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STEM is a field with more jobs than people to fill them so toys that foster curiosity are always popular. As a former middle school computer science and engineering teacher and parent of two college students pursuing engineering as their careers, I’m pretty discriminating when it comes to STEM gifts.

When my kids were growing up, I always looked for age-appropriate products that would provide high quality hands-on learning experiences. I wanted my kids’ curiosity to be sparked through engaging activities through ah-ha moments or help them answer questions that developed in their minds. Just as I looked for products that inspired, developed curiosity, and provided hands-on experiences that make learning fun for my kids, I continue to do the same for you and your loved ones.

Best STEM Gifts for All Ages

This guide contains the best STEM gifts for all ages that emphasize mathematical processes involved in building, scientific discovery through experimenting, learning about electronics via circuitry, and toys and books that demystify computer programming.

My STEM gifts guide is broken down by age group. There are gifts for preschoolers (3-5 year olds), early elementary ages (ages 5-7), tweens (8-12 year olds), and teens too!

Best STEM Gifts for Preschoolers

MAGNA-TILES Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set ($49.99)

Inspire curiosity about space while encouraging children to learn through play. The the Magna-Tiles Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set helps kids explore cause and effect and other logic principles, while fostering the development of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It includes 32 magnetic pieces, including: 1 Space Shuttle, 1 Space Capsule, 1 Capsule Window, 1 Space Figure, 1 Wheeled Chassis, 1 Large Rectangle, 6 microMAGS Squares, 8 Right Triangles, 12 Squares. It’s also the first-of-its-kind Shuttle with ample storage for all Space set pieces.

Tic-Tac-Toe Bolt ($39.99)

Tic-Tac-Toe Bolt is a trio of Tic-Tac-Toe themed games in one box that can age up as your child gets older. Infinite Tac-Tac-Toe is like a better version of Tac-Tac-Toe that can be enjoyed by preschoolers who have mastered regular tic-tac-toe. Only 3 marks can be put for each O and X so when the 4^th mark is made, the 1^st one disappears. Elementary ages will delight in Cover-Up Tic-Tac-Toe where each piece comes in three sizes, and on each turn, you can place or move a piece. Larger pieces can cover smaller ones—connect three of your color to win while exercising critical thinking and reasoning skills. Tweens will enjoy Memory Flash that tests and enhances memory because it requires the identification and recall of light sequences as kids clear all 9 progressive difficulties in one go to beat the game.

Melissa & Doug Match & Push Spinning Tops ($22.99)

There’s endless fun and learning to be had with Match & Push Spinning Tops. Kids drop sturdy, colorful spinning tops into color-matched wells and push with the easy-to-grasp plunger to make the tops drop and spin. Kids will explore how long the tops will spin while learning cause-and-effect and reinforcing skills like color recognition, matching, and fine-motor skills.

Swingset Gymnastics Kit ($89)

We know from watching the Olympics that there’s a lot of physics involved in gymnastics and there’s no better way for young kids to start experimenting with physics than with Trelines Swingset Gymnastics Kit. This kit comes complete with 2 heavy-duty adjustable swings, 2 tree-shaped gym rings, double trapeze bar and is is designed for simultaneous play where four children can swing, flip, or balance at once. The best part is that this kit is an investment that can grow as your kids do. Heavy-duty line clips slide lock into place, allowing you to position new obstacles anywhere on the line.

Winter Light by Aaron Becker ($17.99)

This book features dazzling jewel-like die cuts that reveal the color of the season against gorgeous, illustrated backgrounds. Caldecott Honoree, Aaron Becker, tells the story of how in winter, the days grow short. He does a wonderful job capturing the light of winter skies and lengthening days as we yearn for the return of spring.Caldecott Honoree Aaron Becker captures the light of winter skies and lengthening days, the glow of candle and hearth, and the heart’s yearning for spring’s return.

