Did you know that early math practice is linked to later success? It’s true! And lucky us! We can take full advantage of this discovery with our early learners by providing intentional math toys to help prompt learning through play. If you want to add STEM toys for kids, look no further! Here are my favorite STEM toys for kids to add to your collection. Embed math and science into your everyday!
RELATED: These toys pair beautifully with my math activities and science experiments for kids.
What are STEM Toys?
STEM learning stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There is a similar acronym, STEAM, where the A stands for Art. Together, they inspire meaningful learning opportunities.
Inviting children to explore the best math toys will help them understand STEM learning more deeply.
Don’t be fooled into believing that toys that light up and include the latest technology are necessarily better for our children.
You can read the Department of Education’s Guiding Principles for the Use of Technology. Let’s start early learners with these math toys that promote inquiry-based learning.
TOYS FOR 2025
Gah, these toys are the best. UPDATED for 2025. These are the best toys for kids.
How Math Toys Help Child Development:
- Conversations
- Learn by doing
- Observations
- Practice measurement
- Problem-solving
- Support number sense
Let’s introduce this thinking in the early years!
Remember, these are not math toys suggested by the latest toy company. These are the best math toys that an educator and mom suggested to three.
These toys help children connect essential math concepts and deepen inquiry-based learning.
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STEM and Math Toys for Kids
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. Differentiating the play as your child matures comes with three levels of difficulty.
Pentominoes
Remember Tetris? This is a great quiet-time activity or a great time to spend together. This collection comprises 72 pieces and various puzzles, perfect for teaching problem-solving and patterning activities. This is also an excellent math brain game for spatial awareness and is great for kids.
Pixel Art
Pixel art is a fun spin on drawing, only with cubes. Learn coordinates as you create the design.
Roller Coaster Challenge
My 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! Think Fun has the best toys for kids who love to build and problem-solve.
Math Dice
Have a child who could use some extra help with math facts? Grab these Math Dice to practice as a game.
Shape by Shape
This has my 12-year-old 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 as a teacher. It is another fun way to
Bug Catcher Toy
Do you have a child who loves examining the details of nature? This bug-catching toy is a lot of fun to take on walks or play around outside.
Space Rover
This screen-free coding toy is Space Rover. I played with this at the New York Toy Fair and learned how children create a path for the rover by coding with the controls. Children watch as the rover follows the path they coded.
Geodes
My middle child (age 9) enjoys these geodes! They are a fun way to explore geology and crystals.
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 to win.
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.
Solar Robot
The older two kids tinker and discuss how to put the robot together. My seven-year-old reads the directions, and my five-year-old helps to assemble the parts and pieces. My boys play with this for hours! This is a great STEM activity for big kids.
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, the execution is different. – 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 formal names so you can correctly share without a frantic Google search as 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 begin to practice 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 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)
Remember, having high-quality, open-ended STEM toys inspires thinking in self-guided play.
Let our early learners explore the concepts before reading about them in a textbook or worksheet! Search for STEM toys your child can touch, move, and manipulate.
More Toy Lists for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These toys enhance learning and enable children to learn through hands-on activities. STEM toys encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, manipulating pieces, planning, testing ideas, and working through a problem. When choosing a STEM toy, remember that good STEM toys may not rely on technology, but instead encourage hands-on learning.
The best STEM toy for kids is one that captivates your child’s interest. Some toys are as simple as Legos, and others may include coding robots. Remember, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, which can help you choose the best toy for kids.
You don’t! This list features a variety of toys. Some toys require less technology than others. Don’t underestimate a less techy toy. We want to find toys that our children can use that match their interests and encourage critical thinking.
Which STEM toy is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
