STEM toys are becoming increasingly popular for children as they help to build the necessary skills for a successful future. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and these toys help to spark a curiosity in these topics that can last a lifetime. The best STEM toys incorporate real-world concepts and technology while being engaging and educational. From robot-building kits to coding games, there are a plethora of options to choose from to spark a childs interest in STEM.
Best Stem Toys
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Elenco Snap Circuits Jr.
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Magformers Basic Set
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Kit
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
ViaHart Brain Flakes Disc Set
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
National Geographic Break-Open Geodes
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
ThinkFun Gravity Maze
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Kano Computer Kit
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Osmo Genius Starter Kit
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Fisher-Price Code-a-Pillar Twist
|
7. 2
|
1. Elenco Snap Circuits Jr.
Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. is a great way to introduce children to the basics of electrical engineering and circuitry. The kit contains over 30 parts that snap together to create circuits and devices such as a digital voice recorder, a radio, an adjustable strobe light and more. The color-coded pieces make it easy for even young children to put together the circuits and to understand how they work. The accompanying instruction booklet is clear and detailed, with helpful diagrams and illustrations. It’s a great way to give kids of all ages a fun and educational introduction to electronics. Highly recommended!
- Includes over 30 parts to create over 100 electrical and electronic projects
- Full Color Project Manual Included
- Snap modules require no tools and click together to ensure solid electrical connections
- Improve your child’s understanding of electricity, electronics, and engineering
- Requires 2 AA batteries (not included)
- Recommended for children 8 years of age and older
2. Magformers Basic Set
I recently purchased the Magformers Basic Set and I absolutely love it! This set is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages creative thinking and problem-solving. The different shapes and colors help kids develop their fine motor skills, spatial awareness and geometry skills. The magnets are strong and secure, which allows kids to build more complex structures than with most other building toys. The pieces are also durable and easy to clean, which is great for busy parents. Overall, I highly recommend the Magformers Basic Set as an engaging and educational toy that the whole family can enjoy.
- Includes 42 pieces in 6 shapes: squares, triangles, isosceles triangles, diamonds, hexagons and trapezoids
- High quality magnets for a secure connection between pieces
- BPA-free, fully safety tested
- Compatible with all Magformers shapes and accessories
- Building instructions included
- Designed to stimulate creativity and develop problem solving skills
3. Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Kit
I recently purchased the Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Kit for my daughter and it has been a huge hit! The kit contains several fun and educational activities that have kept her engaged and entertained. The experiments involve a variety of interesting scientific concepts such as air pressure, chemistry, and chromatography. The instructions are easy to follow and the results are very rewarding. My daughter has been able to successfully complete each experiment with me supervising. She has also been encouraged to ask questions and make predictions as to what the results of each experiment will be. The kit has provided her with a great sense of accomplishment and has sparked her interest in science. Highly recommend this product for families looking for a fun and educational activity for the kids!
:
- Develops STEM skills
- Features over 15 activities
- Includes materials for learning about static electricity, air pressure, optical illusions, and more
- Requires adult supervision
- Recommended for children ages 8 and up
4. ViaHart Brain Flakes Disc Set
I recently purchased the ViaHart Brain Flakes Disc Set and it definitely lived up to the hype! It’s a great way to stimulate critical thinking and creativity in children and adults alike. The pieces are very easy to assemble, with the added bonus of them being both colorful and durable. The set comes with a book of instructions that provides plenty of ideas for building and engineering projects. The pieces are also compatible with other Brain Flakes sets so you can expand your collection as you get more creative. All in all, I highly recommend this set to anyone looking for a fun, stimulating activity!
- Includes 400 Brain Flakes pieces, in 9 different colors
- Tough and durable plastic discs are easy to snap together and pull apart
- Encourages creative thinking, problem solving, and hand-eye coordination
- Use Brain Flakes to create 2-D and 3-D designs
- Compatible with other building brick sets for endless creativity
5. Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register
I purchased the Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register for my 8 year old daughter and it has been a great educational tool for her. She is learning to count money and improve her math skills. The set comes with a cash register, play coins, bills, and a scanner for added fun. The cash register is very durable and easy to use. My daughter loves the fact that she can pretend to shop just like mom and dad at the store. I highly recommend this product for any child wanting to learn math skills and have lots of fun.
