Do young kids need STEM toys? STEM sounds like a lot when your kid is still eating crayons. Science, technology, engineering, and math? For a 2 year old? Hear me out.
- A baby who smacks a button and gets a song is learning cause and effect.
- A toddler who sends a ball down a ramp over and over is testing a hypothesis.
- Your preschooler who follows the steps to “heal” a toy puppy is learning the basics of coding.
- It’s not rocket science or calculus, just age-appropriate basics in the field.
Below, the picks are sorted by the kind of STEM they teach (cause and effect, building and engineering, science and nature, then math and early coding), and every pick lists its age so you can skip to what fits your kid.
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STEM vs. STEAM (and What Makes a Good STEM Toy)
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEAM adds the A for art (and some folks add an R for reading, too).
At my house we stick to STEM since art and reading/multimedia have their own toy categories in my toy rotation.
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.
🚨 Safety note: a lot of STEM toys have small parts. My rule of thumb: anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is a choking hazard. Supervise, especially if your little one still puts things in their mouth.
STEM by Age
Every kid develops at their own pace, so use this as a rough map, not a report card. Picks slightly above your kid’s level are fine as long as you’re nearby.
| Age | What STEM looks like | Try | Full age guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babies and 1 year olds | Cause and effect: push a button, get a sound. Stacking, nesting, dropping. | Light-up toys, ball drops, stacking cups | Toys for babies and 1 year olds |
| 2 year olds | Sorting by color, shape, and size. Big blocks. Sink or float in the tub. | Junior marble run, magnetic tiles (squares first) | Toys for 2 year olds |
| 3 year olds | Magnets, simple tools, counting, pretend play with steps. | Tool sets, balance scale, vet kit | Toys for 3 year olds |
| 4 year olds | Following sequences, simple patterns, building from ideas. | Gear sets, construction sets, garden kits | Toys for 4 year olds |
| 5 year olds | Force and motion, ramps, early experiments. | Marble mazes, gears in motion, early coding | Toys for 5 year olds |
| 6 year olds | Circuits, real experiments, testing a guess. | Snap Circuits, science kits, root viewers | Toys for 6 year olds |
Circuits and Coding (ages 18mo+)
Can babies build circuits?! Yes they can! Although these toys weren’t aournd when my kids were in the age rane, I think these Start-Up Circuits are such a fun way for little ones to experiment and learn about cause and effect!
MindWare Start-Up Circuits STEM Toy
- Toys that Teach: Start-Up Circuits from MindWare is a fun way to teach your child the abstract concept of circuitry. The switch blocks and action tops are easy to snap together and the buttons are the perfect size for little fingers.
- Curious Kids: With a light that glows, a fan that spins and a siren that whistles, Start-Up Circuits from MindWare will delight children as they learn how a circuit is a circle that can make fun things happen.
- Mix and Match: Your curious child can mix and match the switch blocks and action tops simply by snapping them together. Make sure the red line is continuous across both pieces to complete the circuit.
- Interchangeable Pieces: Your child can experiment with each different combination to create actual working pieces. A bright red line represents the wire inside each piece. When the line makes a continuous path across a switch block and action top, and the switch is pressed or pushed, the Star-Up Circuit springs into action.
When kids come to my house to play, the Circuit Explorer is the toy they want. It lets them build working circuits (lights, sounds, moving parts) and see electricity do its thing.
Educational Insights Circuit Explorer
When kids come to my house to play, this is the toy they want to play with!
- SIMPLE CIRCUITS, BIG IMAGINATION! Learn the fundamentals of circuitry, off the board and out of this world!
- STEM ACTIVITIES – MAKE THE CONNECTION: System-ready pieces light up when kids follow the symbols and connect the vehicle's circuits
- BLAST OFF INTO STEM LEARNING: Keep them connecting on their own with safe circuits kids can build themselves
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED to build a Deluxe Base Station with Towers, Spinning Diner Sign, Planetarium with color-changing dome light, Voice Synthesizer Station with 10 space sounds, Communication Station with rotating Radar Dish, a Powered Space Rover and a freewheeling Space Rover both with light-up headlights; Base, Dome Light, Voice Synthesizer, Communication Station, and Space Rovers require 3 AAA batteries each, not included.
My oldest loooooves circuit building, and we have several Snap Circuits kits. They need a lot of parent support and supervision (they use electricity), but my kids are fascinated with them.
Snap Circuits STEM Electronics Kit
These kits might be a little advanced for a 6 year old, and definitely need supervision (the circuits use electricity). But my oldest looooooves experimenting with circuit building. We have several Snap Circuit kits.
Screen-Free Coding Toys (ages 4+)
We have a bunch of screen-free coding toys from Learning Resources, and we’re never disappointed with them.
They are easy enough for little ones to play on their own, but challenging enough that we still come back to play with them in new ways years later.
Learning Resources Coding Critter Ranger & Zip
- EARLY CODING SKILLS: Code along with your first coding friends and their screen-free storybook coding adventure
- PLAY MODE: Play fetch, hide and seek, and more with brave Ranger and mischievous Zip
- KID CODING ROBOT: Design your own endless coding challenges with the 22-piece pet Playset. REAL PET PLAY: Feed, pet, and take care of your interactive pets in play mode
- Super STEM Skills: From science and technology to engineering and math, STEM learning help kids build critical thinking and other skills they need for success in school and beyond!
