The best educational toys for kids from 2 to 10 years old (and beyond) with a STEM/STEAM focus. This holiday season, these gifts can make learning feel like just plain ol’fun!
On the one hand, there’s no one easier to buy for in this world than for kids. The list of toys that they want is seemingly endless! But, on the other hand, you also want to make sure that the thoughtful gifts you’re giving enrich their lives on many levels: you don’t want to just bring them joy, you also want to give them something that helps challenge them, teaches them something, and keeps their minds just as active as their little hands.
This gift guide has been assembled by STEM Camp staff to bring you the best of the best when it comes to gifts for kids that inspire and challenge them at every age and stage, from toddlerhood all the way to adolescence.
But first, a low-to-no-cost gift idea…
Let’s just take a moment to recognize that the holidays can be both stressful and expensive. Before we dive into a great roundup of gifts you can buy for your kids, let’s look at what you already have, and what it can give them (hint: household items that you can use to foster a love of STEM).
In addition to the gift guide, we’ve also created a great article outlining how you can use everyday household materials, baking supplies, and toys you already have at hand, to create 14 amazing STEM experiments at home. And isn’t time together, experimenting, learning, and having fun, the greatest gift of all?
Check out the Ultimate DIY STEM Experiment Kit to Make at Home here.
Browse STEM Educational Toys by Age
It’s important to know that many of the toys, books and games that we’ve included here are suitable for a range of ages. Therefore, just because something is listed as being appropriate for 6 years, it doesn’t mean your 7 or 8 or 9 year old won’t love it too! You know your kids best.
So use this information as a guideline, and get inspired to take their love of STEM to the next level. Please note as well, that STEM Camp does not have any affiliation with the retailers noted, and gains no commission or benefit from purchases. Other retailers will also carry many or all of these items, so as always, use your own research and discretion when making your purchase decisions. Prices listed were accurate at the time of developing this list, but may not be the lowest available in your area or at this time.
Browse educational toys by age:
Educational Toys For 2 to 3 Year Olds
Is toddlerhood too early to introduce your little ones to STEM? We think not! After all, there may be no human being on earth who is more curious about cause and effect than a little toddler. So why not nurture that intense curiosity with learning toys and activities designed to help them explore and learn safely? Here are some of the best educational toys to help these young minds flourish.
High Chair Chemistry
Ages: 0-2 years old
Cost: $11.99
Where to Buy: Chapters Indigo
This adorable board book will break your… well… boredom! Even the book’s description is captivating:
“Secure your bib, open wide, and get ready to unpack the properties of matter. Chemistry is all around us—starting with Baby’s high chair . . .
Are you hungry? Let’s experiment.
Lego Duplo Number Train
Ages: 18+ months
Cost: $24.99
Where to Buy: LEGO Canada
This push-along train introduces toddlers to colours and counting, while friendly characters boost social-emotional skills. This 23-piece playset includes a movable train with 10 coloured number bricks, 2 figures and accessories.
Alphabet and Number LocBlocs
Ages: 18+ months
Cost: $24.99
Where to Buy: Mastermind Toys
At just less than $25 this set is a great value for your young learner. It comes with 88 building blocks, 10 play cards, 5 sticker sheets and 4 wheel blocks. Rated for ages 12 months and up, these fun blocks will help to develop hand-eye coordination, counting skills and more!
Magna-Tiles
Ages: 3+
Cost: $30 – $200
Where to Buy: Mastermind Toys
First launched in 1997, Magna-Tiles are a long-adored product for young builders of all walks of life. According to the brand’s own website, these fun-to-snap-together, colourful shapes were “invented by an educator for educators.” Magna-tiles are powered by your child’s imagination, providing a wonderful tool for self-directed learning and discovery.
Budget-friendly Magna-Tile Alternative: Magnetic Tiles, 130PCS Magnetic Blocks with 2 Cars
Ages: 3+
Cost: $69.99
Where to Buy: Amazon Canada
These generic magnetic tiles are a budget friendly alternative to name brand Magna Tiles, since the set includes a whopping 130 pieces. Plus, they’ve earned rave reviews from parents, including this one:
“Great product! I strongly recommend it. I initially got it for my son, but I played it more than him. Deserves a 5-star rating. – Review from Vedat. 5/5 stars. Oct 14, 2024”
As a plus, at 130 pieces, this is a fairly large set as well, offering lots of opportunities for your young ones to explore shapes, develop colour recognition, explore cause and effect and test their architectural abilities too!
