"“I think my kid could use more toys…” is not something you’ll hear on the lips of most parents. That is, unless “toy” is paired with a word or phrase like, “developmental,” “learning,” or “keep-them-occupied-for-more-than-10-seconds.” Enter: STEM and STEAM toys. If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, STEM stands for the academic development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and STEAM additionally includes “art.”
Now it may seem a little crazy to be already thinking about your child’s future career (especially when your 3-year-old may have the lofty goal of becoming a PJ Mask character when they grow up). However, introducing STEM concepts through hands-on play with toys when kids are young can help set a foundation as they grow.
As Dr. Mae C. Jemison, an American physician and NASA astronaut, noted, “The majority of scientists say they developed their passion for science by age 11.” Needless to say, it’s never too early to introduce STEM into your little one’s life. Below, we’ve rounded up 30 of the best STEM toys for kids, broken up by age range.
STEAM Toys for Babies & Toddlers
While babies and toddlers may not be participating in major science experiments yet, that doesn’t mean they can’t learn the building blocks of STEM concepts. Things like books, blocks, and other fun toys will keep them both engaged and learning.
This new “spin” on a stacker can help babies and toddlers learn hand-eye coordination and early engineering skills.
Babies and toddlers can work on their visual and spatial perception as they hammer the balls into the box and watch them roll out.
This creative take on the popular Montessori rainbow stacker toys adds another element of play with a pull-string for little ones to cart this cute turtle around.
Part keepsake, part learning toy, this shape-sorter puzzle can be personalized with your own photos.
In addition to building engineering skills through blocks, this train set incorporates numbers to encourage counting.
Another counting toy, this award-winning and educational wooden puzzle is a fun way to introduce young children to math concepts.
Thinking beyond foam numbers and letters, these pipe-building bath toys introduce kids to science and engineering concepts during bath time.
Sensory and STEM come together in these wooden balancing blocks available in three color schemes: rainbow, natural wood, and pastel.
Plant the seed of education in your baby’s mind from day one with these informational books on exciting topics like quantum physics, rocket science, and general relativity.
Watch what your tiny builder can come up with when the possibilities are endless. With with these jumbo blocks, they’ll look forward to building something new each day.
Promote logical thinking and motor skills in your toddler with this adorable toy. Little ones will work to insert the pegs in the correct holes, learning counting and colors along the way. Choose from four fun characters.
Promote counting in the cutest way possible with baby’s first abacus in lovely neutral colors.
Books are always a good idea, but it doesn’t get much better than this. An innovative design, the characters and features are made interactive and can be moved throughout the pages.
With 13 pieces, little ones can experiment with different shapes and colors to make their very own 3D structures.
STEAM Toys for Little and Big Kids
When your kiddo gets a little older, extra fun begins. Now they may be ready for more advanced topics and activities. Concepts like gardening and baking, as well as full-on science and engineering experiments will offer hours of educational play. What’s great about these toys is that they can be played with solo or in group settings.
Beaty and Roberts’ rhythmic storytelling and unique illustrations make these some of our favorite books to read aloud. Parents and kids will find lessons within the pages of these STEM-themed stories: Iggy Peck, Architect, Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Ada Twist, Scientist.
For the parent who feels like they’ve exhausted all at-home activity options, KiwiCo delivers age-appropriate subscription boxes monthly for hands-on learning. Designed by childhood development experts and educators, KiwiCo’s STEAM activities make it easy for parents to offer their kids something new and engaging each month.
Your child can build, break, and rebuild to their imagination’s content using these vibrantly-colored geometric magnet tiles.
Watch your child build their engineering, science, and problem-solving skills with a marble run. Great for when you no longer have to worry about them putting marbles in their mouth.
These robot dolls are a perfect combination of problem-solving and storytelling. There are different challenges or “missions” that allow kids the freedom to use their imagination and critical-thinking skills.
Art and mathematics come together in Spirograph, a timeless toy originally developed in the 1960s, but still fun for kids today.
A lesson in patience as well as science, set your kids up with their own garden to observe the scientific magic of watching (and tending to) life as it grows.
Enhance their STEM capabilities while encouraging imagination and independence with their own fort-building kit. Perfect for solo play or as a group activity.
Little ones with an interest in baking will love this toy set. Plus, parents can appreciate that they’re learning concepts like division, fractions, and more.
Engineers in the making will love building this wooden claw and watching their efforts come to life.
The tastiest science project there ever was! Consider this the perfect summertime activity for your little one to continue learning while making a treat in the process.
Encourage their artistic abilities with their very own pottery wheel. They’ll love seeing what they can craft and displaying their finished works proudly throughout the house after play time.
Step-by-step instructions come with this DIY kaleidoscope kit. Choose between several patterns to make it unique for your little scientist.
Not only will little ones love this “potion”-themed science experience, but everyone can appreciate that it comes with positive affirmations.
Another marble run, thrill seekers and builders-to-be will have a blast crafting this tabletop roller coaster and watching the accompanying marbles go around and around for hours.
Engineering and music go more hand-in-hand than we may realize, especially in this DIY music box kit. Kids will love watching their music box come to life as they build it and hearing the beautiful music it produces.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!