Educational Stem Toys Staples

Leo Migdal

-Dec 12, 2025, 2:52 AM

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. 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 In today’s fast-paced world, fostering curiosity and critical thinking in children is more important than ever. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education plays a vital role in preparing kids for future challenges. One of the most effective ways to engage children in STEM is through play. The right toys can spark imagination, develop problem-solving skills, and build a strong foundation in STEM subjects. This article explores the top learning toys for kids that promote STEM learning, offering practical insights and recommendations for parents and educators.

STEM toys are designed to make learning interactive and fun. They encourage children to explore concepts hands-on, which enhances understanding and retention. When kids play with STEM toys, they develop skills such as: Choosing the right toys can be overwhelming given the variety available. The best STEM toys are age-appropriate, safe, and aligned with educational goals. They should challenge children without causing frustration and allow for open-ended play to nurture creativity.

Building sets like LEGO Technic or magnetic tiles help children understand engineering and architecture. Coding kits such as programmable robots introduce basic programming concepts. With the help of the included challenges, kids craft their own 2-D and 3-D shapes during STEM-filled play sessions that boost early geometry, critical thinking, and fine motor skills. STEM.org certified STEM Toy. Perfect STEM toys for PreK or Ages 5+.STEM TOYS FOR KIDS: Boost early geometry, critical thinking, and fine motor skills.HAVE FUN BUILDING 2-D AND 3-D SHAPES: Learn 2-D and 3-D shapes with this 58-piece... Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers or even for Homeschool..WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD-SMALL PARTS (1).

Not for < 3 yrs..Learning Resources STEM Explorers Geomakers, STEM Toy, Early Learning, STEM kit for Kids, 58 Pieces, Ages 5+ Ever wonder how a clock works? Or how a roller coaster stays on its track? Explore all of this in the ABC's of Physics. Make your own timer as you discover how a pendulum clock works. Find out what F=ma means as you learn about force and motion and just how that roller coaster stays grounded.

Discover Newton's laws working at your local playground and much, much more..Perfect for group experiments, and home school..Comes in a reusable plastic snap lid box for storage..Includes: Stop Watch, Tape Measure, Single Pulley, Double... This Flash Furniture Bright Beginnings commercial-grade STEM learning fruit shapes board helps build cognitive and fine motor skills while providing both visual and tactile sensory output. Great for freestyle floor play or activity tables..Contemporary commercial-grade fruit shapes STEM puzzle board will keep your little ones busy.Helps build cognitive and fine motor skills and features visual and tactile sensory output.Made of... Just add milk™ introduces natural scientific reactions in a curious and colorful way! Create your own natural science experiments with some at home ingredients. Just add the milk!

Learn a brief introduction to surface tension and experiment with other ingredients around the house such as food coloring, soda pop, vinegar, and glue! Create a wonderful display of exploding color and save your tie-dye designs on the sheets of heavy absorbency paper included in the kit (measuring 5" x 7"). Create more colorful designs and turn them into mouse pads and window sun-catchers (instructions included)..STEAM Science Kit.Recommended for Ages 5+.Experiment with a familiar ingredient (milk) Explore new horizons with the GEOSMART Lunar Rover. This 30-piece magnetic construction set features 5 different geometric shapes and wheels...you can build your own Lunar Rover and watch it go!.Magnetic construction toy for imaginative play.Color: Assorted; Material: Plastic, Magnet.Package Dimensions: 2.76"H x...

Educational Stem Toys Staples

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