Learning Resources Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot
- EASY REMOTE-CONTROLLED LEARNING PLAY: This friendly robot for kids uses a simple remote to introduce early coding ideas through playful cause-and-effect actions, building confidence and curiosity for young future coders at home or in the classroom.
- CODING ROBOTICS KIT: Open the box and jump into hands-on building as kids use the included coding cards to design command sequences for their robot, strengthening planning, logic, and sequencing skills that grow with every new challenge they create.
- MULTIPLE NEW CHALLENGES: As kids advance, this robot adds depth to their play with multi-step coding paths, 45u00b0 turns, and object-sensing reactions that encourage them to design longer routes, refine strategies, and tackle more complex problem-solving.
- MULTISENSORY FUN: Lights, sounds, and playful music give this kids robot a lot of coding options! The 16 secret code combinations offer open-ended play for curious young creators.
Learning Resouces Coding Critters Go Pets
- SCREEN-FREE PLAY – Kids explore early coding, sequencing, and problem-solving with Scrambles the Fox, a motorized coding robot that follows black-line paths for hands-on learning.
- STORY-BASED STEM LESSONS – Scrambles comes with a 12-page full-color storybook adventure that teachers can use for STEM stations, read-aloud coding activities, and guided kids programming challenges.
- MADE FOR YOUNG LEARNERS – Designed for preschool and early elementary, this screen-free coding toy supports coding for kids, making it great for classrooms, homeschoolers, and STEM-ready beginners.
Learning Resources Coding Critters MagiCoders
- SCREEN-FREE CODING PLAY: Kids use the magic wand and spell book to program Blazer through hands-on sequencing challenges that introduce early robotics concepts without a screen
- MADE FOR BEGINNERS AGES 4+: Built for early learners, this educational toy helps beginners explore programming basics through simple wand controls and guided play
- BUILDS LOGIC & PROBLEM SOLVING: Kids strengthen logic, sequencing, and problem solving as they plan routes, test commands, and troubleshoot to complete dragon-themed challenges
Learning Resources Code & Go Mouse
- SCREEN-FREE CODING: Kids practice sequencing, problem-solving, and early robot coding with this hands-on coding robotics kit that teaches programming basics through simple buttons and matching coding cards
- BUILT FOR YOUNG CODERS AGES 4+: Designed with early learners in mind, this coding toy supports coding for kids ages 4+ and helps emerging programmers build confidence through playful trial-and-error
- CRITICAL THINKING & EARLY PROGRAMMING: Children strengthen sequencing, logic, and directional understanding as they program the mouse to navigate mazes-an easy-to-use kids robot toy and a strong introduction to robotics coding
Cause and Effect Toys
This is where STEM starts, usually before a first birthday. “If I do this, that happens” is the very first science experiment. It’s also why toddlers will drop the same ball down the same hole 400 times. They’re checking their results.
Melissa & Doug GO Tots Wooden Barnyard Tumble (ages 1+)
My second loves this barn. The discs roll, drop, and make noise on the way down, and hidden doors make every drop a little surprise. It’s cause and effect in its simplest form, and it’s chunky enough for small hands.
Melissa & Doug GO Tots Wooden Barnyard Tumble
My second child loves this barn. The disks roll, drop, and make noise in the barn. Hidden doors make each drop exciting.
- 5-piece set includes 4 collectible double-sided GO Tots disks (8 animals and 2 farmers), colorful wooden barn with silo, haystack, sliding doors
- Compatible with other GO Tots play sets; kinetic play with GO Tots offers opportunities to explore cause-and-effect through delightful motion-driven moments
More cause and effect, from tummy time to preschool. My kids loved pushing the bulldozer and watching the balls pop out, and I think every kid on earth loves locks and latches:
Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar
This bar brings fun to tummy time (and they all hate tummy time!!). It's great for cause-and-effect as they hit the different buttons and watch and listen to the music and lights.
- The Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station is a multisensory toy that engages baby with colorful lights, classical melodies, and animal sounds during floor play or tummy time.
- 3 ways to engage baby as they grow: Bar sits flat for tummy time and props up for seated play. Unisex design for baby boy or girl ages 3 months to 36 months.
Fat Brain PipSquigz
We never owned this jumbo baby version, but my kiddos LOVED the regular Squigz, and these provide so much sensory input for babies, they had to make the list.
- FUN LITTLE SUCKERS! – Fat Brain Squigz toys are innovative suction toys that stick to each other and most flat surfaces, then pull apart with a POP. Sized for tots, this 6-piece pipSquigz set is a larger, chunkier version, each with fun shapes, textures, and bold colors.
- SAFELY DESIGNED – BPA-free silicone baby toys are easy for little hands to grasp, encouraging creative play. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, they won't leave residue on your tables or windows, and make soothing teething toys.
- BABY FIDGET TOY SENSORY STIMULATION – Fat Brain baby toys encourage the development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual thinking, and concentration. Featuring cool, textured surfaces, the unique pieces rattle when shaken.
