This season, Amazon's "Share the Adventure" book is the most interactive toy book. This book is full of lists, stickers (more stuff to get stuck on the walls), and masks; there's even a little homage to Mad Libs. Amazon has made it easy for parents to locate the toys on each page with little QR codes on every other page. Although the prices are never listed in these books, there are a ton of toys in every price range. I was pleased to see many of my childhood favorite STEM toys like Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, and LEGOS. Here are my favorites by age group with the CodeCrew Engagement Rating, which gives you insight into how involved you should plan to be during playtime. I've also listed some honorable mentions. Since this is Amazon, remember to search for toys using SMILE and set your non-profit to CodeCrew!
Ages 5 and Under
Fisher Price is always on point with STEM toys for the little ones, and this one is no exception. There are a couple of other robots in the Fisher-Price repertoire you can also look at in different price ranges. This 4-in-1 Robot has a pretty good range to last your child through several stages of educational growth. I rated this Robot Level 2 on the Engagement Scale because even though this is a battery-operated, plug-and-play toy, it will require some interaction, such as an adult making prompting remarks to guide the child in play, to get the full benefit. This Robot also separates into different pieces, requiring an adult to unassemble and reassemble it as the child ages (this also requires an adult to remember where the other parts are).
Honorable Mentions
Marbotic Deluxe Learning Kit | Page 54
Inklings Math and Memory Card Game | Page 54
Early Math Adventure | Page 56
Ages 6 - 8
Indeed, a "two for One" toy, and I am almost inclined to suggest this one for some adults that may still be working through some emotional issues. This toy teaches STEM concepts and introduces emotional themes through sensory play. A character storyline is integrated into play where the character lacks social and emotional understanding, and a robot is built through circuitry. It is a project-based toy. Once the child completes the journey, there probably will not be a desire for continuous play, but the lessons are invaluable. I was impressed with the selection of other project-based toys available from MeAndMine. There are projects to tackle Tantrums for Emotional Science, Dig4estion for Body Science, and even Growth Mindset for Self Worth. See, I'm telling you, some adults can learn much from this.
I am rating a Level 4 on the Engagement Scale because it involves sensory play and some play dough. If you are not mindful, the child will go into play with the play dough, or it will be stuck to the wall. The child will be able to tell you what they did, BUT an adult will need to provide the child with words like "Mind-Body Connection."
Honorable Mentions
Wizarding World Harry Potter Spellbinding Wand | Page 34
Tinkertoy Retro Tin | Page 32
Snap Circuts Jr. SC-100 Electronic Exploration Kit | Page 54
Thames and Kosmos Ooze Labs | Page 55
Thames and Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand | Page 55
Osmo Math Wizard and The Amazing Airships | Page 56
Ages 9 - 12
I am currently producing a video review because I am so excited. This toy has a project manual full of projects for children to complete. There are a lot of components in the box, so be careful if there are smaller children around that could get in the play area. However, all the pieces are well labeled, and I would certainly trust a 9 - 12-year-old to work through these projects alone. The projects start very simple, like making lights come on, and escalate to using the alarm as a trip wire and integrating music and fans. Some of the projects are even game based, so more than one person can engage. Don't be surprised if your child starts tinkering around with other electrical components after they develop confidence with this kit. Unlike other circuit boards, no tools are required, making this a friendly introduction to circuits. Elenco makes several different kits, which can all be combined for extended play and open the opportunity for exploration and creating your projects.
I am rating this as a Level 1 on the Engagement Scale. No tools are required for this kit, so you don't have to worry about soldering or using tools to complete the projects. The projects and organized in a way that instills confidence in the child, and they progressively get more complex. I advise making sure the child starts from the beginning and works through the modules. If the child begins skipping around, they may miss concepts that they should be building upon. The concepts are easy to understand, and I would allow a 5-year-old to use this toy but with adult supervision.
Honorable Mentions
Estes Tandem - X Flying Rocket Launch Set | Page 54
Thames and Kosmos Ultra Bionic Blaster | Page 55
Osmo Genius Starter Kit | Page 56
13 - Up
I know, at first thought, you are thinking, "Audrey, this is not a tech toy." Au Contraire, mon frere! However, these are what we call "unplugged" tech toys, and children can play with toys like this that help strengthens their technical acumen without being tied to toys that are hard-core robots, circuits, etc. For example, Lite Brite helps children work on their fine motor skills, pincer grasp, and flex bilateral coordination, like working with Legos. Why is bilateral coordination essential in STEM play? Well, it helps both sides of the brain communicate and share information; it's referred to as "Crossing the Midline." Check Child Therapy Center for more details if you want to read more. Back to the Lite Brite, there are 6,000 0f these little pegs, and it comes with three templates to start with on your 16 X 16 peg board. After that, building new designs is relatively simple because the peg board detaches from the base, and a new 16X16 image can be inserted and built upon. Lite Brite refers to this as a "Create & Display"; it comes with clips to create a stand, or you can use the pegs on the back to display the creations.
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