Introducing STEM concepts to toddlers may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! This guide will give you:
An overview of STEM.
Criteria for identifying quality STEM toys.
Age-specific toy recommendations, from basics to more advanced options.
Creative ways to use everyday household items for STEM exploration.
By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for seamlessly integrating STEM into your toddler’s playtime!
BONUS: Look for my list of everyday household STEM objects for toddlers and how to use them.
What’s The Difference?
S: Science
T: Technology
E: Engineering
M: Math
Encourages more creativity and holistic learning by incorporating art and reading.
S: Science
T: Technology
R: Reading
E: Engineering
A: Art
M: Math
What Makes a Good STEM Toy?
Hands-On: Requires active participation, manipulation, and exploration through physical interaction.
Interactive: Promotes some response or feedback.
Open-Ended Play: Toys with multiple solutions versus one correct answer and creative approaches (hint: puzzles are not open-ended!).
Introduce STEM Concepts: Toys that introduce basic concepts related to science, technology, engineering, and math in a non-traditional and age-appropriate way.
Encourage Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Toys that require logic and reasoning.
Adaptability: Toys that can grow with the child and offer various difficulty levels as they age.
Developmentally Appropriate: Toys that align with the toddler’s cognitive and motor skills. They should provide some challenges but not be too difficult.
STEM Toy Guide For Parents
All children develop at different rates, and you can find toys that are within or slightly beyond your child’s abilities.
BE AWARE: Many of these toys contain small parts that are choking hazards. Anything that can fit through a toilet paper tube is a choking hazard. Always supervise your children when playing with small parts, especially if they still put things in their mouths.
STEM Skills for Toddlers by Age
Use this chart to see what STEM skills your toddler can work on at each age.
Cause and effect: Pushing a button to make a toy light up or make a sound.
Sort objects by color, shape, or size: Shape sorters.
Stack and nest objects: stacking rings or cups.
Construction and building activities: large plastic blocks.
Basic colors, shapes, and patterns: (not sure?).
Counting and number concepts: (not sure?)
Scientific concepts like sink/float, magnetic, or gravity: Bath toys or magnetic tiles.
Pretend play that encourages problem-solving and creativity: Play tool bench.
Follow simple instructions and sequences: Coding games or follow-the-path toys.
Basic measurement: Measuring cups or rulers.
Recognize and create simple patterns: Pattern blocks, bead maze.
Assembling and dissembling: Construction sets or train tracks.
Addition and subtraction: (not sure).
Scientific concepts or force, motion, and energy: Ramps, balls, pulley systems.
Hypothesis testing and experimentation: Science kits.
Spacial awareness and orientation: Tangrams.
? This guide is organized from the most basic concepts (for our youngest inventors) to the most advanced.
Marble Run
Introduces physics principles, such as gravity, motion, and cause-and-effect, while promoting problem-solving and spatial reasoning (Science and Engineering).
Explores shape recognition, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills while introducing the concept of magnetism (Mathematics and Science).
[lasso badge=”Beginner” description=”Mix and match train cars and animals while discovering the properties of magnetism. ” id=”6418″ link_id=”16350″ ref=”amzn-smartmax-my-first-animal-train-stem-magnetic-discovery-play-set-with-moving-train-and-soft-animals-for-ages-1-5″]
[lasso brag=”Advanced” description=”I love our particular set because you get the car base, some road pieces, functional cranes, and spinning bases. These can be used as pictured or re-configured into your designs.
Pro Tip: When looking for Magnatiles for 2-year-olds, look for sets with mostly square shapes. Triangles are tricky to build, while even young toddlers can grasp building with squares.” id=”5330″ link_id=”16636″ ref=”amzn-magna-tiles-builder-32-piece-magnetic-construction-set-the-original-magnetic-building-brand”]
Remote Control Cars
Explores the concepts of motion, force, and cause-and-effect while developing hand-eye coordination (Science and Technology).
Encourages exploration of different materials, textures, and basic scientific concepts like volume, weight, and density (Science).
[lasso description=”This table top water table comes apart for easy storage. It can be used inside and out year-round with water and sand. ” id=”6419″ link_id=”16351″ ref=”chuckle-roar-table-top-water-table-target”]
Blockaroo Blocks
Develops spatial awareness, creativity, and basic engineering concepts through open-ended building activities.
Explores the concepts of weight, measurement, and basic arithmetic through interactive play (Mathematics and Science).
[lasso description=”Kids will love this interactive penguin scale, and parents will love the built-in storage for the cards and weights. ” id=”6426″ link_id=”16637″ ref=”amzn-battat-education-balance-scale-for-kids-math-toys-kids-math-games-counting-toys-3-years-penguin-math-balance-38-pcs”]
Road Tape
Encourages imaginative play, storytelling, and an understanding of transportation and infrastructure (Engineering and Technology).
[lasso description=”Turn your floors, walls, and anything else you you stick to into a racetrack.
✅ Paper-based (no scissors required).
