Fun Finds for Kids – The Best STEM Toys

Fun Finds Friday – Let’s Find the Best STEM Toys!

If you have school aged kids, you’ve surely heard about STEM.  It’s the new “buzzword” in education lately.  The acronym S.T.E.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  STEM activities and learning have been a huge focus since the implementation of the new common core standards.  But regardless of standards and national initiatives, STEM learning is just plain fun, too!  So I thought I’d focus this week’s Fun Finds Fridays on the best STEM toys for kids.  Let’s check ’em out…

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24 of The Best STEM Toys for Kids

• Building Blocks – Building blocks of all types and sizes are great for little ones to experiment with basic engineering and mathematical principles.  From simple wooden blocks and LEGO DUPLOs to more unique Tegu Magnetic Blocks and Periodic Table Blocks.
• Toys with Gears – Kids of all ages are mesmerized by GEARS!  And exploring and playing with gears teaches kids great early engineering concepts.  This Caterpillar Gear Toy is the perfect first gear toy for Toddlers.  And I’m loving these Refrigerator Magnet Gears for the whole family to enjoy.  Or for some motorized gear fun, help the kids build a Wacky Wiggler from Gears!

• Tangrams & Tangoes – These geometric shape puzzles are awesome for practicing math and critical thinking skills.  I have this Animal Travel Tangoes in my purse for restaurant or doctor’s office waits.  Melissa & Doug also offers a great wooden Pattern Block Set for preschoolers.
• Math Practice Toys – Even with all of the changes with Common Core and deeper mathematical understanding, there is still value in kids simple memorizing their math facts.  Try one of these to make learning math facts more fun and hands-on: an Addition Practice Math Machine, Learning Wrap-Ups, or this Learning Resources Math Mat.

• Math & Critical Thinking Games – Games that encourage critical thinking and early math skills are fun ways to get kids learning.  Check out this Mental Blox Critical Thinking Game for preschoolers, ThinkFun’s Rush Hour for older kids, and our favorite math game, Sum Swamp.
• K’NEX Education Sets – I remember building contraptions with K’NEX with my brother when I was a kid.  They’re classic and so cool.  But I’m loving the new Education Series that they have out now.  You can get themed sets like Intro to Simple Machines and Intro to Structures that include building instructions and teacher guide CDs to further learning.

• Snap Circuits – Snap Circuits are so popular for exploring electrical engineering that they get a category all their own!  You can get the best-selling Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 for younger adolescents or Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750 for older or more advanced kids.
• Science Kits – There are so many kids science kits to choose from!  We like the affordable 4M kits for small bites of science learning; check out their Kitchen Science Kit, Weather Station Kit, and the Trash Robot Kit.

• A Microscope – Every little scientist needs her own microscope!  I love this My First Microscope for preschoolers.  And this Lab I-Explore Scope for the more serious scientists.

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Do your kids like STEM toys and learning?  What are your kids favorite science and math toys?  Do they have any of the toys above?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

STEM Activity Ideas from B-Inspired Mama:

    

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This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy.