Introduction
Choosing toys for kids can feel overwhelming. Ideally, you are looking for something that ticks several boxers. Keeping kids entertained for hours, again and again, is one of the main criteria. Allowing youngsters to learn something is equally important. In addition, you may need to consider which toys are trending at the time to ensure they are a success with your kids.
Put simply, parents and others can face a difficult choice here. In this article, we are taking a closer look at STEM building toys. Specific as it may sound, it is an option that ticks all the boxes above.
What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for the terms science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The abbreviation is normally used in the context of education to help group together technical subjects that are both related but also distinct.
Aside from teaching the basic concepts of each individual subject, STEM also helps develop logical reasoning, collaboration, and questioning minds. Over the past few years, STEM subjects and STEM skills have made headlines as they are considered to teach the gateway skills necessary to prepare kids for high-tech jobs and lasting careers.
The importance of STEM education has even been recognized by Congress. The 2019-2020 Building Blocks of STEM Act modifies how the National Science Foundation awards grants. The goal is to improve science lessons and encourage more youngsters, especially girls, into STEM-related fields.
How do STEM Toys Help with a Child’s Growth?
Toys like STEM building sets have a critical role to play in teaching young people to develop their math skills, whilst also improving motor skills and problem-solving skills.
These toys are the perfect gift for kids who love funny games but also enjoy challenging puzzles. Plus, selecting STEM kits for building means helping your kids improve their ability for spatial reasoning.
Also Read: Robotics For Teens – Starter Guide.
What is a Good STEM Toy?
A good STEM toy keeps kids entertained for hours and encourages them to discover new worlds and learn new skills. Some STEM toys are challenging enough to require parental assistance from time to time. However, in most cases, parents will discover that kids are happy to be tested by a toy and find it stimulating when they have to look for a solution to a problem.
As far as STEM building sets go, here is a look at some of our favorites.
Magnetic Building Blocks Set
If your kids are only getting started with STEM building blocks, magnetic tiles are an excellent choice to encourage hours of building time. Magna Tiles, for example, offers a 15-piece magnetic building blocks set – magnet tile, construction toy in vibrant colors that will appeal to boys and girls. Aside from STEM learning, these tiles also encourage creativity in budding builders.
Plus, parents looking to build on initial gifts for kids can take things further by buying compatible building sets or getting their kids started with a larger set such as PicassoTiles’ 3D building blocks. This 100-piece construction building engineering STEM learning toy kit is likely to be a favorite for a few years.
Coding Starter Kit
Can kids be too young to learn basic coding skills? Arguably, there is almost no lower age limit when it comes to helping kids understand basic coding concepts. As digital natives, today’s youngsters are surrounded by technology and are happy to use digital devices from an early age.
There is no real barrier to access other than a lack of understanding. Learning about basic coding concepts can start as early as age five with toys like Osmo’s coding starter kit for iPads or age four with Switcheroo Coding Crew’s game board city. This and other coding-related toys combine science lessons with the beginnings of simple drag-and-drop programming. Many of the options in this area use the drag-and-drop Scratch programming language which is an excellent gateway for kids to discover computer science.
Mario Kart Building Set
This building set is another example of a fun educational building blocks toy set for boys and girls. Whether they are building a kart or one of the characters, these sets are expandable and can grow with your kids.
Chess Puzzles
Chess has undergone a revival in popularity ever since the Netflix series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ drew large audiences. Chess puzzles are among the most effective toys to inspire kids to think strategically. Chess also improves planning skills and teaches problem-solving at different levels.
National Geographic Flower Growing Kit
With this complete set, kids will have fun decorating their pots, then planting cosmos, nasturtium and zinnia seeds. The included peat pellets make growing a flower garden easy!
Lego City Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions
Introduce kids to an interactive play experience with this LEGO City Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions (60354) playset. This toy helps build STEM skills in children, and this is a great STEM qualities building toy!
V-Tech Smart Chart Medical Kit
This STEM building toy helps your kids explore medical instruments, symptoms, the human body and health tips with four zones on the interactive healthcare tablet.
Fat Brain Toys Trestle Tracks Deluxe Set
This STEM building toy is helpful in developing engineering skillset. It encourages spatial reasoning, creativity, engineering skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Thames & Kosmos Ultra Bionic Blaster
This STEM toy helps you learn about pneumatic systems and the physics of air. For ages 10+ with help or 12+ for independent play even after the initial construction is complete!
Mysterious Matter Science Kit
Unfold all the secrets of matter: the be amazing! toys science lab for kids will give your kids the chance to experiment with solids, liquids, gases, and more through fun, hands-on experiments.