KiwiCo Panda Crate & KiwiCo Sprout
Ages: 0 months and up
Cost:
Panda (0-3 years) Essentials to Deluxe Crates delivered every two months: From $69.27/crate to $124.69/crate.
Kiwi Sprout (ages 3-6 years old): Delivered monthly, crates starting at $33.25/crate/month.
Where to Buy: Shop on KiwiCo
A subscription service, KiwiCo touts itself on the research backed toys and activities that are packed into their crates. According to the brand each toy & activity has been: thoughtfully designed by in-house experts, including former educators and child development professionals specialising in child health, behaviour, and development.
Parents are loving how KiwiCo takes the guesswork out of which toys to get to stimulate and inspire their kids at each developmental stage.
In her 5/5 star rating, Kaira G says: The toys were quality and wooden which I loved! It’s a fun surprise for both my child and I to see the toys that arrive and it also is so helpful to have a few pieces that specifically target her age.
Note: KiwiCo is based out of the U.S. and so be sure to watch for shipping charges that may impact the price point of this gift.
Educational Toys For 4 Year Olds
As a Junior Kindergartener, your little four year old has just entered the world of formal education. Help them keep their learning momentum going, while providing them with a diversity of fun activities that they can do at home. It’s learning that just feels like play!
Fairy Science
Ages: 3-5
Cost: $11.99
Chapters Indigo
Amazon Canada
The award-winning Canadian author of The Most Magnificent Thing introduces the value of science and inquiry to young readers with humour and heart, now in trade paperback format. For fans of Ada Twist, Scientist and Hidden Figures.
From the publisher: Esther the fairy doesn’t believe in magic. But fairies are all about magic, despite Esther’s best efforts to reveal the science of their world. No matter how she and her bird, Albert, explain that rainbows are refracted light rather than a path to gold, or that mist is water evaporating rather than an evil omen, or the importance of the scientific method, her fairymates would rather just do magic.
So when the other fairies’ solution to helping a dying tree is to do a mystical moonlight dance, Esther decides to take it upon herself to resuscitate the tree . . . with the scientific method, some hypothesising, a few experiments and the heady conclusion that trees need sunlight to live! But while Esther manages to save the tree, she can’t quite change the minds of her misguided fairymates . . . or can she?
Fairy Science, the first in a hilarious new picture book series, introduces a charming, determined heroine as she learns about the world and celebrates the joys of curiosity and exploring science.
Pocket Microscope
Ages: 3+
Cost: $21.50
Where to Buy: Lee Valley
Pocket microscopes literally offer your child a different perspective on our wild and wonderful world. With a bright LED bulb to help illuminate the object of a young scientist’s curiosity, this little microscope has a 20-40X zoom lens that’s easy to focus. Have fun inspecting common items around the house on rainy days, or take it out to explore nature in the sunshine. You can’t go wrong with this affordable toy that’s sure to spark their curiosity for the world around them.
Numberblocks
Ages: 4-8 years old
Cost:$21-$25
Where to Buy:
Amazon Canada
Visit hand2mind for a wide variety
“5-4-3-2-1 NUMBERBLOCKS!” We dare you to watch the hit TV show Numberblocks (see it on Netflix in Canada) and not get the song stuck in your head! This catchy and engaging show has jumped off the screen into adorable and interactive learning toys that teach your child the wonder of numbers. Yup, math can be fun! According to the brand: through big adventures, engaging activities, and catchy songs these clever blocks help children see how numbers really work and master early math skills.
Let's Craft S.T.E.A.M. School Studio Science
Ages: 4+
Cost: $39.99
Where to Buy: Mastermind Toys
This kit boasts 10 amazing arts and crafts projects, with each activity offering fun science, math and engineering learning embedded in each one. With fully illustrated colourful experiment cards, kids will be completely engaged playing with gears, painting, building with conductive light up dough, making paper gliders and so much more. But you’ll know they are also learning about the cycles of time, engineering, symmetry, electricity, shapes and aerodynamics!
Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Bath Building Blocks
Ages: 3+
Cost: $30-$200
Where to Buy: Blockaroo
Do you have a builder who needs a set that can go from dry land to the bath? Look no further than Blockaroo! From 18 months to 6 years (or maybe until adulthood?) these magnetic, foam blocks offer a world of building possibilities – from bridges to castles and robots and beyond!
Learning Resources Coding Critters Rumble & Bumble
Ages: 4+
Cost: $50
Where to Buy: Amazon Canada
Kids as young as 4 can learn screen-free coding and get the critter to do things like fetch or play hide-and-seek. There’s also an interactive mode where kids can just play and take care of their pets without coding. This comes in many animal shapes beyond this dinosaur (featured)— such as a dragon and a unicorn too.
Educational Toys For 5 Year Olds
While you may be tired of being asked “Why?” over and over again, the truth is that your little one is nowhere near done asking about how the mechanics of the world work. Help them to learn the answers on their own through experimentation and exploration with toys that ignite their imagination and satiate their curiosity at once.
Math Curse
Ages 3-5
Price: $25
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
Have you ever read a book that takes math beyond just an activity and into a winding story? Well, now you have! Math Curse breaks down a heroine’s tale of conquering numbers.
From the publisher: Did you ever wake up to one of those days where everything is a problem? You have 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes until your bus leaves. Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make 1 good outfit?
Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem? Why do 2 apples always have to be added to 5 oranges? Why do 4 kids always have to divide 12 marbles? Why can’t you just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Why? Because you’re the victim of a Math Curse. That’s why. But don’t despair. This is one girl’s story of how that curse can be broken.
LEGO Classic Bricks
Ages: 4+
Cost: $44.99
Where to buy: LEGO Canada
We know: LEGO has a reputation for being the kind of toy that’s more of an investment. But at STEM Camp, investing in educational play is what we’re all about – and this introductory set comes in at a surprisingly affordable (by LEGO standards, at least) price point.
With 484 pieces in 35 colours, we love that this set allows for a diversity of builds, and also includes:
- Windows, eyes, 18 tires and wheel rims, and more
- Green baseplate measures over 3” long and 6” wide
- LEGO Creative Brick building toys are compatible with all LEGO construction sets for creative building
Diamond Magnetic Tiles (102 pieces)
Ages: 3+
Cost: $48.99
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
Do you have a tiny fan of Frozen? Or a kid who daydreams about castles and kingdoms? This diamond magnetic tile set could be perfect for encouraging their inner builder to emerge! It even comes with two figures and magnetic stairs.
Edison Codeable Robot
Ages: 4 to 16 years
Cost: $59.95
Where to buy: Edison
*Featured at STEM Camp!*
This robot is a staple at STEM Camp, as it’s been designed to be a complete STEM teaching resource for coding and robotics education for students from
4 to 16 years of age.
According to the Edison website: Edison empowers students to become not just coders, but inventors, problem solvers and creative thinkers. More than a robot, Edison’s sensors and expandable build system open up pathways for learning across maths, science, critical thinking, engineering, design thinking and more.
GeoSmart Flip Bot 30 piece set
Ages: 5+
Cost: 84.99
Where to buy: Mastermind Toys
The GeoSmart line up of toys has a variety of awesome varieties, including solar spinners, mars explorers and more!
We love the way these toys’ magnetic pieces allow for endless exploration and learning (including spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, logic, creativity and more) as kids design their vehicle/toy.
With the Flip Bot, your STEM explorer can create their vehicle and launch it. The turbo motors will make it flip and spin!
STEM Camp or Camp STEAM Summer Camp Experience
Ages: 5-13
Where to buy: stemcamp.ca and campsteam.ca
Did you know that at 5 years old, your little one can now join their peers for a summer camp experience that they’ll remember for a lifetime?
Give your child the gift of hands-on learning and ignite their passion for STEM/STEAM. We love making messes, spending time exploring the great outdoors, and of course, making learning feel just like fun.
Sign up for emails (STEM Camp email list here, Camp STEAM email list here) for an exclusive discount code when Camp registration officially opens in January (January 2 at 9am EST to be specific…mark your calendar!).
