With the holiday season quickly approaching, finding the perfect gift for the kids in your life can be tricky. On the one hand, you want to find something they’ll find fun and exciting; on the other hand, you want a gift that’s meaningful and educational. But what if we told you that you didn’t have to choose? You can have it all with STEM Toys!
STEM toys are perfect for bridging the gap between learning and fun! Toys focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are perfect for developing curiosity, problem-solving, exploration, and more–and they make the perfect gifts!
If you’re on the hunt for the best STEM toys for your little learner, we’ve done the homework for you: read on for our favorite inspiring and educational toys for scientists of all ages!
Gifts for Littles (3 & under)
8-in-1 Montessori Toy Box
This 8-in-1 toy box combines eight educational games and puzzles for your small tinkerer. It will keep them busy sorting and discovering while still keeping it simple. It’s also a great toy to do with an older sibling. For the cherry on the cake, it has its own storage box that holds all of the pieces! Brilliant!
Boon Pipes and Cogs Bath Toy
Help your little engineer build and create in the tub! This colorful set of 13 pipes and gears is a bath toy that will keep your little ones learning while keeping the water contained. Your only challenge will be getting your child out of the tub!
Balance Math Game
Kickstart your little one’s love for mathematics with this entertaining and educational Balance Math Game. Your mathematician will strengthen their problem-solving skills by matching the number of cakes to the corresponding numerical block!
Computer Engineering for Babies Book
Our son received a copy of Computer Engineering for Babies by Chase Roberts for his first birthday, and it quickly made its way to the top of our reading list. While I do not consider myself an expert in computer engineering, I enjoyed learning the functions WIRE, NOT, OR, AND, XOR, and LATCH with my toddler.
Joyreal Busy Board
With holiday travel approaching, keeping your little one entertained while on the go is a must! The Joyreal Busy Board has 19 colorful lights and 10 switches that are sure to keep little hands busy while they practice their motor skills! This board is a wonderful screentime alternative with a variety of mechanisms that help challenge the young mind and support independent play!
Abacus
If you’re on the hunt for a tried and true gift that is sure to stand the test of time, an abacus is an excellent choice! Little ones will exercise their fine motor and problem-solving skills while engaging with the colorful beads. This unique abacus by Gigglescape offers 13 numerical magnets that attach to the board on the bottom!
Gifts for Discoverers (Ages 3-5)
Snap Circuits Beginner Kit
Snap Circuits was one of the first STEM toys we received as a gift, and it has grown with my kids. You can begin with this Junior Snap Circuit set and add a more advanced circuit as your child grows. It’s a hit in our home, and I know it will always be a great gift!
PLUS PLUS Interlocking Mini Puzzle Blocks for Kids
Who knew mini puzzle pieces could be so fascinating?! Calling all of our STEAM artists! Enjoy this 240-piece miniature puzzle set and create mosaics, towers, or 3-D structures. Bring your ideas to life!
Magnetic Tiles Building Set
Ready, Set, Build! There is a reason why magnetic tiles are extremely popular and have been at the top of STEM toy lists for some time. Your little architect will amaze you with the constructions they will create. What I love about this gift is whether you have a 3-year-old or 9-year-old, magnetic tiles will grow with your children and are a toy everyone in your family will enjoy.
Magnetic Color and Number Maze
Encourage your budding mathematician to strengthen their color and number recognition with the Magnetic Color and Number Maze. Your child will use the magnetic stick included to maneuver the colored beads to the appropriate ice cream cone. This activity board is a great resource for a rainy day or to bring on the go while running errands as a screentime alternative!
Melissa and Doug Anatomy Puzzle
The Melissa and Doug brand is beloved among parents, and I have yet to find a toy of theirs that I did not love! This Magnetic Human Body Anatomy PlaySet is among our favorites! The Magnetic Human Body Play Set helps children visualize the inner workings of the human body, including internal organs, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, the brain, and more. The play set includes 24 magnetic pieces that show different parts of the body, along with a guide kids can use to identify different body parts, organs, and systems. Bonus, it comes with its own storage tray, which makes cleaning up a breeze!
Volcano Science Kit
Grab your safety goggles and gloves; playtime with the Volcano Experiment from Learning Resources is sure to be a blast! Your scientist will love using the kid-friendly lab tools to create a fizzy and foaming chemical reaction that resembles an erupting volcano.
Take Apart Outer Space Adventure
This Spaceship Playset with Electric Drill brings the wonders of engineering to the playroom! With easy-to-follow instructions, your space ranger will be able to assemble the rocket themselves while exploring the interactive features included!
Gifts for Explorers (Ages 6-9)
Butterfly EduFields Tinker Lab @ Home
Let’s Explore! If you want a unique gift, this award-winning brain toy science kit will provide endless experiments and projects. It includes everything from creating spin art and drawing with a robot to understanding the basic principles of engineering and physics, such as air pressure, centrifugal force, and motion transmission. With this science kit, you can count on endless fun.
Elikliv Digital Microscope
This digital microscope is a personal favorite in our home. We have taken it to the park, the beach, and even the lake in our grandparents’ backyard. On the digital screen, everyone can enjoy looking and discovering together simultaneously.
Emarth Portable Telescope for Kids
We love a toy that creates an experience! A telescope will definitely create a BIG ONE! You can experience this right from your driveway or bring it along on your next camping trip. Our telescope has brought about so much fun and learning in our home. Besides, who gets bored looking at space?!
Discovery Planetarium Space Projector
As a mother, I find great joy in watching my children explore their interests. Recently, our son has developed a love for NASA, and our days are filled with watching rocket launches and reciting the planets in our solar system. The Discovery Planetarium Space Projector is one of our favorite purchases that has made this stage of life extra fun! Turn off the lights and transform your living room (or any room) into a planetarium. With 24 images and moving constellations, your little astronaut is sure to be entertained for hours!
Gifts for Achievers (Ages 9+)
Are you up for the challenge? At this age, completing more complex projects that require an adult’s help can help create special memories for your family.
Thames and Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand
Here is a GREAT option where adults and other family members can also be a part of the fun! Our family enjoyed helping our oldest son build his very own robotic hand. It was a show-n-tell hit at school and inspired many of his friends.
LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit
Legos are great for every age, but have you heard of LEGO Technic? Bring your Lego play to another level for the more advanced builder. From building a space toy to a bulldozer to a race car, these challenging builds are packed with details for kids to discover.
Super Mario Collector’s Edition Chess and Rubik’s Cube
Take me back…to the classics! These never go out of style and are, in fact, trending again. Give the gift of chess with the Super Mario Collector’s Edition, or go with the Rubik’s Cube for your puzzlers who love a good brain teaser. You can never go wrong with a classic.
Time to shop
No more second-guessing as you shop for others this holiday season. Enjoy giving the gift of creativity while creating joy for learning because you can’t go wrong with a STEM toy. ‘Tis the season for all the gift ideas for moms, babies, and kids – we’ve got you covered!
