Toys that focus on STEM concepts are high on parents’ shopping lists for their ability not only to entertain kids, but to teach important subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht was a guest on Fox in Oklahoma City to talk about some of the best STEM toys for the holidays. 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 holidays, check out our complete holiday gift guide.
BARBIE FUNDAMENTAL CHEMISTRY SET (THAMES & KOSMOS)
- Barbie is one of the top students in her chemistry class. For an extracurricular project, she and a fellow classmate put together a series of science demonstrations to present to other students at their school. This colorful carrying case is actually a portable science lab with all sorts of tools and materials for science experiments.
- As you read the story in the illustrated manual, you can experiment with six fun, safe potions and concoctions, each demonstrating important scientific principles. Learn the chemistry and physical science behind all the special properties of these potions.
- Thames & Kosmos partners with Mattel to expand its line of Barbie science kits.
- Kids can learn about chemistry and complete six experiments.
- Fun to get girls interested in STEM subjects, specifically through potions and colorful carrying case.
- Age: 4+
- MSRP: $29.95
DANCE CODE FEATURING DISNEY PRINCESS BELLE (HASBRO)
- Dance Code Belle empowers and encourages kids to imagine they are bringing Belle to life in a realistic way, including an interactive and story-driven app that introduces kids to early coding techniques.
- Using the app, kids can learn simple coding techniques such as block coding and “connect-the-dots” to create and choreograph unique dance sequences for their Belle doll, and watch her really move.
- The Dance Code Belle doll also features three standalone modes of play, independent from the app.
- Belle can instruct kids to dance, kids can hold Belle’s arm to lead her in a dance, or simply press her necklace to watch the doll dance to choreographed dance routines on her own.
- She features more than 100 phrases and seven different songs, and comes wearing Belle’s iconic gold gown.
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $119.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Toys “R” Us
3DOODLER START ROBOTICS PEN SET (3DOODLER)
- The Robotics Pen Set is the perfect toy set for a budding roboticist and engineer.
- Kids can follow the step-by-step Activity Guide included to create simple robots, two legged, four-legged and six-legged walking or crawling robots!
- This 3-D printing pen and its creations are not hot to touch and use BPA-free plastic, making it completely safe for kids to use.
- The pen nozzle and plastic can safely be touched with no burn risks.
- As a tactile learning toy, the 3Doodler Start inspires creativity, design, planning, building, and spatial understanding.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $69.99
- Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
DROID INVENTOR KIT (LITTLEBITS)
- Play. Invent. For the first time ever, kids can create their own R2-D2 and bring him to life!
- They’ll teach R2-D2 new tricks and take him on more than 20 missions with the free Droid Inventor app, then level-up their skills to design any Droid they can dream up.
- The kit comes with a littleBits motor, sensors, lights, stickers, and Droid part kids need to build and customize R2-D2 straight out of the box. Initial assembly is easy with step-by-step instructions, plus challenges to get creative building brand-new Droids.
- The Droid has more than 8 modes and 10 authentic R2-D2 sounds, making it the perfect galactic sidekick.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $99.95
- Available: Amazon, littleBits, Walmart
HEXBUG VEX ROBOTICS BATTLEBOTS MINOTAUR/TOMBSTONE (HEXBUG)
- From the hit TV series BattleBots comes Tombstone, the grave maker! Construct your very own version of this champion robot with the VEX Robotics BattleBots Tombstone.
- Use STEM-based problem solving skills in part with easy snap-together pieces to bring this bot to life. Tombstone comes complete with realistic detail and fully functional spinning blade.
- Teaches kids about advanced gearing techniques through hands-on building, encourages STEM-based problem-solving skills.
- Realistic detail, spinning blade, and 425+ snap together pieces.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Amazon, Hexbug.com, Target, Toys R Us
LEGO WORLDS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT)
- LEGO Worlds is a galaxy of imaginative worlds made entirely of digital LEGO bricks where players can explore, discover, and create together.
- Kids can create anything they can imagine one brick at a time, or use large-scale landscaping tools to create vast mountain ranges and dot their world with tropical islands.
- Kids can drop in prefabricated structures to build and customize any world to their liking. Players can explore using helicopters, dragons, motorbikes or even gorillas and unlock treasures that enhance your gameplay
- Discover and Collect Rewards: Players uncover hidden treasures in diverse environments, collecting characters, creatures, vehicles, castles, props and weapons as they explore each new world.
- Online multiplayer allows two players to explore each other’s Worlds, play competitive challenges and show-off creations.
- Available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and more.
- Age: 10+
- MSRP: $29.99
