Holiday Gift Guide: STEM Gifts for Kids

Holiday Gifts to Support STEM Learning

When it comes to teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), experts say the earlier the better. Introducing STEM toys to your kids can provide an array of benefits, from supporting problem solving skills and introducing kids to scientific concepts, to fostering a positive attitude toward learning more broadly. A wide range of STEM-related toys available today make it easy to make learning fun for your kids, and we’ve rounded up our favorites for kids from preschoolers to teens.

Magnatiles (Ages 3-8)

These colorful magnetic shapes let kids express their creativity by creating anything from simple shapes to complicated patterns and three-dimensional structures. Though they’re a bit pricey, they have great potential to truly grow with your child and provide years of fun play. As they build, your children will be learning fine motor, spatial, and creative skills, in addition to math skills like pattern recognition and geometric shapes.

100 Piece Set, $119.99​

48-Piece Set, $74.50​

Gupgi Wooden Balancing Blocks (Ages 2-5)

You can’t go wrong with traditional wooden blocks, but these balancing blocks are a fun twist. As children learn to stack and balance these blocks, they’ll be developing their engineering and basic science skills.

Gupgi Wooden Balancing Blocks, $14.99​

Children’s Microscope (Ages 3+)

Encourage observation and curiosity with a microscope set for your child. For preschoolers, the GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope lets you take a closer look at objects you find around the house or outside, encouraging observation of close-up textures and colors. For slightly older children, sets like the Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope encourage scientific exploration with extras like an activity journal, dissection tools, and slides.

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope (Ages 3+), $21.99​

Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope (Ages 8+), $34.99​

Magnetic Human Body Play Set (Ages 3+)

This human body set lets kids learn about the human body’s systems and organs while also promoting hand-eye coordination and imaginative play. If your child likes playing doctor, this is a great set to help them learn even more about the human body.

Melissa and Doug Magnetic Human Body Play Set, $12.99​

Osmo (Ages 3-12)

Osmo combines physical pieces with a tablet program, providing kids with a hands-on and active learning experience. They provide a range of starter kits and add-on games for children of different ages and interests, and they target learning objectives including math, coding, and literacy. Tangible experiences are key to learning, so I love the hands-on aspect of Osmo.

Starter Kits Starting at $99​

Makeblock mTiny Robot (Ages 4+)

Kids use a Tap Pen Controller to control the mTiny robot, supporting logical thinking and problem-solving skills in an interactive and fun way. The mTiny Robot is great for providing a screen-free introduction to coding, and its activities also foster interest in math, English, music, and more.

Makeblock mTiny Early Children Education Robot, $149.00​

Wonder Workshop Dash Robot (Ages 6+)

The Dash robot is another great tangible option for introducing your kids to computer science skills. The robot comes with sensors that allow it to respond to the world around it, as well as bluetooth that lets it communicate with an array of accompanying apps. Add-ons and accessories, from a building kit to a xylophone, provide a variety of playful learning experiences as kids learn the fundamentals of coding.

Wonder Workshop Dash Robot, $149.99​

LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox (Ages 7+)

Normal LEGOs are great for all ages, but the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox takes things to the next level, giving kids the opportunity to build their own robot. Kids can build and rebuild the robot into five models, then code it to do various activities. For kids who enjoy building with blocks and LEGOs, this kit is another great option for introducing coding skills in a fun way.

LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox, $159.95​

Snap Circuits (Ages 8+)

This tools-free circuit kit lets kids tackle circuit challenges or let their creativity run free. The kit comes with an assortment of pieces including a radio module and an LED display, providing nearly limitless possibilities for creation. Kids will learn about how circuits work while also developing positive attitudes toward engineering.

Snap Circuits 300, $79.97​

Piper Computer Kit (Ages 8+)

The Piper Computer Kit lets kids build their very own computer, then use it to code their own games. In such a computer-filled world, I love that this kit gives kids a look at what’s behind the screen and how computers work. Your kids will feel a sense of ownership over their project while also developing their design thinking, computational thinking, and creativity skills.

Piper Computer Kit, $299.00​

Exploring Kitchen Science Book

This book is a hands-on guide to exploring chemistry using materials you’re likely to have in your own kitchen. Kids will make their own treats while working their way through surprising and interesting activities, all while learning about the chemistry in their own kitchen.

Exploring Kitchen Science: 30+ Edible Experiments, $14.95​

KiwiCo Tinker Crate (Ages 9+) & Eureka Crate (Ages 14+)

KiwiCo makes fantastic developmentally appropriate activity boxes for kids of all ages, and their Tinker and Eureka Crates are no exception, providing STEM-focused activities for older kids and teens. These kits encourage kids to experiment, innovate, and think about the designs behind everyday objects while they’re working on projects like a hydraulic claw or a wooden instrument.

KiwiCo Tinker Crate, Starting from $16.95/month​

KiwiCo Eureka Crate, Starting from $24.95/month​

Crystal Growing Experimental Kit (Ages 10+)

This kit is a great option for any kids showing an interest in rocks or geology, and it provides everything they need to complete seven different crystal growth experiments. Afterward, they can show off their creations in the crystal display cases.

Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit, $21.92​

CanaKit Raspberry Pi Starter Kit (Ages 14+)

For more advanced tech-minded teenagers, a Raspberry Pi starter kit provides a fun and challenging opportunity to build your very own computer. Though it’ll be a bit more complicated than the packaged kits for kids mentioned earlier in this guide, it’ll provide teens with nearly limitless possibilities for creation with technology.

CanaKit Raspberry Pi Starter Kit, $99.99​