✅ Safe for walls and floors- won’t remove paint or varnish- won’t leave a residue. ” id=”6427″ link_id=”16638″ ref=”amzn-playtape-tape-and-curves-for-toy-cars-1-roll-of-30-ft-x-2-in-black-road-1-roll-of-36-curves”]
Kinetic Sand
Introduces concepts of texture, moldability, and basic physics principles like compression and tension (S
[lasso description=”Kinetic sand is moldable like Play Doh, but introduces unique physics concepts about pressure and force.
? Built-in storage case for the win! ” id=”6428″ link_id=”16639″ ref=”amzn-kinetic-sand-deluxe-beach-castle-playset-with-2-5lbs-of-beach-sand-includes-molds-and-tools-sensory-toys-for-kids-ages-5″]
Lego DUPLO
It resembles wooden blocks but has interlocking pieces promoting spatial awareness, creativity, and basic engineering concepts.
[lasso id=”22″ link_id=”16340″ type=”table”]
Stomp Racers
Explores the concepts of motion, force, and energy transfer through interactive play (Science and Engineering).
[lasso badge=”KiwiCo Crates” description=”My four year old toddler loves getting his Kiwi Crate in the mail! Whether we’re building a mechanical arm, a toy sweeper, or a mini robot, these projects are just as fun to play with as they are to build. ” id=”6439″ link_id=”16740″ ref=”stem-steam-science-kits-for-kids-kiwico”]
Coding Toys
Introduces basic coding and programming concepts through interactive play, promoting logical thinking and problem-solving skills (Technology and Mathematics).
Understand basic coding patterns by programming steps, loops, and repetitions (Technology and Engineering).
[lasso badge=”⭐ Hours of Fun” description=”This interactive robot can be controlled with a joystick or programmed to follow coding commands!
It comes with dozens of games, activities, and accessories. My kids will play with this for hours!” id=”6424″ link_id=”16640″ ref=”mtiny-interactive-little-robot-toddler-toys-makeblock” secondary_text=”Our Full Review” secondary_url=”https://mommymakerteacher.com/mtiny/”]
Hex Bugs
My local library has a HEX Bug club dedicated to playing with these little critters. Think of them like Hot Wheels meets a circuit builder. They are a ton of fun for the whole family (Technology and Engineering).
Explores electricity, circuits, and basic electronics principles through hands-on building and experimentation (Science and Engineering).
[lasso badge=”Beginner” description=”Combine lights, sounds, and fans, with various switches to make them work. The ease of blocks with the function of circuits. ” id=”6429″ link_id=”16642″ ref=”amzn-mindware-start-up-circuits”]
[lasso badge=”Intermediate” description=”Use pre-designed cards to complete challenges, or create your own circuit with the included pieces. ” id=”6430″ link_id=”16643″ ref=”amzn-educational-insights-design-drill-space-circuits-beginning-circuit-building-science-kit-stem-toy-52-assorted-pieces-with-kid-friendly-power-drill-20-challenges-for-kids-boys-girls-ages-5″]
[lasso badge=”Advanced” description=”Snap Circuits are one of our favorite library toys. Although it requires a lot of parent support and supervision, my kids are fascinated with them. ” id=”6431″ link_id=”16644″ ref=”amzn-snap-circuits-classic-sc-300-electronics-exploration-kit-over-300-projects-full-color-manual-parts-stem-educational-toy-for-kids-8-2-3-x-13-6-x-19-3-inches”]
Household STEM Objects
Encourage exploring and investigating everyday objects and materials, including basic scientific and engineering concepts, through play.
Pots and pans: Explore sounds, rhythms, and music patterns. ?
Rubber ducks: Investigate buoyancy and floating concepts.
Magnets: Discover magnetic forces and attraction/repulsion. ?
Flashlight: Learn about light sources and shadows.
Measuring cups/spoons: Introduce basic measurement and volume concepts. ⚖️
Mirrors: Explore reflection, symmetry, and self-awareness.
Empty containers: Investigate sorting, classifying, and patterns.
Paper towel tubes: Construct simple structures and devices. ?
Straws: Experiment with airflow and fundamental physics.
Plastic bottles: Explore sound, vibration, and cause-effect. ?
Cardboard boxes: Encourage imagination, construction, and engineering.
Rubber bands: Demonstrate elasticity and potential energy. ?♀️
Balloons: Investigate air pressure and force concepts. ?
Sponges: Learn about absorption and material properties.
Magnifying glass: Explore close-up observation and details. ?
Toilet paper rolls: Build structures and learn shapes.
Aluminum foil: Introduce malleability and moldable materials.
Plastic containers: Practice sorting, counting, and grouping.
Utensils: Discover lever principles and simple machines. ?
Paper clips: Investigate connectivity and basic engineering concepts.
Pro Tip: Looking for toys and activities for babies and toddlers of other ages ??
Remember, the key is to provide toddlers with hands-on, engaging, and age-appropriate toys that introduce STEM concepts in a fun and interactive way, fostering their curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
I am the founder of Mommy Maker Teacher and a mom of two toddlers. With a degree in education, 12+ years of experience as a K-12 teacher and curriculum developer, and courses in childhood psychology and language acquisition, I share research-backed parenting tips and advice. I provide helpful content for moms on all stages of motherhood—from trying to conceive and pregnancy to postpartum, breastfeeding, and parenting.