- VERSATILE AND PORTABLE – Fun baby bath toys, pipSquigz are also a great baby high chair toy, handy baby airplane travel accessories, and an amusing car window toy. Each baby toy stores neatly in the included zippered case.
- AWARD-WINNING GIFT IDEA – An ASTRA Best Toys for Kids Award winner, this pipSquigz combo makes an awesome birthday, holiday or baby shower present for ages 6 months and up.
B. Toys Elemenoqueeze Soft Blocks Learning Set
Fun and squishy to build and chew.
- Every block is an educational and sensory experience
- Each one features a letter of the alphabet, as well as a different animal for every letter!
- Learning Toy: Build your masterpieces, improve your motor skills, and learn the alphabet along the way with these soft unit blocks.
- Play Any Way: Nibble on them, toss them in the tub, play with them wherever you want!
Skip Hop Baby Musical DJ Set
This is a fun one for budding musicians. It is perfect for cause and effect learning for little ones as they press and slide buttons. It also grows with them because it looks like the real thing!
- Mini mix masters will love to play fresh u201cbeetsu201d with our fruits & veggies-themed DJ set
- Helps encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination & pretend play; Helps teach cause & effect
- Light-Up DJ Bunny: 5 songs, multicolor lights & soft textures; Carrot & Beet Seesaw: 10 sound effects & soft textures
- Tomato Buttons: 4 fun sound effects including airhorn; Melon Turntable & Spinner: 3 scratch sounds & 5 sounds effects; Blueberry Slider: Click-clack sound
VTech Pop-a-Balls Bulldozer
My kids loved pushing this around and watching the balls pop out. It does take some finess to get the balls to go into the bulldozer, but it was great fine motor practice loading the balls back up with their hands too.
- Push the handle to roll the red bulldozer across the floor and watch it pop balls out of the chimney into the bucket
- Press the buttons to learn colors, numbers, phrases and music
- Grab the chunky handle to encourage motor skill development
Fisher-Price My Easy Remote Controlled Car
Kids love remote control cars. It might be debatable if this is a close-ended toy, but I believe it is because there is only one way to play with the toy and there are instructions to follow to play with it.
- Features simple 4-way driving capabilities: forward, reverse, left & right
- Easy to use! Press one button to make the vehicle drive and turn at the same time
Building and Engineering Toys
Engineering for little kids means building, testing, watching it fall, and building again.
Wacky Waterworks Pipes (ages 3+)
We have used these at bathtime for years. The kids are always coming up with new ways to connect them.
They can see when a system works, when it doesn’t, and how to control things like water speed and flow.
Nuby Wacky Waterworks Pipes Bath Toy – Baby Bathtub Toy with Interactive Features for Cognitive Development
Marble Runs (ages 2+)
Marble runs teach gravity, motion, and cause and effect, plus a whole lot of problem-solving when the marble flies off the track. We love marble runs and have bought all kinds. I really wish the National Geographic junior version had existed when my kids were 2, because it lets little ones build tracks without tiny marbles.
National Geographic Kids Junior Marble Run
We love marble runs, and I wish something like this would have existed when my kids were 2. This lets kids experiment with building tracks and watching marbles, without the choking hazard.
- MADE FOR TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS u2013 This junior marble run is designed for ages 2+, using jumbo pieces and kid-safe balls so young children can safely enjoy classic marble run and ball drop play.
- 35-PIECE BALL DROP BUILDING SET u2013 Includes 33 jumbo construction pieces and 2 child-safe balls for building colorful ball drop tracks and marble run mazes sized just right for little hands.
- WATCH BALLS DROP, ROLL & RACE u2013 Kids send balls dropping, rolling, and tumbling through their mazes, discovering cause & effect while experimenting with speed, gravity, and direction.
- INCLUDES PLAY & LEARN ACTIVITY CARDS u2013 Comes with 4 Play & Learn Cards filled with toddler- and preschool-friendly building ideas that inspire creativity and early problem solving.
Once they’re older, the motorized one makes an endless loop, and the Design & Drill maze has a question we can never answer: is building it with the working drill more fun, or sending the marbles through? (More in our National Geographic Kids guide.)
Educational Insights Design & Drill Marble Maze
We can never decide, what's more fun? Building the maze with the working drills and screws? Or seeing if the marbles make it through the track?!
- Working drill and screws to assemble the mazes
- Guide book with example mazes (close-ended play), or make your own design (open-ended)
- Drill has forward and reverse motions
National Geographic Motorized Marble Run
We love marble runs and have bought all kinds. This one is particularly fun with the motorized marble eleveator to create an infinite loop.
- MOTORIZED LIFT FOR ENDLESS RUNS – Features a motorized lift that carries your marbles up almost 20 inches and drop them onto the track! Create a perpetual motion machine that continuously takes your marbles back to the top to launch again!
- COMPATIBLE WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARBLE RUNS – Expand any National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run with this kit! All pieces, including the spiral lift, work seamlessly with existing sets (non-magnetic), so you can create even bigger runs!
