Get those kids off their screens and outside. Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by KTVU in San Francisco to talk about some great STEM toys that are as educational as they are entertaining. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the season, check out our Spring and Summer gift guide.
BREAKAWAY BALLZ (ALEX BRANDS)
- “Breakaway” from the ordinary with Breakaway Ballz Series One. Catch ‘em, bounce ‘em, break ‘em!!
- Each ball consists of eight identically sized foam pieces that break apart when thrown against a hard surface, revealing a bouncy ball surprise inside.
- The identically sized pieces allow you to easily piece back together.
- For added play, kids can hide something inside.
- Collect all six.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $9.99
- Available: Amazon, Learning Express
- Churn out oodles and oodles of bubbles with just the wave of your hand with Glove-A-Bubbles! Get ready to wave and play!
- Kids simply remove the bubble pouch from the glove and pour one of the two bubble solutions into the pouch. Dip the glove into the bubble pouch. Wave your glove back and forth and watch tons of delightful bubbles form instantly, right before your eyes. Never-ending bubbles for never-ending fun!
- Glove-A-Bubbles come with one glove and two packs of bubble solution. The pouch is also re-sealable and refillable.
- Glove-A-Bubbles come in eight different animal-themed styles, including lion, alligator, hippopotamus, elephant, dinosaur, panda, bunny, and monkey. There’s a Glove-A-Bubble for everyone!
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $2.99
- Available: Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club
MORFBOARD SKATE/SCOOT COMBINATION (JAKKS PACIFIC)
- Morfboard is a new, exciting, and innovative brand. This high-performance deck and component system transforms in seconds and creates an entirely new play experience.
- The Morfboard ecosystem encompasses super simple Lock & Release Technology (LRT): simply drop Xtensions into the board and turn them 90 degrees. The flex trigger locks in so kids are ready to skate, ride, balance, or bounce. Morfboard provides year-round fun – anywhere, anytime.
- Includes: A Morfboard, front and rear skate, scoot Xtensions, and scoot T-Bar.
- Skate Xtensions feature 53mm Urethane wheels, durable cast aluminum trucks, and Performance ABEC 5 skate bearing.
- Scoot Xtensions feature lean to steer wishbone front truck and rear wheel with inset lever brake.
- Variable height T-Bar with rubber anti-slip grips.
- Available in a variety of color options to customize the board.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Target, Walmart
- Dig up fun in the sand with the Excavator. The shovel can either be removed and used on its own or situated into one of two positions on the vehicle. When placed in the lower position, the shovel can collect sand as you move the excavator. Or, place the shovel in the upper position to keep it out of the way as you drive.
- Once your sand castle is built, remove the Playmobil flag from the back of the vehicle and attach it to you castle walls. Place the Playmobil 1.2.3. figure in front of the vehicle through the roof opening.
- Perfect for play either at the beach or in the sandbox – the possibilities are endless!
- Set also includes one figure, excavator with removable shovel, Playmobil flag, and more.
- Age: 2+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart
IMPULSE SCIENCE OOZE LABS (THAMES & KOSMOS)
- Ooze Labs are fun and simple science experiments in big chunky plastic test tubes!
- Each Ooze Lab tube contains a safe material that is both fun to play with and chemically interesting.
- Available in Sunshine Slime, Glitter Slime, Magnetic Slime, Hot Ice Crystals, Magic Sand, Hypercolor Slime, and Glow-in-the-Dark Slime.
- Age: 7+
- MSRP: $4.95 each
- Available: Amazon and specialty
MENTAL BLOX ON THE GO (LEARNING RESOURCES)
- Help kids hone their critical thinking skills even when you’re on the go. The Mental Blox – On The Go set combines the boredom-fighting fun of a traditional travel activity set with trusted educational challenges from the experts at Learning Resources.
- Contained within the sturdy, travel-friendly carrying case is a 16-piece puzzle ready to tease brains and challenge critical thinking skills during long flights or short road trips.
- Each set comes with a puzzle book filled with ten different types of challenges, including games and activities designed for both one and multiple players—over 30 challenges in all targeting different skills and subjects.
- Some might require knowledge of math or number sequences, while others might lean more on problem solving and imaginative play.
- At the end of each play session, pieces pack neatly back into the three-piece carrying case, making even quick game sessions a snap to clean up.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, learningresources.com
3DOODLER START HEXBUG MAKE YOUR OWN MICRO ROBOTIC CREATURES PEN SET AND ACTIVITY KIT (3DOODLER)
- Kids love HEXBUG! Kids love creating with 3Doodler Start! Now kids can make their own eccentric-looking HEXBUG creatures that behave like real bugs.
- Doodle your bug’s body and legs using the insect-themed DoodleMold to create your very own pet insectoid, then let it crawl around to explore its environment, conquer obstacles, or race your friends.
- Part of the 3Doodler Start STEM Series, this set fosters STEM learning by allowing kids to design and experiment with different robotic structures.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: Pen Set $59.99, Activity Kit MSRP (without pen) $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Michael’s