- Realistic full-function cash register with authentic ringing bell sound
- Includes built-in solar calculator, LCD display, and storage drawer
- Features real-life money denomination recognition and cha-ching! sound effects
- Promotes math skills such as addition, subtraction, and counting
- Recommended for ages 5+
6. National Geographic Break-Open Geodes
I recently purchased 6 National Geographic Break-Open Geodes and absolutely love them! Although they are a little expensive, they are well worth the cost! The geodes are easy to break open and the crystals inside are so beautiful! I was so amazed to discover the variety of colors and shapes inside each geode. The whole process of breaking open the geodes has been a lot of fun for me and my family. We’ve even started a collection of the crystals we’ve discovered. I would highly recommend these geodes to anyone looking for an enjoyable activity!
format:
- Comes with 10 Premium Break-Open Geodes
- Easy-to-Open Geodes Reveal Amazing Crystals Inside
- Educational Activity Kit Includes Activity Guide and Geology Learning Poster
- Great Science Gift for Kids and Adults of All Ages
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
- Official National Geographic Product
7. ThinkFun Gravity Maze
I recently bought the ThinkFun Gravity Maze game and it’s been such a hit with my family. It’s a great game that challenges your problem solving skills while also being a lot of fun. We’ve been playing it almost every day since we got it. The game consists of a tower and some differently shaped pieces, and the aim of the game is to get a marble from the start to the finish using only the pieces provided. You have to arrange the pieces in a certain way and the marble will fall from the start to the finish. It’s surprisingly challenging but very satisfying when you manage to complete a level. The game also comes with sixty different challenges, so you’ll never get bored. I highly recommend the ThinkFun Gravity Maze game for anyone who loves puzzles and problem solving. It’s a great way to exercise your brain and it’s suitable for all ages.
- A gravity logic game for 1 player
- Develops critical thinking skills, logic and planning
- 60 challenges of increasing difficulty, from beginner to expert
- Ages 8 and up
- Includes game grid, 8 towers, and 3 marbles
- Compact and portable game pieces
- Full-color game guide
8. Kano Computer Kit
I recently purchased the Kano Computer Kit and I’m very impressed. The kit comes with everything you need to build your own working computer, including a Raspberry Pi, a wireless keyboard, a case, and even some educational software. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, so even if youve never built a computer before, you should be able to get the job done quickly. The kit was a great way for me to learn more about computers and have some fun in the process. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an interesting and educational project!
- Build a laptop and learn to code, with step-by-step challenges and stories
- Create art, music, and games with easy-to-learn coding powers
- Plug into any HDMI monitor and youre ready to go
- Includes Raspberry Pi, Keyboard, Speaker, Wireless Router and Cables
- Customize your laptop with stickers, stickers and skins included
- Includes Kano OS, an operating system made for Makers and Artists
- Connect to the Kano World community for tips, tricks and ideas
- Designed for ages 6+
9. Osmo Genius Starter Kit
I recently purchased the Osmo Genius Starter Kit for my son and he loves it! He’s a big fan of technology and loves all of the different activities this kit offers. The kit includes five different activities: Tangram, Words, Newton, Numbers, and Masterpiece. Each game encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. The kit also includes the Osmo base and iPad stand, which allow for easy set up and play. The app is incredibly user friendly and my son has had no trouble navigating it. I love the fact that no internet connection is needed so he can play anywhere. Overall, I’m very impressed with this product and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to give their child an interactive educational experience.
format
- Designed for ages 6-10
- Fun and educational 5-in-1 game system
- Includes 5 award-winning games that teach math, creative drawing, and problem solving skills
- Interactive apps bring physical objects to life on your iPad: words come to life, animals come to life and even buildings come to life
- Comes with an Osmo Base for iPad, plus 4 game pieces and 19 magnetic tokens
- Compatible with all iPad models from iPad 2 to iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and 5
- Free Osmo app for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire available for download
- No Wi-Fi needed for game play
- Designed and manufactured in the USA
10. Fisher-Price Code-a-Pillar Twist
The Fisher-Price Code-a-Pillar Twist is a great educational toy for children that helps introduce coding fundamentals. It consists of a caterpillar-shaped toy with eight interchangeable segments. Each segment has a different function and the segments can be arranged in any way so that the child can program the Code-a-Pillar to navigate a course. The toy also makes silly sounds and has blinking lights to keep children engaged. I purchased this for my little one and he loves it! He enjoys arranging the segments to make the Code-a-Pillar move about and is learning valuable problem-solving and sequencing skills. I like that there are no screens involved and that the toy encourages imaginative play. Highly recommend this for children aged 3 and up!
- Encourages problem solving skills
- Develops fine motor skills, sequencing & directional skills
- 9 easy-to-connect segments with 8 different functions
- Connect the segments in lots of different combinations
- See the Code-a-pillar twist light up, spin, sound off and move forward
- Includes 2 AA batteries
- Ages 3 – 6 years
- Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
- Includes instructions
- Helps children to understand cause and effect
