STEM 10

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts are vital to kids’ learning development, and hundreds of toys that reinforce these important subjects can now be found on store shelves. From the basics of coding to robotics and engineering, the following STEM toys give kids the tools they need for success in the modern world.

3DOODLER START MAKE YOUR OWN HEXBUG PEN SET, 6+ Kids can make their own HEXBUG creatures with this 3-D printing pen. Kids can doodle the bug’s body and legs using the DoodleMolds or their own designs, then let it crawl around with the HEXBUG motor. 3DOODLER, 3doodler.com

BEAKER CREATURES LIQUID REACTOR SUPER LAB, 5+ Drop the Reactor Pod in the chamber, pump in water, and watch the bubbling reaction that reveals a Beaker Creatures collectible figure.

The lab doubles as a working science set, complete with instructions for hands-on experiments. LEARNING RESOURCES, learningresources.com

CRAYOLA COLOR CHEMISTRY LAB SET, 7+ With this chemistry set, kids can explore color through 50 STEAMinfused experiments, such as an erupting volcano, glow worms, and more. Each experiment was created with the help of real Crayola scientists. CRAYOLA, crayola.com

DESIGN & DRILL MY FIRST

WORKBENCH, 3+ Little builders will stay busy with a workbench and tool set designed just for them. Safely hammer nails and drill bolts directly into the bench to create colorful patterns for hours of unplugged play. EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS, educationalinsights.com

DISCOVERY EXTREME CHEMISTRY LAB, 12+ Conduct more than 20 experiments and simple chemical reactions, including fi��ing and foaming eruptions, glowing worms, galactic spheres, and more. Kids can also experiment and create their own cra�y concoctions. HORIZON GROUP, horizongroupusa.com

FISHER-PRICE THINK & LEARN ROCKTOPUS, 3+

Kids can explore a variety of musical styles while learning about instruments, rhythmic patterns, and more. Features 15 unique instruments across five different genres of music, and three play modes: math, music, and game.

MATTEL, fisher-price.����e�.c��

KIDS FIRST CODING & ROBOTICS, 4+ Sammy the robot teaches kids coding and programming principles without a tablet or smartphone. Lay down a sequence of physical code cards and let Sammy drive over them to load the program, then use the map cards to run the program. THAMES & KOSMOS, thamesandkosmos.com

MAGFORMERS SKY TRACK ADVENTURE SET, 3+

This 64-piece building set includes a sky shuttle and multiple track accessories. Kids can create loops, hills, twists, and turns. The shuttle can even perform tricks, such as a

360-degree spin. MAGFORMERS, magformers.com

NINTENDO LABO: VEHICLE KIT, 6+ Nintendo Labo combines DIY creations with the power of the Nintendo Switch. Kids can build a car, a submarine, a plane, two keys, and more; then insert a key into any of the vehicles to play games and activities. NINTENDO OF AMERICA, nintendo.com

SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER

VETERINARY SCIENCE, 6+ This role-play set will inspire kids to become veterinarians. Perform pretend x-rays and sonograms, close wounds, create a cat anatomy poster, learn about ticks, and more. ALEX BRANDS, alexbrands.com