Children are educational sponges. They’ll pick up whatever you throw at them, so it’s important to keep challenging them even from a young age. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toys do just that—and provide fun along the way.
What to Look for in STEM Toys
No one group or organization owns and defines what makes a STEM toy. But the Toy Association, the American trade association for the U.S. Toy industry, has researched the topic heavily, and they make some reliable recommendations on what makes a good STEM toy.
- STEM/STEAM Focused: Obviously, the toy should focus heavily on Science, Technology, Education, or Math. Some toys may include Art (for STEAM) as part of the goal. A STEM toy might cover concepts like building bridges, learning to code, or even feature science experiences.
- Open-Ended Fun Play: It’s not a toy if it isn’t fun. So, especially for younger children, the more a STEM toy resembles a game your child might otherwise play, the better. STEM toys should also allow for trial and error, as that’s a fundamental aspect of the learning process.
- Real-World Grounding: Since STEM toys are typically physical, they should be grounded in real-world physics. A small truck your kid can push is merely a toy. A truck that teaches greater force yields more dramatic results, on the other hand, is a STEM toy.
- Age Targetting: Some manufacturers target specific age ranges for STEM Toys. It helps to know whether a toy is too advanced or simple for where your child is at right now.
Chances are, you have a good idea of what you want to accomplish with STEM toys. If you’re hoping your brilliant little child will grow up to work for Google or Microsoft, then start with something that teaches coding concepts, for instance. Use your best judgment on whether it looks likes fun then check the age-range.
Best for Toddlers: Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar Twist
For burgeoning young minds, the Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar Twist will hit several concepts, like problem-solving and elementary coding concepts.
Your child will turn dials on each segment of the “Code-a-Pillar,” and those dials will cause the toy to perform actions in a sequence. You can set up obstacles and paths and challenge your children to get the toy from point A to point B without crashing.
It’s a great start to fundamental coding concepts where each point in the code can influence, or even break, the next.
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar Twist
If you want to instill basic coding and problem-solving skills at an early age, the Code-A-Pillar is a good choice. Children turn dials to create sequential action that causes the toy to navigate the room.
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For Pre-Schoolers: Learning Resources Coding Critters
Coding Critters are like a more advanced Code-A-Pillar. It comes with several pieces, including a book, a “playset” (like a slide), a small animal toy, and a larger programmable animal toy.
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