Some toys are purely just for play purposes, but if you're looking for a toy in 2019 [1] that'll more obviously help with your child's development while still being totally fun, a STEM toy is the way forward. STEM — science, technology, engineering, and maths — toys aren't only playthings, but are in some way designed to teach your children new skills like coding or concepts like physics. For 2019, The Toy Insider — which reviews new toys every year — put together a list of the Top 10 STEM Toys [2], and you're going to want to put one on your kids' holiday shopping list for them.
Scroll through to see all 10 STEM toys [3] — there's something for kids of all ages.
Magformers Amazing Rescue Set
Kids ages 3 and up can build and create their own fire adventures with the 50-piece Magformers Amazing Rescue Set [5] ($60).
HEXBUG Build Blitz Construction Kit
With the HEXBUG Build Blitz Construction Kit [6] ($150) kids ages 8 and up can build seven different robotic designs that can then be controlled with a smartphone.
LEGO Star Wars Boost Droid Commander Set
Your kids can learn to code the Lego way with this epic interactive LEGO Star Wars Boost Droid Commander Set [7] ($200) that teaches them to code and develop creative problem-solving skills.
Learning Resources Coding Critters
Kids ages 4 and up will have a blast with the three different versions of the Learning Resources Coding Critters [8] ($32), which help teach coding.
Educational Insights Artie 3000 Coding Robot
The Educational Insights Artie 3000 Coding Robot [9] ($) helps kids ages 7 and up learn to code.
Thames & Kosmos Air-Walker Gravity-Defying Wall-Walking Robot Science Experiment Kit
Kids ages 8 and up with learn about the physics of air pressure and suction and how it's used to help their Thames & Kosmos Air-Walker Gravity-Defying Wall-Walking Robot [10] ($33) model walk vertically up perfectly smooth surfaces.
K'NEX Dragon Quest Roller Coaster Building Set
With the 578-piece K'NEX Dragon Quest Roller Coaster Building Set [11] ($44), kids ages 7 and up can build a miniature scale, working roller coaster.
Tech Will Save Us Synth Kit
Aimed at kids 13 and up, the Tech Will Save Us, Synth Kit [12] ($11) allows teens to build three different synths and learn about pitch, frequency, and volume.
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet Tumbling Hedgehog Science Experiment and Modelling Kit
With the Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet Tumbling Hedgehog Science Experiment and Modelling Kit [13] ($) kids ages 10 and up will use the 172 building pieces to construct their own adorable robotic pet hedgehog.
Discovery Prehistoric Slime Dig
Kids ages 8 and up can dig their way through squishy slime as they discover hidden dinosaur bones, thanks to the Discovery Prehistoric Slime Dig [14] ($16).