30 New Toys of 2017 That Will Teach Your Kids Valuable STEAM Skills
Play is important for kids of all ages, and learning through play has become increasingly easy, thanks to toys that encourage STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts. From learning how to code to building their own droid or robot, there are so many STEM toys and kits that were released this year, all of which aim to teach children of all ages valuable skills.
Ahead, our new favorite toys that we can't wait to gift this holiday season.
Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear
Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear ($60)
Age range: 3-6
Concepts and skills it builds on: basic biology, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit ($100)
Age range: 8-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and technology
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox ($160)
Age range: 7-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: creative thinking, engineering, and coding
Alex Toys Spa DIY Bath Bombs Kit
Alex Toys Spa DIY Bath Bombs Kit ($15)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: science and art
Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails
Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails ($44)
Age range: 3 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, sequencing, logical thinking, and problem-solving
Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set
Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set ($20)
Age range: 3 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: art and animation
Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game
Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game ($22)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic and science
Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit
Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit ($20)
Age range: 14-18
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering
Educational Insights Smash Pong!
Educational Insights Smash Pong! ($22)
Age range: 7 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: physics
Safe Breaker Board Game
Safe Breaker Board Game ($20, originally $25)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic, math, and problem-solving
Kamigami Robots — Ladybug
Kamigami Robots — Ladybug ($50)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding and robotics
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set ($40)
Age range: 4 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, sorting, sequencing, counting, matching, and patterns
Hello Barbie Hologram
Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot
Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot ($10)
Age range: 2 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes, colors, creative thinking, counting, and building
M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence
M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence ($150)
Age range: 10 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, technology, and robotics
Go Gelato Logic Race Game For Kids
Go Gelato Logic Race Game For Kids ($18)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic and problem-solving
Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe
Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe ($40)
Age range: 12 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and building
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi ($50)
Age range: 3-6
Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes and critical thinking
Let's Go Code! Activity Set
Let's Go Code! Activity Set ($35)
Age range: 5 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, critical thinking, and problem-solving
Spy Code Break Free Board Game
Spy Code Break Free Board Game ($20)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving
Dance Code Disney Princess Belle
Dance Code Disney Princess Belle ($100)
Age range: 5 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding
Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division
Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division ($15)
Age range: 6-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: science and building
Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game
Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game ($19, originally $23)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: science, logic, and matching
3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set
3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set ($70)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: robotics, building, and spacial reasoning
Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set
K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit
K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit ($60)
Age range: 7-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: building, robotics, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning
VEX Robotics Minotaur
VEX Robotics Minotaur ($40)
Age range: 9 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, building, and robotics
Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles
Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles ($82)
Age range: 6-10
Concepts and skills it builds on: building and robotics
Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge
Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge ($15)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: physics and problem-solving
Digiloom Starter Kit
Digiloom Starter Kit ($40, originally $50)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: art, design, and technology