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A Spot-On Gift Guide Of STEM Toys For Kids

Inspire your kid to think outside of the box this holiday season
By 

Creative Specialist, HuffPost

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The possibilities are endless with this design driven toy that comes with motors, various shapes, and multiple connectors.
Amazon
The possibilities are endless with this design driven toy that comes with motors, various shapes, and multiple connectors.

“STEM learning” may be a widely discussed topic within education and children’s media, but the discussion doesn’t necessarily make it easier to determine which products help teach STEM concepts. Therefore, instead of attempting to tackle the entire world of STEM education, Purdue University narrowed down their findings to a segment they’re already experts in, engineering.

As a leader in engineering education, Purdue aims to help gift givers with their Engineering Gift Guide, a comprehensive list of toys, games, books and apps to encourage engineering thinking and design for girls and boys ages 2 and up.

These toys, which have been rated on their ability to teach problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, are meant to inspire your young one to reach new heights and think outside of the box.

If you’re looking for creative gifts for kids that aren’t exactly toys, check out our favorite gifts from Purdue’s Engineering Gift Guide below:

2+

1
Bee-Bot
Amazon
Even 2+ year olds can develop some serious beginner coding and programming skills from the Bee-Bot robot.
2
Magik Play Starter Kit
Amazon
Not only does this starter kit get your kid thinking creatively, but it helps with spatial reasoning according to Purdue.
3
Q-bitz Jr.
Target
If you thought basic engineering skills couldn't be learned at a young age, think again. This STEM game is great for engineering design process.
4
1-2-3 Build It! Car - Plane - Boat
Amazon
There are three ways to have fun with this problem-solving game.
5
Better Builders Reflections
Amazon
This 29-piece set will have your child thinking of creative ways to become a better builder.

5+

1
Roller Coaster Challenge
Amazon
This combination game of both critical and logical thinking is perfect for the 5+ year old in your life.
2
Gravity's Edge by MindWare
Amazon
Gravity's edge is a fun mixture of both applicable math and science.
3
Rosie Revere's Big Project Book For Bold Engineers
Amazon
This activity book will not only inspire your future engineer but carries a strong message of girl power.
4
GeoSmart StarShip
Jet
This colorful StarShip will help your child develop a keen eye for design.
5
IO Blocks Minis
Amazon
With 250 pieces to build from, these IO blocks will help with creative thinking and spatial reasoning.

8+

1
Electronic Motors Catalyst
Amazon
The possibilities are endless with this design driven toy that comes with motors, various shapes, and multiple connectors.
2
Coding Jam
Amazon
Create and layer melodies, drum beats, and more while building original compositions with fun characters from different worlds.
3
CODE Robot Repair
Target
In this programming logic game you’ll use problem solving to reactivate a set of robots so they can get back to doing important things for the planet.
4
Color Cube Sodoku
Amazon
Sodoku is quite challenging, but this game is all about perseverance, even when the going gets tough.
5
Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers
Amazon
If your child ever wondered how bridges and skyscrapers are built, get them this structural engineering set that applies both mathematics and the sciences.

12+

1
Marbleocity Dragon Coaster
Amazon
Build your own working roller coaster model made of real wood using critical thinking and spatial reasoning.
2
CoDrone Pro
Amazon
This fun and educational drone helps with computational thinking and engineering design process.
3
RoKit Smart
Amazon
This robotics kit can be transformed into 11 different types of robots, perfect for a beginner.
4
130-in-1 Electronic Playground
Amazon
This electronics trainer with 130 experiments is a problem-solving classic.
Merge Cube

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