The best STEM toys for toddlers and kids that encourage curiosity & exploration

Once upon a time my 1-year-old and 6-year-old squabbled over these daily. It was annoying, but a true testament to the power of a simple toy. (And their commitment to a lifetime of bickering.) There are tons of different ways to play, from simply taking them apart and putting them back together, matching the inside color to the face, matching the shape on the bottom to fit into the carton and even staging egg hunts. If my experience is any indication, they’ll have a prominent spot on the playroom shelf for an impressive stretch of time. (And inspire sibling arguments for just as long.)

Ages: 6+ months

Bath time with a side of STEM-based play? Yes please. This engaging set of tubes, pipes and spinning cogs will thrill your tot as they experiment with the cause-and-effect action of pouring water through the tubes to watch the spinners start and stop.

Ages: 12+ months

Geared toward the littlest learners, this toy provides a frustration-free way to explore shapes and textures. Unlike traditional shape-sorting toys, there’s no right or wrong way to get the shapes inside. Instead, they can push the shapes through the elastic bands then explore and experiment ways to get them back out.

Age: 10+ months

This little tool set is ideal for toddlers, it invites role playing which is a huge part on learning how to do things. The truck comes with screws, wrenches, hammers and everything your kid will need to pretend to be working on building something. All the parts come inside a truck that can also be used as a toy itself, with its own little driver. All the parts are safe for two-year-olds and up and will keep them busy while you are doing things around the house, win-win!

Ages: 2+

If you only ever buy one toy (a girl can dream!) the Lovevery Block Set should be it. The system of 70 wood pieces–all designed to work together to create 20 stage-based STEM challenges and activities–allows kids to experiment with physics concepts like cause and effect, force, magnetism, velocity, and gravity all while simply having fun. Build towers and bridges or work hand-eye coordination by lacing blocks with the wooden dowels and string. Four solid wooden people expand their imaginative horizons as they craft houses and buildings. Bonus: Not only does it all fit neatly into its wooden box, but the box itself converts into a play car!

This brings back a little old school fun: stacking dominos to make a little circuit that you could then knock over in seconds. However, this set is way more advanced that what we used to play with! It includes colorful domino pieces, of course, but it also comes with a bridge, a bell and a ton of tricks for your children to discover.

It helps kids develop spatial thinking abilities, three dimensional thinking and might set them up for a successful engineering career in the future. Also, it’s fun to have timed races!

Ages: 3+

Arguably one of the most popular toys of the past decade, Magna-Tiles have become ubiquitous for good reason. These colorful blocks are great for encouraging open-ended, creative play and developing math, science, spatial and fine motor skills. The magnetic sides will inspire beginning builders and help more experienced builders think “outside the box.” There are tons of different sets to add on as the obsession grows and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to play with them after the little ones go down for the night!

Ages: 3+

With Squaregles, the fun doesn’t end once the building is over. In fact, it’s just beginning! Perhaps the most versatile magnetic building set we’ve ever seen, Squaregles invite kids to build thousands of different 3D structures from racetracks to marble ramps. The strong magnets keep their builds from collapsing while the paperboard panels offer a place for them to show off their artistic skills.

The flexible and fun Bendy Builders are one of those toys that keep kids of all ages engrossed for hours. Inside the reusable bin they’ll find colorful twisty tubes, wooden stabilizers and plastic connectors that can be combined to create anything under the sun. One minute they may be working on assembling a rocket to Mars, the next they may fashion a crown that’s fit for royalty. The fun part is just watching as they get in the zone and let their imagination come to life!

On a dollars to fun ratio, Stomp Rockets may be the best toy investment I ever made. I mean, who doesn’t love the satisfaction of stomping something into space? Kids will spend literally hours setting them up and chasing them down, experimenting throughout the process with direction and force. This particular set includes three different styles of rockets, adding an additional layer of STEM learning as they learn which ones glide, which ones flip and which ones can turn impressive loops. Trust me when I say you’ll be asking for a turn yourself.

Ages: 5+

What is Clixo? Well, a better question might be what isn’t it? A flexible, magnetic and modern-twist on building toys, Clixo sets invite kids to create any 2D or 3D structures they can dream up. The pieces, which are made from a durable and eco-friendly material they can bend and twist, feature secure magnets at the ends that click together with an impressive hold. From robots and jewelry to purses and rocket ships, the sky’s the limit on what they create!

Few things give kids (and adults!) a deeper sense of pride than building something with their own hands. Thanks to the awesome DIY kits from DIY Kits from Red Toolbox’s Stanley Jr., you can let your kiddo take the lead, stress-free. The easy-to-assemble woodcraft kits are made from quality pre-drilled wood (so no worries they’ll get frustrated by pieces that don’t fit) and require just a hammer, screwdriver and wood glue to complete. Tap into the app for simple visual instructions and finish it off with a custom paint job.

Ages: 5+

Screen time can get a bad rap, but there’s a huge difference between a YouTube binge and engaged learning. Osmo turns your little’s iPad into a fun tool—that requires no WiFi!—and bring imagination to life. Pair it with the pretend play costume pieces and silicone rings to practice letter forming, early math skills, create costumes and make magic happen. (For older kiddos ages 6-10 check out this set instead.)

Ages: 3+

Polish up their critical thinking skills with this simple logic game. Perfect for travel or waiting around, the idea is to free the ice cream truck as you slide the other vehicles out of the way. Forty challenge cards (in easy, medium and super hard levels) provide hours of problem solving fun.

Ages: 5+

With a mix of LEGO pieces and paper, this set provides both step-by-step projects and open-ended creativity as kids learn about the basics of engineering. There are eight different models to assemble along with plenty of ideas and inspiration along the way. While some can be a little tricky and require a bit of adult assistance, the instructions are clear and concise and the characters are super fun!

Ages: 7+

If your kid is obsessed with rocks and gems this kit is going to be a hit! It has easy to follow instructions and you can grow eight crystals at home. The set also comes with a display so they can show off their creations in their room or school. The set also comes with a lot of information about crystals and rocks so kids can keep learning about them while their own set grows.

Ages: 8+

Who says you need a computer to learn how to code? Using a format they’re probably already familiar with, this clever kit uses basic coding concepts like algorithms, puzzling, sequencing, variables, binary and more to create 15 colorful keychain charms.

Ages: 8+

Take everything we love about the Sphero Robot Ball and add a super fun construction kit and new, engaging games to create the perfect STEM toy for older kiddos. Budding engineers learn to code the ping pong sized ball (equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights) via the free Sphero Edu app. They can learn how to use JavaScript across several platforms, which if you ask me, is a great start to a successful career in computer science. With the Sphero Play app, the kit lets them game and drive, as they steer the Sphero through obstacle courses, play games and knock things down. You might even learn a thing or two yourself!

Ages: 5-14