There are a lot of STEM gift lists floating around Some of them have a lot of great ideas. But they don’t have what I tend to want most. I want to know what toys are going to survive my one-year-old twins and their destructive streak? What STEM gifts can my four-year-old use on his own and which are activities that need parental help? These are the actual categories we need when buying gifts for the kids in our lives but haven’t wanted to say out loud. This is the real preschool STEM gift list you need.
This post contains affiliate links. Gotta keep the kids in science supplies.
The ‘My kid won’t break them’ toys
These are the toys that are designed to be handled a bit roughly. Or a lot roughly. Or the recipient has little sisters that like to throw toys around even if they don’t belong to them. Not that we would know anything about that. These encourage STEM imaginative play, and they can really work. But they can take a beating and be used by the littlest hands. How do I know? We own them, and they are sturdy as heck and keep on working.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars
Fisher-Price Medical Kit
The ‘Something for quiet time’ toys
Ben is at a point where sometimes he naps and sometimes he just rests. I like to give him the option of something to read while still having downtime. Books are also perfect to learn more about topics that are harder to explore in real life but still interest preschoolers, like dinosaurs and space. These are great gifts you can hand over to your kids and walk away. They can learn, pick out activities for the future, and you can get other things done.
1000 Extreme & Extraordinary Dinosaur Facts (Discovery Kids)
Solar System for Kids : The Sun and Moon
Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun
Science Is Simple: Over 250 Activities for Preschoolers
The ‘Keep them entertained for hours’ toys
These toys are great for open-ended play. They encourage STEM skills without your child even realizing it. Your kids can build, explore the physical laws of the world, and create to their heart’s content. They are also pretty fun for adults to play with as well, making it a great family time activity. These are some of our favorites.
Discovery Kids 24 Piece Magnetic Tile Set
LEGO Classic Creative Bricks 10692 Building Blocks, Learning Toy
TINKERTOY ‒ 100 Piece Essentials Value Set ‒ Ages 3+ Preschool Education Toy
The ‘Impressive obviously STEM aimed’ toys
There are some great toys out that are clearly created with teaching kids STEM in mind. These are more impressive to give because of that obvious aim, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun. We have the math robot, and we’ve played with the rest at friends homes. I kind of want to buy them because I like playing with them.
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach ‘n Tag Movi
The Learning Journey Touch & Learn, Mathematics Bot
Kidwerkz Dinosaur Toys, STEM Learning (106 pieces), Take Apart Fun (Pack of 3), Construction Engineering Building Play Set For Boys Girls Toddlers, Best Toy Gift Kids Ages 3yr – 6yr, 3 Years and Up
The ‘Not really a STEM toy but can be used as one’ toys
My favorite part of these toys is that they can grow with your child. They are games that are fun on their own, but you can grab them and add a STEM twist to some directed play. These toys are a good investment when it comes to long-term use. You can use them for specific learning activities, then play them as they are intended as your child gets older. (Or with the adults after the kids go to bed.)
Uno Card Game
Cardinal Double 12 Color Dot Dominoes
LCR® Left Center Right™ Dice Game
SET: The Family Game of Visual Perception
The ‘Just give me a box with everything I need in it’ toys
These are the kits. I know I write a lot about how to do STEM with your kids without needing a kit. But let’s be real, sometimes it is so nice to have everything you need in one box. Oh, and toss in some specific instructions so you know exactly what to do. That is where kits come in.
The Purple Cow The Crazy Scientist Lab Bubbles and Foam Science Kit by The Purple Cow
Creativity for Kids Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium – Science Kit for Kids
LIVE Dwarf Frog Kit SHIPPED WITH 2 Aquatic Dwarf Frogs Now by Nature Gift Store
These are some of my top choices for little learners this holiday season. Remember every activity doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to know all the answers, and your kids don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to be willing to wonder. Happy sciencing!
Check out these STEM with preschooler posts for more fun ideas!
Easy Preschool Science: 5 Five Minute Christmas Activities
Easy Preschool Science: 5 Five Minute Fall Activities
Easy Preschool Science: Vol. 1
Easy Preschool Science: Vol. 2
Magnatiles are surely on my list this year but you gave me some more awesome suggestions. I am actually really excited to look further into some of these gift ideas. Thank you!
This is a great list. I know my kids would love any of these.
Great ideas! Anything they can construct is especially helpful for building thinking and problem-solving skills.
In my preschool classroom, the “old-fashioned” tinker toys were the biggest hit with ALL my friends! All those science-related activities are great too! When my daughter was 4, she loved having one of those “see-through tadpole” kits and a “grow a ladybug” kit! The only problem is you send off for the critters and weather has to be a factor.
Nice list!
Yes, weather does come into account with the critters. But if it works out they can be great fun! I love hearing that the tinker toys were a big hit, I’ve been looking into those as well. Some toys are classic for a good reason. They are just fun!
These are super great ideas! Especially liked the Uno! Gonna bookmark!
great list, deffo given me some Christmas present ideas for little ones in the family! X
What a great list of STEM gifts! Thanks for sharing at #WanderingWednesday at Confessions of Parenting!
Fab ideas, we love STEM toys. I wish I’d got my daughter started earlier on all this! #WanderingWednesday
Thanks for stopping by! It’s never too late to give some STEM a try. The best thing we can do is show our kids we are willing to try it too! 🙂
Oh my gosh! My son wouldn’t love so many of these toys! It’s good to know which ones can take a beating because he’s also going through quite the destructive phase!
Ali and Sammy destroy things too! I know it isn’t intentional, but we need toys that can be loved hard. These passed the test for us!