Remember the Abacus? How as children we loved exploring the colors, patterns, and counting? That was probably my first S.T.E.M toy and oh how I wish I had held on to it a little longer, I probably wouldn’t struggle with GMAT now. Jokes apart, some of these toys whether building, counting, or even simple coding, are first hand encounters with mathematical, scientific, and engineering concepts. Here are my 5-year-old boy’s top picks.
Crafty Connects Building Set – Probably the best toy in terms of cost, simplicity, creativity, motor skills, problem solving and child’s ability to work with it independently for hours! It did come with a picture book but once he got the hang of it, he started building more complex things like trucks, house on wheels, race cars and space shuttles.
Crayola Color Chemistry Set – This is the best S.T.E.A.M set with high ratings for its cost, fun experiments & activities, introduction to science, and of course imagination. Adult supervision is required, but no complaints there because it can be super fun for adults too. Experiments like volcano, rubber goo, colorful quicksand and the like are particularly fun no matter how many times you do.
Snap Circuits – As the name suggests this is perfect for learning about circuits, electricity, and motors. It encourages use of logic, problem solving and creativity. Although the parts and projects are fairly simple and safe, adult supervision is recommended. With dad’s help, he has made a mini air conditioner, mini alarm system, and a light switch that goes from dim to bright and vice-versa.
littleBits Electronic Base Kit – littleBits are similar to Snap Circuits in that it too is basically playing around with all things electronic. However, it is very different in the way its part fit one and other, light and sound sensors, and potential projects. (It’s also, slightly more expensive). Again, with dad’s help he has invented ‘stranger danger alarm’ – where the motion sensor sounds the alarm when the door opens, and ‘baby de-light’ - where the light turns on when baby sister makes a sound.
LEGO 17101 BOOST Creative Toolbox – While our top four are screen free BOOST is not. However, this guy has it all- building with Lego, programming, robotics, problem solving, and great talents like farting or mimicking your voice! This LEGO robot is $100+ and requires adult supervision, at least initially. He has programmed the robot to cross obstacles, then walk from living to kitchen to say hello to mom and fart, perform some ball tricks then spin around and fart, sometimes just walk around declaring ‘I am a kitty cat’ and fart some more. I guess you get the idea, he’s a pretty flatulent little robot.