STEM Learning
Best STEM Toys by Age
Discover the best STEM toys by age group. We cover toys for newborns all the way up to 14 and beyond!
At Blocks Rock!, we’re passionate about helping kids learn STEM skills from a young age. That’s why we’re excited to share a variety of STEM toys for all ages! Look through the list below to find your next favorite toy.
Best Toys from Birth to 24 Months
From birth to 24 months, babies are building strength, motor skills, balance, and language. Sensory toys or any introductory toy that helps children learn about STEM subjects are great options for this age range.
- ABC’s Of Engineering (Book)
A Book that “takes budding young scientists on an educational adventure from ABCs to zoning and city planning.”
- Forest Friends Discovery Tree
A treetop play structure with a “whole ecosystem full of sensory exploration excitement!”
- Musical Lili Llama
“The wooden Musical Lil Llama toy is packing a lot of great musical activities, with plenty of auditory and visual fun for minis 12 months and up!”
- Deep Space Tummy Time Toy
“There's so much for babies to discover on this journey through the stars, including a mirror, squeaker, and other surprises to stimulate the senses.”
- Atom Bead Maze
“Help your child hone their fine motor skills, sensory skills, and hand-eye coordination with a bead maze and clutching toy modeled after a carbon atom.”
Best Toys for 2 to 4-Year-Olds
Between 2 and 4 years old, toddlers learn colors, develop their vocabulary, and work on hand-eye coordination. Hands-on activities that focus on color and shape identification are great options for this age group.
- Electric Drill Puzzle
Build fun puzzle designs using this toy drill!
- Blocks Rock! With Preschool STEM Cards
Help preschoolers with shape and color recognition with our Preschool STEM Cards! A great introduction to our competitive structured block play.
- Window Garden
“Learn about plant science in a hands-on way, by assembling your own suction-cup window planters and growing a set of green bean and squash plants.”
- Code and Go Mouse Set
In this activity set, “Colby, the Programmable Robot Mouse, teaches kids screen-free coding skills with easy-to-use buttons and fun lights and sounds.”
- ETI 100 piece Engineering and construction Kit
Build a toy vehicle using this large block kit.
Best Toys for 5 to 7-Year-Olds
Between 5 and 7 years old, children are developing longer attention spans, learning to read, and love stories. Structured activities are perfect options for this age group.
- Environmental Science: Oil Clean up
This sensory bin will help you “learn how oil affects oceans and the critters that live in them, and explore different ways to clean up spilled oil — from scooping it up to trapping it in a floating boom.”
- Blocks Rock! Deluxe Game & 3D Companion App
Get comfortable with competitive block play with our Deluxe Game and 3D Companion app with dozens of different block designs.
- Ooze Lab Chemistry Station
Try out chemistry experiments with this chemistry station! “This laboratory setup features a thrilling variety of different beakers, test tubes, syringes, and tubes for delving into the wonders of real science.”
- Basketball Catapult
Learn about physics as you build this catapult, and shoot hoops with different angles and arcs.
- Marty the Robot
Learn about coding from the walking, talking robot named Marty!
Best Toys for 8 to 13-Year-Olds
Between 8 and 13 years, children have a greater capacity for learning more complex material. Middle school usually takes place between these age groups. Longer or more difficult STEM projects can be a great fit for this age group.
- Blocks Rock! Deluxe Game & 3D Companion App
- Ramp up your competition skills with our Deluxe Game, and advanced designs on our 3D Companion App
- Thames & Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand STEM Experiment Kit
Build your own awesome, wearable mechanical hand that you operate with your own fingers.
- Architech Electronic Smart House
“Simple, snap-together baseboards and posts plus punch-out wall/floor panels easily come together to build all kinds of custom structures.”
- Architextural Engineering
“With this fascinating STEM experiment kit, kids get to build a strong foundation in architectural design while exploring the engineering principles behind planning and developing real buildings and structures.”
- Real Engineering/Real Construction Desk Lamp
Build your own desk lamp!
14 Years & Up
After the age of 14, teens enter into high school and develop more focused interests in specific STEM areas. STEM projects that are geared toward their interests are a great option in this age group.
- Light Up Wire Art
“Create two custom neon signs with EL wire. Choose from five existing templates, or create your own from scratch.”
- Bubble Machine
Build a bubble machine! “Explore bubble chemistry and how the construction and physics behind your machine help bubbles form.”
- Water Rocket Kit
Build your own rocket using a bottle, water, and a pump.
- VEX V5 Workcell (Robotics Station)
Learn about factory automation and programming software with this workcell.
- Starter Electronics Kit
This starter kit is the perfect set for anyone interested in building electronics.
Scientifically Proven to Improve STEM Skills
At Blocks Rock!, we are passionate about helping facilitate STEM interests and skills. Blocks Rock! has been shown to improve skills that help facilitate STEM learning. These skills include things like mental rotation ability, addition and subtraction, and spatial recognition.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out these studies: