23 Best Stem Toys Of 2025 Tested With Kids And Parents

Leo Migdal

-Dec 11, 2025, 3:37 AM

23 best stem toys of 2025 tested with kids and parents

An age-by-age guide to sneaking science, technology, engineering and math into their playtime. We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Adults are always on the lookout for educational toys, but here's the truth: Nothing is educational if a kid won't play with it. Toys have to be fun first and foremost, otherwise they'll just sit on a shelf collecting dust.

The great news is there are plenty of toys that help kids understand science, technology, engineering and math and will keep kids entertained. To uncover the best, we looked to the Good Housekeeping Institute pros who test toys and gifts all year . This includes checking them out in the Labs then handing them off to real kids to play with and give their honest feedback. With kid opinions in mind, these are the best STEM toys for all ages — including current and previous Best Toy Awards winners. I’ve been testing educational toys for over a decade, and let me tell you – the STEM toy landscape has completely transformed from when I started. What used to be boring science kits have evolved into genuinely engaging experiences that kids actually beg to play with.

The magic happens when learning feels like pure fun. After spending months with these toys alongside real kids (including my own nieces and nephews), I’ve discovered which ones truly deliver on both education and entertainment. The best STEM toys don’t just teach concepts – they ignite curiosity and build problem-solving skills that last a lifetime. From electronics to chemistry to spatial reasoning, here’s what actually works when you want to inspire the next generation of innovators. This is the gold standard for introducing electronics to kids – I was genuinely impressed by how it makes complex concepts accessible. The snap-together components mean no frustrating wires or soldering, just instant gratification as circuits come to life.

With over 100 projects ranging from simple alarms to flying saucers, it grows with your child’s understanding while teaching real engineering principles. Where do I even begin? The sheer educational value of this kit blew me away – watching kids’ faces light up when they complete their first circuit is priceless. The color-coded pieces snap together with satisfying clicks, and the included manual walks them through projects with clear, visual instructions that even reluctant readers can follow. Anyone who has ever watched a toddler methodically take apart a Tupperware drawer should know that many children are natural-born engineers. Your only job as a parent is to nurture their creativity … and clean up the mess afterward.

Between us—WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson, editor Adrienne So, and I—we have seven kids. This, honestly, is the most fun part of my job—calling in STEM toys for my kids and me to test together and recommend to you. It hardly feels like work at all. Wrap up a few of these STEM toys (also called STEAM toys; we love you too, arts!) and books for your future scientist to bake, squish, or dismantle. Hopefully, they'll thank you for the early encouragement when they're older. Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids and How to Build the Lego Collection of Your Dreams.

Updated November 2025: We've added Qubitunes, Linkki, and Tosy. We’re in love with this screen-free play stage and speaker for kids. The cute wooden design includes a slot to insert a cartridge and a circular sound stage divided into four sections where you can pop characters on top to change the audio it plays. This basic functionality allows for a clever variety of add-on packs, from stories about quirky characters in the Groblies ($20) to a cooking game called Bernard’s Kitchen ($20) with different ingredients. My favorite is the Little Maestro set ($20) featuring players in an orchestra covering Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven, and Bach. The stereo speakers are quite good, it has a headphone port, and the Qubitunes can be recharged via USB-C for up to six hours of play.

My wife has this in the reward area of her classroom, and it’s the most popular option with 7- and 8-year-olds. —Simon Hill Kids can build this wind-up flashlight themselves and learn all about electronic components and kinetic energy in the process. The thoughtful design includes 10 separate parts, and there are 16 steps to follow to assemble it. No batteries are required, and the kit is designed to be easy to disassemble and use again, making it perfect for a classroom setting. Our testers were delighted that simply winding the completed flashlight brought it to life (three minutes of winding provides 30 minutes of light).

For every kit purchased, the maker, Ambessa, donates one to a refugee child out of school.—Simon Hill Are you shopping for the best STEM toys and gifts for your kids this holiday season? Here, you’ll find what’s new and recommended for 2025, as well as the best classic STEM gift ideas for kids. Discover robots, building blocks, science kits, circuitry, math games, and more. This is the best list of science, technology, engineering, and math toys and gifts curated by a teacher for parents who want double-duty gifts that are both fun and educational. Use the indicated age recommendation to help you in your shopping.

Go here for the entire 2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS. From the newest STEM toys for kids to hit the market to the favorite classics, these amazing educational gifts and toys will give children a big value with both fun and learning. Let’s be honest – finding STEM toys that actually engage kids while teaching real skills can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. I’ve spent years testing educational toys with my own kids and in classrooms, and I’ve seen everything from brilliant hits to disappointing misses. What makes a great STEM toy isn’t just flashy packaging or big promises – it’s about that magical combination where learning feels like play. The best ones sneak in physics concepts while building epic structures, or teach coding through creating light-up masterpieces.

After personally testing dozens of options, I’ve narrowed down the absolute winners that will spark curiosity and build critical thinking skills. In this guide, I’ll share my hands-on experiences with toys that have proven their worth through countless hours of kid-approved fun and genuine educational value. This iconic electronics kit allows kids to build over 100 exciting projects without any tools or soldering. The snap-together components make circuit building safe and intuitive, perfect for introducing electrical engineering concepts to children ages 8 and up. With its award-winning design and color-coded pieces, it’s been delighting families and educators for years while building practical STEM skills. Hey there, curious parents!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent hours searching for science toys that actually deliver on their promises—you know, the ones that don’t just collect dust after the first use. After testing dozens of science kits with my own kids and for reviews over the years, I’ve learned that the best science toys strike that perfect balance between education and pure, unadulterated fun. In this guide, I’m sharing my hands-on experience with the absolute best science toys available right now—from magic chemistry sets that will have your kids performing tricks for the family to microscopes that reveal... This award-winning chemistry set transforms basic science principles into captivating magic tricks that will mesmerize kids aged 8-12. With everything included right in the box, your children can start performing experiments like floating coins and color-changing water within minutes of opening it. You’re probably wondering, what on earth is STEM, and why is it important for my child?

STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Children need to have exposure to STEM toys because they provide kids with experience on how to implement a set of directions, use problem-solving skills, and gather or evaluate evidence to make decisions. Since STEM has become so popular, many toy companies are coming out with AMAZING toys that kids can play with to enhance their skills in these subjects. I have broken down the 23 Best STEM Toys for Kids for each subject, so finding an educational toy based on your child’s interests will be easy! As we step into 2025, the demand for the best STEM toys for kids continues to soar, driven by parents and educators who recognize the importance of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills... STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys are no longer just playthings; they are tools that prepare children for a future dominated by innovation and technology.

But with so many options flooding the market, how do you choose the right ones? This guide dives into the top STEM toys for 2025, offering insights into what makes them stand out and how they can benefit your child’s development. In addition to enhancing cognitive skills, these toys also promote social interaction among peers. STEM toys blend hands-on play with real-world skills to spark curiosity and critical thinking in kids of all ages. The Toy Insider’s top picks cover everything from physics and biology to coding and problem-solving in fun, engaging toys. Kids can explore momentum and motion with Hot Wheels sets or sketch their own video games with Pixicade.

Crafty kids can get hands-on with Chompsaw, a tool that makes “woodworking” (with cardboard!) safe and fun. There are also planting kits that encourage kids to grow and track real plants while learning about biology and sustainability. And when it’s time to dig deeper, the Blue Marble National Geographic Microscope offers a close-up look at the natural world from the kitchen table. Check out 30 standout STEM toys that are bound to be hits for the kids on your shopping list. This kit contains nine VR experiences, 23 experiment pieces, and a 40-page educational book. With the VR headset and included app, kids can witness a real rocket launch, explore the International Space Station, return to Earth in the Orion Capsule, and more.

This set features Smart-Spin technology, enabling magnets to rotate 360 degrees within the tile so that it clicks into place. It includes smaller tiles and a refined color palette so older builders can make more intricate designs.

23 Best Stem Toys Of 2025 Tested With Kids And Parents

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