Mar 20, 2024 | Makeblock
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing educational landscape, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom has become increasingly important. This is where STEM toys step in, seamlessly integrating fun and education to provide children with a holistic learning experience.
It is emphasized that young children possess an innate curiosity and drive to explore their surroundings. This curiosity fuels their desire to interact with toys and materials that offer opportunities for discovery. STEM toys align perfectly with this natural inclination. These are toys that allow children to engage in activities where they can problem-solve and discover, such as puzzles, building sets, magnets, and robot kits that facilitate hands-on experiments.
In this article, we're thrilled to present our carefully curated list of the top 10 STEM toys that not only entertain but also educate, promoting all-round development in children.
1. Makeblcok mBot Neo
Makeblock, the global innovator providing STEAM education solutions, is always devoted to inspiring kids to be creative and tech-savvy. mBot Neo as one of its top-notch coding robots, has gained popularity in the STEM learning field. This innovative and engaging STEM toy has garnered support from both educators and parents due to its impressive features:
Buildable Coding Robot: mBot Neo is ideal for beginners who are diving into the world of robotics, coding, and engineering. Little players can build it within 30 minutes and its max playtime is about 5 hours, which sustains maximum fun in robotic coding. Children can build their robot from scratch using a screwdriver and step-by-step instructions are provided. This hands-on creation process not only teaches them about robotics but also encourages problem-solving and fine motor skills.
Resourceful Learning Materials: As an educational STEM toy, mBot Neo is equipped with abundant free learning resources including the free coding software, mBlock, which allows anyone to enjoy playing and learning to code. Furthermore, we offer 8+ free learning courses of mBot Neo to help knowledge-oriented learners and homeschooling practitioners learn computer science, coding, and STEM from concepts to applications. If our young minds have trouble with various functions of mBot Neo, there are 33+ learning cases introducing the versatility of mBot Neo, including how to avoid obstacles, how to follow the line on the ground, etc.
Multiple Sensors: mBot Neo Shield comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, multi-function servo and motor ports, and a Quad RGB sensor. mBot Neo comes with a range of built-in sensors, such as a light sensor, microphone, gyroscope, and accelerometer, along with other sensors like an ultrasonic sensor and quad RGB sensor. It can detect and react to its surroundings in real-time.
Interactive Learning: mBot Neo is not just a static toy; it can interact with its environment. For instance, its obstacle avoidance sensors help the robot navigate around obstacles, providing a practical application of sensor technology and programming.
mBot Neo is a versatile and feature-rich STEM toy that combines education with entertainment. It's designed to inspire young minds to explore the exciting fields of coding, robotics, and technology, providing a solid foundation for future learning and development.
2. Magnet Building Block
Magnet Building Blocks are a popular STEM toy that combines the fun of building with the principles of science and engineering. These blocks are typically made of durable plastic with embedded magnets, allowing them to attract and repel one another, enabling endless possibilities for construction. By experimenting with Magnet Building Blocks, children can learn about magnetic forces, geometric shapes, symmetry, and balance. This hands-on experience fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and spatial reasoning abilities. Magnet Building Blocks are not only entertaining but also provide a valuable educational tool for introducing children to fundamental STEM concepts in an engaging way.
3. Makeblock mBot Ultimate
mBot Ultimate by Makeblock is an exceptional educational tool that bridges the gap between play and learning in the realms of engineering, mechanics, and programming.
Versatile Robot-Building Forms: mBot Ultimate offers an impressive range of 10 different robot-building forms. This variety ensures that children can explore a multitude of configurations, each with its unique set of challenges and learning opportunities. These forms cater to various levels of complexity, allowing kids to progress at their own pace and continuously be engaged with new and exciting projects.
Compatibility with Major Platforms: One of the standout features of the mBot Ultimate is its compatibility with both Arduino and Raspberry Pi. This compatibility opens up a world of possibilities for young learners, as they can experiment with different coding environments and hardware configurations. Arduino's ease of use makes it accessible for beginners, while the Raspberry Pi's versatility offers more advanced users a platform to delve deeper into computer science and programming.
Holistic Educational Experience: mBot Ultimate is designed to assist children in developing a strong foundation in engineering, mechanical design, and programming. By physically constructing robots and programming their behavior, children gain hands-on experience that translates into a deeper understanding of these subjects. mBot Ultimate's educational value is further enhanced by its ability to support a wide range of learning activities, from basic mechanics to complex coding tasks.
mBot Ultimate is a dynamic and educational STEM toy that provides children with a well-rounded learning experience. Its 10 robot-building forms, compatibility with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and support for multiple programming languages make it an ideal tool for fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and technical knowledge in the next generation of innovators.
4. Sphero BOLT
Sphero BOLT is an innovative robotic ball designed to inspire creativity and learning through play. With its advanced technology and programmable features, BOLT offers endless opportunities for exploration and experimentation. Users can code, customize, and control BOLT using various programming platforms, making it an ideal tool for STEM education and programming enthusiasts of all ages. This versatile robot encourages hands-on learning and problem-solving skills while providing an engaging and interactive experience for users.
