverage has evolved over the years.

I’ve spent hours flipping through this book, reliving major moments from different eras. It’s an ideal gift for those who love journalism, history, or just enjoy seeing the past through the lens of original reporting.

One of the most unique gifts for history lovers, this personalized artwork transforms someone into a historical figure. Whether they’d like to be a medieval knight, an ancient ruler, or a Victorian noble, this portrait makes a one-of-a-kind keepsake. I gifted this to a history-loving friend, and they were absolutely thrilled to see themselves as part of history.

This custom Lego-style minifigure of Sir Francis Drake is a great gift for history lovers and Lego enthusiasts alike. It’s a fun way to bring historical figures to life in a unique and collectible form.

My kids love mixing history with play, and this little figure adds a fun twist to their storytelling and imaginative adventures.

These history-themed mugs are perfect for history buffs who enjoy sipping coffee or tea while reading about the past. Over the years, I’ve collected a few history-themed mugs, and each one reminds me of a different historical period or event. It’s a small but thoughtful gift that brings a little history into everyday life.

For those interested in genealogy and family history, this framed coat of arms print offers a meaningful connection to the past. It includes historical information about a family name, making it a great keepsake for future generations.

I gifted this to a family member, and it became a treasured piece in their home, sparking conversations about our ancestors and heritage.

A humorous and relatable gift for history teachers, this t-shirt features the phrase "Don't Make Me Repeat Myself" along with an image of a historical figure. It’s a fun way to add personality to the classroom and makes for a lighthearted gift that teachers will appreciate. I’ve seen it get plenty of laughs among colleagues, making it a great conversation piece.