Encouraging our children to love learning can sometimes be difficult — they may love school and learning in the classroom, but what about at home? If you're looking to tap into your child's STEM [1] (science, technology, engineering, math) skills — even from a very young age — there are a bunch of toys that cleverly intertwine fun and learning [2] to jumpstart their brains in the best way.
Scroll through for brilliant STEM toys [3] for kids of any age that make for great holiday gifts.
M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence
M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence [5] ($123)
Age range: 10 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, technology, and robotics
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit [6] ($71, originally $100)
Age range: 8-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and technology
Kano Complete Computer Kit + Screen Kit
Kano CompleteComputer Kit + Screen Kit [7] ($180, originally $250)
Age Range: 6+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, building, programming
ZOOB Challenge
ZOOB Challenge [8] ($20, originally $52)
Age Range: 8+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Open-ended problem solving, building
VEX Robotics Minotaur
VEX Robotics Minotaur [9] ($40)
Age range: 9 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, building, and robotics
Learning Resources Gears Starter Set
Learning Resources Gears Starter Set [10] ($14)
Age Range: 3+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Building, simple mechanics, counting, sorting, physics
Dance Code Disney Princess Belle
Dance Code Disney Princess Belle [11] ($49, originally $100)
Age range: 5 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding
Gravity Maze
Gravity Maze [12] ($30)
Age Range: 8+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Logic, visual perception, strategy
Thames & Kosmos 3D Sidewalk Chalk
Thames & Kosmos 3D Sidewalk Chalk [13] ($26)
Age Range: 6+
Concepts and skills it builds on: 3D science
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set [14] ($58)
Age range: 4 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, sorting, sequencing, counting, matching, and patterns
Project Mc2 Circuit Beats
Project Mc2 Circuit Beats [15] ($32)
Age Range: 6 – 12
Concepts and skills it builds on: Electrical circuits
Alex Toys Spa DIY Bath Bombs Kit
Alex Toys Spa DIY Bath Bombs Kit [16] ($15)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: science and art
STEM Sink or Float Activity Set
STEM Sink or Float Activity Set [17] ($28)
Age Range: 3 – 5
Concepts and skills it builds on: Basic physics, critical thinking, problem solving
littleBits Code Kit
littleBits Code Kit [18] ($250, originally $300)
Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles
Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles [19] ($47, originally $100)
Age range: 6-10
Concepts and skills it builds on: building and robotics
Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set
Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set [20] ($30)
Age range: 3 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: art and animation
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar [21] ($60)
Age Range: 3 – 6
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, direction, experimentation
K'NEX Education – Intro To Simple Machines: Gears
K'NEX Education – Intro To Simple Machines: Gears [22] ($40)
Age Range: 8 – 12
Concepts and skills it builds on: Building, evaluating, teamwork
Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles [23] ($120)
Age Range: 2+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Patterning, shape recognition, building, motor skills
Digiloom Starter Kit
Digiloom Starter Kit [24] ($70)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: art, design, and technology
Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge
Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge [25] ($6)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: physics and problem-solving
Snap Circuits Jr.
Snap Circuits Jr. [26] ($21)
Age Range: 8+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Electrical circuits, building
Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set
Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set [27] ($21, originally $30)
Age range: 4-7
Concepts and skills it builds on: science
Ozobot 2.0 Bit Starter Pack
Ozobot 2.0 Bit Starter Pack [28] ($54)
Age Range: 5+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, primary colors
Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit
Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit [29] ($15)
Age range: 14-18
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering
Castle Logix
Castle Logix [30] ($27)
Age Range: 3+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Logic, spatial reasoning
Design and Drill Activity Center
Design and Drill Activity Center [31] ($31)
Age Range: 3+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Fine motor skills, creativity, building, following directions
Cubetto
Cubetto [32] ($224)
Age Range: 3+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding
Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails
Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails [33] ($15)
Age range: 3 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, sequencing, logical thinking, and problem-solving
Let's Go Code! Activity Set
Let's Go Code! Activity Set [34] ($27, originally $35)
Age range: 5 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, critical thinking, and problem-solving
3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set
3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set [34] ($90)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: robotics, building, and spacial reasoning
Safe Breaker Board Game
Safe Breaker Board Game [35] ($21, originally $25)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic, math, and problem-solving
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi [36] ($40)
Age range: 3-6
Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes and critical thinking
Code & Go Robot Mouse
Code & Go Robot Mouse [37] ($40, originally $60)
Age Range: 3 – 5
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, building
Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear
Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear [38] ($50)
Age range: 3-6
Concepts and skills it builds on: basic biology, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving
Educational Insights Smash Pong!
Educational Insights Smash Pong! [39] ($17, originally $22)
Age range: 7 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: physics
Robot Turtles Little Programmers Game
Robot Turtles Little Programmers Game [40] ($20, originally $25)
Age Range: 4 – 18
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, programming
Kamigami Robots — Ladybug
Kamigami Robots — Ladybug [41] ($18, originally $50)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: coding and robotics
Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division
Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division [42] ($15)
Age range: 6-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: science and building
Hexbug Nano Starter Set
Hexbug Nano Starter Set [43] ($25)
Age Range: 3+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Robotics
Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon
Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon [44] ($18)
Age Range: 3 – 6
Concepts and skills it builds on: Color recognition, following directions, counting
Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Craft Kit
Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Craft Kit [45] ($18)
Age Range: 8+
Concepts and skills it builds on: Sequential reasoning, building, experimenting
Spy Code Break Free Board Game
Spy Code Break Free Board Game [46] ($18)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving
Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe
Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe [47] ($32)
Age range: 12 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and building
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox [48] ($160)
Age range: 7-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: creative thinking, engineering, and coding
Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game
Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game [49] ($15)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic and science
Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game
Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game [50] ($15, originally $23)
Age range: 8 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: science, logic, and matching
Creativity for Kids Grow N' Glow Terrarium
Creativity for Kids Grow N' Glow Terrarium [51] ($10)
Age Range: 5 - 12
Concepts and skills it builds on: Creative thinking, science
Go Gelato Logic Race Game For Kids
Go Gelato Logic Race Game For Kids [52] ($16)
Age range: 6 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: logic and problem-solving
Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot
Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot [53] ($14)
Age range: 2 and up
Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes, colors, creative thinking, counting, and building
Code Master
Code Master [54] ($17)
Age Range:
Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, logic, sequential reasoning, problem solving
K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit
K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit [55] ($23)
Age range: 7-12
Concepts and skills it builds on: building, robotics, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning