STEM Gifts That Don’t Feel Like Homework

Top 5 picks

The STEM gifts at the top of this year’s lists.

Ages 8–13
CrunchLabs The Crunchinator by Mark Rober
A crank-powered crushing machine. Toy Insider STEM 10.
See it on Amazon
MAGNA-TILES Dino World XL (50 pieces)
Magnetic tiles with dinosaurs for big builds.
See it on Amazon
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Build 100+ real electronic projects, no soldering.
See it on Amazon
Ravensburger GraviTrax Starter Set
A marble run that teaches gravity and momentum.
See it on Amazon
Sphero Mini Coding Robot
A tiny app-driven robot ball for first coding.
See it on Amazon

Machines, cars and contraptions.

Thames & Kosmos V8 Race Car Engine Kit
Build a working model V8 engine.
See it on Amazon
LEGO Technic Fast and Furious Toyota Supra
A Technic car build for movie fans.
See it on Amazon
Klutz LEGO Gear Bots
Build moving, motorized LEGO creatures.
See it on Amazon
Sillbird 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
One kit, 12 sun-powered robots.
See it on Amazon
CrunchLabs Squirrel Dash
A Mark Rober build inspired by his famous squirrel course.
See it on Amazon

Screen-light coding and 3D drawing.

Ages 5+
Learning Resources Botley 2.0 Coding Robot
Screen-free coding for early learners.
See it on Amazon
Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse
Program a mouse through a maze.
See it on Amazon
Osmo Coding Kit
Hands-on coding games for a tablet.
See it on Amazon
3Doodler Start+ 3D Pen
A kid-safe pen that draws in 3D.
See it on Amazon
SCRIB3D Advanced 3D Printing Pen
A 3D pen for older kids with more control.
See it on Amazon

Chemistry, crystals and dissection.

Barbie Chemistry Science Kit
Chemistry experiments with Barbie. Toy Insider STEM 10.
See it on Amazon
Crayola Goo Dissection Playset
A squishy dissection kit. Toy Insider STEM 10.
See it on Amazon
Ooze Labs Chemistry Station
Kid-safe chemistry experiments.
See it on Amazon
National Geographic Mega Crystal Growing Lab
Grow colorful crystals at home.
See it on Amazon
National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit
Turn rough rocks into polished gems.
See it on Amazon

For curious minds and stargazers.

Gskyer 70mm Telescope
A starter telescope for the moon and planets.
See it on Amazon
1000X Handheld Digital Microscope
Zoom in on bugs, leaves and coins.
See it on Amazon
ThinkFun Circuit Maze
A logic puzzle that teaches circuits.
See it on Amazon
Mindframes Click ’n’ Create Wearable Kit
Build wearable creations. Toy Insider STEM 10.
See it on Amazon
CrunchLabs Egg Drop Challenge
Design a device that saves the egg.
See it on Amazon