- LEARN WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – With National Geographic STEM toys, learning is always part of the fun! The included Learning Guide contains fascinating facts about physics, motion, and more! It also contains tips for building amazing marble runs!
Gears (ages 1+ to 5+)
Gears show motion, force, and simple machines in a way kids can see: turn one, and the next one turns. We’ve built a lot of simple machines with our Learning Resources gear sets over the years.
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Mashines in Motion
We've built a lot of simple machines with our Learning Resources gear sets over the years.
- BUILDS EARLY ENGINEERING SKILLS: Hands-on building play helps kids explore STEM concepts as they design and build moving machines using colorful interlocking gears
- SUPPORTS CREATIVE MACHINE PLAY: Kids can build and rebuild different machines that spin and turn, encouraging creative problem solving and open-ended construction play
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 5+: Made for kids five year old and up with durable, easy-to-connect gear pieces that support confident building and early learning
- STRENGTHENS MOTOR & THINKING SKILLS: Connecting, turning, and aligning gears helps build fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding
For younger builders, the gear and flower set is a sweet twist, and the Hape tool box lets toddlers assemble gears while playing carpenter:
Learning Resources Gears Building & Bloom Building Set
I love a block set that's geared (pun intended 😜) toward girls. These blocks combine gears with flowers for endless creative possibilities.
- SPARKS STEM LEARNING THROUGH FLOWER-THEMED BUILDING: Kids connect interlocking gears, petals, and garden pieces to explore motion, simple mechanics, and hands-on STEM concepts
- PERFECT FOR SPRING-THEMED PLAY & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES: Great for imaginative garden building, toddler playtime, preschool centers, or learning activities at home
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 4+ WHO LOVE FLOWERS & BUILDING TOYS: Ideal for girls, boys, and young builders who enjoy colorful, creative construction sets
- USED TO BUILD FINE MOTOR & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: Children snap, stack, and arrange pieces to design moving floral displays that help strengthen coordination and spatial reasoning
Hape Fix-It Tool Box Toy
This compact toy covers a lot of ground. Kids can play carpenter, use their fine motor skills to assemble gears, and build their own creations.
Tools and Take-Apart Toys (ages 2+)
Working tools teach how things go together (and come apart). When we bought the Black+Decker workbench, we knew my oldest would love it.
Black + Decker Kids Workbench
When we first bought this, we knew our oldest was going to love it. A workbench with the same tools like Daddy uses?! Yes please. What we didn't expect, was for him to still be using it almost 4 years later! This has really stood the test of time in our house.
- Comes with 75 kids tools and accessory pieces
- Kids tool bench set with realistic action, lights and sounds
- STEM learning with assembly toys stimulates design and critical thinking skills, which will help to inspire a lifetime interest of science and engineering
- Develop motor skills and imaginative play
- Included components: Toy workbench with storage trays, miter saw, phone, drill press, accessory bin, vise, hand saw, screwdriver, hammer, wrench, 15 screws, 5 nails, 22 nuts, tool box, bonus flashlight
More tool play. My boys love a tool belt, so the beginner drill toolbox was a hit, and when they wanted more realistic tools (but we weren’t ready for real ones), the John Deere box came with a ruler, level, and tape measure. We also have a lot of Design & Drill kits: build the toy with the working drill, then play with it (our Educational Insights guide has the rest).
Melissa & Doug Hammer and Saw Tool Bench
My boys came up with the coolest designs with the wooden blocks, and they loved playing carpenter with the tools.
- Learn to use a hammer, wrench, screw driver, and vice!
- Pieces actually connect together.
- Saw Velcro blocks with a pretend saw.
VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox
My kids love a toolbelt (one of their favorite accessories!). We also loved this beginner toolbox to practice screwing screws and wrenching with more assistance.
- Interactive toolbox, tool belt, tools, plastic nails and screws give little fixer uppers all they need to tackle projects; drill screws into holes or make the interlocking gears spin
- Learn about colors, numbers, tools; explore how to fix things with two double-sided project cards
- Three tool buttons play wrench, hammer and drill sounds and songs and teach how tools are used
Educational Insights Design & Drill Pick-it-Up-Truck
We have a lot of Design & Drill sets at my house. The kids love to build (I love that they are practicing fine motor skills), and they can play with the sets once the are complete.
- CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION MEETS PRESCHOOL PRETEND PLAY: Transition seamlessly from hands-on STEM action to recycling-themed pretend play, with packaging that unfolds into a reusable playset
- SKILL-BUILDING TOOL KIT: Little builders develop early engineering and fine motor skills while practicing problem-solving and real world application as they use the drill to tighten and loosen bolts
- KIDS DRILL SET INCLUDES: Power drill for kids, take apart toy truck body with storage bin and bucket, four wheels, 18 bolts, and two Bolt Buddy figures; drill requires two AA batteries (not included)
Educational Insights Design & Drill Race Car
We have lots of Design & Drill sets at our house. The kids love putting them together, and then can play with the sets when they are done.
