One of the foundations of STEM education is engineering. I love this part because it is so creative.
If you want to encourage your kids to experiment with engineering, here are some fun STEM building toys you can have at home.
They’re great open-ended toys that will encourage creativity and STEM learning.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.
What Does STEM Toys Mean?
What exactly is a STEM toy?
It’s one that encourages kids to learn a combination of science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on way.
There are a ton of STEM toys to choose from, but this list focuses only on engineering toys, specifically STEM building toys.
These toys are so much fun and are great investments. Your kids will have hours of fun!
Is LEGO a STEM Toy?
Absolutely!
LEGO Bricks encourage building and engineering skills both by designing and building your own structures or by learning to read instruction when you put together a fun set.
Or, use your Bricks to do one of these fun LEGO STEM Challenges!
I’ve included some great basic sets in this list as well as a fun add-on to use your LEGO Bricks to build basic machines.
STEM Building Toys for Kids
Encourage your kids to learn and have fun with this collection of open-ended STEM building toys. They're perfect for your little engineers!
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box (790 Pieces)
LEGO is the classic STEM toy. While there are a ton of fun themed sets, a classic set like this will encourage kids to be create and come up with their own designs.
Klutz LEGO Gadgets Science & Activity Kit
Combine your LEGO bricks with this fun LEGO Gadgets set so you can build fun and simple machines.
LEGO DUPLO All-In-One Box of Fun (65 Pieces)
If your kids are still too little for the classic LEGO bricks, get a fun bin of Duplo blocks which are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.
Tinkertoy 30 Model Super Building Set
I love LEGOs as a kid, but I also loved my set of Tinkertoys. Here is a fun updated version of this classic building toy.
Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
Build big structures with this set of cardboard blocks. They're lightweight, safe, and easy to use.
Crazy Forts Building Set
Use this fort building set to build giant structures that you can actually play in.
Marble Run Set
Marble runs are a great STEM engineering project and you can make them over and over again with this fun marble run set.
Brain Flakes Interlocking Plastic Disc Set (500 Pieces)
You can build anything you can imagine with this fun interlocking discs building set.
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set
Magnetic tiles are an extremely popular STEM building toy. These are so many fun options, but this 100-piece set is a great starting point.
Magnetic Rods and Balls Building Blocks
Or, you can try a different sort of magnet building set with this fun magnetic rods and balls building set.
Learning Resources Gears! Gizmos Building Set
Strengthen your problem-solving and engineering skills by building with this fun Gears and Gizmos building set.
Roller Coaster Challenge STEM Toy
Design and build roller coasters with this fun Roller Coaster Challenge set.
Which of these STEM building toys to you think would be fun to have at home?
You may also like one of these fun STEM activities:
Marshmallow Engineering STEAM Building Challenge
Egg Carton Building Blogs at The Pinterested Parent
Subscribe to get STEAM Family Challenges delivered to your inbox
Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)
Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.
Latest posts by Terri Thompson (see all)
- Autumn Scavenger Hunts for Kids - September 25, 2020
- Bats in a Cave: Bat Sight Word Game - September 14, 2020
- Multiplication Practice with Jelly Bean Arrays - March 10, 2020