STEM Toys for Kids Sorted by Age

*Updated July 2025

Parents and teachers have been whispering for years, and finally developmental science backs it up: children learn better when having fun. STEM toys, teaching science, technology, engineering, and math, accomplish just that: challenging kids to figure out how things work in an engaging and stress-free environment. Rather than sleepily listening to a teacher all day, kids are out of their seats building hypotheses and testing theories, engaging with complex concepts in new ways that move miles past rote memorization and into making new discoveries. STEM toys are designed to provide age-appropriate challenges for kids to overcome, catering to kids’ unique interests. Grouped by year, these toys support kids from before preschool to the end of elementary school.

STEM toys for 2-year-olds

You might think 2-year-olds are too young to consider a STEM career—and you’d be right. However, they are never too young to learn to pair problem-solving with creativity and that’s the goal of STEM toys for toddlers and younger children. SmartMax has a wonderful range of toys for 2 year-olds that encourage spatial thinking, and are just plain fun.  From dinosaurs to cars to pirates, kids will enjoy these oversized, brightly colored magnetic toys.

STEM toys for 3-year-olds

The SmartMax My First Vehicles makes an appearance again among suggested STEM toys for 3-year-olds, and it is joined by MagnaTiles.  There's no wrong way to play with MagnaTiles, and the sets connect endlessly with each other.  Perfect for solo and friend play, they keep little hands busy and imaginations soaring. Plip Links, from the great minds at Fat Brain Toy Co, are another open ended building toy that creates rainbow chains, swirling sculptures, and more.  You can even play games with them.  The best part?  They're dishwasher safe!

STEM toys for 4-year-olds

Looking for a robot for your STEM focused child?  Look no further than Andy The Code and Play Robot!  By Thames & Kosmos, Andy is a beginning robot for ages 4+.  The robot is programed by pressing big, intuitive buttons on the top of it's head- no app, tablet, or remote control needed. 

Maybe your child is really into things that blow up.  In that case, try the Everlasting Volcano.  Build to erupt again and again, this volcano combines a high-quality, hands-on STEM kit with engaging, exclusive audio content from the ultimate science podcast for the whole family "Wow in the World!"

Last in the lineup for 4-year-olds is Squigz.  These abstract building toys make a satisfying 'pop' when pulled apart. Squigz encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and also provides relaxation and sensory stimulation.  They can stick to most anything!  Try them in the bathtub for some water fun.  Made of 100% silicone (BPA-free and latex-free).

STEM toys for 5-year-olds

We can’t speak for all children, but we know that robots are an area of fascination for many of them. When they have mastered a basic range of motor skills, they can begin to enter the realm of mechanical engineering with simple robot-building kits. With Thames & Kosmos Kids First Robot Safari, they can build everything from narwhals and baby llamas, to a unicorn and a sea otter, all motorized and powered by AA batteries (not included). Parents, we won’t blame you if you indulge in a little robot-building after the kids are in bed.

For kids into science experiments, the Kids First Science Kit is a great introduction.  In their first experiment, they'll create Blobert- a small blob-shaped figure with googly eyes- and he'll be their guide through the whole kit. They'll cast slippery alginate shapes, blow iridescent soap bubbles, and make grapes dance!

The great outdoors is a fun place for kids to explore, so expose them to life cycles by raising butterflies in the Butterfly Garden!  It will help teach kids responsibility, with only a short window of time they have to care for the caterpillars, and they will get to see the butterfly life cycle from beginning to end.

STEM toys for 6-year-olds

There comes a point in nearly every kid’s life when their urge to experiment turns them more into mad scientists than budding engineers. Luckily, there are STEM toys that will channel those urges in an educational direction while still ensuring a good time for the young ones. Once again, it’s Thames & Kosmos to the rescue with a series of DIY kits—Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab, Dinosaur Gummy Candy Lab, and Space Gummy Candy Lab—that give kids the opportunity to explore the science of polymers as they concoct colorful and edible creations in a range of colors, shapes and sizes.

STEM toys for 7-year-olds

It’s a short leap from building robots to exploring basic electrical engineering via circuitry with Snap Circuits from Elenco Electronics. Each Snap Circuits kit follows a basic rows-and-columns base grid to create finished projects that function like actual circuit boards. Elenco offers a wide range of Snap Circuits kits from beginner to advanced for various ages and abilities from basic boards to arcades with build-and-play games.

If robots are still what we're looking for, Solar Bots Cosmic Explorers is a great way to supercharge STEM learning while assembling 5 cool solar-powered robots.  A fun way to learn about solar power, especially as more and more things rely on it.

STEM toys for 8-year-olds

The natural world is also a source of curiosity for kids and we offer a variety of STEM-focused toys for them as well in the form of crystal-growing kits. They can choose crystals of all sizes and colors with shapes from unicorns to trees to hedgehogs to capture their interest. For those interested in space, the Orbiting Solar System is a great choice to expand knowledge on our solar system, while building an orrery.

STEM toys for 9-year-olds

When the children in your life are into both science and marble runs, try the Gecko Run! Physics is witnessed in action with this set of kits.  Use any smooth vertical surface (including walls!) to build this marble run.  Set up hills and jumps, trick shots and more for open ended, educational play.

Have a child interested in alternative fuel types? The Saltwater Fuel Cell Robot is a great experiment kit, fueling the robot with a salt water and magnesium fuel cell- no batteries required! Easy to clean, refill, and reuse for hours of fun.

STEM toys for 10-year-olds

Kids who are ready for more complex ways to pass the time will likely love Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering kit. This comprehensive kit allows kids to build 20 3D models of bridges and skyscrapers. They can begin with small models that demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of the structure, and before they know it, they’ll be building truss bridges, arch bridges, and towering skyscrapers. 

No matter the age of a child or student, our learning store has a range of STEM toys and activities to suit their unique interests and developmental level. Being a student of STEM has never been so much fun!