Learning doesn’t have to be boring. STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, doesn’t always include the most exciting topics. Kids can get easily frustrated with those subjects. We don’t really blame them, sitting down and learning about gravity, inertia and even division wasn’t particularly fun for us either. But these days, they have such cool learning toys. We’re honestly a little jealous. You might want to set aside some time to learn how to code and to make little machines yourself.
We rounded up the best STEM toys for kids for you. From robots to cool gemstone kits, there’s something for every little learner. These toys were designed specifically to teach your kid about natural phenomenon, like crystals, or skills, like encouraging them to use logical reasoning. These brain-teasers will expand their minds and sneakily teach them critical thinking skills while they play. If your child hates sitting down to do extra workbooks but loves mazes, there’s a way to teach them about spatial awareness and gravity. We found toys for kids as young as six or as old as 15. Some toys are more goal-oriented while others allow your child to marvel at something they’ve never seen before.
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1. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game
This game combines both STEM and fun. Your kids won’t even realize how much they’re learning. Perfect for kids who love mazes, this gravity maze game has 60 challenges, ranging from beginner to expert. The challenges start off easy and then get more difficult, encouraging your child to use logical and spatial reasoning, along with planning skills.
2. Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science & Building Kit
Your kids can build LEGO machines that actually move, so they can take their LEGO-building skills to a whole new level. There’s a total of 10 machine that your child can build within this kit. They’ll have a machine that can toss something small, like a gum wrapper, in the trash and another machine that can ring a bell. It also comes with 33 LEGO pieces, 80 pages of instructions and other important building components.
3. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Gemstone Dig Kit
If your child currently prefers nature-related kits to machine-building, this is a cool pick. With this STEM kit, your child will get the opportunity to dig out naturally formed crystals. There are a total of 15 crystals in this set, digging tools, a magnifying glass and an explainer packet to teach your kids more about these Earth-made marvels. Kids as young as six can play with this kit.
4. STEM Master Building Toys for Kids
With 176 pieces in this set, your child will bring the wildest creations out of their imagination to life. And if they ever get stuck, there’s 42 ideas inside for beginner, intermediate and advanced builders. Your child will enhance their STEM skills by learning how all of the pieces fit together.
5. Take Apart Dinosaur Toys for Kids
In this set, your child gets a blue Tyrannosaurus Rex, green Triceratops and brown Velociraptor. Each toy can be built and taken apart via the screws and drill. Your child will get hands-on experience with learning how things are assembled. Plus, these dino toys are just so cute.
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