STEM Toys for Kids 2026

Scratch Coding Cards

Have a young child who is interested in coding, yet not sure how to start? These Scratch Coding Cards are terrific! My nine-year-old has been working through the different cards and creating on the Scratch site.

Magna-Tiles Rail Pack

When these rails came out, I was like, but why not just the rails? And viola! Here they are. These deserve a spot because my boys use them for so much more than a ball run. Instead, they use them individually to build on each rail, somewhat using it as a base.

3D Printer

Full transparency, we do not have a 3D printer. But since it is one of my most-asked questions, I turned to my husband, an engineer who specializes in plastics. After comparing it with other popular brands, he felt it was the best option. Not only has he seen this brand in shops he visits for work, but he also noticed it has more color spools at a time, a larger cabin, and higher heat.

Magna-Tiles Numbers

Full stop. I saw these in the Magna-Tile booth last January, and my jaw dropped. These are such a useful tool for learning number names and changing up traditional fact practice and recall. These would have made the perfect addition to my Breakfast Invitations in the early years.

Gravitrax Power Extension

This is a high-ticket item, but I assure you that it is worth it if you have a child who enjoys building marble mazes. Each accessory is powered and can be used throughout the maze design your child chooses. Pricey, but super cool to get your little engineer playing in the later years.

Smithsonian Books

New for 2026? Absolutely not. New to be added to this guide? 100% Invite your child to dig a little deeper with Smithsonian Books on a variety of topics.

KLUTZ Lego Kit

Does your child enjoy racing and building LEGO cars? This set is under $30 and sometimes drops below $25.

Hand2Mind Scale

Looking for a scale a little less cutesy? Hand2Mind is a reputable brand I turned to often in my teaching years. Keep this scale where your child can reach it

Hape Monster Scale

Hape makes toys that last, and this monster balance scale is a great way to introduce weight to toddlers and preschoolers. It is a fun STEM toy for ages 3-5. As your child matures, the play offers three levels of difficulty.

Pentominoes

Remember Tetris? This is a great quiet-time activity or a great time to spend together. These are so much fun to tinker with and leave out for kids to explore.

Fraction Towers

Learning fractions is, simply put, hard. I love having something simple like this at home to help reinforce fractions with my boys.

AngLegs

AngLegs is another tool that not only helps kids learn but also encourages them to explore! I like to keep these out with a large piece of paper taped to the tabletop.

Pixel Art

Pixel art is a fun spin on drawing, only with cubes. Kids learn coordinates as they enter the blocks to create the design.

Roller Coaster Challenge

My older boys love this roller coaster challenge! It is a great way to pass the time, especially on colder days, when playing indoors.

Laser Maze

We have this Laser Maze, and it is another hit! ThinkFun has the best toys for kids who love to build and problem-solve.

Math Dice

Does your child need extra help with math facts? Grab these Math Dice to practice as a game.

Shape by Shape

This has my middle schooler written all over it! Perfect for downtime at home or taking on our next road trip.

Mega Crystals

My ten-year-old LOVES his Mega Crystal sets. We’ve done this a few times, and it never gets old.

Shut the Box

I used to play Shut the Box with my students in the classroom. It is another fun way to practice math facts!

Bug Catcher Toy

Does your child love examining the details of nature? This bug-catching toy is a lot of fun to take on walks or play around outside.

Geodes

My middle child enjoys these geodes! They are a fun way to explore geology and crystals. I can gift them to him every year, and they never get old.

The Genius Square

We love The Genius Square! Roll the dice and place the placeholders. Next, race to see who can use the pieces to fill in the empty spots first. SO GOOD!

The Genius Gems

Meet the sister to The Genius Square, The Genius Gems!

STEM Structures

I noticed it at the New York Toy Fair a few years ago and knew my older boys would enjoy building with it. The suggested age is 9+.

No Stress Chess

My husband taught the boys chess, and I love overhearing their strategy. It took my youngest some time to understand the game, but once he did, he took off. This first Chessboard for families makes a great introduction to the game.

Botley 2.0

If you are looking for a screen-free coding toy for your child, Botley 2.0 is it. With a few coding skills using lights and music, you can transform Botley into a train, police car, and more!

Buildzi

Challenge your friends and family with Buildzi. Each person starts with the same challenge. It takes patience and a steady hand.

Mighty Magnets

These magnets help children better understand what is magnetic as they pass the time. Keep this magnet on the fridge, and invite your child to explore with it around the house. The extras in this pack make great gifts for family and friends!

Magnetic Map

The boys enjoy putting together magnetic maps. We chat about state names and potential places to visit as they construct. Cue up the song Fifty Nifty, and you have planned your afternoon.

Learn to Tell Time Clock

In a world of Apple watches and digital clocks, I realized my children did not understand how to tell time. Now we have this clock in the playroom to begin talking about differently than reading the oven clock. (one can try, right?)

Magnetic Movers

If your child digs the horseshoe magnet, keep the discovery going with this magnetic mover set.

Plus Plus

We first discovered Plus Plus a couple of years ago, and my boys have been attached ever since. We have used them to measure lines, color sort, and transform them into the most creative objects. Every time my boys pick up this math toy, they do it differently. – A HUGE perk of open-ended play.

Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic tiles are a true gem! We consistently play with them at home and take them on road trips. Picasso Tiles are treasured at our house for their ability to manipulate shapes and form creative sculptures during imaginary play.

Crystal Growing Lab

Wow, this was super exciting for my boys to make and observe. Begin by mixing the solution in hot water, then wait and watch your crystals grow. Such a thrilling STEM activity for home!

Transparent Geometric Shapes

This was on my son’s Christmas list last year, and it helps support conversations about what makes a three-dimensional shape. Examine these on the light table or in your hand. The best part? The box reminds you of all the formal names, so you can share correctly without a frantic Google search when your child asks. 

Wooden Geometric Shapes

Get creative and paint these geometric shapes as you discuss the sides and corners. Try to see which shapes stack and which roll.

Wooden Pattern Block Set

What I appreciate most about this set is that you can use the pattern blocks with or without picture cards.

Pattern Blocks (Next Level)

These pattern blocks have smaller picture cards. They are great for children who have previously played with pattern blocks and already understand how the shapes fit together.

Geometric Shapes Building Set

A big math conversation in grade school centers on identifying sides and vertices (corners). Here, your child can spend time building the shapes they already have in the geometric sets shown above or creating their own. This is an excellent math toy for discovering straight and curved lines and how they come together to form a completely closed shape. The Math Common Core also asks children to model shapes in the world by building shapes from components. You can start practicing this skill at home with this math toy!

Counting and Sorting Bears

I do love these little bears for our 3+ crowd! These bears can be counted, sorted, used for measuring, and even used for pretend play. See our full list of counting bear play ideas.

Unifix Cubes

Did anyone put these on their wish list? Probably not. However, they make an excellent resource when children begin to understand groups of numbers and what it looks like to make 100. This is the math toy you didn’t know you needed. (I’ve got you)