Water Magic Activity Books ($11.99 for 2 books)

These travel-friendly activity books teach kids the properties of water. Fill the brush with water and watch amazing scenes come to life with a simple stroke of the brush. Let it dry and the colors disappear. Scentco’s Water Magic Activity Books also teach color recognition and promote the use of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Best STEM Gifts for Early Elementary Ages

Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station Science Experiment Kit ($39.95)

Early elementary ages will love playing chemist with this huge, colorful, functional lab station that allows them to make glowing slime, fizzing reactions, Oozing Bubbles, colorful chromatography, and more. With 57 pieces, this kit has everything you need to conduct experiments like a real scientist, including beakers, test tubes, flasks, pipettes, non-hazardous chemicals, and more. Printed experiment cards clip onto the lab station for easy reference and additional experiments and scientific explanations are included in a separate 16-page, full-color manual.

Every Second ($21.99)

Have you ever wondered what happens around the world in each and every second of the day? How many text messages are sent? How much ice cream is eaten? How many plastic bottles are recycled? Every Second offers a unique introduction to numbers and statistics, perfect for children in kindergarten and elementary school. Full of fascinating and fun facts, and clear, colorful infographic illustrations, this book will help develop math skills and an understanding of our world. This book also provides the perfect launch-pad for thought and discussion about a wide range of issues, including the environment.

Super Blocks ($64.99)

Giving your child a break from electronic gadgets with Giiker’s Super Blocks. Think of this like Tetris but on a flat surface where kids use spatial skills to determine which colored blocks can be used to cover the lit areas. The Indicator at the left determines which colors you’re supposed to use for each challenge. With over 1000 progressively difficult challenges, it’s a great game for teaching critical thinking skills required in STEM subjects and fields.

Astronaut Starter Kit from KiwiCo ($29.95)

Kids who are curious about how space travel works and what it takes to become a real astronaut will love the Astronaut Starter Kit. They can:

Assemble and paint a set of model planets to construct a miniature solar system that really spins
Make the planets rotate to see how they orbit around the sun. Build and launch a pair of model orbiter spaceship toys using the power of pumps.
Create a miniature spinning solar system
Build and launch a pair of model spaceships
Learn the history of space exploration, to the challenges of astronaut training, to amazing facts about life on the International Space Station

Hot Wheels Action Loop Cyclone ($34.99)

Hot Wheels may seem like it’s all about racing cars but going through a loop teaches kids about gravity, friction, and the physics of forces. Kids will get to experiment with each as they race and stunt their cars on the Hot Wheels Action Loop Cyclone. They’ll have to slam launch the included Hot Wheels through the boomerang loops and back to the start to launch again and keep the race going. When race day ends, the set features simple and easy storage: flip the track pieces and fold it up then put it away by carrying it with the built-in handle.

Humanimal ($19.99)

Just because people have built giant cities, invented pop-up toasters and put a person on the Moon doesn’t mean they are somehow different from other living things. Humanimal shows early elementary ages the inextricable interconnections of the human and animal worlds in ways they might never imagined. They’ll discover how slime molds can solve how to navigate through a maze; how rats tickle and laugh out loud; how elephants have funerals for their lost loved ones; how bees vote in elections to decide where to locate their nests; how crows use cars to crack nuts and a whole lot more!

Super Slide Puzzle ($49.97)

Elementary ages will love the challenge of this game that helps develop critical skills such as reasoning and planning. To play, follow the LED screen to set up the game and move the red square to the middle bottom. This travel-friendly game features magnetic pieces, over 500 different challenges, and two different modes to make learning fun.

Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium ($17.99)

The Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium is a fun STEAM gift that allows kids to craft, plant, water, and grow their own mini ecosystem. Colorful sand, star and constellation stickers glow in the dark at night and kids just have to add water to create their own terrarium while learning the responsibility of taking care of it.