- TAKE APART RACE CAR SET: Kids can enjoy hours of independent building and drilling fun as they use the power drill toy to assemble and disassemble their car, complete with race track playset
- SKILL-BUILDING TOOL KIT: Little builders develop early engineering and fine motor skills while practicing problem-solving and real world application as they use the drill to tighten and loosen bolts
- KIDS DRILL SET INCLUDES: Power drill for kids, take apart toy race car body, six snap-on parts, nine bolts, and two Bolt Buddy Figures; drill requires two AA batteries (not included); for ages 3+
Educational Insights Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Rocket
We have a lot of these kits! The kids love putting them together with the working drill, and then playing with the toys once they are complete.
- TAKE APART ROCKET TOY: Kids can enjoy hours of independent building and drilling fun as they use the power drill toy to put together their very own rocket ship, complete with space-themed playset
- CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION MEETS PRESCHOOL PRETEND PLAY: Transition seamlessly from hands-on STEM action to pretend play, with packaging that unfolds into a combination launch pad/moon landing playset
- SKILL-BUILDING TOOL KIT: Little builders develop early engineering and fine motor skills while practicing problem-solving and real world application as they use the drill to tighten and loosen bolts
Magnetic Tiles and Building Sets (ages 18 months+)
Building sets teach spatial reasoning, balance, and planning. The Melissa & Doug construction set is one we loved so much we bought a second one for more pieces. It comes with nuts, bolts, a screwdriver, and design cards, and my kids spent hours building their own creations too.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Construction Building Set
We loved these so much that we had to buy a second set (for more pieces!). I love that the case comes with design ideas, and my kids spent hours building their own creations.
- Includes 12 bolts, 8 nuts, 16 building boards, 6 blocks, screwdriver, and storage box; illustrated building guides show how to create a crane, motorcycle, airplane, and race car
- Storage box is predrilled so it can become part of a structure too;
- Promotes counting, sorting, and fine motor skills; encourages problem solving and constructive play
More builders. My kids have had the same Magna-Tiles since they were 3. If you’re buying for a 2 year old, look for sets with mostly squares, because triangles are tricky for little builders.
Blockaroo foam blocks are magnetic and rotate (the only downside: some rusting after years of use). And the library unit blocks don’t stick together, which makes kids think about balance in a whole new way. More open-ended ideas are in our open-ended toys guide.
Classic Magna-Tiles
My kids have had the same 2 or 3 sets of Magna-Tiles since they were 3, and they look and work just as well today as the day they came out of the box.
- 32 translucent geometric shapes in 6 different colors
- This set includes Squares (2 Large, 14 Small) and Triangles (8 Equilateral, 4 Right, 4 Isosceles)
- Developmental: Certified STEAM toy, per Dr. Gummeru2019s Good Play Guide, in partnership with The Toy Association, for aiding in the development of fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, cognitive skills, executive functioning, creativity and more!
- Safety Guaranteed: All MAGNA-TILES pieces are built to withstand countless hours of playtime. Our signature lattice prevents cracking, while fastening rivets keep magnets safe and secure.
Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks
Sometimes I don't know who loves some of our toys more, me or my kids! These are foam, magnetic, and they rotate! What could be more fun?! The only downside is we've seen some rusting after years of use.
- EASIEST BUILDING SYSTEM FOR YOUNG LEARNERS – Blockaroo Blocks are a new way to build. Our patent-pending foam magnetic blocks click together like magic, rotate 360-degrees, and always attract to each other, creating a multi-sensory experience that your kids will love!
- A STEM TOY THAT GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD – It's never too early to introduce your child to early learning STEM toys. Blockaroo Builders give your toddler the chance to explore shapes, colors, and frustration-free stacking with soft foam blocks that are safe, easy to handle, and connect like magic. Preschool age kids will love them too as they develop engineering and creative thinking skills.
- MAKE BATH TIME FUN, EDUCATIONAL, & HASSLE FREE – Blockaroo builders float in the water, making them the most versatile STEM toy ever created! These non-toxic and incredibly durable blocks make bath time a creative and fun space where kids can get clean while their imaginations set sail. Parents love how Blockaroo builders entertain their kids while bathing, changing bath time from a struggle to an experience kids look forward too!
PicassoTiles Magnetic Cubes
Our boys love magnetic cubes for building… And who doesn't love the satisfying clicks of the magnets between blocks!?
- MAGNETIC PUZZLE CUBES CREATIVE PLAY: This PicassoTiles magnetic cube set features hidden magnetized connectors, letting kids build endless designs while sharpening problem-solving, fine motor skills, and critical thinking.
- SAFE, EVERYDAY PLAY MATERIALS: Made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials, these magnetic block toys are built for safe, everyday hands-on play, giving parents peace of mind during solo or group building sessions.
- VERSATILE 2D AND 3D BUILDING: These magnetic cube blocks connect from any side for true 3D building versatility, and the included idea book with 50+ designs helps kids build animals, airplanes, dinosaurs, and more.
- AGE-APPROPRIATE SKILL BUILDING: Perfect for preschool and kindergarten kids ages 3 and up, these magnetic blocks for kids build geometry, counting, and structural engineering skills through open-ended STEAM play.