Educational Toys For 6 Year Olds
At six years old, your child is getting more and more curious about the way the world works. They’re craving independence, but still love doing activities together with you. These books and toys are sure to satiate their need for knowledge, all while igniting more questions too!
What’s the Weather?
Ages: 6 – 8
Price: $16.99 hardcover, $9.99 Kobo e-book
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
From the publisher: Discover the science behind wild and wonderful weather in this fact-packed book!
From heatwaves and big freezes to tornadoes and fog, this science book gives your budding meteorologist a glimpse into all the action that happens in the sky. Learn about all kinds of weather and marvel at how powerful it can be!
At a time when extreme weather is becoming more and more common, this eco-focused book is perfect for getting your little one clued up about the environment.
Throughout the pages of this colourful and energetic STEM book, your child will discover fun facts about the weather. They will also gain insight into serious topics such as global warming and how our climate is changing.
The easy-to-follow text and bite-sized facts will keep young climate activists engaged and inspire them to do whatever they can to turn things around and fight climate change!
Thames & Kosmos Creatto
Ages: 6+
Cost: $17.99
Where to buy: Walmart Canada
If you haven’t heard of Thames & Kosmos, this company and its products are definitely worth taking a look into. According to the brand’s website, the company was founded in 2001, when a Rhode Island science museum director and her son partnered with a 200-year old German publishing house to help fulfil the great need for science education materials that were more stimulating, effective, relevant – and of course, fun!
Today they boast over 250 products, including this one: Creatto
Best assembled with a child and adult paired together, each one of these kits allows for endless play. This one comes with instructions to build four different creations. Combined with LED lights, these whimsical toys are like a work of science and art all at once.
Elmer’s Celebrate Slime Kit
Ages: 3+
Cost: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
What’s more fun than kid-safe chemistry experiments with sparkly, stretchy and slimy fun results? This slime kit allows your kids to create a variety of slime with an assortment of glues and slime activators.
- Elmer’s Liquid Glue is washable, safe, and non-toxic.
- Magical Liquid is an all-in-one formula that eliminates the need for contact lens solution and baking soda or other additives
- Mix and match different glues and activators to discover new slime creations
ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge
Age: 6+
Cost: $44.99
Where to buy: JRToyCanada
Engineering doesn’t feel like engineering when it comes to building roller coasters! This game will have young hands and minds busy on creating roller coasters that can be tested and built over and over again.
Elenco Snap Circuits Beginner
Ages: 5+
Cost: $59.99 ($53.99 member price)
Where to buy: Scholar’s Choice
This kid-friendly introduction to the world of electronics offers a world of possibilities. This kit is a great way for kids who are new to Snap Circuits to start out and learn all about problem solving, following directions, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Features: The included 14 parts build over 20 projects. Extra safety features for younger engineers, 5 and up. Easy-to-follow colour manual diagrammed like no other Snap Circuits® Kit. Requires 3 “AA” batteries (not included)
Codey Rocky
Ages: 6+
Cost: $169.95
Where to buy:
Amazon Canada
Robotix Education Canada
*Featured at STEM Camp*
Codey Rocky is a programmable robot that supports both Scratch block-based and advanced Python programming. But forget the boring part!
This cute educational robot doesn’t just teach kids about robotics, coding, computer science, game design, and IoT knowledge. It even does something you wouldn’t expect from a robot: if you interact with the emo panel, this emo robot will show rich emotions, like smiling or anger.
This interactive robot has been loved by some 20 million users and is going strong! In fact, it’s a STEM Camp staple.
More play than programming, kids can start using Codey Rocky right out of the box. Kids can even enjoy combining Codey Rocky with LEGO technic parts or laser cutting parts.
These are cute little robots that help you learn robotics, programming, AI, and more. They have a ton of sensors that you can use to make them perform tasks. And you can also just drive them around like a remote control robot! – Brandon, STEM Camp employee
LEGO SPIKE Essentials
Ages: 6+
Cost: $441.00
Where to buy: LEGO Canada
LEGO Education SPIKE isn’t your average LEGO set, which is why educators love to use it as a teaching tool.
