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Getting kids interested in the sciences is important at even the earliest age. Luckily for parents, today there are a vast variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) toys on the market to help encourage young minds to explore more scientific sources of entertainment. Experts agree that showing kids that science, math and engineering can be fun and interesting helps set them up for a successful future. STEM toys foster collaboration and development of both gross and fine motor skills as well as cause and effect, logical/critical thinking and even emotional development.
Best STEM Toy For Kids
- Think Fun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic
- Temi 108 PCS Marble Run Construction Set
- Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot
- EMIDO Building Discs Set
- Little Tykes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab
- Magnetic Building Blocks Ferris wheel and Vehicle Set
- 3-In-1 Hydraulic Engineering STEM Kit For Kids
- Learning Resources Crashapult STEM Challenge
- Learning Resources Primary Science Set
- Engine Discovering STEM Architecture Model Set
- Snap Circuits Junior
- 4M Kitchen Science Kit
- 3-In-1 Fun Creative Robotryx
- Kids Pink Gardening Tools
- Shifu Orboot
- Jewelbots
- SmartGurlz Maria Doll With Siggy Coding Toys
- Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game
Luckily, when kids are interacting with STEM toys they are usually having too much of a blast building working machines, coding robots to complete tasks and conducting awesome science experiments to even realize that they’re learning a whole lot in the process!
When it comes to picking educational STEM toys, the vast array can seem overwhelming. But you’re in luck, because we’ve done all the work for you by rounding up our list of the best STEM toys of 2019.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Image Credits: Amazon
Think Fun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game
Learning and logic come together in the most fun way possible with this award-winning STEM toy. It’s great for boys and girls ages 8 and up, who’ll be fascinated by the Gravity Maze that combines a marble run and logic game to help develop critical life skills, including spatial reasoning and planning. Parents love that the Gravity Maze has 60 puzzles, ranging from beginner to expert, to guarantee years of repeated use.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My 10 year old son is obsessed with this game. He loves figuring out each maze. It makes him use problem solving skills and logic. This is a great toy for an only child whose parents can't entertain the child every minute. He picks this over video games! Now that is saying something.
Image Credits: Amazon
Temi 108 PCS Marble Run Construction Set
There is so much to love about this simplistic construction set. Building a marble racetrack helps young children develop their hand-eye coordination, logical thinking, problem solving, spatial imagination and creativity. Parents appreciate that the 108-piece collection keeps kids entertained and engaged for hours. It gets our thumbs-up because the pieces are made of high-quality ABS material and is perfectly safe for children to DIY.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great product! My kid loves it! It is colorful and easy to get her attention. Good for family time!
Image Credits: Amazon
Wonder Workshop
Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot
Welcome to the future! Kids are crazy for this voice-activated coding robot that has the capability to navigate around objects. The best part? It arrives fully charged and ready to roll, which is a blessing on birthdays and special occasions, when the last thing little ones want to do is wait to play with their new toy. Kids can give Dash voice commands through one of the five free apps included. It’s the coolest STEM toy and a great way to introduce tots to the fundamentals of technology. The only thing that would make Dash better is if he could fetch Mom and Dad their morning coffee.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is an absolutely OUTSTANDING product. As both a creative lead and tech developer, my personal standards for these types of devices is quite high and this little thing has not only met every expectation and promise, but exceeded them.
Image Credits: Amazon
EMIDO Building Discs Set
With 120+ pieces of durable plastic building pieces, this is one of the most budget-friendly STEM toys for toddlers. Little ones will spend hours creating new designs with the colorful interlocking discs, which are BPA free, while exercising their fine motor skills and cognitive development of colors, teamwork and coordination. The possibilities for play are endless with this awesome STEM toy, which happens to come with its own carrying bag for easy storage.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I bought these for our grade K-8 after-school daycare. Only one day of play so far and I have many students BEGGING me to buy more so everyone can have enough! Just ordered 2 more sets. Students from every grade were playing with them and creating so many different things. Definitely a fun STEM toy.
Image Credits: Amazon
Little Tykes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab
The Little Tykes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab is the perfect STEM toy for toddlers. The super-cool interactive lab offers an introduction to science, technology, engineering and math through 20 hands-on experiments. Kiddos will get a kick out of the more than 40 sounds and phrases that bring the lab to life while they fiddle and explore the lab accessories like maze balls, test tubes, stirring spoons and an eyedropper.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Bought this for my God daughter’s 4th birthday. She’s gone from ballerina to a Lil’ Ballerina Mad Scientist! She’s super entertained by it and loves all the experiments. She walks around the house wearing her lab coat and goggles saying ‘Here comes the Scientist!’ A total hit!
Image Credits: Amazon
Magnetic Building Blocks Ferris Wheel and Vehicle Set
Kids will spend countless hours building cars, monster trucks and amusement park rides with the 74 magnetic tiles in this sturdy set. This STEM toy is a sneaky way to welcome kids to the worlds of geometry while encouraging their creativity. Parents appreciate that the magnets are ultrasonic welded to be fully encapsulated in a plastic casing, which makes them easily cleanable and safe for small kids.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This set by WhizBuilders was a fraction of the cost and also came with neat components to make a Ferris wheel! The booklet has some neat things that you can build, although a few of them are a little tricky to figure out in the three steps that it shows. I also like the letter tiles that came with it because my son had fun putting them in order and spelling things with the tiles.
Image Credits: Target
3-in-1 Hydraulic Engineering STEM Kit for Kids
Little boys and girls who are fascinated by how things work will love this hydraulic building kit. The included instructions show how to create a working excavator, bulldozer or crane for a hands-on way to welcome the basics of hydraulic science and technology. They work with the power of water pressure and will really make a splash with little science lovers.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My nephew's son loved this. Hands-on and educational is a great mix!