Trains and Tracks (ages 18 months+)
Trains and car tracks teach motion, hills and valleys, and how pieces connect. We love trains at our house. BRIO is pricey, so try to find it second-hand. And according to my dad, you can never have too much Hot Wheels track. Painter’s tape is my secret weapon here: tape roads and racetracks right on the carpet.
BRIO World Lift & Load Warehouse Set
We love trains at my house! The are great for building tracks, understanding hills and valleys, and more! They are pricey, so try and find them second-hand to grow your collection without breaking the bank.
- Timeless Keepsake: Built to last, this enduring wooden toy train accessory will ignite your child's imagination and foster creativity through engaging play.
- Effortless Compatibility: Expand your child's imagination with this versatile elevator, vehicles, and wooden tracks.
- Planet-Friendly Choice: Made from sustainable materials and thoughtfully designed, these wooden train and railway sets and accessories support responsible forestry. They're easy to clean and a durable choice for parents who value quality.
- Unmatched Safety Assurance: all BRIO products undergo over 1,000 safety tests each year to ensure they exceed safety standards.
Hot Wheels Toy Car Track Builder Playset
If there's something you can never have to much of (according to my father) it's Hot Wheels tracks! Play open-ended: create your own tracks and designs. Play close-ended: replicate the design ideas on the box and instructions.
- The Deluxe Stunt Box is jam-packed with everything kids need to crash, smash and stunt!
- Easy storage for cleanup.
- Kids can create awesome configurations like the Rally Cross, Head to Head and Side by Side racing and more!
- Includes a base (the box), track pieces, banked curves, crash zone lid, launchers, diverter and two vehicles!
ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painters Tape
Painter's tape can be used to make "roads and racetracks," on your carpet or floors, used as a sensory toy for kids (peeling and sticking), or for art projects. Painter's tape might be the only craft supply I couldn't live without.
- BLUE PAINTER'S TAPE: Includes One 1.88 in x 60 yd roll of ScotchBlue Original Painter's Tape, a blue masking tape for painting that helps protect surfaces by preventing paint bleed
- CLEAN REMOVAL FOR UP TO 14 DAYS: The wall safe tape removes cleanly for up to 14 days with no sticky residue or surface damage, letting you paint at your own pace without worrying about repairs
Science and Nature Toys
Science for young kids is observing, predicting, and messing around with materials: pouring, mixing, squishing, and watching things grow. A lot of these double as sensory toys.
Discovery Big Creepy Science Lab (ages 6+)
This one is for older kids and needs close adult help, since the kits use harsh ingredients to make the reactions.
Discovery Big Creepy Science Lab
These science kits do come with harsh components to make the reactions. This should be done with close adult supervision. These kits might be too advanced, even for a 6 year old. But my oldest has been able to do a lot of the projects with help.
- u2714 65 GROSS & CREEPY EXPERIMENTS u2013 Explore the science behind the seriously disgusting! From slimy intestines and fake blood to boogers and erupting noses, this educational kit includes 25 guided experiments + 40 bonus DIYs at home.
- u2714 CREEPY & GROSS LEARNING FUN u2013 Make glow-in-the-dark centipedes, vomit slime, boogers, fake blood, erupting noses, and bubbling swamps while learning real STEM principles behind the gross-out fun.
- u2714 DISCOVER CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS u2013 Each revolting experiment teaches a real scientific principle like pH changes, states of matter, acid-base reactions, or light refraction. Itu2019s smart disguised as silly!
Science for younger scientists. Jumbo tweezers are great for experiments and sensory bins, the scientist costume comes with tools you can actually use (or just use for water and bubbles), and Kinetic Sand teaches pressure and force. Our hose-connected water table is the ultimate volume and flow lab (my kids would play with it for hours):
Learning Resources Jumbo Tweezers
These are great for DIY sensory bins, science experiments and crafts.
- FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT: Strengthen hand muscles, pencil grip, coordination, and fine motor skills with easy grip preschool tweezers designed specifically for growing hands
- 12 JUMBO TWEEZERS INCLUDED: Comes with 12 colorful jumbo tweezers in 6 vibrant colors, perfect for group activities, preschoolers, and fine motor skill development
- BUILT FOR LITTLE HANDS: Ergonomic design naturally supports proper grasp and hand positioning, making these fine motor tweezers for kids great for ages 5+ learning and play activities
Melissa & Doug Scientist Costume
This costume comes with tools that you could actually use for science experiements (or just playing with water and bubbles).
Little Tikes Flowin' Fun Water Table
This was the first water table that I found that actually connects to a hose, so the water is always flowing! This takes your water table game up to the next level. My kids would play with this for hours.
- Includes 8 interchangeable pipes, fittings, and faucets, a scoop, bucket and boat
- Connect to a standard garden hose, or pour water into the central tower, to create endless splashing fun
Growing Things (ages 3+)
Plants and tiny pets are science and nurturing at the same time. Kids learn life cycles, and they learn that something depends on them. The root viewer lets them see what’s happening underground, and Sea-Monkeys are a good test run for a kid begging for a pet:
Creative Kids Miracle GRO Root Viewer Garden Kit
Teach your kids responsability with caring for plants from seeds to seedlings. Plus they can learn about root system with this root viewer.
