Toys for Learning
When my kids were itty bitty I didn’t give much thought to the toys they played with. To be honest I cared more about whether the toys were “cute” than anything else. My son is getting older now and I’m trying to be more intentional with his toys. I want to foster his curiosity and love of learning. I also have a very young daughter who I want to encourage to learn as much as possible (especially in light of the fact that women in STEM careers are hugely underrepresented.) I want the toys she plays with the open her eyes to a world of opportunities.
So when I heard about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) toys, I immediately got excited about the play possibilities. The following toys make science, technology, math, and engineering accessible and fun for kids of either gender. And anything that keeps the kids engaged and occupied is a win in this mom's book!
Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles are pretty much the best thing ever. They come in multiple colors and it’s amazing what you can build with them. The possibilities are truly endless because it’s all about your imagination. My kids were able to play with the Magna-Tiles at our local children’s museum and I had to drag them away when it was time to go. I’m thinking we will have to invest in our own set pretty soon.
To buy: Amazon, $120 for 100 piece set
Roominate Studio
You may have seen the Roominate team on "Shark Tank" (anyone else love that show as much as I do?), and when I saw their creation, I was sold. As the mother to a little girl I love that these toys encourage girls to not only play with doll houses but create them with special features like moving elevators, working lights, and spinning windmills. These toys foster creativity and self-confidence in young girls. That’s definitely something I can get excited about.
To buy: Amazon, $30
Big Bag of Science
This comprehensive kit includes 70 different activities covering life science, physical science, and earth science—basically something for everyone. And you have to love the easy clean up because everything fits right into the bag it comes in. Win-win!
To buy: Amazon, $34
MORE: 30+ DIY Toys for Kids
Goldiblox and the Builder's Survival Kit
This is another STEM toy geared toward girls (who doesn't remember those inspirational commercials?) This specific kit comes with over 190 pieces and kids can follow along with the field notes to learn how to build race cars, musical instruments, and so much more. There are several different Goldieblox kits available.
To buy: Amazon, $48
LEGO Master Builder Academy Sets
Who didn't grow up on LEGOs? In fact, my husband has kept every single LEGO set he ever owned! Fast forward to present day and now our kids are enjoying them as well. I love seeing them engrossed with the LEGOs and learning how to build whole cities with the tiny blocks. These Master Builder Academy sets come in different levels with endless building possibilities. The sets come with manuals with several different instructions for different builds as well as tips to make your own creations.
To buy: Amazon, starts at $41
K’Nex Education Intro to Simple Machines
K’Nex is another toy that truly stands the test of time. These kits come with different ideas for building machines such as a windmill, an egg beater, and a stationary bike, and basically anything else your child can imagine.
To buy: Amazon, $40
Learning Resources Primary Science Mix and Measure Set
Even though I wouldn’t consider myself a science buff, I always loved doing experiments and mixing ingredients together to see what would happen. When I was a kid my dad would sometimes do little science experiments with me in our kitchen and now I’m looking forward to doing the same with my kids. This colorful mix and measure set is perfect for creating slime, puffy paint, mystery goo, and so much more. You know what they say: start 'em young!
To buy; Amazon, $22
Curiosity Kits Lava Rock Volcano
In my mind the quintessential science experiment is the volcano. I have always wanted to build a volcano and make it erupt and have no idea how I made it to the age of 29 without ever making this dream of mine come true. This kit makes the whole process easy and is a blast for kids and parents alike.
To buy: Amazon, $14
Learning Resources Super Sorting Pie
I love this simple game for younger children. It’s great for early math learning, fine motor skills, and color learning. Toddlers and pre-schoolers can play with this toy for a long time in many different ways.
To buy: Amazon, $18