Image Credits: Target
Learning Resources Crashapult STEM Challenge
We love when learning is hiding inside a fun game. Even the least STEM-interested kid will get a kick out of the Crashapult, an activity set of build-it-yourself challenges. While they’re launching balls in the air toward targets, they’re actually figuring out the concepts of angles, trajectories, distances and hand-eye coordination. The 15-piece set is a must-have for rainy days and anyone looking to challenge an elementary school-aged child.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My kids love it!! My boys are 6 and 8 and together they work to try to find the ‘perfect’ spot to get the ball through the ring.
Image Credits: Target
Learning Resources Primary Science Set
Budding scientists need to accessorize their labs! This 15 piece kit is perfectly sized for little hands to learn about what goes on in a lab. Parents love how easy to clean the items, including beakers, magnifying glass, funnel, pipette and flask are easy to wipe clean and sanitize. The included activity cards will help kick-start your sweet scientist’s love of experiments and STEM sciences.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is my son's favorite Christmas gift. Appealing colors and appearance for toddlers and preschoolers. The ‘experiment instruction cards’ make this an easy activity for parents and kids. Both my 2 and 4 year olds love it.
Image Credits: Target
Engino Discovering STEM Architecture Model Set
You can instill a love of engineering, architecture and travel with this architecture building set. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the set comes with all of the pieces and instructions to build an oversize replica of the Eiffel Tower in France and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, but young STEM lovers can also build a house, pyramid and other bridges. Parents will appreciate that it comes with a convenient plastic storage container to keep everything neat and together whether home or traveling.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
The construction ‘blue prints’ are easy to follow. The parts go together and come apart fairly easily. I highly recommend this as a fun yet practical STEM toy from Target.
Image Credits: Walmart
Snap Circuits Junior
The Snap Circuits Junior kit has easy to follow instructions for over 100 electronic projects! The colorful pictures make building working machines a breeze for young hands. This toy is one of our top picks for stimulating, educational toys for children. Parents know to pull it out on a snowy or rainy day for hours of uninterrupted play.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is a wonderful product. I had to help my daughter put the circuits together but she enjoyed it and it worked perfectly. It was great to see the excitement in her eyes when her first project started to work.
Image Credits: Walmart
4M Kitchen Science Kit
Cook up a classroom’s worth of learning and fun with this clever science kit. Kiddos will learn all about cause and effect and basic science experiments using everyday household items like vinegar, baking soda and cornstarch. Little ones will love launching a rocket and watching a volcano erupt with this old-school STEM kit.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter loves to do experiments so this was perfect for her, she was able to do some things with out much help from me, so she really loved it.
Image Credits: Walmart
3 in 1 Fun Creative Robotryx
Children’s imaginations will run wild with this futuristic STEM toy for boys as well as girls. There are three awesome things to build with the mini-bricks in this Robotryx set. Budding engineers will spend hours creating, transforming, demolishing and rebuilding characters. There’s even a bonus coloring page and Crayola crayons to spark even more creativity and imagination.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I like the child and parent involvement with this toy. We had fun working on it together.
Image Credits: Walmart
Kids Pink Gardening Tools
It’s never too early to teach children about where their food comes from and how it grows. This real gardening tool kit is the perfect way to plant the seeds of life science and a love of gardening. Little ones will have a blast digging in the dirt and watching seeds sprout and grow into plants and flowers. Plus, they can also be used as beach toys, which makes them doubly-worth the investment.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My kids LOVE this tool set. The tools actually work and they enjoy helping out when new are outside. It has provided many hours of fun and may more to come.
Image Credits: Amazon
Shifu Orboot
We just love this futuristic travel toy because it sparks imagination and creativity while shaping linguistic and cognitive skills. It pairs up with an app and takes kids on an interactive journey around the globe. They will learn so much about other cultures, animals, inventions and weather cycles. This is a must-have STEM toy for every curious kid.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter wants to travel when she’s older and this educational toy gives her the tools to explore different parts of the world all while she’s in the comfort of our home. She’s already listed a few places she wants to visit based off of what the app has shown her.
Image Credits: Amazon
Jewelbots
Kids can write real code and test their skills with step-by-step coding challenges and can even connect with friends via this bracelet. The futuristic friendship bracelet is programmable and can light up and buzz when friends are nearby. Learning how to write custom code is a skill that will last your kids a lifetime.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This product is amazing - so smart, so intuitive and so much fun! My daughter loves it (and we always get comments when we wear our Jewelbots out and about!). I plan to buy more as gifts come holiday season. A terrific product.
Image Credits: Amazon
SmartGurlz Maria Doll with Siggy Coding Toys
As seen on the ABC TV show Shark Tank, Maria is way more than just a fashion doll. She’s an award-winning toy that engages girls, ages 5 and up, with the basic concepts of coding and programming languages. The doll pairs up with a kid-friendly app that’s easy to use to program her to follow paths and complete obstacles and tasks. Little girls and boys will love learning about STEM concepts with this adorable, interactive doll.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter LOVES this doll. She has shown in interest in coding and this app brought together her love of dolls and technology. It has been a struggle to find coding toys that are not implicitly marketed to boys.
Image Credits: Amazon
Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game
Classics are classics for a reason, and this logic game that requires you to get your red car out of traffic has been stimulating young minds for decades. It’s a popular pick with parents looking for basic STEM toys for girls and boys because of how well it helps develop critical skills, planning and thought processes. There are 40 challenges that range from beginner to expert and a convenient storage bag so that none of the pieces ever get misplaced.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My kids are 6 and 10 and they both LOVE this game. Even I enjoy it. My 10-year-old's occupational therapist introduced us to it as a way to help her learn to overcome frustration and solve puzzles. It has been a wild success.
