Would you like to find activities to help your child hone their problem solving skills? Did you know that STEM activities are an excellent and fun way to develop these skills? If you are looking for affordable and fun STEM activities for your child, check out our 15 favorite STEM toys below.
15 Favorite STEM Toys
Why teach STEM?
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. A STEM curriculum integrates all four subjects through hands-on project-based lessons. The goal of STEM is to empower students to use their creativity and develop their critical thinking skills. STEM projects encourage students to complete long, intricate tasks which promotes attention span, creative thinking, and problem solving skills.
“The role of the teacher is to create the conditions for invention rather than provide ready-made knowledge.”
— Seymour Papert
What are STEM toys?
STEM toys are toys that are related to Science Technology, Engineering, and Math. Many STEM toys focus on robotics, coding, and building. LEGOs are an example of a STEM toy most of us already have on our shelves. They are open-ended and versatile and encourage ingenuity, problem solving, and imagination.
Toys on our STEM Shelf
Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit
This set includes 30+ pieces that snap together to create real electrical circuits. Projects include a siren, a flashing light, and more. A manual is included and no tools are needed.
Gravitrax
This marble run set provides limitless experimentation with engineering, gravity, magnetism, and kinetics to propel your ball to the finish. Design instructions and challenge cards are included.
Robotis Kits
Robotis has an array of kits geared toward different ages. The kits provide all the parts, tools, and instructions needed to build fun robots.
Scratch Coding Cards
This set includes 75 instructional cards to equip kids to create interactive games, stories, music, and animations with Scratch, a popular visual programming language.
K’Nex
K’Nex provide limitless opportunities to build 3D structures using simple rods and connectors. A variety of sets are available, some designed for open-ended creative play and others designed for specific projects. Booklets with building designs are included.
LEGO Technic
Our kids love LEGO and this special series uses rods and pins to create more advanced models with more complex technical functions.
Goobi
These award winning sets of simple magnetic balls and rods encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and open-ended imaginative play. Children can create a variety of 3D models using their own ideas or from the included design booklet.
Magnets Set
Kids love magnets! We never tire of exploring magnetism, polarity, and magnetic attraction & repulsion.
Magformers
This set contains magnetic geometric shapes to create 3D structures and 2D nets. Magformers encourage open-ended imaginative play and come with a book of designs to get your student started.
LEGO We Do Homeschool Bundle
This set is fantastic! The bricks, software, power pack, and all other components to build 17 motorized projects are included. You need to provide your own tablet. This set provides hours of technology, engineering, science, and coding experience and is appropriate for ages 8+.
Tinker, Kiwi & Eureka Crates
Our family loves these monthly STEM crates! The boxes are themed and have everything needed to create awesome projects. Some of our favorite themes have been the infinity mirror, paint spinner, constellation projector, and automaton. Each month is a much anticipated surprise for our kids!
There are multiple lines available for various ages and interests. Kiwi Crates are appropriate for ages 5-8, Tinker Crates are best for ages 9+, and Eureka Crates are designed for ages 14+. We have used them all and highly recommend them. Learn more about subscription options at www.kiwico.com.
zoob challenge
This 175 piece set provides fun STEM challenges for kids 8+. it includes 175 pieces and challenge cards. Challenges include hitting targets, building a ramp, making balls bounce, building a zip line, and more.
foxmind 3-D puzzle sets
These sets each include 18 blocks and a book full of challenges to test construction, spacial logic, fine-motor, and creativity skills. Each book begins simply and gradually advances in level.
Genius Square
This award winning STEM puzzle game promotes problem solving and motor manipulation. With the combination of dice, location of the blockers, and set of color shapes, there are 62, 208 possible solutions in the 6X6 grid!