Gears Building Set
This toy helps build motor skills, kids develop creativity, imagination and fine motor skills by building. Which helps in developing critical thinking and reasoning.
Solar System Floor Puzzle
Floor Puzzles for Kids features bold and colorful maps, find some of their favorite planets along the way, and get inspired by storytelling and other imaginative games. A flexible alternative to early childhood education.
Fun Forts Glow Kids Tent for Kids
Build and imagine while mastering basic engineering skills; this construction fort building kit includes a building guide to ignite creativity; make a kids play tent by adding a light sheet for the roof.
Best STEM Books
What if your kids love to bury their heads in books? Not to worry, you can still encourage them to discover STEM topics. Child-friendly books like Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects open doors into building and architecture that complement those of magnetic building block sensory toys.
This book is designed as a workbook and encourages kids to get creative and look for ‘building materials’ around the house. Do not be surprised if you find your pasta shells have been used as a decoration for a city park! The workbook is a great companion to its predecessor, ‘Iggy Peck, Architect.’ Both work on their own or as a combined gift.
Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects.
Iggy Peck takes readers through more than 40 exciting STEM and design projects, from drafting and doodling to building and blueprints. Aspiring architects and young dreamers will get a sense of the unique mix of science, technology, and art skills used to create lasting structures.
100 Easy STEM Activities
Spark your curiosity with these fun games and creative projects to learn early concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. These incredible activities from Andrea Scalzo Yi, creator of Raising Dragons, make learning such a blast, you’ll forget you’re doing it!
Also Read: What Language is Minecraft Coded in? How Can Minecraft Help Kids Code?
Conclusion
STEM subjects may be serious, but getting kids interested in toys like a magnetic building block, educational construction toy set need not be. These STEM toys are geared toward kids having fun whilst delivering educational content almost without anyone noticing.
No matter whether you are looking for toys for girls or boys, STEM toys offer a wide range of options. These options include introductory coding skills but also encourage creative play and skills like drawing. These toys offer parents an excellent opportunity to open their kids’ minds to subjects they may not previously have considered. And, who knows perhaps these very STEM toys are becoming the foundation of as-yet-unknown contributions to science?
Introduction
Choosing toys for kids can feel overwhelming. Ideally, you are looking for something that ticks several boxers. Keeping kids entertained for hours, again and again, is one of the main criteria. Allowing youngsters to learn something is equally important. In addition, you may need to consider which toys are trending at the time to ensure they are a success with your kids.
Put simply, parents and others can face a difficult choice here. In this article, we are taking a closer look at STEM building toys. Specific as it may sound, it is an option that ticks all the boxes above.
Table of contents
What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for the terms science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The abbreviation is normally used in the context of education to help group together technical subjects that are both related but also distinct.
Aside from teaching the basic concepts of each individual subject, STEM also helps develop logical reasoning, collaboration, and questioning minds. Over the past few years, STEM subjects and STEM skills have made headlines as they are considered to teach the gateway skills necessary to prepare kids for high-tech jobs and lasting careers.
The importance of STEM education has even been recognized by Congress. The 2019-2020 Building Blocks of STEM Act modifies how the National Science Foundation awards grants. The goal is to improve science lessons and encourage more youngsters, especially girls, into STEM-related fields.
How do STEM Toys Help with a Child’s Growth?
Toys like STEM building sets have a critical role to play in teaching young people to develop their math skills, whilst also improving motor skills and problem-solving skills.
These toys are the perfect gift for kids who love funny games but also enjoy challenging puzzles. Plus, selecting STEM kits for building means helping your kids improve their ability for spatial reasoning.
Also Read: Robotics For Teens – Starter Guide.
What is a Good STEM Toy?
A good STEM toy keeps kids entertained for hours and encourages them to discover new worlds and learn new skills. Some STEM toys are challenging enough to require parental assistance from time to time. However, in most cases, parents will discover that kids are happy to be tested by a toy and find it stimulating when they have to look for a solution to a problem.
As far as STEM building sets go, here is a look at some of our favorites.
Magnetic Building Blocks Set
If your kids are only getting started with STEM building blocks, magnetic tiles are an excellent choice to encourage hours of building time. Magna Tiles, for example, offers a 15-piece magnetic building blocks set – magnet tile, construction toy in vibrant colors that will appeal to boys and girls. Aside from STEM learning, these tiles also encourage creativity in budding builders.