Here’s what you need to know, from this description straight from LEGO: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential gets primary school students excited about hands-on STEAM learning. This playful, narrative-based learning experience is part of the LEGO Learning System and encourages students to investigate STEAM concepts while contributing to literacy, math, and social-emotional development. This 449-piece set comes with 4 minifigures with their own personalities, who act as storytellers to make problem-solving relatable to all students. Icon- and word-based block coding with simple hardware – including an intelligent 2-port Hub, 2 Small Motors, a Light Matrix, and a Color Sensor – also bring students’ creations to life. The set also includes a colourful selection of familiar and age-appropriate LEGO bricks, replacement elements, and a durable storage box with colour-coded sorting trays to ease the building process and classroom management.Part of the LEGO Learning System, SPIKE Essential offers 5 units of 8 x 45-minute, standards-aligned STEAM lessons.
Educational Toys For 7 Year Olds
Your young reader is starting to take on more and more learning independently. Keep them engaged with the wonders of the world with these educational books, stories, activities, robots, toys and more.
The Simple Science Activity Book
Ages: 4-9 years old
Cost: $17.99
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
This book contains many of the elements that our STEM Camp and Camp STEAM campers love, including the use of everyday objects, child-led activities, and of course – STEM learning!
From the publisher:
The Simple Science Activity Book contains more than 20 fun-filled craft projects, each accompanied by a ‘What’s the science?’ section explaining how key scientific concepts work. Children will discover the world around them like they’ve never seen it before!
This hands-on science activity book for kids offers:
- Over 20 activities that are easy for children aged 5-7 to do on their own, with only a handful of steps requiring an adult to help.
- A range of different projects, including art, photography, crafts, cooking, and gardening, all using everyday objects found in and around the home.
- An introduction to key skills like problem-solving, observation, and hands-on learning through fun scientific experiments.
With The Simple Science Activity Book, difficult concepts like buoyancy, gravity, and aerodynamics become meaningful and accessible to young children through play. Award-winning author Jane Bull combines art, craft, and cooking activities with solid scientific learning, showing children that science, technology, engineering, art, and maths are all around us – and in everything we make and do!
Ann and Her Tower of Giraffes
Ages: 6-8
Cost: $21.99
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
Inspire your young animal enthusiast with the inspiring story of how Canadian zoologist, Waterloo Ontario community member, feminist and author, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg became the world’s first giraffologist. This beautifully illustrated book brings you inside the true story!
From the publisher: Anne was three years old when she first laid eyes on a giraffe. As her blue eyes gazed into the giraffe’s big brown eyes at the zoo, she was mesmerised. And she never forgot it. Her desire to study the beautiful, graceful creatures followed her from preschool to graduate school.
Often, she was laughed at for her interest. The scientific study of giraffes didn’t exist at the time. And it certainly wasn’t an appropriate pursuit for a woman — or so she was told. So, Anne decided she would teach herself about her favourite animal. She travelled to South Africa alone — and shocked everyone by studying giraffes in the wild!
4M Steam Kids Deluxe Space Exploration
Age: 5+
Cost: $64.99 ($58.49 member’s price)
Where to buy: Scholar’s Choice
Far out! Ideal for budding young astronomers and space enthusiasts, this deluxe kit allows kids to build a solar system planetarium model, construct a space projector that shows cool space-themed slideshows, and also decorate their room with a giant solar system poster with glow stars!
Minecraft for Education
Ages: 7+ (used at STEM Camp under supervision for ages 5+)
Cost: $7 – $40, depending on platform
Where to buy: Minecraft
*Featured at STEM Camp & Camp STEAM*
At STEM Camp, we can go on and on about the educational benefits of Minecraft. The diversity of skills it builds, from coding to problem solving, to creativity and teamwork; are all considered to be STEM education essentials. But best of all? It’s so fun, your little learners won’t even know they’re expanding their minds too.
From Minecraft: Minecraft is a game made up of blocks in an ever-expanding 3D world. These blocks can be broken and used to construct whatever you can imagine. A statue of your pet? Check! A grand castle? Definitely doable! A small hut made of dirt blocks? Perfection! Adventure awaits around every chunk, with all sorts of different biomes (Minecraft landscapes) and creatures spread throughout the world. You can survive the night or build a work of art – there are no goals, so how you want to spend your time is up to you.
