This article reviews the best STEM toys for children, including robotic kits, coding games, and engineering sets. These toys make learning about science, technology, engineering, and math fun and interactive. STEM education is vital for future success; these toys provide hands-on learning experiences to develop essential skills.
The list of best STEM toys featured on this page
For your convenience, we have collected all the toys we reviewed in one table. Click on the product name to go to a slightly more detailed review.
| Toy | Theme | Age | Customer Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNGLINGA 70 Lab Experiments Science Kit(Editors Choice) | Chemistry | 6-8 | 4.7 out of 5 | Check Price |
| SNAP CIRCUITS C-100 Electronics Exploration Kit (Editors Choice) | Electronics | 8+ | 4.8 out of 5 | Check Price |
| Creative Kids Air Dry Clay | Educational | 4+ | 4.7 out of 5 | Check Price |
| National Geographic Marble Run | Educational | 8+ | 4.7 out of 5 | Check Price |
| SpringFlower Flower Garden Building Kit | Floral | 3-7 | 4.7 out of 5 | Check Price |
| Jasonwell Magnetic Blocks | Creative Thinking | 3-10 | 4.9 out of 5 | Check Price |
| The Happy Puzzle Company The Genius Square | Quick and fun | 6+ | 4.9 out of 5 | Check Price |
| LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle | Construction | 5 + | 4.9 out of 5 | Check Price |
| Jasonwell STEM Toys Building Blocks | Logical Thinking | 3+ | 4.6 out of 5 | Check Price |
| Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Builders | Creative Thinking | 3-6 | 4.7 out of 5 | Check Price |
The 10 Best STEM Toys for Kids, According to Experts in 2023
1. UNGLINGA 70 Lab Experiments Science Kit
The UNGLINGA 70 Lab Experiments Science Kit is an excellent choice for kids who love hands-on science activities. With 70 experiments, kids will have hours of fun exploring chemistry and learning how to conduct investigations like natural scientists. The kit includes experiments such as building and erupting a volcano, crystal growing, and fruit circuits. The manual is easy to follow, with clear illustrations and explanations of the science behind each experiment. The kit is also safe and child-friendly and promotes STEM learning and critical thinking skills. The variety of activities and high-quality educational toys make this a great gift for kids who enjoy science and exploration.
70 Lab Experiments Science Kit by UNGLINGA Pros & Cons
2. SNAP CIRCUITS C-100 Electronics Exploration Kit
The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit is a STEM educational toy for eight-year-olds. With over 30 components and 100 projects, children can learn how to create working electronic circuits without requiring soldering or additional tools. The pieces snap easily onto a plastic grid and are numbered and color-coded for easy identification. The kit includes an extensive color project manual with simple instructions for each project, allowing children to learn about electrical circuits and gain valuable lessons in building and following instructions. The kit can be upgraded to higher-level kits with additional parts and projects. Overall, this toy is an excellent gift for children who want to learn about electronics while having fun.
3. Creative Kids Air Dry Clay
This Creative Kids Air Dry Clay Modeling Crafts Kit is a fun and educational toy for kids aged four and up. The kit includes 30 different vibrant, non-toxic colors, googly eyes, keychain rings, and easy-to-follow instructions to keep your child entertained for hours. This kit is designed to help your child broaden their imagination, develop essential skills, and create fantastic clay sculptures. The air-drying clay is 100% skin-safe, hypoallergenic and non-toxic. The kit is a perfect birthday or holiday gift for kids and can be taken on the go, allowing your child to build unique souvenirs. The equipment is an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, cognitive agility, communication, and spatial skills. The manufacturer offers a full-price buy-back guarantee if you or your child are unsatisfied with the product.
4. National Geographic Marble Run
The National Geographic 80-Piece Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run Construction Set is a fantastic STEM toy for kids. The set comes with 15 glow-in-the-dark marbles, a UV light to make them glow brighter, 45 smooth-run track pieces, 15 action pieces that fit together snugly, five sturdy bases, a storage bag, and a learning guide with instructions. The pieces are designed to work together tightly, so the marble maze won’t fall apart during play. The learning guide teaches the physics of motion and aerodynamics and includes construction experiments. The set is made by National Geographic, a well-known educational toy brand that strives to create the highest quality hands-on science toys. All their products are backed by exceptional service.
5. SpringFlower Flower Garden Building Kit
SpringFlower Flower Garden Building Kit is a great educational and STEM toy for kids that can improve their imagination, creativity, and hand-eye coordination. The kit is made of upgraded, non-toxic ABS plastic, safe for little hands, and easy to clean. It includes a storage case, making it easy to keep all the pieces organized. This toy is suitable for indoor or outdoor play and is perfect for school classrooms, family parties, or beach games. With vibrant and colorful flower toys, kids can have hours of fun building their gardens, decorating their rooms, and more. The toy’s quality is premium and conforms to the USA toy safety standards ASTM F963. If there are any issues, customers can return the product within 180 days for a refund or replacement. You can contact the manufacturer for prompt responses if you have any questions.
