anyone who has Anyone who has ever watched a toddler methodically dismantle a Tupperware drawer should know that many children are natural-born engineers. Your only job as a parent is to encourage their creativity…and clean up the mess afterward. Between us (WIRED critic Scott Gilbertson, editor Adrienne So and I) we have seven children. Honestly, this is the most fun part of my job: ordering STEM toys for my kids and I to try out together and recommend to them. It doesn’t look like work at all.
Wrap up some of these STEM toys (also called STEAM toys; we love them too, arts!) and books for your future scientist to bake, crush, or dismantle. Hopefully, they’ll thank you for the initial encouragement when they’re older. Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including Our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids and How to Build the Lego Collection of Your Dreams.
December 2024 Update: We added Ambessa Play DIY Lantern, Particular GoChess Mini, Marty the Robot V2, Loog Mini Electric Guitar, Bill Nye’s VR Chem Lab, Astronaut Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich and age ranges for each entry, removed one discontinued product. and up-to-date prices everywhere.
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