Minecraft can be played in both single-player (offline and alone) and multiplayer (online, with the ability to play with other players) on several platforms including:
- Xbox
- Playstation
- Chromebook
- Amazon Fire
- IOS
- Nintendo
- Android
- Etc.
Note: Minecraft has a recommended PEGI rating of 7 and an ESRB rating of Everyone 10+. However, Minecraft has players of all ages, and if you play with your child, you might find yourself enthralled by Minecraft’s blocky charm.
Ozobots
Ages: 4-11
Cost: $239.95
Where to buy: Robotix Education Canada
*Featured at STEM Camp*
If you’re a parent or grandparent, it’s unlikely that computer coding was part of early education, however, coding is now considered to be an essential skill that’s being taught in classrooms across Canada.
Ozobots are a STEM Camp favourite because not only do they teach kids to code in a fun and interactive way, but also because they can be used online or offline.
Code Ozobot Evo two ways: online with Ozobot Blockly and screen-free with Colour Code markers. Ozobot Blockly has five skill levels from beginner to master coding.
Educational Toys For 8 Year Olds
Don’t tell your kid, but at 8 years old they’re definitely still a kid! The fun at this age just gets a little bit more…serious. 🙂 That’s why we’ve loaded this section with empowering books and toys that allow them to explore, experiment, and even tour far out worlds independently (though we dare you not to have fun with these toys too!).
The Science Spell Book: Magical Experiments for Kids
Ages: 4-9 years old
Cost: $24.99
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
This is the #1 most gifted in Amazon’s ‘child’s books in science and experiments,’ category and has an average rating of 4.8/5 stars after almost 450 reviews.
One reviewer sums it up nicely as a must get for the holidays:
Must get for x mas! ~ Cindy H
5.0 out of 5 stars
Verified Purchase
I received the first book and immediately bought a second. First one I bought for my 8 year old grandson was blown away by the content. The book is constructed to last and also colourful enough to keep a youngster’s attention. Information is well written and oh so informative. My grandsons will love this and his parents will enjoy the time experience even more. Bought the second book for a teacher friend. This will become a great resource for her as well. Such a wonderful find!
From the publisher: Use science to create REAL magic with 30 dazzling experiments you can do at home―the perfect science gift for kids!
Written by biochemist Cara Florance, The Science Spell Book is the perfect way to engage kids while teaching them about science. Readers will learn about physics, biology, chemistry and more with amazing activities like:
- Elixir of Enlightenment: brew a stunning colour-changing tea!
- Chaotic Calling: learn about chaos theory while creating art with a pendulum!
- Fluorescent Feast: create a meal that glows under a black light!
- North Divination: make a homemade compass!
Each experiment includes simple instructions, diagrams to follow along with, and an explanation of the science behind each.
Ever-Changeable Kaleidoscope Kit
Cost: $11.90
Where to buy: Lee Valley
This engaging kit for building your own kaleidoscope has an added twist! Not only do your kids assemble a wooden version of the classic toy (using only a screwdriver – no glue required!), it also lets kids experiment using small dry items that are close at hand such as pebbles, bits of leaves or peppercorns to create patterns. Simply take its viewing case apart whenever you want to exchange the objects inside.
National Geographic Grow Your Own Crystals Kit
Ages: 8+
Cost: $15.99
Where to buy: Staples Canada
What can be better than gardening? Growing your own crystal trees! This kit makes it easy for kids to experience the wonders of crystal science. With a full-colour learning guide full of facts, this easy-to-use kit allows kids to see their crystal’s begin to grow just 20 minutes after conducting their experiment. Interestingly, crystals can even be regrown after they fall off the trees too.
Bill Nye's VR Space Lab
Ages: 8+
Cost: $29.00
Where to buy: Walmart Canada
You may think that anything VR has to be expensive, but not so! Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit creates an immersive way for kids to learn about the depths of space and time. When they delve in, they’ll explore the science behind our planet, solar system, galaxy, universe, and more! Each spread in the accompanying 96 page book comes to life in 128 unique virtual and augmented reality experiences!
