Educational games and toys that support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are all the rage. Check out some of this year's great products that support STEM learning at home.
Bionic Robotic Arm
$54.95; 8+
WonderyKids.com
Assemble this cutting-edge, segmented arm from almost 300 plastic pieces and learn how each part comes together in its intricate mechanical design. This innovative system is controlled by a pair of joysticks that pull and release a network of nylon cables threaded throughout, enabling intuitive and precise movements, much like how tendons work to control the muscles in your arm.
Wow in the World: Everlasting Volcano
$19.95; 4+
thamesandkosmos.com
Erupt your own volcano again and again! Press down on the "lava lever" a few times and — WOW! The crater pops up and the slime lava flows down its sides. The volcano works with three types of eruptions: heat-activated color-changing slime "lava", soft foam "lava-rock" balls, and the classic vinegar-and-baking-soda reaction with ingredients from your kitchen cupboard. Customize your volcano with fun stickers of trees, plants, dinosaurs, and more.
Blue Marble Pan for Gold Activity Kit
$19.99; 6+
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Gold-Panning-Kids/dp/B0D364ZYML
Learn to pan for gold like a real prospector. Kids will get everything they need to get started, including a reusable pan, tweezers, a storage container and specimen dish, and a pipette. Plus, the paydirt in the kit is packed with real fool’s gold specimens! Kids will have a blast discovering the dazzling pieces of fool’s gold! Instructions are easy to follow, and a learning guide is packed with amazing facts about the California Gold Rush and fool’s gold.
Robotics: Smart Machines-Junior
$69.95; 8+
WonderyKids.com
This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics. As soon as Junior is assembled, you can begin programming its movements directly on a built-in keypad. You can also download the free Junior app (Android or iOS) to unlock all of the Junior’s capabilities. Did you assemble everything correctly? Play a make-believe robot workshop game in the app to diagnose any onboard issues.
RoboRails: The Robotic Monorail System
$49.95; 8+
WonderyKids.com
This compact robot balances on a single wheel and glides along a monorail track thanks to its fast-moving internal gyroscope and monowheel. A clever design uses ball bearings as the weights of the gimbal, which is nearly frictionless as it spins. You’ll be amazed at how steady this robot is on the track! The full-color, 32-page manual guides you through a step-by-step assembly of the robot and dozens of track layouts from over 180 durable, plastic parts.
Smartivity Hydraulic Plane Launcher
$29.99; 6+
Amazon.com
Complete a DIY kit based on a STEAM concept to imbibe the right learning skills and teach them the basics of hydraulics. Trust us when we say your kids will have too much fun with this one.
Wow in the World: Everlasting Volcano
$19.95; 4+
ThamesandKosmos.com
Erupt your own volcano again and again. Press down on the "lava lever" a few times and — WOW! The crater pops up and the slime lava flows down its sides. The volcano works with three types of eruptions: heat-activated color-changing slime "lava", soft foam "lava-rock" balls, and the classic vinegar-and-baking-soda reaction with ingredients from your kitchen cupboard. Customize your volcano with fun stickers of trees, plants, dinosaurs, and more.
Blue Marble Santa’s Amazing Science Workshop
$19.99; 8+
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Christmas-Science-Workshop/dp/B0D32FXDVP
This science kit gives you the chance to explore 5 different types of science experiments. Grow crystal-covered Christmas trees, explore the incredible properties of instant snow, make squishy snowflakes and a bouncy snowball, then experiment with hydrophobic sand. The fun doesn’t stop there, thanks to a bonus booklet with over 20 science activities using common household item. You’ll make dancing snowmen, glue snowflakes, a string of ice cubes, and so much more.
Wow in the World: Sea Creatures Aquarium
14.95; 10+
ThamesandKosmos.com
Set up an aquarium for your own living sea creature pets! Prepare the salt water and then watch as small brine shrimp hatch from the included eggs, swim around, feed on the included food, and slowly grow larger. A fun, eight-page, full-color guide first explains how to set up the aquarium and hatch and care for the shrimp, as well as offers scientific info about these fascinating creatures and the ecosystems in our planet’s oceans.
Blue Marble Glow-in-the-Dark Bouncy Ball Activity Kit
$14.99; 6+
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Bouncy-Ball-Science/dp/B0D33WHMW9
With this kit, you’ll get everything you need to create 45 glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls. There are 5 different mold shapes included, along with 7 polymer powder colors allowing you to combine colors and create totally unique designs! This kit is fantastic to share with friends, providing hours of creative fun! Instructions are easy to follow, and you will have a phenomenal time playing with all your new bouncy balls.