The Pocket Book of Backyard Experiments ($9.99)

From testing garden soil to making a homemade battery out of a potato, this book reveals the hidden science at work in the garden and around the house. The book is divided into four sections, each focusing on one area: biology, soil science, botany, and “kitchen sink” chemistry. Each experiment is straightforward and easy, involving no more than common household items. Learn how to germinate seeds with little more than envelopes and used egg cartons or amaze friends with the art of optical illusion. While learning how to create a homemade ant farm or making a pressed herbarium specimen, kids get grounded in the basic principles of science.

Christmas Cookbook for Kids by David Atherton

One of the best ways to teach science is to get kids in the kitchen because so much chemistry happens when you cook! David Atherton’s (2019 winner of The Great British Baking Show) fun and festive Christmas cookbook features featuring easy-to-follow recipes with tips and tricks on how to create and package delicious gifts for friends and family. This cookbook is great for inspiring young kitchen scientists to bake this holiday season.

Best STEM Gifts for Tweens

LEGO Gravity Drop ($29.99)

Physics is fun with this STEM kit that lets you roll, bounce, rebound, and rebuild with LEGO. Tweens will love assembling a high-quality foot-and-a-half tall chipboard gravity drop tower full of LEGO contraptions, releasing a pack of 6 wood balls from the starting gate, and watching them race through a maze of twists and turns, sliding down ramps, flipping spinners, and whirling down a funnel, before they finally plonk into their destined buckets. This set includes everything your tween needs to build an 18-inch (45 cm) tall marble maze with wooden balls, LEGO Technic elements, and sturdy chipboard plus 20+ different LEGO contraptions that interact on the gravity drop tower, plus 5 extra projects: 2 mini tower builds, a gravity labyrinth, and a grabber.

PowerUp Paper Airplane ($59.99)

When my brother and I were kids, we eagerly anticipated Christmas Day and the chance to meet up with friends in the neighborhood to compare notes about presents. Someone would always bring their new remote-control car, and we’d take turns driving it up and down the sidewalk. PowerUp Paper Airplanes remind me of my younger years but these smartphone-controlled paper airplanes are the next generation of remote controlled vehicles. Start by folding a paper plane, attach the twin motor Bluetooth module, and control from your smartphone. The carbon fiber body and crossbar are built for high-G maneuvers and crashes while differential thrust control airspeed means planes can travel up to 20mph. Plus the Bluetooth module is built for long-range control thanks to the ability to communicate with a phone for up to 230 feet.

Listified ($19.99)

Ever wondered which 10 dinosaurs were the largest, and what they weighed…in cats? Or how much of your DNA you share with other animals…and bananas? Listified! takes the best and most amazing parts of the universe―erupting volcanoes, medieval machines, jumping spiders, exploding stars, and everything in between―and organizes them into quirky list form for curious kids and their friends and family to enjoy. I love the way this book is designed and with 300 ingenious lists, kids will be surprised, amazed, amused, and entertained for hours.

Smart Sudoku ($55.99)

Puzzle loving tweens will love Smart Sudoku, an interactive number-placement game console that takes pen and paper Sudoku to the next level. Your tween can switch between 4×4 and 6×6 Sudoku grids to suit their skill level. With 2500 puzzles ranging from beginner to master level, it ensures an exciting, progressive challenge for everyone while improving their memory, math, critical thinking, logic and problem-solving skills.

Snap Circuits Classic ($48.99)

The best way to introduce kids to electrical engineering in a fun way is through Snap Circuits. Snap Circuits Classic allows kids to make dozens of cool electronic gadgets from everything that comes in the box. No soldering or tools are required to build. The numbered and color-coded pieces snap easily onto the included plastic grid. Instructions are included but kids will get the hang of this quickly and be building AM radios, burglar alarms, doorbells, and much more before you know it.

Marvelous Machines ($19.99)

Inspire young scientists and budding engineers with a look inside some of the world’s most incredible machines and inventions. Using the see-through magic lens, tweens can learn about mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering by exploring the inner workings of machines.