- Let Creativity Bloom: Personalize and Decorate your indoor garden with the stickers & measuring worm provided to add that special touch.
- Help Kids Grow: Improve fine motor skills, gain a sense of responsibility & take pride in what you can accomplish. It is perfect science project that will teach planting and growing vegetables.
National Geographic Flower and Herb Garden Activity
Teach your kids about plants and lifecycles, as well as giving them responsability for something living. Routine watering and pruning teaches them nuturing skills.
- GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN – With this complete set, kids will have fun decorating their pots, then planting cosmos, nasturtium, and basil seeds. The included materials make growing an herb and flower garden easy!
- PAINTABLE POTS KIDS CAN DECORATE – This super-fun kids garden kit includes three durable, stainless steel pots that are perfect for decorating! Kids can use the 15 stickers and 6 paints included with the kit to make their garden beautiful!
Sea-Monkeys Ocean Zoo
If your child is begging for a pet, but you're not ready for the comittment. Give them something small to care for like Sea Monkeys. This also gives them responsability and teaches them to care consistently for others.
Educational Insights My First Telescope (ages 4+)
Educational Insights My First Telescope
This no-squint telescope is like binoculars, so it makes it easy for kids to look out of.
- STARTER KIDS TELESCOPE: Designed specifically for ages 4-8 years old, this kid-sized telescope is focus-free so little explorers can get going right away with no complicated adjustments
- SPARK A LOVE FOR SCIENCE: STEM Toys like My First Telescope provide an out-of-this-world way to encourage STEM learning and an early interest in astronomy, exploration, and discovery
Educational Insights My First Binoculars (ages 4+)
Educational Insights Kidnoculars
These binoculars for kids have survived two boys and hundreds of nature adventures!
- FOCUS FREE BINOCULARS FOR TODDLERS: Kidnoculars are sturdy, portable binoculars designed specifically for toddlers to help them develop a sense of adventure and a love of exploration and discovery
- SPARK A LOVE FOR SCIENCE: Nature toys for toddlers like Kidnoculars allow children in preschool and kindergarten to develop an early interest in multiple fields, from geology to astronomy and beyond
National Geographic Microscope (Ages 6+)
National Geographic Microscope
Our local library has microscopes for kids. It's fun for them to look at ordinary items like a tissue or pencil shavings.
- FASCINATING SPECIMENS – Kids get 6 prepared plant slides in this microscope kit, along with 6 rocks and minerals, and 6 blank slides to prepare at home! They'll be entertained for hours as they explore the microscopic world with this STEM lab kit!
- A COMPLETE SCIENCE EXPERIMENT KIT – With a pipette, specimen dish, tweezers, and easy-to-follow instructions, kids will be able to conduct tons of science experiments, investigating the world around them just like real scientists!
Math and Early Coding Toys
Math for little kids is counting, comparing, measuring, and patterns. Early coding is really just following steps in order, spotting patterns, and fixing it when something goes wrong.
Battat Penguin Math Balance Scale (ages 3+)
Use the cards to solve problems and guess which side will be heavier. My kids also use it to “weigh” random things around the house, which is exactly the kind of experimenting I want.
Battat Penguin Math Balance Scale
Use the build-in cards to solve problems and make predictions about how much things weigh. My kids also use this to "weigh" random items around the house.
- 38-Piece Set: Includes 1 penguin scale with 2 balancing trays, 1 storage container with 1 lid, 30 sea creature weights, and 3 playbooks.
- Playbooks Included: Comes with 3 playbooks, filled with educational play ideas, at different developmental levels.
- STEAM Toy: This penguin scale is an accredited STEAM toy!
More early math. Cash registers are counting practice disguised as a store, the Save and Count toy surprised me with how much my kids loved it, and the magnetic maze is a lesson in magnets and spatial thinking:
Fisher-Price Classics – Retro Cash Register
This cash register is so much fun! Kids can drop in coins and open the cash box with different buttons and levers.
- It's great for pretend play as kids get older, and as a fine motor toy when they are younger
- Iconic cash register design with coins, ringing bell and working cash drawer.
- Teaches children about money and motor skills. Real cash register play with 6 plastic coins!
- Watch the coins come down the ramp, turn the crank to hear the bell ring and watch the drawer open!
Battat Cash Register with Scanner
Cash registers are so fun for kids. Set one up next to your pretend kitchen, and voila! You have a restaurant. Set one up beside your ice cream counter toy, and now you're a parlor. Not to metion scanning empty packages from your pantry is fun for pretend grocery shopping.
- Develops fine-motor skills as children handle money, use the scanner, and press the buttons on the cash register
- Play money (bills and coins) that creates an authentic shopping experience
- Realistic credit card with chip and tap symbols
- Beeping button sounds on the cash register for added authenticity
Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Wooden 4-in-1 Magnetic Wand Maze Board
There is something very satisfying about feeling the little magnetic balls click with the pen!
- Sturdy wooden maze board with attached magnetic wand for moving pieces through 4 self-contained PAW Patrol-themed mazes
- Mazes include Construction Counting, Adventure Bay Racetrack, Firehouse Fun, and Recycling Pick-Up
Melissa & Doug First Bead Maze
Little ones love to slide the bobbles from one side of the track to another.
