52 STEM Toys That Make For Amazing Gifts Your Kid Can Learn Valuable Skills From

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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 (science, technology, engineering, math) skills — even from a very young age — there are a bunch of toys that cleverly intertwine fun and learning to jumpstart their brains in the best way.

Scroll through for brilliant STEM toys for kids of any age that make for great holiday gifts.

01
M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence

M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence

M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence ($123)

Age range: 10 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, technology, and robotics

02
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit

LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit

LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit ($71, originally $100)

Age range: 8-12

Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and technology

03
Kano Complete Computer Kit + Screen Kit

Kano Complete Computer Kit + Screen Kit

Kano CompleteComputer Kit + Screen Kit ($180, originally $250)

Age Range: 6+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, building, programming

04
ZOOB Challenge

ZOOB Challenge

ZOOB Challenge ($20, originally $52)

Age Range: 8+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Open-ended problem solving, building

05
VEX Robotics Minotaur

VEX Robotics Minotaur

VEX Robotics Minotaur ($40)

Age range: 9 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, building, and robotics

06
Learning Resources Gears Starter Set

Learning Resources Gears Starter Set

Learning Resources Gears Starter Set ($14)

Age Range: 3+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Building, simple mechanics, counting, sorting, physics

08
Gravity Maze

Gravity Maze

Gravity Maze ($30)

Age Range: 8+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Logic, visual perception, strategy

09
Thames & Kosmos 3D Sidewalk Chalk

Thames & Kosmos 3D Sidewalk Chalk

Thames & Kosmos 3D Sidewalk Chalk ($26)

Age Range: 6+

Concepts and skills it builds on: 3D science

10
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set

Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set

Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set ($58)

Age range: 4 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving, sorting, sequencing, counting, matching, and patterns

11
Project Mc2 Circuit Beats

Project Mc2 Circuit Beats

Project Mc2 Circuit Beats ($32)

Age Range: 6 – 12

Concepts and skills it builds on: Electrical circuits

12
Alex Toys Spa DIY Bath Bombs Kit

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

13
STEM Sink or Float Activity Set

STEM Sink or Float Activity Set

STEM Sink or Float Activity Set ($28)

Age Range: 3 – 5

Concepts and skills it builds on: Basic physics, critical thinking, problem solving

15
Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles

Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles

Remote-Control Machines: Construction Vehicles ($47, originally $100)

Age range: 6-10

Concepts and skills it builds on: building and robotics

16
Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set

Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set

Crayola Magic Scene Creator Activity Set ($30)

Age range: 3 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: art and animation

17
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar

Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar

Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar ($60)

Age Range: 3 – 6

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, direction, experimentation

18
K'NEX Education – Intro To Simple Machines: Gears

K'NEX Education – Intro To Simple Machines: Gears

K'NEX Education – Intro To Simple Machines: Gears ($40)

Age Range: 8 – 12

Concepts and skills it builds on: Building, evaluating, teamwork

19
Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles ($120)

Age Range: 2+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Patterning, shape recognition, building, motor skills

20
Digiloom Starter Kit

Digiloom Starter Kit

Digiloom Starter Kit ($70)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: art, design, and technology

21
Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge

Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge

Rube Goldberg — The Acrobat Challenge ($6)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: physics and problem-solving

22
Snap Circuits Jr.

Snap Circuits Jr.

Snap Circuits Jr. ($21)

Age Range: 8+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Electrical circuits, building

23
Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set

Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set

Barbie Fundamental Chemistry Set ($21, originally $30)

Age range: 4-7

Concepts and skills it builds on: science

24
Ozobot 2.0 Bit Starter Pack

Ozobot 2.0 Bit Starter Pack

Ozobot 2.0 Bit Starter Pack ($54)

Age Range: 5+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, primary colors

25
Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit

Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit

Hexbug VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher Construction Kit ($15)

Age range: 14-18

Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering

26
Castle Logix

Castle Logix

Castle Logix ($27)

Age Range: 3+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Logic, spatial reasoning

27
Design and Drill Activity Center

Design and Drill Activity Center

Design and Drill Activity Center ($31)

Age Range: 3+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Fine motor skills, creativity, building, following directions

28
Cubetto

Cubetto

Cubetto ($224)

Age Range: 3+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding

29
Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails

Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails

Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails ($15)

Age range: 3 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, sequencing, logical thinking, and problem-solving

30
Let's Go Code! Activity Set

Let's Go Code! Activity Set

Let's Go Code! Activity Set ($27, originally $35)

Age range: 5 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: coding, critical thinking, and problem-solving

31
3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set

3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set

3Doodler Start Robotics-Themed 3D Printing Pen Set ($90)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: robotics, building, and spacial reasoning

32
Safe Breaker Board Game

Safe Breaker Board Game

Safe Breaker Board Game ($21, originally $25)

Age range: 6 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: logic, math, and problem-solving

33
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi

Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi

Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi ($40)

Age range: 3-6

Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes and critical thinking

34
Code & Go Robot Mouse

Code & Go Robot Mouse

Code & Go Robot Mouse ($40, originally $60)

Age Range: 3 – 5

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, building

35
Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear

Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear

Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear ($50)

Age range: 3-6

Concepts and skills it builds on: basic biology, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving

36
Educational Insights Smash Pong!

Educational Insights Smash Pong!

Educational Insights Smash Pong! ($17, originally $22)

Age range: 7 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: physics

37
Robot Turtles Little Programmers Game

Robot Turtles Little Programmers Game

Robot Turtles Little Programmers Game ($20, originally $25)

Age Range: 4 – 18

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, programming

38
Kamigami Robots — Ladybug

Kamigami Robots — Ladybug

Kamigami Robots — Ladybug ($18, originally $50)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: coding and robotics

39
Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division

Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division

Hexbug Vex Explorers Rescue Division ($15)

Age range: 6-12

Concepts and skills it builds on: science and building

40
Hexbug Nano Starter Set

Hexbug Nano Starter Set

Hexbug Nano Starter Set ($25)

Age Range: 3+

Concepts and skills it builds on: Robotics

41
Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon

Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon

Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon ($18)

Age Range: 3 – 6

Concepts and skills it builds on: Color recognition, following directions, counting

43
Spy Code Break Free Board Game

Spy Code Break Free Board Game

Spy Code Break Free Board Game ($18)

Age range: 6 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: problem-solving

44
Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe

Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe

Lego Architecture Arc de Triomphe ($32)

Age range: 12 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: engineering and building

45
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox

Lego Boost Creative Toolbox

Lego Boost Creative Toolbox ($160)

Age range: 7-12

Concepts and skills it builds on: creative thinking, engineering, and coding

46
Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game

Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game

Dr. Microbe Science Speed Logic Board Game ($15)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: logic and science

47
Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game

Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game

Dr. Beaker Science Speed Logic Board Game ($15, originally $23)

Age range: 8 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: science, logic, and matching

48
Creativity for Kids Grow N' Glow Terrarium

Creativity for Kids Grow N' Glow Terrarium

Creativity for Kids Grow N' Glow Terrarium ($10)

Age Range: 5 - 12

Concepts and skills it builds on: Creative thinking, science

50
Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot

Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot

Learning Resources Count & Build TotBot ($14)

Age range: 2 and up

Concepts and skills it builds on: shapes, colors, creative thinking, counting, and building

51
Code Master

Code Master

Code Master ($17)

Age Range:

Concepts and skills it builds on: Coding, logic, sequential reasoning, problem solving

52
K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit

K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit

K'Nex Imagine Power & Play Motorized Building Set Building Kit ($23)

Age range: 7-12

Concepts and skills it builds on: building, robotics, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning