Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski joined CBS in Columbus to show off the smartest new STEM toys of the holiday season. 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.

BOTLEY 2.0 THE CODING ROBOT

Use the remote programmer to build coding sequences with up to 150 steps, code light shows with Botley's eyes, or play a game. New features include a light-up sensor and the ability to discover secret codes. Use the remote programmer to build coding sequences with up to 150 steps, code light shows with Botley's eyes,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $64.99; $88.00 CAD
  • Age:
  • 5+

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MAGFORMERS 14PC BASIC PLUS SET

Build 3D houses, towers, and the Magformers “magic ball” using the 14 included geometric shapes. Each piece contains magnets that never reject for easy building. When playtime is over, stack the pieces for easy, compact storage.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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K’NEX ARCHITECTURE

Kids can discover their inner architect by snapping together rods and connectors to build designs including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, and the London Eye. Each set comes with historical information about the landmark and detailed easy-to-follow, step-by-step building instructions. Kids can discover their inner architect by snapping together rods and connectors to…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99-$59.99
  • Age:
  • 9+

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CRAYOLA STEAM PAPER FLOWER SCIENCE KIT

Learn about the science of water “wicking” as kids design and create up to 12 colorful paper flowers that can “re-wick” color over and over for a new look. This easy-to-use set teaches about physics and capillary action.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99; $24.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 7+

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CIRCUIT EXPLORER

Circuit Explorer combines simple circuits and big imaginations! Construction play meets electrical engineering in this snap-together building system that comes in three different playsets! Kids line up the circuitry graphics on the oversized pieces and snap them together to build a fully powered, large-scale, space-themed world. Connect the pieces to make out-of-this-world custom, light-up builds.…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.99-64.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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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