Blue Marble Paint-Your-Own Magnetic Tiles
$11.99; 6+
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-Magnetic-Tile-Craft/dp/B0D3445TCD
This all-inclusive kit allows kids to design 10 unique works of art using vibrant, kid-safe paints as well as stickers and fun googly eyes. Each tile becomes a personal masterpiece that can be proudly displayed using the included magnets!
Smartivity Mech Beast
$19.99; 6+
Amazon.com
Build two Mechanical Wonders with easy step-by-step instructions. Control the Dragon’s fierce jaws and fiery breath. Make the Flying Dino flap its webbed wings. Name and display your creations proudly on the included stand.
National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Human Body
$19.99; 8+
Amazon.com
Kids can explore the human body from the inside, by removing and examining 9 squishy organs, 18 glow-in-the-dark bones, and arm muscles! Each piece can be individually removed from the 9" tall shell using the included forceps. The 18 bones inside the body glow in the dark, adding a super-cool look to this human body model! Kids can identify bones including the spine, sacrum, hip bones, scapula, and clavicle, as well as hand, arm, leg, and foot bones.
National Geographic Epic Circuits Kit- 60 Projects
$39.99; 8+
Amazon.com
This kit is the perfect way to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity! With over 60 fun projects and activities to complete, this set will keep kids occupied for hours on end as they learn how circuits work and more! No tools needed! The components in this kit connect easily with the included wires, so no additional tools are necessary! Each wire clicks securely to each electrical component, ensuring a solid connection for your projects.
Dissect-It Frog Super Lab
$24.99; 6+
Amazon.com
A one-of-a-kind synthetic dissection set featuring a proprietary gelatin compound, safe instruments with no sharp edges and two refill mixes. The highlight of the set is the deluxe dissection tray allows you to easily remove organs, veins, arteries, and the complete skeleton placing them in their own receptacles in the tray. While dissecting, follow along the detailed instruction manual which is filled with fascinating facts and educational content about each anatomical part.
Dissect-It Rattlesnake Super Lab
$24.99; 6+
https://topsecrettoys.us
Using a firm gelatine-like compound this toy provides the realistic experience of scientific dissection without harming a real snake. The rattlesnake is the biggest kit in the Dissect-It line as it comes with 35 bones and organs to dissect along with a special surprise! Discover what your snake ate by popping open the stomach to reveal 1 of 3 mystery animal skeletons inside.
Pinball Machine Maker
$39.95; 6+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com
The sweetest pinball machine ever! Build a pinball machine that uses edible gumballs as the pinballs. First, follow the step-by-step instructions to assemble the machine. Then lay out the targets and obstacles on the playfield. Finally, test and refine your design while you practice your pinball skills! Hit the targets with the gumballs to score points. The gumballs whiz around the machine, bouncing off bumpers, spinning spinners, ringing the bell, and sliding down tracks. By building and playing with this pinball machine, you can explore lessons in physics and mechanical engineering as you build and play with the pinball machine. Learn about force, motion, collisions, simple machines and more.
Hero: The Sound-Sensing Robot
$64.95; 8+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com
Make some noise, Hero hears everything! Build a unique sound-sensing robot from over 100 parts and learn about engineering and sound technology as you play and experiment with your six-legged robot friend. Thanks to its three directional microphones, Hero perceives and reacts to sounds, allowing you to control it by clapping your hands, snapping your fingers, playing music, or using the included castanet. Activate Hero to follow you around, respond to specific series of sounds, join you in a dance party, or even challenge you to a wild game of tug-of-war! With four different play modes, Hero provides hours of open-ended play and exploration.
Smartivity Mechanical Hand
$37.99; 8+
Amazon.com
Biology has gone all mechanical! Smartivity's easy-to-build Robotic Mechanical Hand is the fun way to introduce your champ to the basics of Human Anatomy, Biomimicry and Engineering (Links, Levers & Gears). Packed with hours of interactive and imaginative play, this mechanical hand toy will help improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, analytical skills and creativity in children - backed by the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) framework of learning.
Smartivity Mega Science Kit
$34.99; 6+
Amazon.com
Smartivity's Mega Science Kit with 108 experiments is the most engaging way to introduce your little scientist to the world of acids & bases, properties of water, polymers, soap making, rocket science and so much more - backed by the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) framework of learning.
