As the holiday season approaches, many parents and gift-givers are on the hunt for the perfect present for the children in their lives.
While traditional toys and games are always a safe choice, how about considering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys too? These gifts offer not only entertainment but also a world of educational opportunities… Ideal for any budding scientists, engineers or mathematicians.
We asked our team what they considered to be the top STEM Christmas presents for kids, to foster their curiosity and love for all things problem-solving.
Take a look at their top fifteen suggestions below:
- LEGO Sets: LEGO has been a longtime favorite, and for good reason. The sets, like LEGO Boost or LEGO Mindstorms, allow kids to build and program their robots, encouraging creativity and engineering skills.
- Coding Kits: Coding is an essential skill for the future. Toys like the Osmo Coding Starter Kit or Sphero Mini provide a playful introduction to programming, teaching kids to code through interactive games and activities.
- Microscopes: A high-quality microscope can spark a fascination with the microscopic world. Look for kid-friendly models with prepared slides, like the National Geographic Microscope, to make science come alive.
- Science Kits: Chemistry and biology sets, like the Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000 or SmartLab Toys All-Natural Spa Day, offer hands-on experiments that inspire a love for science and exploration.
- Robotics Kits: Robots are a perfect way to introduce engineering and technology. Consider the Anki Cozmo or the littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit for a creative robotic experience.
- 3D Printing Pens: These pens, such as the 3Doodler Start, enable kids to bring their designs to life in 3D, promoting creativity and spatial thinking.
- Telescopes: Astronomy is a field that can captivate young minds. Telescopes like the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope provide an introduction to stargazing.
- Math Games: Games like ThinkFun Math Dice or Prime Climb make learning math fun and engaging.
- Electronic Building Kits: Kits like Snap Circuits or littleBits make it easy for kids to explore electronics and create their gadgets.
- Educational Apps and Software: Invest in educational apps and software such as Tinkercad, Scratch, or educational games that make learning interactive and fun.
- STEM Books: Books are fantastic resources for young learners. Consider titles like “The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book“ or “Ada Twist, Scientist” for a delightful combination of learning and storytelling.
- DIY Science Experiments: Many kits provide the materials and instructions for hands-on experiments. Brands like KiwiCo offer subscription boxes tailored to different age groups, with a focus on STEM.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Toys: AR-enhanced toys like Merge Cube or AR puzzles can provide a unique learning experience, merging the physical and digital worlds.
- Educational Board Games: Board games like “Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game” or “Gravity Maze” combine entertainment with scientific learning.
- Build-Your-Own Computer Kits: Kits like the Piper Computer Kit or Kano Computer Kit let kids build and code their computers, fostering technology skills.
Things to consider…
We’ve linked all of our recommended STEM toys in the list above. We believe these gifts would make fantastic Christmas gifts for children who love to understand, build, learn, and solve problems.
The best STEM presents for kids are those that both challenge and inspire, opening doors to the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. When selecting a STEM gift, it’s key to also consider the child’s interests and skill levels. By ensuring you buy age-appropriate gifts you won’t put your child off STEM with toys they’ll find too challenging.
These toys are brilliant for individuals but can also be enjoyed by siblings and friends too. Create a STEM bundle for your science or maths mad child, they’ll be jumping for joy on Christmas morning.
This holiday season, let’s embrace the spirit of curiosity, exploration, and innovation by choosing gifts that nurture young minds and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technology whizzes… Happy shopping!
For more information on all things STEM check our latest news pages >