STEM toys continue to gain popularity among parents and teachers – and kids. It should be no surprise then that toy manufacturers are following suit. They are creating more and more exciting toys that promote learning through play.
But what are STEM toys, exactly?
The toys come in a huge variety, but they all focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts. They offer a hands-on experience that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving.
STEM toys really do come in a variety of forms, ranging from building kits to robotics and coding games to even gardening playsets. Regardless of their specific theme, the toys are a valuable addition to any child’s playroom. They build confidence, perseverance, and an interest in solving real-world problems.
What are STEM Toys?
STEM toys can be any playthings that introduce children to fundamental concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math.
While they are indeed toys, they’re unlike the traditional variety. STEM toys combine fun and educational value. They encourage kids to experiment, explore, and learn through trial and error.
Many STEM toys actually align perfectly with classroom lessons. They help students to learn important skills that they’ll need in the future. A good STEM toy meets a few different criteria:
- It promotes active learning instead of passive play. Interactive experiences help kids build knowledge.
- The toy introduces one or even multiple STEM subjects so children develop early interests in lucrative fields.
- STEM toys encourage problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
- Each toy offers real-world applications. They help kids connect playtime to actual scientific and engineering concepts.
STEM toys – unlike their conventional counterparts – prioritize active participation and applied knowledge. They give children firsthand experiences in subjects like engineering, physics, and math with carefully designed activities.
Your child might enjoy constructing a working bridge with a building kit. Or maybe they’re the sort who prefers to program a simple robot. Either way, STEM toys will give them a sense of accomplishment. They’ll be eager to learn more.
STEM Toys Benefits
When children play with STEM toys, they enjoy a wide range of developmental benefits. They boost kids’ cognitive abilities, the toys improve their hand-eye coordination, and they also help young ones learn persistence when faced with challenges. Plus, STEM toys introduce foundational skills that children can apply later in their education and careers.
Encourage Curiosity and Exploration
It’s only natural for kids to ask questions about the world. STEM toys give them interactive ways to find those answers. Toys like chemistry sets and microscope kits encourage scientific exploration while they promote a love for discovery.
Improve Problem-Solving Skills
Many STEM toys make kids figure out the solution to a challenge or a puzzle. They might need to solve a math puzzle or instead be assigned to construct a stable tower. STEM toys help children build resilience and a systematic approach to problem solving.
Build Confidence
When children successfully complete STEM-based tasks, it boosts their self-esteem. It also encourages more independent learning. The more kids play with STEM toys, the greater their confidence in their own abilities.
Introduce Engineering and Coding Concepts
Many of the modern STEM toys teach basic coding, physics, and engineering principles. They do this in an approachable way that encourages kids to learn more. With toys that teach how circuits work, what gravity is, or how to code a small robot, children get a deeper understanding of technology.
Foster Collaboration
With some STEM toys, kids are encouraged to work as a team. They learn about teamwork, including how to work with others to achieve a goal. When they work together on a project, children improve their communication and cooperation skills.
Develop Patience and Perseverance
Other STEM-based playthings require multiple steps, which teaches kids perseverance. They learn patience as they try new approaches and refine their work when things don’t go as planned.
Enhance Motor Skills
STEM toys that require children to build, assemble, or manipulate small pieces improves their fine motor control and hand-eye coordination.
The Role of STEM Toys in Early Childhood Development
STEM toys can play a significant role in early childhood development. They promote basic cognitive and motor skills. During children’s earliest years, their brains continue to rapidly develop as they form neural connections that will shape how they process information and solve problems.
Hands-on experiences with STEM toys do much to reinforce critical developmental milestones. They let kids explore concepts like cause and effect, spatial reasoning, and sequencing.
Building blocks, for example, help wee ones understand balance and stability. Simple circuit kits likewise introduce basic electrical concepts.
When children play with STEM toys from an early age, they develop an inquisitive mindset. They learn how to approach their problems systematically as they experiment with possible solutions. All of that prepares them for more advanced learning in school. At that point, subjects like math and science will become more complex – but they’ll be no problem for kids who played with STEM toys!
STEM toys also help kids with sensory exploration. Toys designed for young children often incorporate vibrant colors, textures, and interactive elements. When they engage multiple senses with their toys, kids improve their cognitive retention so education can feel natural and exciting. The toys set them up on a path of lifelong learning.
STEM Toys vs. Traditional Toys
What’s the difference between STEM toys and more traditional toys like Montessori toys?
Traditional toys focus on things like imaginative play, role-playing, and physical activity. They provide plenty of entertainment, but they might not promote as much educational growth as STEM toys.
What are some of the main differences between STEM toys and traditional toys? They include:
- The toys have a different purpose. Traditional toys are mainly for entertainment, but STEM toys integrate learning.
- STEM toys are interactive. They require active problem solving, while many traditional toys are more about passive play.
- The toys have different educational values. Traditional toys might still have some learning elements, but STEM toys are designed specifically to teach.
- Traditional and STEM toys have different longevity. Many STEM toys can grow with the child since they offer increasing levels of complexity over time.
How does all this come into play? Imagine a dollhouse. It definitely encourages imaginative storytelling, but a building kit also teaches spatial reasoning and engineering principles.
In the same vein, a toy microscope offers a hands-on experience in biology. It lets kids examine insects, plant life, and everyday objects in a whole new way.
