Must-have STEM gadgets for your kids

Your kids are home. For a pretty long while. They're not getting in quite as much school and learning as they normally would be, and maybe you're looking to supplement their education. Good for you! But how do you go about doing that without taking up a lot of your day? Because you have your own things to do. Like your job. STEM toys are a great way to keep your kid engaged, teach them new skills, and keep them out of your hair while you're working from home.

Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit Wand Used By Kids

Having your kids home all day, every day is a lot. Like, a lot. And it’s even more if you’re trying to work from home yourself. Sure, they’re still doing schoolwork, but it’s different. It doesn’t keep them occupied all day, and they’re not getting that same hands-on engagement that they do in the classroom. Not to mention the fact that they always need something from you because they’re getting bored being at home. (Trust me, kid. We all are.) STEM gadgets are a great way to get in some additional learning. But your child will also have fun doing it, and they’ll stay out of your hair so you can get your own work done.

Studies are definitely mixed regarding if these gadgets will set your kid up to be Bill Gates when they grow up. Some are staunchly against it, some swear they will create little astronauts, and people in the middle say there just isn’t enough data. Personally, we’re in the camp that it’s certainly not going to hurt to encourage your kid to play with a toy that’s designed to teach them something.

Plus, what if you don’t get your kid that laboratory toy they want and you’ve kept them from growing up to find the cure for coronavirus? You’ve done the world a huge disservice. What we do know is that when kids play with STEM toys, they can learn valuable problem-solving skills and build their confidence. And, no matter what they do in life, those are two things they’ll benefit from.

So, get your wallet out, get your clicker finger ready, and get some STEM gadgets for the kiddos.

Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit Wand

Explore the magical world of wizardry with the Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit Wand. Designed for those aged six and older, this kids’ STEM gadget has everything included to create a magic wand. Based on Harry Potter’s wand, the Kano Wand uses Bluetooth connectivity to take control. Building the wand and its code, kids can go through over 70 step-by-step challenges to improve their skills. Kids can change code and see the results in real-time right on the screen. Finally, from multiplying goblets to composing music, there’s nothing this magical wand (and your kid’s imagination) can’t do.

LoCoMoGo Train Coding Toy

The creators of LoCoMoGo believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to code, but, above all, children should have fun. That’s why they created the LoCoMoGo Train Coding Toy. This coding toy teaches kids aged 4–12 coding through play. Your child will go on a journey from basic code logic to true code mastery, all while playing. Children can start having fun right away with the LoCoMotive by creating their train tracks. The Color Car then enables them to learn basic code logic, entirely screen-free. Each additional train car adds a new function and is programmable through the LoCoMoGo app.

Pick&Play Storytelling and Animation Coding Tool

Most children love being creative and silly. The Pick&Play Storytelling and Animation Coding Tool allows them to do both of these things and learn at the same time. This educational coding game uses different types of cards that your child can arrange to create an animated story. All you need other than the Pick&Play set is a mobile device, and your child is ready to create their own stories and animations just by placing the cards. Then, the program will process the command sequentially. The cards feature animals, objects, verbs, backgrounds, and sounds, so the options are practically endless.

Funtory Magic Carpet Toddler Playmat

If you have a toddler, you likely have a playmat for them. And you shouldn’t use that boring old playmat that’s the same as when you were little. Instead, invest in a Funtory Magic Carpet Toddler Playmat. This fun playmat combines safety, fun design, and AR technology. Best of all is the AR element that will bring this playmat to life with educational games. The Funtory Magic Carpet Toddler Playmat has an assortment of exotic animals printed on the surface. Your child will be engaged when using the mat, and, once they’re done, you can easily roll it up to store it.

AniBlock Puzzle Challenger Game

Have you been looking for a way to challenge your child’s mind and get them away from screens? The AniBlock Puzzle Challenger Game is just what you’re looking for. This game uses Tetris-like blocks that your child will use to solve puzzles and earn rewards. There is more than one solution for each set, so children are encouraged to push beyond their creative and logical boundaries. Your child will be engaged, and they’ll be learning. The puzzle challenger is made up of four packages, and each package is made up of two sets of colored blocks, one block board, and twelve patterns.

Star Wars the Force Coding Teaching Kit

Your best learning happens when you’re having fun, and you’ll have fun with the Star Wars the Force Coding Teaching Kit. Whether for yourself or your kid, these Star Wars gifts will teach the skill of coding through a fun, interactive platform. With this coding kit, you’ll create adventures as well as characters, and you’ll also learn how to use the Force. In fact, this coding game teaches you about loops, logic, and variables all through the Star Wars galaxy. 

Star Wars the Force Coding Teaching Kit in Use

Kamibot Pi Creative Coding Robot

Ensure your child learns useful skills with the Kamibot Pi Creative Coding Robot. This robot teaches coding through fun activities, like drawing and competitive games. Rather than gluing your kid to a display, this robot uses action cards and a screenless remote to provide education. Teaching in an easy, functional way, this kids’ coding device uses action cards that your child feeds to the robot. The robot then performs the action. Additionally, designed with simplicity in mind, this STEM robot provides step-by-step methods to teach beginning learners. Even if your child has learned a bit of coding in school, this STEM gadget will help them learn even more.

Sphero Specdrums App-Enabled Music Creation Rings

Experience a new dimension to sound with the Sphero Specdrums App-Enabled Music Creation Rings. Along with teaching STEM, these wearables use motion and color sensors to bring you the audio of the world. The Specdrums deliver a variety of sounds based on different surfaces. When placed on a color, the system produces the accompanying audio. Users can choose to use a single ring on its own or wear two for more layers of audio. In addition, users can share with friends for a truly unique soundscape. Working with the app, they can also pair with MIDI systems. With Specdrums, the world is your studio.

Mabot STEM Robotic Toy

Create your very own magic robot with the Mabot STEM Robotic Toy. This DIY robot kit enables kids to use modular components to make robots and functions. Likewise, Mabot can perform unique functions including interacting with the environment, sensing the surroundings, moving, and more. Featuring a plug-and-play design, Mabot combines entertainment and education for children and adults to get creative and enjoy hands-on learning. 

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of STEM gadgets you can get for your kids—from toddlers to teens—to play with. Heck, there are definitely some adults who want to get in on that Harry Potter and Star Wars action too. (Raises hand.) Do you already have some toys at home that you didn’t realize were STEM toys? Or do you think some of these toys would benefit your child? Let us know in the comments!

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