6. Jasonwell Magnetic Blocks
The Jasonwell Magnetic Tiles Kids Magnetic Blocks Building Sets is an educational STEM toy that provides a fun and creative way to encourage children’s imagination, creativity, and fine motor skills. The magnets are high-quality ABS material and have round edges for safety, while the ultrasonic welding process and anti-throw tests ensure durability. An idea booklet is included to help with building various patterns. This product is recommended for kids aged 3 to 12 and is an excellent tool for learning colors, shapes, numbers, magnetic polarities, and architectural design through play. It’s also great for spending quality time with families and friends.
7. The Happy Puzzle Company The Genius Square
The Genius Square is an award-winning, well-designed STEM puzzle game that promotes problem-solving and motor manipulation skill training. With 60,000+ possibilities in the box, you can race against an opponent or challenge yourself against the clock. The game includes two grids, seven dice, 14 blockers, and 18 colored shapes. It is easy to learn and play and can be enjoyed alone or with friends. The box contains all the necessary components, making it easy to travel. The game is recommended for children under six and up, but it is not suitable for children under three due to its small parts. Overall, The Genius Square is a fun and challenging puzzle game that is an excellent addition to any game collection.
8. LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle
The LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle 60226 is a fun and exciting building kit that allows children to explore their imagination and create their outer space adventure. With 273 pieces, this toy includes a space shuttle, Mars rover, helidrone, storage drone, and two astronaut mini figures. The building instructions are easy to follow and can be accessed through the LEGO Life app for a more interactive experience. This STEM toy is designed for children aged five and above and makes an excellent gift for fans of LEGO toys and kids of all ages. The Mars scenery built with a secret symbol adds an extra level of excitement to this NASA-inspired playset.
9. Jasonwell STEM Toys Building Blocks
The Jasonwell STEM Toys Building Blocks is an educational and creative toy set for kids. With 168 pieces, kids can play and build many patterns, shapes, and designs, including animals, cars, robots, and more. The set includes an electric screwdriver and an idea booklet to make the building more accessible and fun. The toys are tested for safety and are non-toxic, making them safe for kids to play with. The building blocks are great for enhancing kids’ creativity, imagination, and critical thinking. The set is suitable for kids aged 3-12 and is an excellent gift for birthdays or Christmas. It is a fun and educational toy for solo or group play.
10. Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Builders
The Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks are a highly-regarded STEM toy for children, toddlers, and boys and girls. This educational toy has won several awards and was developed by teachers. With the patent-pending magnetic foam system, the blocks easily connect with a satisfying click and can rotate 360-degrees for endless building possibilities. The blocks are safe, non-toxic, and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The bright colors and playful sound make the blocks appealing to younger children, while the building possibilities encourage older children to develop their STEM skills. The blocks are perfect for bath time and are a great way to bring families together for quality time.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best STEM Toys
STEM education is becoming increasingly important in the 21st century, and the best STEM toys are a fun and effective way for children to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. If you’re looking for the perfect STEM toy for your child, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
Consider the Child’s Age and Ability:
When choosing a STEM toy, it’s essential to consider your child’s age and ability level. There are toys available for kids of all ages, from toddler-friendly building blocks to more advanced robotics kits for older kids. Make sure to select an age-appropriate toy that will challenge your child but not be too difficult for them to handle.
Think About Your Child’s Interests:
- Consider your child’s interests when selecting a STEM toy.
- If they are interested in science, look for a toy that will allow them to perform experiments and learn about the scientific method.
- If they enjoy building and construction, look for a toy that will enable them to create and construct their designs.
Check for Educational Benefits:
The best STEM toys offer educational benefits while still being fun and engaging. Look for toys that allow your child to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Choose toys that will encourage your child to learn and explore in a fun and interactive way.
Durability and Safety:
It’s essential to choose a STEM toy that is durable and safe for your child to use. Check for high-quality toys made from high-quality materials that have passed safety standards. This will ensure your child can use the toy long without breaking or causing harm.
Editor’s Choice and conclusion
STEM toys play a crucial role in nurturing children’s love for science, technology, engineering, and math.
From building and construction toys to robotics kits and science experiment sets, a STEM toy is available for all levels of interest and ability. With a suitable toy, children can develop essential skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, all while having fun.
The best STEM toys on the market today include the Jasonwell Building Blocks, a classic choice for hands-on learning and creativity, and the UNGLINGA 70 Lab Experiments Science Kit, an excellent option for kids who love science and experimentation. These toys provide an engaging and interactive learning experience that makes STEM education fun and educational.
- Jasonwell Building Blocks – check price at Amazon.
- UNGLINGA 70 Lab Experiments Science Kit – check price at Amazon.
In conclusion, the best STEM toys provide an exciting and engaging way for children to learn about STEM concepts, helping to lay the foundation for a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math. Whether you’re looking for building and construction toys, robotics kits, or science and experiment sets, a STEM toy is available to suit your child’s needs and interests.
Learn more about STEM – Wiki and U.S. Department of Education(opens in new tab).