You might not be familiar with the term STEM learning toys or know what it stands for, but it's a concept that has gained significant traction in recent years. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – and it’s all about combining play with learning in a way that stimulates children's curiosity and development.
The focus on S.T.E.M has grown because we live in a time when creative problem-solving, technological understanding, and logical thinking are crucial skills for the future. With STEM toys, children can discover these skills through fun and engaging play – without it feeling like forced learning.
There’s something truly special about watching your child learn through play. Seeing curiosity and imagination grow when they get to experiment, build, investigate, and discover. That’s exactly what STEM learning toys can do.
I vividly remember when my son received his first small experiment set. His eyes grew wide as he watched the colors change in the water. “Look, Mom – I’m doing magic!” he exclaimed. It was anything but dull school learning – it was adventure, creativity, and knowledge wrapped up in play.
What are STEM Learning Toys?
As mentioned, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It's educational toys that allow children to:
-
ask questions and experiment
-
build, construct, and create
-
discover natural phenomena
-
play their way to understanding logic and numbers
With STEM toys, children can develop essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, concentration, and curiosity – all while experiencing learning through play.
Science – Natural Sciences at Children's Level
Scientific toys open up a whole world for children, where they can explore the mysteries of nature.
For instance, we have a variety of different experiment sets for children of all ages and interests. With a chemistry or experiment set, kids can try their hand at everything from volcano eruptions and crystal growth to color changes and weather conditions.
Check out our experiment sets from the popular Kidzlabs/4M here.
For younger children, even something as simple as a walk in nature can be part of the S.T.E.M category. Bring along equipment like insect jars or other equipment designed for kids to explore nature. Investigating small insects can provide hours of fascination and learning.
Here, children can ask the big “why” questions – and find the answers themselves through play and exploration.
Technology – When Kids Play with the Future
Technology might sound daunting, but for children, it's about understanding how things work – and being able to create something themselves. At a relatively young age, kids can play with interactive and simple programmable toys.
Try, for example, this Robotix, a fascinating way to learn about mechanical science. Here you get to build your very own Robot, for just 469.95
Or this motorized marble run. Assemble all the parts yourself and learn some basic laws of motion for just 179.95
Or take the first step into the exciting world of coding with the interactive set with Robot Mouse Colby. Suitable already from age 4, for 649.95
Technology toys give children the feeling that they're playing with the future – making them both proud and curious.
Engineering – Build, Create, and Construct
Many children love to build, and engineering toys are about constructing, experimenting, and seeing how things work together. From magnets and marble runs to construction sets, kids can experiment with movement, balance, and gravity. Building toys are brilliant STEM toys because children quickly learn how things fit together and how they can be constructed in countless ways. The play value is immense – kids can rebuild repeatedly and continuously discover something new.
We offer a multitude of ways to play with construction. As STEM learning toys have gained popularity, magnet toys have also become more prevalent in our selection. With popular brands of magnet toys, such as Magna Tiles, Connetix, and Cleverclix, you can enjoy great play with construction and magnets. See our entire selection of magnet toys here.
When we discuss STEM learning toys, construction and building sets are some of the most obvious choices. Building, assembling, and experimenting give children the chance to understand how things fit together, while fostering imagination, logic, and problem-solving skills. That’s why building sets are brilliant as STEM toys – they challenge and stimulate in ways that feel purely playful. Construction can encompass many activities, and marble runs that must be assembled and explored are another excellent example, suitable from an early age.
Another excellent example is this Georello Tech building set with 266 parts. Here, children can construct colorful gear systems where the cogs are linked to create movement when turned. It’s fascinating to see how kids quickly discover cause and effect: “When I turn this, the whole construction moves over there!”
This construction set is ideal for children from about 5 years and up, providing a fantastic introduction to engineering and mechanics at a child’s level. With 266 parts, there are endless opportunities to build anew, ensuring the play continues to challenge and inspire.
Mathematics – Logic and Numbers as Play
Mathematics is often associated with school, but with the right toys, numbers and logic become a fun challenge.
-
For the youngest children, form and number games, puzzles, and counting sets are a cozy way to become familiar with numbers. Djeco has created a range of exciting and fun learning games for the little ones, where you can learn about everything from shapes and colors to counting from an early age.
-
For school-aged children, math games and logic puzzles are perfect – offering a playful understanding of numbers, patterns, and problem-solving. Check out our brand Learning Resources designed for educational play, offering a multitude of great activity sets and games with playful and educational experiences, where the development of fine motor skills becomes a natural part of the play from as early as 18 months. It is also an excellent introduction to basic math and colors.
-
For older children, more advanced strategy games and puzzles can help maintain interest in mathematics. We highly recommend games from SmartGames, which have developed a range of games for both single and multiplayer purposes that aim to challenge children to think logically, strategically, and creatively. There's a sense of accomplishment when they solve a logical challenge – and that joy is a strong driving force in their development.
Play and Learning That Feels Fun
The most important aspect of STEM learning toys is that children experience them as play – not as teaching. When they build, program, experiment, or play with logical games, they learn without realizing it. It's learning disguised as fun – and that's where the magic happens.
At Lirum Larum Leg, we have carefully selected a range that both challenges, stimulates, and offers plenty of good times. STEM toys are a gift to the child, but equally, a gift to parents who get to experience the joy and curiosity of their children.
See the entire selection of STEM learning toys here
