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A STEM toy is an item or activity that teaches children science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through play. These toys can be utilized at home or in the classroom and have many benefits for children, especially during early childhood. STEM toys promote hands-on, active learning – linked to higher comprehension and retention of STEM subjects. They also allow children to have fun and enjoy learning, which gives them a positive connotation with STEM and promotes continued learning of these complex subjects.
This article has a compilation of ten (10) STEM toys and activities that can be implemented with 10 year old children at home, in the classroom, or in after school programs.
*This article includes pricing based on the listings as of January 22, 2023. These are subject to change.
STEM Toy Details: The Create Crate engineering kit is three (3) lessons that can be purchased together or can be billed monthly over three consecutive months. This STEM toy separates out the engineering process into mechanics, electronics, and controls. This allows children to spend time learning and understanding each area of an engineering build. In the end, they will have a fully functional mech leg they can use and show to friends and family.
STEM Skill Focus: Engineering & Technology
Product Price: $99 / month or $299 / billed once
STEM Toy Details: The National Geographic Magic Chemistry Kit includes ten (10) science lessons for ten year olds that teach complex STEM concepts through magic. This fun approach to science uses disguised, hands-on learning to get children engaged in STEM learning. They will change the color of water, flip a coin, create snow, and more with this turnkey STEM kit.
STEM Skill Focus: Science
Product Price: $16.99
STEM Toy Details: The Melt and Pour Soap Making Kit is an engaging, hands-on way to get children engaged in science. This kit comes with everything you need to easily implement this lesson at home. This lesson is great for individual or group learning. It also results in a bar of soap children can use or give as a gift!
STEM Skill Focus: Science
Product Price: $38.52
STEM Toy Details: The Doctors Office interactive STEM kit allows your child to play doctor while better understanding the science and engineering behind the tools doctors use. Whether your child has an interest in becoming a doctor/nurse or not, this STEM toy is a great introduction to the medical world and the tools they use during appointments.
STEM Skill Focus: Science
Product Price: $59.99
STEM Toy Details: The STEM Sports® All Star Kit is available for grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. This customizable grand band option means kits are tailored directly to children’s skill level and allow lessons to connect to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and K-12 Physical Education Standards when applicable. This kit comes monthly for four (4) consecutive months and each box focuses on different STEM lessons that will be facilitated through a different real-world sports example. Each kit includes everything needed to implement the lesson, as the curriculum were created to allow children to work independently with little parental guidance.
STEM Skill Focus: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Product Price: $24.99 / month
STEM Toy Details: The Thames & Kosmos STEM Kit turns your child into an engineer through step by step instructions designed to help them better understand the mechanics behind building a complex cyborg hand. When completed, the hand will be fully functional using only air pressure, water, and your child’s hand.
STEM Skill Focus: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Product Price: $27.99
STEM Toy Details: The Lakeshore Engineering Kit introduces children to the Engineering Design Process (EDP) by building a secure structure that can withstand an earthquake. This STEM toy allows for reuse, which means children can continue building their structure until they have to find the optimal build for withstanding the movement that the toy mimics.
STEM Skill Focus: Engineering
Product Price: $24.99
STEM Toy Details: The Go Cube Edge uses application functionality, compatible with Android and IOS, to exercise children’s brains to engage in STEAM activities. Using the Go Cube and the app, children work through mazes, solve puzzles, and more. This product comes with a warranty and can continue being used over the course of many years. The level of difficulty can be adjusted as your child progresses in their education and is ready for new challenges.
STEM Skill Focus: Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Product Price: $99.95
STEM Toy Details: Using the ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run, children exercise their STEM skills through building and using their maze. This turkey kit allows children to use their imagination to construct their own marble track, which can be rebuilt multiple times until it is functional. Once the track is complete, there are guided lessons that help children exercise their problem-solving and logic skills.
STEM Skill Focus: Engineering
Product Price: $28.38
STEM Toy Details: Using the microbes found in mud, children will create their own living fuel cell. There is application access included in the purchase of the Magical Microbes MuddWatt STEM Kit that allows children to track their bacteria population over an extended period of time. This STEM activity is a great way to continue learning over many weeks and can spark conversation with your child about the real-world applications of what they are learning and how it connects to things they see in their everyday lives.
STEM Skill Focus: Science
Product Price: $39.99
If you are a parent or educator who is interested in learning more about STEM education and how to implement it with children, read these STEM Sports® blogs:
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