In your kitchen or bedroom, beneath city streets, or far up in space, machines are at work- day and night- making, moving, building, and even thinking for us. This eye-catching book helps tweens explore the hidden inner workings of machines and inventions: from everyday objects like toasters and bicycles, to cutting-edge technologies such as pill-sized medical robots and super-fast trains. The see-through magic lens will reveal how all these machines work, showing all the elements hidden within them – from wires and pipes, to magnetic and gravitational forces.

Gecko Run: Marble Run Starter Set from Thames & Kosmos ($34.95)

Marble runs just got a glow up thanks to Gecko Run: Marble Run. This innovative set allows tweens to design their own vertical marble runs with specially designed system of flexible tracks that does not require any support structures. This allows them to build higher with fewer pieces because tracks attach to smooth surfaces with the help of clever nano-adhesive pads that create a strong but temporary bond. Pads are not glue-based and can be quickly and easily repositioned without leaving behind damage or sticky residue. Gecko Run: Marble Run encourages different configurations and environments for endless possibilities, using engineering and problem-solving skills, and hands-on physics, making it a great choice for a holiday gift.

Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica ($32)

This new encyclopedia from Britannica lets pictures do the talking so it’s perfect for visual learners. With astonishing information about space, Earth, animals, humans, and technology through 200 infographics, including maps, charts, timelines, and more, tweens can grasp facts at a glance with every page turn. They can discover the size of our Sun in comparison to the largest star in the universe; find out which animal can leap 200 times its body length; learn how many cups of snot your body makes a day; compare the sizes of the biggest beasts that have ever lived; witness what happens in a single second across the world. Stunning infographics, beautiful color photography, and interviews with leading expert consultants for every chapter, is a must-have for every tween because it’s an exhilarating visual way to understand the world around us.

10 in 1 Robotics & Electronics Sensors ($49.97)

This STEM kit encourages hands-on learning of engineering, robotics, and mechanics by building robots. It includes a variety of components such as wires, switches, connectors, and LED lights to create cool STEM robotic science working models while enhancing logic and critical thinking skills.

Fun Facts & Amazing Activities for Curious Kids ($12.99)

Nothing beats discovering something new, especially when it’s as surprising as the fact that you are hurtling through space at the speed of 66,000 per hour at this very moment! Did you also know that:

Giraffes can’t swim, but kangaroos are surprisingly good at it?
All watermelons have an even number of stripes?
Honey we can eat today has been found in 3,000-year-old Egyptian tombs?
Every odd number contains the letter ‘e’?
If you were at Point Nemo in the ocean, you’d be closer to astronauts in space than anyone on Earth?

Educational sensation Sergei Urban from TheDadLab shares the most curious facts to blow your tween’s mind, from real-life super-animals and flying cars to robot rock bands and golf on the moon.

Scientist Advent Calendar ($39)

The STEM teacher in me LOVES the Scientist Advent Calendar that features 24 exciting experiments. A different experiment is hidden in each box and each day kids get to practice science skills. The box contains everything a tween needs to conduct Chemistry, biology, mechanics, optics, and magnetics experiments at home during the month of December. For more advent calendar ideas, visit my Favorite Advent Calendars for All Ages gift guide.

Breaking the Mold- Changing the Face of Climate Science ($12.99)

Scientists who collect microbes from surfers’ skin, who use radar sensors to gather data miles away, who combat inequality by pushing for cleaner air policies. Each with their own story, all working to make life better for future generations. Celebrated author Dana Alison Levy profiles 16 people, all studying different elements of the earth’s landscape, animals, and climate, who defy stereotypes of who can be a scientist. From analytical chemists to volcanologists, from global experts to recent graduates, these scientists share what they were like as young people, how they got where they are now, and what they—and the rest of us—can do to help the planet.

Best STEM Gifts for Teens

AM/FM Radio Kit ($39.99)

This AM/FM Radio Kit is a great project for teens who are interested in electronics. This kit comes with two speakers and antennas to teach basic radio knowledge. The 16X12 cm large PCB board features clear marks, clear circuit traces, high-quality components. Full-color manuals are helpful to learn more about the components and radio schematics. Please note soldering equipment, Phillips screwdriver, and diagonal pliers are not included with the AM/FM Radio Kit.