Mega Cyborg Hydro Blaster from Thames & Kosmos
$44.95; 8+
Amazon.comAmazon.com
Let the epic water battles begin! Using over 180 plastic pieces, assemble an awesome wearable water blaster and claw that is powered by hydraulics — no motors or electricity required! Once assembled, slide the cyborg blaster onto your hand. Press one trigger and out shoots a stream of water from the blaster nozzle using a hydraulic piston. Press another trigger to simultaneously activate the claw mechanism to grab something in your path while still dousing your opponents with water! This revolutionary device can transform swiftly and effortlessly into five different shapes: the gripper claw, shield, sword, crossbow, and boomerang.
TECTI by Fun in Motion Toys
$44.99; 12+
https://funinmotiontoys.com/products/tecti
Introducing TECTI from Fun In Motion Toys: a revolutionary building toy that brings creativity and motion together in a dynamic, kinetic experience. With TECTI, you can create over 50 mesmerizing structures using interlocking, movable cubes that shift and transform with tectonic-like movements. Lock your favorite shapes in place with a keystone cube or keep exploring new designs—TECTI is all about discovery and innovation. Designed by artist and professional juggler Erik Åberg from Stockholm, Sweden, TECTI is scalable, modifiable, and easy to disassemble, making it perfect for curious minds aged 12 and up. This STEAM-accredited toy not only offers endless fun but also integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics into play. Get ready to revolutionize your playtime and unleash your creativity with TECTI!
Make-Your-Own LAVA® Lamp
$19.99; 8+
https://schylling.com
Design and decorate a LAVA brand motion lamp inside and out; multiple options to design and redesign from with red, green, or purple LAVA globs to bubble and flow, and even add confetti sparkles! You can customize your lamp to match an original LAVA Lamp or use stickers to create your own design with this DIY kit!
National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Frog Dissection Lab
$14.99; 6+
Amazon.com
Kids can study the bones, organs, and biology of a synthetic frog, just as they would with a real one. Everything kids need to conduct their dissection is included, along with a gel refill powder for an additional dissection.
National Geographic’s Bug Catcher & Habitat Kit
$19.99; 4+
Amazon.com
Catching bugs is simple with the included bug catcher, net, and tweezers. To observe the bugs they catch, kids can first add natural objects like dirt, sticks, and rocks to the habitat base to help the bug feel at home. Once the bug is caught and added to the habitat, kids can observe it from all angles. The lid includes two magnifiers--a large, stationary viewer to see details up close, and another that telescopes and moves to expand the field of view and observe bugs as they move around the habitat.
Space Collection by Stomp Rocket
$24.99; 3+
Target.com
Consisting of three spacecraft and a launcher, kids five and up will explore the universe through play and learn about gravity, trajectory, force and the power of air. The three spacecraft in the set include the Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and Space Launch System (SLS).
MAGNA TILES Glow 16-Piece Set
$29.99; 3+
MagnaTiles.com
Grab these unique Glow tiles for your favorite little builder to create towering castles and roaring rockets that light up their playtime. Glow feature is activated by direct sunlight or supercharged with the included LED keychain light.
HyperTiles
$24.99; 5+
FunInMotionToys.com
HyperTiles are simple, super-versatile shapes that can be linked together in an infinite number of combinations – providing endless options, surprising outcomes, and hours of 3-dimensional adventure.
Giant Dinosaur Egg Excavation Kit
$39.99; 8+
Macys.com
Unearth the secrets of the egg by digging into them and identifying the creatures that lay within. Identify new species as well as classic favorites for every dinosaur fan. Use the included wooden dig tools to unearth unique glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, just like a real paleontologist.
National Geographic Clay Dino Modeling Kit
$16.99; 4+
Amazon.com
Kids can create 5 colorful dinosaurs using 5 colors of air-dry clay and googly eyes! A sculpting tool is also included to make molding and shaping easy for kids.
Stunt Squadron Neon Glow Paper Airplanes
$14.99; 6+
Fabercastell.com
Includes everything you need to make, decorate and fly your own paper airplanes with 2 airplane launchers. Appealing to boys and girls, paper planes come in assorted sizes with vibrant neon colors and cool graphics. With 70 kid-approved paper airplane designs, step-by-step instructions and an online video tutorial, kids will learn how to make a paper airplane with 5 different folding techniques.
KAI: The Artificial Intelligence Robot
$99.9, 10+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/products/kai-the-artificial-intelligence-robot
Explore the future of advanced computing technology with KAI — short for Kosmos Artificial Intelligence! Build and program an intelligent, six-legged, app-enabled robot that uses machine learning to react to the gestures and sounds that you make. Using the app and your smart device’s camera and microphone, record physical gestures and sounds, assigning them to KAI’s five functions: walk forward and backward, turn left and right, and stop. The AI will learn to recognize each gesture or sound, even if they differ in small details. The more data you collect, the better the AI will learn from it.
Updated: December 2024
