The holidays are fast approaching, and you might be wondering what to buy for the kids in your life. Before you start to panic and ultimately decide to give a gift card (again!), consider picking up a fun high-tech or STEM toy.
Yes, many of these STEM toys and high-tech playthings do encourage learning. However, they’re so much fun that kids won’t even realize it. Read on to check out the list of our top holiday toy picks for kiddos everywhere.
Best Toy For Horse-Crazy Kids: FurReal Cinnamon My Stylin’ Pony
It seems like we all know a child who would love nothing more than to have their very own horse. You can help make this dream come true, all without the mess of an actual horse. All you have to do is give FurReal Cinnamon My Stylin’ Pony as a gift this year.
This high-tech horsey blinks her eyes and moves her ears, head, and neck. Not only that, but she also makes pony sounds. Between this and the movements, kids can enjoy more than 80 sounds and reactions, including Cinnamon responding to her name. As a bonus, this toy comes with 26 accessories like decorative horseshoes and a flower crown fit for an equine princess.
Best Toy For Horse-Crazy Kids
Best For Creative Minds: 3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Pen Set For Kids
Some kids have especially creative minds and love making everything from toys to works of art. The 3Doodler Start+ Essential 3D Pen Set puts the art and science of 3D drawing right into your favorite child’s hands.
This high-tech toy is safe for children aged six and up, as it has no hot parts that could burn little fingers. Upon receiving this gift, kids can start creating right away. That’s because it includes a 3D pen, a DoodlePad/DoodleMat, three multi-colored packs of plastic strands, a charger, and an activity guide that’s packed with project ideas.
Best For Future Electrical Engineers: Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit
If you’re looking for a holiday gift that’s so fun it’s electric, look no further. The Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. Electronic Exploration Kit comes with everything a kid needs to (safely) make dozens of cool electronic gadgets.
Suitable for “ages 8 to 108,” this kit doesn’t require any soldering or tools to start building. Instead, this toy includes numbered and colored coded pieces that kids can easily snap into place on a plastic grid. The kit comes with 29 Snap Circuit parts and an instruction booklet to build more than 100 gadgets. Keep in mind that batteries are required though.
Best For Future Electrical Engineers
Best For Little Rock Collectors: National Geographic Break Open Geodes Science Kit
Tons of kids are fascinated by rocks, and you can help fuel their passion when you give them the National Geographic Break Open Geode Science Kit. This kit is perfect for geology and mineralogy enthusiasts ages eight and up. In fact, you might be tempted to buy one for yourself.
Each geode kit comes with four crystal-filled geodes that kids can break open while wearing the provided safety goggles. The kit also has a display stand to show off the unearthed crystals as well as a learning guide that provides plenty of fun facts about geodes and volcanoes.
Best For Little Rock Collectors
Best Logic Game For Puzzle Fans: ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game
If you’re running out of gift ideas for the puzzle-loving kid in your life, there’s a STEM toy that could be the perfect option. It comes in the form of the ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game.
As a Toy of the Year winner, this maze builds spatial reasoning and planning skills in a fun way. Included with this toy are a game grid, nine towers, one target piece, three marbles, and an instruction guide. Kids can enjoy 60 challenges that range from beginner to expert.
Best Logic Game For Puzzle Fans
Best For Making a Robot: Makeblock mBot Coding Robot Kit
Who hasn’t wanted to make their own robot? You can make this dream come true for the kid in your life when you give them the Makeblock mBot Coding Robot Kit. This high-tech toy uses entry-level coding to make it all possible.
As they build the robot, kids learn about electronics, machinery, and robotics. Once it’s built, a world of possibilities opens up. Kids can operate the robot via remote control and play programming games. This STEM toy also connects to more than 100 electronic modules and more than 500 parts from Makeblock, leading to endless options for customization.
Best For Making a Robot
Best For Little Coders: Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse
Maybe your gift recipient is someone a little younger who would have fun exploring coding. The Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse could be perfect for them, as this basic coding toy is approved for ages four and up.
The kit comes with an easily programmable mouse with lights and sounds as well as direction coding cards. Kids can use the cards to plan a path and then program the mouse using the push-button controls. In addition to being fun, this toy is also a great way to help little ones build skills that include problem-solving and analytical thinking. This toy does require three AAA batteries, which are not included.
Best For Little Coders
Best For Kids With Green Thumbs: Dan & Darci Light-Up Terrarium Kit For Kids
There might not be much greenery outside during the holidays, especially if you live in the Northern and Midwestern United States. However, you can bring a little bit of green indoors by gifting the Dan & Darci Light-Up Terrarium Kit.
This miniature garden simulates a natural environment, which allows plants to grow and flourish. A terrarium jar with a light-up lid, a charging cable, an instruction booklet, soil, sand, river rocks, seeds, and decorations are all included in this kit. All the child needs to provide is a little water, love, and a green thumb.
Best For Kids With Green Thumbs
