Do you have a blooming scientist in your home? My kids are naturalists, curious biologists, and tireless archaeologists. We love letting them experience all forms of science in their play, which is why we encourage them with the best STEM toys! Here’s an honest review of some great ideas for the little scientist in your life.
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And hey – while I’ll try to keep up with what’s age-appropriate for whom, be sure that you always read labels and directions to ensure that all gifts are safe and fun for the recipient.
In order to make this review about the best STEM toys, the item must be educational as well as entertaining. Many of these were gifts from awesome friends and family (who obviously know my kids well!). As our kids explored and imagined, we caught photos and took notes. So now we pass on that information to you – the best STEM toys!
Discovery Gemstone Dig
My son absolutely loved this! It’s a ready-to-go kit that allows your child to use tools and go chipping away at finding their own set of 11 gemstones. The kit is affordable and was really entertaining for all of us!
The stones are a bit smaller than a quarter in diameter and are beautiful. They are lovely keepsakes that my son always shows his friends when they come over.
The actual block was a good 11 inches long and will probably take multiple sessions to go through. We used an old bath towel underneath to minimize dust and mess, and just wrapped up the rock with the tools when not in use.
Kiddo is actually asking for another one of these for Christmas! It was really enjoyable to see him patiently working, a little at a time, to achieve a reward. (Life metaphor, anyone?)
National Geographic Dinosaur Dig
Similar to the Discovery gemstone set above, this National Geographic dinosaur dig set features a dino-shaped rock which kids can dig through. The set comes with tools and the rock includes a dino tooth, petrified rock, and dino poop. Yep.
The little booklet which comes with the rock is quite helpful, and it’s really an affordable gift! I think my only complaint was that the rock itself looked a bit cheesy. I wish that it hadn’t been shaped and colored the way it was, it made it look a bit more childish and less realistic to me. But my five year old loved it!
By the way, my son was given this National Geographic dinosaur book a few years ago and still references it all the time for details and illustrations. It has tons of information but it doesn’t get boring to young scientists. We also have the ocean book and the space one from the same series.
Butterfly House by Insect Lore
This is one of my all-time favorite science toys for my kids! It’s simple and beautiful and so gratifying. The kit by Insect Lore comes with a butterfly house, feeder and sponge, and a voucher to order your caterpillars online. With the netted habitat you can watch the caterpillars grow and make their cocoons, and turn into butterflies! Let them get their strength by sustaining them with the enclosed nectar, then release them out into your yard.
The best thing about this kit is that you can always reorder more butterfly food, and more caterpillars, without having to completely buy the same kit. We’re waiting for warmer weather and will be re-enjoying our butterfly house in the spring. And this is not the kind of STEM toy that your child has to physically handle a lot, so put it in a safe place and it’s safe for all ages.
Hexbug Nano Mini Insect Robots
A cute mini-present or stocking stuffer is these miniature bug robots, which come in a bright set of five. They’re a simple vibrating robot which will move along a track or on a smooth surface. No remote control, no complications. There’s a simple on/off switch which helps these little guys shimmy all over the place! They’re a great example of a simple, kid-friendly robot, and that’s why they made my list of the best science toys.
My kids love to use these on their Hot Wheels track stunt box, which can be set up in a straightaway or a rounded track. Each kid picks a Hexbug and races them to see whose is the fastest!
The Hexbug minis do use a button battery but it lasts a really long time, and is easy to change out. They are, however, a choking hazard and not recommended for kids under three.
Hexbug Spider Battle Robots 2.0
When your child asks for battling bug robots (which may or may not actually exist), you get them this pair of spider battle robots. They are really well-made and were a lucky find!
These two robots each have their own mini controller which allows them to shoot laser lights at the other robot. Each robot has an “eye” sensor which will make a noise when it’s hit, and you can see which robot gets three hits first.
The way these robots crawl is really cool to watch, and they’re not particularly fast so we didn’t have any kamikaze jumps off of the dinner table.
You do want to make sure that they’re on a smooth flat surface, so no carpet; additionally, re-pairing the robot to its remote is a big pain, so don’t let your kid randomly push buttons in between battles! The battery life is excellent and the little tower pieces that came with it are fun too.
Ozobot Bit Coding Robot
This little robot is a brilliant idea which combines the arts and coding. The Ozobot is a simple robot with an “eye” that follows color on paper. So your kid can draw, trace, design, and map out any route that they want in red, blue, and green. Let the Ozobot go and watch it drive on the paths!
The Ozobot is recommended for ages six and up, and also features a second level of coding where you can “program” it online. But the fact that there’s no screen and no formal coding required makes it a really entertaining and educational STEAM toy. And that’s what this review is all about!
Microbrite Plus Pocket Microscope
Our little naturalist loves this handy microscope! It’s perfect for little hands but doesn’t feel like a toy.
This is the type of science toy which is ideal because it’s quick and easy to use, it’s durable, and it can go outside. It works by being stood on top of the item you’re viewing, with an optional light and adjustability to get everything in focus. While it’s small, it doesn’t feel cheap. My kids love even looking at our dog’s hair, the wood grain of our dinner table, and their own fingerprints!
AmScope Kids 52-Piece Microscope Set in Case
This microscope was a gift to my kids not long ago, and it amazes me. I feel like my son needs his own CSI show. Just opening up the case shows you that this is truly one of the best science toys, even though it doesn’t feel like a toy. This microscope means business!
Nickelodeon Slime Making Kit
Do your kids love slime and goo as much as mine? Any of that “nasty gross slimy stuff in a jar” is their favorite!
This kit was really cool not only for the nostalgia factor, but because my kids got to make the slime instead of just play with it. We made two batches at once, and it kept in the fridge for over a week!
I really love the kits which allow kids to make the science toy and not just “open the box and here you go”. You can teach all kinds of things, from measuring to following sequential directions, when a set it put together like this!
Master Caster Cast and Paint Bugs by Creative Kid
Blast from the past, anyone? I used to love casting and painting my own figures! This bug set is really neat for two reasons: first, your kid gets to actually mix and cast the bugs themselves; and of course, decorating them is fun too! So you’re able to enjoy the toy as well as the process.
This kit is for kids aged six and up so be careful around little ones; it does include everything you need, like the plaster mix and the paint. This is going to be one fun project! I couldn’t find this kit on Amazon so look at your local toy or hobby store.
Nature Kids Explorer Backpack Set
My kids love to be outside. Whether we are on a walk or flying through the park on bikes or just digging in the dirt, we love to be outdoors! This is a great set for any child who loves exploring.
This set comes with a string backpack, binoculars, magnifying glass, net, handheld light, and compass. That alone gave us a few lessons, just teaching our kids about each piece and how it works. But it’s a great set to grab when you’re headed out the door, not matter how rugged you are.
Thanks for reading our recommendations for the best STEM toys! Ain’t science (and technology) cool?
And if you’d like our ideas for electronic-free toys that inspire imagination and creative play, check them out here!
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