Top STEM toys
Teach critical skills with STEM toys and activities
Encourage a passion for STEM early with fun STEM toys and activities that will delight kids and pique their curiosity.
What are STEM toys and activities?
STEM toys and activities are toys that involve using knowledge and skills within STEM fields, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Oftentimes, the term is adjusted to STEAM to also include the Arts.
STEM toys and activities engage kids with interactive learning and fun through activities like building, robotics, coding kits, and, with the arts included as well, even crafting and drawing. They are available for kids as young as toddlers with basic counting, piano, wooden blocks, building, and math toys up to ones for older kids to encourage or fuel a passion for one or more of these industries.
The basis behind STEM toys and activities is that they are designed to provide a fun way for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math, working on concepts, solving problems, and understanding how things work.
What types of STEM toys are available?
STEM toys and activities are available for toddlers to STEM activities for elementary and even teens. Start with simple building blocks that teach the basics of engineering, like how to build a strong foundation. Starter STEM toys involve counting, basic addition and subtraction, and even drawing.
There are coding kits for younger kids that include basic steps to make a robot move forward and backwards, for example. But as kids get older, STEM toys become more complex. More advanced coding kits might help kids program a toy robot or car to do stunts, pick up items, or follow along a specific pathway, avoiding obstacles.
STEM toys delve into circuitry as well with ones that teach about electrical currents and magnets, allowing kids who are of age to safely build their own circuits. Often, more advanced STEM toys work with a mobile app. With add-ons, some STEM toys can be expanded with new subjects and challenges.
Why are STEM toys important?
As we move further into the 21st Century, STEM fields are becoming more important than ever. They’re involved in virtually every job that will be available to kids once they become of working age. Getting familiar with STEM fields, how things work, and subjects like coding could be integral to not only future jobs but secondary and post-secondary education as well.
STEM toys are an early way to gauge interests by introducing kids to the basics. Many kids will surprise you with their capabilities and they might even discover a new passion.
Let’s not forget that the best STEM toys and STEM activities for kids are valuable even beyond developing these practical skills: they promote creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. Kids enjoy imaginative play, but also satisfaction with having a role in controlling, or even building, the toys themselves and gaining an understanding of how they work.