5. 3D Cartoon Printer
CoLiDo Kids 1.0 3D Cartoon Printer goes beyond its printing capabilities; it catalyzes creativity among children aged 6-14. By bringing their imaginative ideas to life, it fosters innovation and supports STEM education. Ideal as a birthday present or gift for kids, this printer prioritizes safety, ensuring peace of mind for parents. Designed for easy operation by children, it offers both entertainment and security, making it an excellent choice for tech-savvy families seeking bonding experiences. With a diverse selection of 3D model files available, children can personalize and print various objects while enjoying uninterrupted quality time with family.
6. Makeblock mBot Mega
mBot Mega is an innovative and thrilling option for outdoor educational settings. It's not just a toy; it's a platform that brings together family fun, hands-on building, and the excitement of learning robotics and programming in a dynamic and engaging way.
Omnidirectional Remote Control Car: mBot Mega is designed as an omnidirectional remote control car, which means it can move in any direction with ease. Its unique ability to rotate 360° and perform side drifting maneuvers provides endless entertainment and a level of control that surpasses traditional remote-controlled cars. This feature also introduces the concept of differential wheel movement and control, a fundamental aspect of robotics.
3-in-1 Ready-to-Use Robot Presets: Once the building is complete, the mBot Mega offers three distinct robot presets that are ready to use immediately. These presets showcase the robot's versatility and allow users to jump right into exploring different robotic behaviors without the need for extensive initial programming. This feature is perfect for beginners and provides a solid foundation for those looking to dive deeper into coding.
Progressive Learning Path in Programming: mBot Mega is designed to support a progressive learning path in programming. Users start with block-based programming, which is an intuitive way for beginners to understand the basics of coding. As learners become more confident, they can transition to using the Arduino IDE, which offers a more text-based environment suitable for intermediate programmers. mBot Mega's compatibility with Arduino allows for a smooth transition from block-based to text-based programming, laying a solid foundation for future learning.
mBot Mega is a fantastic educational STEM toy that combines the excitement of building and controlling a high-performance remote control car with the educational benefits of learning programming. Its omnidirectionality, quick assembly, ready-to-use presets, and progressive learning path make it an ideal choice for families looking to introduce the concepts of robotics and programming in a fun and accessible way.
7. Physics Electric Circuit Learning Starter Kit
The STEM kit for learning basic circuitry offers a plethora of project options, including Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits, Hand Generators, Oster Experiments, Ohm's Law, Solenoids, and Ampere's Rule. Its engaging nature captivates children's interest, allowing them to build, experiment, and explore simple electrical circuits while gaining valuable knowledge. Investing time in this educational activity creates meaningful bonding moments and interactive learning experiences with your children.
8. LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope
Supported by NASA and the European Space Agency, LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope allows our budding astronomers to explore the Moon by night and nature by day, marveling at the intricate details with zoom capabilities of up to 110x. Capture awe-inspiring sights with the option to save images of your discoveries. It features its function of entering the realm of gaming as you pilot a spacecraft to various solar system locales, aiding satellites and reviving robots. This STEM toy includes twenty Cosmic Cards with a storage box, each adorned with vivid space imagery on one side and fascinating space facts on the reverse. This product has been accredited with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Approval Stamp by the Toy Association™.
9. National Geographic Earth Science Experiments & Activity Kit
The National Geographic Mega Science Series Earth Science Kit comprises all the essentials for children to conduct over 15 science experiments. With this kit, children can:
- Grow genuine crystals in just 3 days.
- Build, paint, and trigger a reusable volcano eruption.
- Excavate a rose quartz specimen and two pieces of pyrite (fool's gold).
- Generate a spinning water tornado- Race dueling water tornadoes.
- Create a glow-in-the-dark vortex- Initiate a rock collection with provided specimens, and much more.
With its abundance of entertaining activities, this kit is perfect for sharing and makes for excellent quality family time or a valuable addition to homeschooling curriculums. Additionally, our full-color learning guides facilitate comprehension of the science behind crystals, volcanoes, tornadoes, and gemstones, promoting collaborative learning experiences.
Committed to delivering top-notch hands-on science toys, all our products are backed by outstanding service. As part of the National Geographic Society, a global nonprofit scientific and educational organization, we aim to inspire a sense of responsibility towards our planet.
10. National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit
The National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit provides everything needed to begin polishing stunning gemstones, along with accessories for crafting homemade jewelry.
Featuring a durable design, this top-tier tumbling machine boasts a long-lasting motor, an automatic shutoff timer, and a noise-reducing, leak-proof barrel with a stainless steel lid. The kit includes a 1/2 pound of assorted stones from various locations worldwide, four stages of polishing media, and jewelry fastenings to personalize wearable creations with polished gems.
Rock tumbling serves as an enjoyable activity for individuals of all ages, fostering a fascination with geology and science. National Geographic aims to ignite curiosity and appreciation for the natural world among future generations.