Common Types of STEM Toys
There are different forms of STEM toys, each one targets different learning areas. A few of the more popular types include building sets, science kits, robotics toys, math toys, and life cycle figurines.
Building and Construction Sets
Building toys like the kind sold by Safari Ltd. introduce engineering and physics concepts to kids. When they play with construction sets, kids learn about balance, structure and design as they build towers, bridges, and other structures. Examples like wooden blocks sets, interlocking bricks, and magnetic tiles encourage trial-and-error learning as kids better understand structural integrity.
Science Kits and Experiment Sets
With science kits, children get to explore chemistry, physics, and biology in a fun and engaging way. Many kits feature experiments that show kids about real-world scientific principles. They might learn about volcanic eruptions, how to grow crystals, or simple circuits. With a well-designed science kit, children learn about observation, forming hypotheses, and experimentation.
Coding and Robotics Toys
Hands-on activities with coding toys can introduce kids to programming, which prepares them for a future career in technology. Some play sets use physical blocks with QR codes. Others have children assemble robots that follow programmed commands. Each of these types of toys helps young children develop better logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mathematics and Logic Games
Puzzles, brain teasers, and math-based toys make it exciting to learn about numbers and patterns. Math and logic games improve kids’ problem-solving abilities and numerical fluency. They also offer enough engagement to keep children interested. When they play with math-focused toys, kids experience less math-related anxiety in school
Life Cycle Figurines
Safari Ltd. offers realistic life cycle figurines and themed TOOBS that help children learn about biological processes, animal development, and environmental science. The hands-on figurines like Good Luck Minis introduce scientific concepts through visual and tactile engagement, making them perfect for young learners interested in biology.
Integrating STEM Toys into Everyday Play
What’s the best way to maximize the benefits of STEM toys? Why not integrate them into your child’s everyday play routine instead of saving them for structured learning sessions?
When STEM concepts become part of daily activities, kids are more likely to retain the information. They’ll also develop a natural curiosity about the world.
As a parent or a caregiver, you can encourage everyday STEM learning by asking your child open-ended questions as they play with STEM toys. For example, if a child is building a tower with blocks, their parents might ask what happens if another block is added to the top, or even why did the tower fall over. Children will need to think critically about balance and stability to answer the questions.
When you encourage kids to predict outcomes and test their theories, you help reinforce scientific thinking and curiosity. Plus, engagement is all the more enhanced when you pair STEM toys with storytelling. A child playing with a dinosaur excavation kit can create a story about paleontologists who uncover fossils. Or, a young person playing with a microscope kit might take on the role of a mad scientist who has to document their observations.
When you seamlessly blend STEM toys into everyday play, your children will develop a stronger connection to important STEM concepts. Learning will feel like a natural part of exploration instead of a formal lesson.
Other Examples of STEM Toys
Our earlier examples are far from the only types of popular STEM toys. In fact, the list of options is almost as endless as your child’s imagination.
1. Mechanical and Engineering Construction Sets
Building sets and engineering toys often include gears, pulleys, and simple machines that let children explore engineering principles. The toys are great ways to help kids understand forces, motion, and mechanical efficiency as they create functioning models of real-world structures.
2. Paleontology and Geology Kits
STEM toys can extend far beyond engineering and coding. Safari Ltd. offers a variety of realistic dinosaur figurines and excavation kits that let kiddos experience the thrills of scientific discovery. Paleontology sets teach children about geological concepts and fossils. They nurture a passion for prehistoric life.
3. Weather Science Kits
Safari’s toy collection also features weather science kits that let kids experiment with weather-related phenomena like wind patterns, precipitation, and temperature changes – they promote a greater understanding of meteorology.
4. Astronomy and Space Exploration Models
Educational space figurines, space-themed building kits, and solar system models introduce wee ones to planetary science, space exploration, and astronomy.
5. Magnetism and Electricity Kits
When they play with these STEM toys, children get to explore electromagnetism and electrical circuits. It’s an interactive introduction to foundational physics concepts.
6. Botanical and Gardening Sets
Plant-growing kits and gardening tools let kids explore botany as they observe things like plant growth cycles, photosynthesis, and soil health.
7. Marine Biology Exploration Sets
Realistic sea life figurines and related interactive learning kits teach kids about ocean ecosystems, marine animals, and conservation efforts.
8. Anatomy and Human Body Models
STEM-focused models like human organs TOOBs allow kids to learn about the human body, organs, and physiological systems. It’s a hands-on way to explore biology.
Choose the Right STEM Toy
Are you looking for a STEM toy to supplement your child’s learning? Or maybe just a unique but educational gift?
There’s a STEM toy for every child’s age, interest, and skill level. The right toy should be challenging enough to keep young ones engaged, but not so difficult that it causes frustration. Some of the best STEM toys will actually evolve as your child grows.
When you choose the best STEM toy for the special child in your life, consider the following factors:
- Age Appropriateness
- Interests
- Educational Value
- Durability
- Safety
STEM Toys Matter
If you haven’t already figured it out, STEM toys offer so much more than entertainment. They shape the way young children think, solve problems, and interact with the world around them. Science, technology, engineering, and math toys offer valuable learning experiences that combine fun and education to help kids build lifetime skills.
You should explore Safari Ltd.’s selection of educational toys to find the perfect STEM plaything for your child. You give them the tools they need to learn and explore.
