33 Best STEM Toys for Kids (2024): Make Learning Fun

Anyone who has it has ever seen a toddler emptying a Tupperware drawer should know that most children are natural born engineers. Your only job as a parent is to develop their skills… and clean up the mess afterwards. Between us—WIRED columnist Scott Gilbertson, editor Adrienne So, and myself—we have seven children. This, honestly, is the most fun part of my job – calling in STEM toys for my kids and me to try together and inspire you. It doesn’t feel like work at all.

Pack a few STEM toys (also called STEAM toys; we love you too, artsy!) and books for your future scientist to cook, squish, or remove. We hope they will thank you for the early encouragement when they grow up. Be sure to check out our details buy pointersincluding Our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids and How to Build the Lego Collection of Your Dreams.

Update December 2024: We added Ambessa Play DIY Flashlight, Especially GoChess Mini, Marty the Robot V2, Loog Mini Electric Guitar, Bill Nye’s VR Chem Lab, Astronaut Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich, and age levels for each entry, removed an abandoned item, and updated prices over time everything.

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