Parents love to see their kids playing with toys, but what brings, even more, joy is seeing them play and learn at the same time! As more schools promote a curriculum centered on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), finding the right holiday gift to continue nurturing their school-year interests in STEM at home can be challenging. If you have a child interested in any of these subject, we compiled a list of some of the most popular STEM gifts this season. Watch out – you may even find yourself playing with them!
Who doesn’t love playing with magnets? This kit will teach you everything you want to know about magnets in just a matter of days. Complete with interesting science experiments and fun games to match, your young scientist will have a blast exploring the world of magnetism. It isn’t just about watching magnets repel each other either, the kit is set up so that the magnets are used in interesting ways – like pushing an object across the water. Since some of the magnets are small and strong this is a kit that is best for children ages 8 and up.
This is the perfect present for a child that is interested in robotics. With this kit, they can learn how to build their own remote-control motorized vehicles. The kit includes 10 different models so there are various configurations for them to play with. From a bulldozer to a robotic arm, the machines themselves are impressive and reference real-world technology. It also has everything you need (including the batteries). Recommended for ages 5 and up.
If you really want to get your child coding at a young age, this is the toy for them. Designed for ages 3 and up, this is a tactile toy that mimics the art of computer coding – no screens involved. The kit comes complete with a friendly wooden robotic friend that helps your child build their first programs. It makes the language of coding simple, even for a child new to a verbal language.
Is your child obsessed with Minecraft? This is a great gift to teach them how the world of programming in a video game actually works, making programming a fun and relatable task. The kit itself is designed for ages 8 to 13 and includes all of the things they need to build a computer from scratch and start coding it. By the end, your child will have the satisfaction of knowing that they just built a computer and are now using it to construct worlds within the game.
Cozmo is a robot with a personality that children of all ages will adore. They can play games with it or use it just to explore their surroundings. The more they hang out with Cozmo, the more it will evolve and gain new traits and knowledge. This is an excellent present for any child interested in using their imagination to code.