Plus, parents looking to build on initial gifts for kids can take things further by buying compatible building sets or getting their kids started with a larger set such as PicassoTiles’ 3D building blocks. This 100-piece construction building engineering STEM learning toy kit is likely to be a favorite for a few years.
Coding Starter Kit
Can kids be too young to learn basic coding skills? Arguably, there is almost no lower age limit when it comes to helping kids understand basic coding concepts. As digital natives, today’s youngsters are surrounded by technology and are happy to use digital devices from an early age.
There is no real barrier to access other than a lack of understanding. Learning about basic coding concepts can start as early as age five with toys like Osmo’s coding starter kit for iPads or age four with Switcheroo Coding Crew’s game board city. This and other coding-related toys combine science lessons with the beginnings of simple drag-and-drop programming. Many of the options in this area use the drag-and-drop Scratch programming language which is an excellent gateway for kids to discover computer science.
Mario Kart Building Set
This building set is another example of a fun educational building blocks toy set for boys and girls. Whether they are building a kart or one of the characters, these sets are expandable and can grow with your kids.
Chess Puzzles
Chess has undergone a revival in popularity ever since the Netflix series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ drew large audiences. Chess puzzles are among the most effective toys to inspire kids to think strategically. Chess also improves planning skills and teaches problem-solving at different levels.
National Geographic Flower Growing Kit
With this complete set, kids will have fun decorating their pots, then planting cosmos, nasturtium and zinnia seeds. The included peat pellets make growing a flower garden easy!
Lego City Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions
Introduce kids to an interactive play experience with this LEGO City Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions (60354) playset. This toy helps build STEM skills in children, and this is a great STEM qualities building toy!
V-Tech Smart Chart Medical Kit
This STEM building toy helps your kids explore medical instruments, symptoms, the human body and health tips with four zones on the interactive healthcare tablet.
Fat Brain Toys Trestle Tracks Deluxe Set
This STEM building toy is helpful in developing engineering skillset. It encourages spatial reasoning, creativity, engineering skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Thames & Kosmos Ultra Bionic Blaster
This STEM toy helps you learn about pneumatic systems and the physics of air. For ages 10+ with help or 12+ for independent play even after the initial construction is complete!
Mysterious Matter Science Kit
Unfold all the secrets of matter: the be amazing! toys science lab for kids will give your kids the chance to experiment with solids, liquids, gases, and more through fun, hands-on experiments.
Gears Building Set
This toy helps build motor skills, kids develop creativity, imagination and fine motor skills by building. Which helps in developing critical thinking and reasoning.
Solar System Floor Puzzle
Floor Puzzles for Kids features bold and colorful maps, find some of their favorite planets along the way, and get inspired by storytelling and other imaginative games. A flexible alternative to early childhood education.
Fun Forts Glow Kids Tent for Kids
Build and imagine while mastering basic engineering skills; this construction fort building kit includes a building guide to ignite creativity; make a kids play tent by adding a light sheet for the roof.
Best STEM Books
What if your kids love to bury their heads in books? Not to worry, you can still encourage them to discover STEM topics. Child-friendly books like Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects open doors into building and architecture that complement those of magnetic building block sensory toys.
This book is designed as a workbook and encourages kids to get creative and look for ‘building materials’ around the house. Do not be surprised if you find your pasta shells have been used as a decoration for a city park! The workbook is a great companion to its predecessor, ‘Iggy Peck, Architect.’ Both work on their own or as a combined gift.
Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects.
Iggy Peck takes readers through more than 40 exciting STEM and design projects, from drafting and doodling to building and blueprints. Aspiring architects and young dreamers will get a sense of the unique mix of science, technology, and art skills used to create lasting structures.
100 Easy STEM Activities
Spark your curiosity with these fun games and creative projects to learn early concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. These incredible activities from Andrea Scalzo Yi, creator of Raising Dragons, make learning such a blast, you’ll forget you’re doing it!
Also Read: What Language is Minecraft Coded in? How Can Minecraft Help Kids Code?
Conclusion
STEM subjects may be serious, but getting kids interested in toys like a magnetic building block, educational construction toy set need not be. These STEM toys are geared toward kids having fun whilst delivering educational content almost without anyone noticing.
No matter whether you are looking for toys for girls or boys, STEM toys offer a wide range of options. These options include introductory coding skills but also encourage creative play and skills like drawing. These toys offer parents an excellent opportunity to open their kids’ minds to subjects they may not previously have considered. And, who knows perhaps these very STEM toys are becoming the foundation of as-yet-unknown contributions to science?
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