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run
Ages: 8+
Cost: $64.99
Where to buy: Staples Canada
This creative kit allows kids to learn about gravity, magnetism, kinetics and more as they design and build their own race tracks and propel their gravity sphere to the finish! The open-ended building concept offers endless possibilities to design a different track every time you play.
Micro:bit
Ages: 8-14 (but we use these at STEM Camp for campers from age 5 and up)
Cost: $32.95
Where to buy: Pi Shop Canada
This affordable and fun coding toy is one of our faves at STEM Camp. The Micro:bit is a tiny, transportable computer (or robot) with many features including buttons, LEDs, sensors, and more that can be programmed using online coding software. Micro:bit can be programmed using visual block-based programming languages including Scratch and MakeCode or text-based programming languages including JavaScript.
Of course, your young one can always get their introduction to Micro:bit at STEM Camp too! Don’t forget that Camp registration opens early in 2025. Make sure you’re on the mailing list to receive updates and special discount codes too!
Micro:bit Climate Action Kits
Age: 8+ (used at STEM Camp starting at ages 5+)
Cost: $55.95
Where to buy: Robotix Education Canada
The Climate Action Kit is a micro:bit powered inventor’s kit designed to introduce kids to coding and robotics, all while connecting real-world climate change issues with tangible robotic solutions. Kids will explore the United Nations Sustainable Development goals while making connections between them and the climate change issues we’re facing. After learning the background and context of each issue, kids can design and prototype a solution using the kit components and a BBC micro:bit.
Educational Toys For 9 Year Olds
Now that your child is 9, there is so much that they can do! As their abilities take off in leaps and bounds, help make learning as entertaining as possible with these books, activities and toys too.
Kate the Chemist (Book Series)
Ages: 7-9
Cost: $8-$25
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a chemistry professor who travels the country introducing kids to the exciting world of STEM. In her new middle grade series, 10-year-old Kate invites readers to help her solve science problems in her community. Future scientists might enjoy trying some experiments at home with Kate the Chemist: The Big Book of Experiments.
Nat Geo Kids Magazine
Ages 7-12
Cost: $69/year subscription (10 issues)
Where to buy: Nat Geo Kids Magazine
Nat Geo Kids Magazine is literally a gift that will keep on giving the whole year long. In a world full of instant gratification, is there anything better than the anticipation of getting your own mail? Inspire a young mind to learn off screen with Nat Geo Kids Magazine. Packed with Weird but True! facts, quizzes, Animal Rescue stories, and more! Delivered throughout the year, this Nat Geo Kids subscription also comes with a Nat Geo Kids Puzzle Book of Animals and a FREE limited-edition kids’ frog drawstring bag.
Make Your Own Motorboat (Propeller)
Ages: 7-10
Cost: $12.90
Where to buy: Lee Valley
Ignite imagination with this two blade propeller that can be mounted to a vessel of your choosing! Have fun experimenting with making your own boat, from sticks, scrap wood or even something you pull from the recycling bin! This motor is waterproof and can be secured to your vessel using string and the four mounting loops. Bonus – the single AAA battery needed is included too!
Code and Go Robot Mouse
Ages 4-9
Cost: $54.99 ($49.99 member price)
Where to buy: Scholar’s Choice
Jack, the fully programmable robot mouse, is ready to follow commands to teach hands-on coding concepts! Create a step-by-step path for Jack using the 30 double-sided coding cards to provide the perfect introduction to coding concepts.
National Geographic Break Your Own Geode
Ages 9 – 12+
Cost: $24.99 ($22.99 member price)
Where to buy: Scholar’s Choice
Complete with a learning guide that teaches kids about geodes, and a display stand for their treasures, this kit includes rocks to break open that have been selected by National Geographic to contain the very best geodes!
Educational Toys For 10 Year Olds and Over
At 10 years old, your child may have outgrown a lot of the toys they would have used when they were just starting out on their STEM journey. However, what we love so much about this gift list is that so many of the ones we’ve listed above will appeal to young learners all the way to young adults (do you ever outgrow creating slime or cracking open geodes? We hope not!). That being said, there’s definitely more to discover as kids get older. The following list contains awesome books and toys that are perfect for your capable 10 year old, as well as a few items that are more of an investment, but are meant to carry kids into young adulthood.