- Classic Bead Maze Play: Babies explore four looping wires with 18 beads and 3 rings that slide & spin, encouraging pushing, pulling, & grasping motions while on the floor, at a table, or in a high chair
- Montessori-Inspired Learning Toy: Sliding & spinning actions strengthen fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving while introducing shapes, colors, and cause-and-effect learning through play
Pretend Play Can Be STEM (ages 3+)
This is my favorite sneaky one. The Top Bright vet kit looks like a regular pretend play set, but when the puppy is “sick,” its nose changes color, and your kid has to do a series of steps in order (give medicine, listen to the heart) to heal it. Follow the sequence, get the result. That’s the foundation of coding.
I chose the Liberry doctor kit because it has a real working stethoscope (a game-changer in our doctor setup).
Liberry Doctor Kit
I chose this doctor costume because it comes with a real working stethoscope, which was a game-changer in our doctor setup! This compliments the Melissa & Doug doctors kit well.
- Realistic Doctor Dress Up: Liberry doctor costume set includes a durable white medical lab coat, a fully functional stethoscope, and an official-looking ID card. It perfectly ignites children's imagination and inspires future medical professionals.
- Durable Materials: Liberry doctor's outfits are made from soft and durable fabric, ensuring children's comfort during extended play. The material is soft to touch yet durable enough for daily wear and tear, making it ideal for playtime.
Little Live Pets Ouchies Vet Kit Hamster
These Little Live pets teach kids about caring for animals.
- 20+ SOUNDS, LIGHTS & REACTIONS – These kids toys are super interactive and respond to your touch with adorable sounds, and their cheeks even glow when they're sick or hurt to show you how they're feeling
- INTERACTIVE VET KIT – This critter clinic is complete with everything you need to nurse your hamster back to health, including a thermometer, vet bed, medicine, an ice-pack and more
- HEALED & HAPPY – This animal care toy lets kids heal Coco, once healed, Coco's cheeks will stop glowing and she will play a happy sound to let you know she's feeling better!
Top Bright Veterinarian Kit
Believe it or not this is a STEM toy! When the dog is sick, it's nose will change a certain color. To heal the dog, the child must complete a series of actions (give medicine, listen to heart, etc.) in order. These are the foundations of coding!
- Interactive Vet Play Set: Watch as kids learn to respond to their puppy's health signals! With different colored lights representing various ailments, toddlers will help the dog get better with diagnostic card. Kids will hear the delightful licking when feeding the pill and get a playful response when using the syringe, the perfect vet role-play experience. Note: The puppy's nose changes color randomly every 1-2 minutes.
Household STEM (No Shopping Required)
You don’t need to buy anything to start. Here are everyday things that teach real STEM concepts:
- Rubber ducks and plastic cups: sink or float in the tub.
- Magnets: what sticks and what doesn’t (big fridge magnets only for little ones).
- A flashlight: light and shadows.
- Measuring cups and spoons: volume, in the bath or a bin of dry rice.
- Mirrors: reflection and symmetry.
- Paper towel tubes and cardboard boxes: ramps, tunnels, and structures.
- Straws and balloons: air and force.
- Sponges: absorption.
- Aluminum foil: a moldable material to shape and reshape.
- A magnifying glass: close-up looks at bugs, leaves, and rocks.
Outside, stomp rockets and air-powered cars are a fun intro to force and motion (and a great gross motor workout).
Where STEM Fits in Your Toy Rotation
I put out no more than 8 toys at a time, and I try to pull from different categories. STEM is the bonus, so one STEM toy in a rotation is plenty. The nice part is that many STEM toys already cover another category: the marble run is blocks, the vet kit is pretend play and nurturing, the scale is close-ended, and the tweezers are fine motor practice.
For quiet time, I lean toward open-ended STEM like magnetic tiles and building sets. Anything with steps to follow (circuits, marble mazes, science kits) is better when you’re close by, because a stuck kid either calls for help or quits. As they get confident, those same toys become great independent play. Browse everything by age on our toy guides page.
FAQ
A toy that teaches science, technology, engineering, or math through hands-on play. For young kids that means cause and effect, building, experimenting, counting, and following steps in order. It doesn’t have to be labeled STEM to count.
Earlier than you’d think. Babies learn cause and effect from light-up and ball-drop toys. By 2, marble runs and magnetic tiles work, and circuits and science kits come in around 5 and 6 with an adult nearby.
The good ones are, especially building sets, gears, and marble runs that last for years. But STEM is a bonus. Your kid still needs art, pretend play, movement, and open-ended toys, so don’t replace the rest of the shelf.
STEAM adds art to science, technology, engineering, and math. Some versions add reading too. Lots of STEM toys are STEAM toys anyway, since designing your own build is creative work.
Yes. A vet kit where the puppy’s nose changes color and your kid follows steps to heal it teaches sequencing, which is the foundation of coding. Doctor kits with real stethoscopes and tool benches count too.
Grab the Free Toy Rotation Guide
A simple two-page system for cutting the mess and making playtime more fun & last longer!