DIY Printing Press ($59.99)

The printing press was a game-changing invention that was instrumental in changing the way books were made. Teens will love the challenge of building their own printing press at home by assembling over 300 pieces to create a printing press that includes moving gears, flashing LEDs, and an ink-pad stamp that flips. Requires two AAA batteries.

Smart Four ($64.99)

Remember Connect Four? GiiKER Smart Four takes the traditional 4-in-a-row game your kids loved to play from a flat surface into a new challenge involving 3 dimensions. Teens can play with a friend or family member or use the AI opponent that offers three progressive difficulty levels. Teens will love the integrated referee that records all movements and immediately indicates a winning move as they test their skills and are pushed to plan ahead. This game also helps enhance cognitive skills like spatial thinking, pattern recognition, and strategic planning while keeping screen time minimal.

Botanicum or Fungarium Postcard Box Set curated by Katie Scott ($17.99 each)

These gorgeous collection of fifty vibrant postcards features Katie Scott’s incredible illustrations of all things botanical or fungi. From the rarest orchid to the common pineapple or detailed images fascinating fungi, these beautiful postcards are perfect for teens to go old school and send in the mail, gift to loved ones, or decorate bedroom walls.

Interchangeable Solar System Necklace ($43)

Show your teen they’re out of this world with the Interchangeable Solar System Necklace. Hanging from an 18-long chain, his pendant displays one of 11 included interchangeable charms so your teen can choose the celestial body that best fits their mood each day. Charms include the moon, the sun, all eight planets, and Pluto (technically not a planet any more but still a favorite!)

DIY Electronic Bluetooth Speaker Kit ($24.29)

You could buy your teen a Bluetooth speaker as a holiday gift but a DIY one is far more fun and educational. This solder-free kit allows teens to discover how speakers work while building their own speaker that can be connected via Bluetooth to a computer or phone. It is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, comes with 2 speakers, easy to follow instructions, and runs on 4 batteries (not included). It contains a LED Bluetooth speaker with remote control and 10 LED lights. Soldering is required for this project so make sure you have a soldering iron at home and your teen knows how to solder or give them a lesson ahead of them assembling this gift

Periodic Table of Flavor Popcorn Seasoning Set ($40)

Teens will love heading into the lab (i.e., your kitchen) for tasty research into the science of snacking. These six seasonings (apple cinnamon, bleu cheese buffalo, jalapeño popper, pizza, s’mores, and truffle parmesan) contain essential elements to turn an ordinary bowl of popcorn into a flavor phenomenon. Four savory and two sweet blends inspire lip-smacking experimentation, and you don’t have to stop at popcorn. Sprinkle a blend over avocado toast, spice up your mac ‘n’ cheese, and swirl luscious flavor into a hot chocolate or latte—your next delicious eureka moment is only a spoonful away.

DIY Retro Classic Game Kit ($16.99)

Practice soldering by putting together this retro classic game kit that features Tetris, Space Invaders, Snakes, Race Cars, and Slot Machines that can be played with buttons while classic background music plays. There’s also a buzzer and a score display at the top of the digital tube. Detailed step by step instructions are provided along with pictures and detailed descriptions. Soldering iron not included.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

Below is the entire list of what you can look forward to this year. These links will go live as guides are published so bookmark or pin this post now so you can come back to it as you do your holiday shopping since I’ll be updating it often!

Favorite Advent Calendars for All Ages
Best STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
Best Gifts College Students (inspired by my own college students!)
Best Subscriptions Boxes for All Ages
Best Hostess Gifts
Gifts the Best Dogs and the People Who Love Them (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
Favorite Ways to Teach Kids to Give Back
Best Gifts for Teachers

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

Note to PR: I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides which will publish through December. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and if you’re able to offer a reader giveaway. Giveaway items will be directly shipped to readers upon conclusion of the giveaway. Thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to publish gift guides and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year or send links once posts are live.