12 of the Best STEM Toys for Kids of All Ages
As a huge tech lover, I can’t help wanting to share my love of tech with the children in my life! I have always been a fan of giving kids books or educational toys for birthdays, Christmas. or any other gift-giving occasion. I figure that there will be plenty of other people in their lives who will give them the ‘fun’ toys, but the gifts that I give them I want them to be educational or that will bring peace and joy to their lives in the form of a love of reading or career they love. This list includes twelve of the best STEM toys for kids that make me wish I was a kid again!
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What Is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. However, STEM education goes above and beyond merely teaching these four subjects to kids. It’s a multifaceted approach to learning that develops a child’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also encouraging creativity, communication, and teamwork. STEM toys for kids are designed to incorporate lessons from all four subject areas.
Why Is STEM Education Important?
Science, technology, engineering, and math are the foundation of so many essential jobs in today’s workforce. Yet, research continues to show that only a very small percentage of children show a natural interest in – and have the skills needed to pursue – a STEM-based career. By exposing children to the basics of STEM education while they are young – and then continuing to build upon and develop these interests and principals throughout their time in school – educators hope to see in the future an increase in new graduates who are qualified and passionate about STEM-related jobs.
What Are the Benefits of STEM Toys for Kids?
- Encourages higher-level thinking
- Instills creativity
- Prepares kids for advancements in technology
- Encourages creative and innovative thinking
- Provides opportunities for failure in a safe environment
- Exposes children early to career paths they may otherwise not consider
12 of the Best Stem Toys for Kids
1. FisherPrice Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar Toy
This adorable Code-a-pillar is a great toy for introducing little kids to coding while building their problem-solving, sequencing, planning, and critical thinking skills! By connecting the different segments together, kids will learn how to program the Code-a-pillar to go forward, left, right, etc. Each segment lights up and the motorized headlights up and makes fun sounds to make this extra fun for little coders!
2. Cubetto
A Montessori and Logo Turtle-inspired friendly wooden robot. Cubetto makes programming accessible to children before they can read or write. It takes coding off the screen, and into the real world with a programming language you can touch. Kids help Cubetto find his way home using hands-on blocks to write their first programs.
3. Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set
The Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set provides a hands-on introduction to coding concepts. As kids learn to program they build key skills that include critical thinking, problem-solving, sequencing, and programming fundamentals. This coding set for kids turns coding into a hands-on analog activity for tactile and visual learners
4. Botley the Coding Robot
Botley the Coding Robot helps your child learn early STEM skills while playing and having fun. He teaches kids to code with active, screen-free play that’s perfect for promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Botley is ready to code right out of the box!
5. Osmo – Coding Awbie
Osmo – Coding Awbie is ‘like LEGO for coding.” It is fun-filled & award-winning learning games that interact with actual handheld pieces & an iPad and/or Fire Tablet, bringing a child’s game pieces & actions to life It uses adventure enabling coding & problem solving (Coding Awbie). There is a whole Osmo store full of starter kits games and more!
6. Bits & Bytes
With Bits & Bytes, your kids learn the principles of coding without them actually spending time using computers, tablets or smartphones which can be harmful to their development. In this children’s coding game, players need to instruct characters by issuing commands and avoid obstacles. Children have fun playing and learning at the same time.
7. Sphero Bolt
Sphero Bolt is an app-enabled robotic ball that you can drive and code that providing endless opportunities to be creative and have fun while learning. Powered by the Sphero Edu app (available on any mobile or desktop device), you can code Bolt by drawing, using scratch blocks, or writing JavaScript. You may also like the Sphero Mini that comes in fun bright colors!
8. Makeblock mbot robot kit
mBot (come in a pink or blue model) is a DIY your own robot! mBot in conjunction with the mBlock APP provides several games, starting on Level 1, to help children quickly learning programming until they can control mBot robots as they wish.
9. Coji the coding robot
COJI the coding robot teaches your child to program using the language of emoji’s. Your junior coder will have fun problem-solving using the app to control COJI’s actions. COJI also reacts to physical stimulation such as tilting and shaking – simply hilarious. “LOL” as COJI steals your “heart” with pre-programmed reactions.
10. 4M Tin can robot
4M offers tons of fabulous STEM toys for kids 8 and older, and this one is one of my favorites. With the 4M Tin Can Robot, you can grab an old soda can and work with your child to transform it into a moving, functional robot! It’s loads of fun (and super cute!), and the instructions are easy to follow.
11. Code Master Programming Logic Game
Code Master is an educational board game you can enjoy with your kids, this is a great option to consider. With 10 maps and 60 levels to solve, kids learn programming through logic while also developing their critical thinking skills.
12. Kano Computer Kit
As a computer enthusiast myself, I can’t help but love this Kano Computer Kit. A ‘make your own computer’ set that is sure to be a hit! No technical skills are required as kids use the step-by-step guide to build their own computer, learn to code, and make art, games, and music!
What is Stem Club?
You can also be a part of STEM Club and get a STEM toy subscription by age and save up to 40%! Ages 3-4, 5-7 or 8-13. STEM Club is a program that delivers hand-picked Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math toys right to your door at a great price. A subscription box gets delivered every one, two, or three months, depending on what you would prefer.
I hope these 12 best STEM toys for kids help you find fun and engaging ways to instill a love for learning in the children in your life while also helping to build their problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork skills!
I would love to know which STEM toys are your favorite! Please share with me in the comments below and I will add them to my list!
You can find more great tech gifts here.
Cubetto looks like it would be PERFECT for our toddler because he wants to do the coding and play with the STEM toys our older boys have, but can’t. Love this list!