Looking for toys that are smart and educational this holiday season? Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by NBC in Indianapolis to show off some great STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toys that will educate as well as entertain. 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 THE CODING ROBOT ACTIVITY SET (LEARNING RESOURCES)
- Botley the Coding Robot gives children as young as five early exposure to coding and helps them gain confidence in STEM through fun, imaginative play.
- Botley is 100-percent screen free and does not require the use of a smartphone or tablet. Ready to use right out of the box, a simple remote control allows children to code up to 120 programmable steps.
- And, a 77-piece activity set gives children the tools to create challenges and activities like obstacle courses and mazes.
- Botley grows with children and has many features to discover including looping, black line following, and smart logic to detect objects – and avoid them! There are also secret hidden features for children to discover.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $79.99
- Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s, Walmart, learningresources.com
CRAYOLA COLOR CHEMISTRY LAB SET (CRAYOLA)
- With 50 different colorful experiments designed by real Crayola scientists, this lab set teaches kids the magic of science, math, and art through color at S.T.E.A.M. principles.
- From an erupting volcano to glow worms and slime, kids can embark on experiments using core Crayola products and household items, stretching their imaginations while also reinforcing their subject matter skills.
- For continued creativity, kids can use the included illustrative guide to conduct experiments again and again using everyday items.
- Age: 7+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Walmart, Crayola.com
3DOODLER START HEXBUG MAKE YOUR OWN HEXBUG PEN SET & ACTIVITY KIT (3DOODLER)
- 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 a 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.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $59.99 (Pen Set); $24.99 (Activity Kit without pen)
- Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Michael’s
