Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht stopped by HLN’s Weekend Express to show off some great S.T.E.M. toys that are so much fun, kids won’t even realize they’re learning too. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.

MY FAIRY GARDEN NATURE COTTAGE

Plant a garden in this whimsical fairy house. There's plenty of space for the included Isla figurine to hang out inside and on the balcony. The cottage doubles as a planter so kids can learn about gardening and STEM concepts. Plant a garden in this whimsical fairy house. There's plenty of space for the included…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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ARTIE 3000

This WiFi-enabled coding/drawing robot puts kids in control. The easy-to-use drag and drop programming can be used on a Mac, PC, or tablet. As kids tell Artie what to draw next, they learn left-brain skills like basic programming, geometry, and math, while engaging the right side of their brains to create cool, colorful designs using…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69.99
  • Age:
  • 7+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

CONFECTIONERY SCIENCE

Kids learn about sugar density and more as they create and decorate a skull, make rock candy, and whip up gummy gems and chocolate lollipops. The set includes everything kids need to get started, except food ingredients.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $9.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

LEGO CITY MARS RESEARCH SHUTTLE

Inspire space and science play with a cool research shuttle and rover toy playset. Give young space adventurers a treat with a NASA-inspired research shuttle and rover toy set. This cool LEGO City 60226 Mars Research Shuttle playset features a space shuttle toy with opening cockpit, 2 opening cargo doors and space inside for the…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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