The allure of STEM toys may have lost some of its initial magic, but it’s clear that these educational tools still play a valuable role in sparking curiosity and learning for young minds. While the initial hype may have waned, the evolution of STEM toys has taken a turn toward serving the formal education market. However, there are still thoughtful and engaging options for parents seeking to gift their children something that combines fun with educational value.
Shifting Landscapes in STEM Toy Evolution
Over the past decade, the landscape of STEM toys has seen significant changes. Many startups that initially rode the wave of innovation have either disappeared entirely or pivoted toward the formal education sector. The focus is now more on aligning products with curriculum-based content for schools. This shift suggests that the initial marketing claims, which centered around teaching STEM concepts through play, have found resonance, particularly in educational settings.
However, challenges persist. The initial excitement around learn-to-code has dimmed, with attention shifting towards AI, potentially replacing some coding jobs in the future. There’s a growing emphasis on teaching soft skills, fostering creativity, and preparing children to leverage automation tools effectively.
Additionally, concerns about screen time persist among parents, impacting the willingness to invest in expensive STEM products that often require tethering to devices. The challenge is to make these products relevant and appealing in a world where children are already immersed in connected environments.
STEM Gifts for Christmas
Despite the evolving landscape, there are still thoughtful and engaging STEM gifts available. Below, we’ve curated a selection of toys designed to introduce coding and engineering concepts or simply keep little hands busy building.
Adventures of Gino & Gina: Wildlife Rescue Monthly Subscription STEM Kits
Age: 3+
Price: $29.99 per month
Cyprus-based Engino offers a monthly subscription STEM kit for junior engineers aged 3 and above. The kit focuses on physical building using colorful, snap-fit blocks, providing a gentle introduction to STEM concepts.
Discovery #Mindblown Early Engineers 88-Piece Building Set
Age: 3+
Price: $20.99
From U.S. toymaker Discovery, this building set encourages physical building using a mix of components, promoting design exploration and problem-solving without the need for screens.
Code & Go Robot Mouse
Age: 4+
Price: $33.99
This retro-style, fully programmable robot mouse comes with coding cards to introduce kids to basic coding concepts and critical thinking without the need for screens.
Pixel Art Challenge
Age: 5+
Price: $19.99
Learning Resources’ Pixel Art Challenge kit combines math and coding problem-solving with building 2-D pixel artwork, offering a basic introduction to STEAM concepts.
Sphero Mini Robot Ball: Soccer Theme
Age: 8+
Price: $50
Sphero’s Mini Robot Ball, dressed as a soccer ball, provides fun sports matches for kids. It offers both entertainment and education through the Sphero Play app and Sphero Edu, with STEM games and learn-to-code content. A smart device is required for access.
CyberPi Go Kit+ Somatosensory Game Coding Box
Age: 8+
Price: $89.99
MakeBlock’s CyberPi Go Kit encourages Block-based and Python coding by programming a multi-function microcontroller. Bundled with a Somatosensory Game Coding Box, it adds a gaming element to coding. Requires access to a computer or smart device for programming.
