Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief  Marissa DiBartolo joined Seattle’s KING-TV to show off some of the holiday season’s smartest STEM toys. 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.

3D BUILD & PLAY

Insert a colorful strand of BPA-free, nontoxic material and crank the handle to create custom 3D characters, animals, and more. Includes a themed storybook and backdrops to extend the fun. Helps build fine motor skills. Insert a colorful strand of BPA-free, nontoxic material and crank the handle to create custom 3D characters, animals, and more.…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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MEGA CYBORG HAND

Assemble this cyborg hand using more than 200 plastic pieces, then wear the hand to pick up objects using hydraulic power. Adjusts to fit almost all hand sizes and both left and right hands. Assemble this cyborg hand using more than 200 plastic pieces, then wear the hand to pick up objects using hydraulic power.…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.95; $56.00 CAD
  • Age:
  • 7+

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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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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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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+

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SQUISHY WATER BEADS SCIENCE LAB

Learn about the states of matter through crafty science experiments and squishy, sensory play. Activities include creating a squishy stress ball, a scented mini mood lamp, and a calming mood tube. Learn about the states of matter through crafty science experiments and squishy, sensory play. Activities include creating a squishy stress ball, a scented mini…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.99
  • 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.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BREAK OPEN 10 GEODES KIT

Geology is downright exciting when kids are breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures! Geodes can form with a variety of crystals inside and National Geographic has searched the globe to bring kids the best variety of geodes in this earth science kit. The included display stand is perfect for showcasing the crystals that kids…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99; $39.99 CAD
  • 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.

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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