Maker Lab
Ages: 9-12
Cost: $25
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
What’s not to love about kid-safe experiments that use everyday household supplies?
From the publisher: Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, the National Parenting Publication Award-winner Maker Lab includes 28 kid-safe projects and crafts that will get young inventors’ wheels turning and make science pure fun.
Each step-by-step activity is appropriate for kids ages 8–12, and ranked easy, medium, or hard, with an estimated time frame for completion. Requiring only household materials, young makers can build an exploding volcano, race balloon rocket cars, construct a lemon battery, make sticky slime, and more. Photographs and facts carefully detail the “why” and “how” of each experiment using real-world examples to provide context so kids can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles applied.
Nick & Tesla and the High Voltage Danger Lab: A Mystery with Gadgets You Can Build Yourself
Ages: 9 – 12
Cost: $11.99
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
This book had us at: Solve mysteries using DIY science projects with twin sleuths Nick and Tesla in this zany, action-packed middle grade adventure by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder!
Interactive books? YES.
Science. YES!
DIY experiments = YES!
Out of the Box: 25 Cardboard Engineering Projects for Makers
Ages: 9-12
Cost: $25.99 (hardcover)
$11.99 (Kobo ebook)
Where to buy: Chapters Indigo
At STEM Camp, we love any experiment that encourages reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste. This book is full of interesting experiments for kids to try and have fun with, all without costing you an extra dime in materials.
From the publisher: The sky is the limit with Out Of The Box! This book is designed to help kids learn and play.
They will learn about the idea of upcycling and reusing materials that otherwise would be thrown away. This book has 25 brilliant projects for them to choose from. Detailed instructions and photographs along with colourful inspiration sheets will delight and inspire for hours of endless fun. Out Of The Box will help kids develop their creativity and imagination through interactive play, and inspire them to find a thousand more projects to build.
Hydraulic Robot Arm
Cost: $69.50
Where to buy: Lee Valley
This model kit lets you build your own hydraulic robot arm capable of picking up and manipulating small objects. No electricity or batteries are required; all of the arm’s movements are driven by water pressure and mechanical action. Fully functional with a sturdy design, the finished model is a toy that will provide hours of entertainment (and a better understanding of hydraulics too!).
National Geographic Marble Run
Cost: 75 pieces: $59
150 pieces for $89
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
Touted as one of the most successful Kick-Starter funded projects of all time, magnetic marble run has been created to inspire the exploration of physics and engineering.
You can build your masterpiece on any surface upon which magnets stick. You can even test and play upon vertical surfaces like fridges, lockers, whiteboards or more.
Pixicade Unlimited Mobile Game Maker
Ages: 6+
Cost: $34.99
Where to buy: Amazon Canada
Could you imagine taking drawings and turning them into video games? That’s exactly what Pixicade’s Unlimited Mobile Game Maker allows you to do. The world we live in is truly amazing!
Using the supplied special markets and paper, you draw out your game, snap a pic, then play an animated version on your phone or tablet. Use one of the 100 included examples and 30 activities, or create your own. You can create characters, build obstacles, and design goals to win.
Lego Prime
Ages: 10+
Cost: $573
Where to buy: LEGO Canada
From LEGO: Our LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime STEAM lesson plans are designed to help students develop the abstract and critical thinking skills they need to solve complex problems. The standards-aligned STEAM lessons provide a variety of learning experiences that relate directly back to students’ real-life questions and observations, building their confidence and preparing them for life beyond school.
LEGO Education SPIKE Prime is an offering from LEGO that is meant to appeal to the older learner, and in fact, is used by many adults. What’s included:
- 50+ Hours of Learning
- Classroom activities & technical support.
- 528 Elements including bricks, motors, sensors & hub.
- Teacher resources & getting started materials.
- Coding App
- LEGO® Education SPIKE™ App for students included.
Whether You're Shopping for the Holidays, Birthdays or Beyond, This List Has You Covered
There’s no bad time for learning, and these gifts are great ways to supplement your child’s education and support their love of learning.
Best of all? Many of these toys, activities and books can all be found second-hand as well (and you know we love a great environmentally-friendly gift!).
What other toys and gifts would you recommend? We’d love to know!
