STEM Learning

Best STEM Toys by Age

July / 2021

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.

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.

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: