Make Playtime,
STEM Time!
BY KIMBERLY BLAKER
T 16 STEM toys so fun, kids won’t realize how much they’re learning
o day, it’s more crucial than ever for boys
and girls alike to develop a keen interest
in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM). That’s because the pace
of scientifi c and technological advancement over the
coming decades is expected to continue climbing at an
exponential rate. And that means bringing an increased
demand for STEM related careers along with it.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM
jobs have already increased by 14 percent since 2008,
while non-STEM jobs have grown only 1.7 percent. So it’s
smart for parents to prepare their kids for this changing
job market — even at an early age.

But on a broader scope, STEM education offers great
value by helping kids develop critical thinking and
problem solving skills — competencies that go a long
way in any career and in life.

So how do you help your child develop an appreciation
for these subjects and boost their knowledge and
understanding in these areas? Play is often the best way
for children to learn where they can apply concepts and
skills. Fortunately, there are numerous games, toys and
kits on the market that make learning STEM lots
of fun.

TOYS THAT TEACH STEM
1» QURIOUS SPACE for ages 3+.

This 4-in-1 family card game teaches
kids about the solar system, Milky
Way galaxy and more. Kids will learn
simple strategy and creative problem
solving skills, while developing
vocabulary and enhancing their
memory. 2» MAGFORMERS for ages 3+.

These magnetic geometric construction
kits come in a variety of choices.

Kids can build 3-D structures such
as houses, pyramids and balls out of
colorful magnetic triangles, diamonds,
trapezoids and squares.

3» MUDDWATT STEM KIT: CLEAN
ENERGY FROM MUD! for ages 8+.

Kids will love conducting experiments
with soil by adding ingredients from
the fridge to build a living fuel cell.

A free app will then allow kids to
measure the power and track microbe
growth. 4» SNAP CIRCUITS for ages 7+. More than 100 projects will keep kids busy
and learning with these electronics discovery kits. Snap Circuit kits have won
numerous awards and come in several variations. Contents of various kits include
phototransistors, LEDs, resistors, ICs, DC motors, fl ying propellers, electromagnets,
lamps, switches and much more. Projects kids can make include an AM radio, burglar
alarm, doorbell, fl ying saucer and voice recorder, to name a few.

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5» SEQUENCE FOR
KIDS for ages 4 to 7. In this
strategy-building card and
board game, the goal is to be
the fi rst to place four chips
in a row. The challenge is to
think strategically and fi nish
before their opponent uses a
unicorn card to remove
a chip.

6» GRAVITY MAZE for
ages 8+. Kids will use spatial
reasoning skills to arrange
towers that create a path for
a marble to go from its start
position to its target tower. It
includes 60 challenge cards
ranging from beginner to
expert. 9» IQ FIT for ages 6+.

This spatial reasoning and
problem solving game boasts
120 challenges in which kids
must fi ll the board with the
missing 3-D pieces. It’s a
compact travel size game
and a great value.

10» DOUGHLAB STEM
KIT: BAKE AND LEARN
for ages 6+. This
yummy bread making
experimentation kit includes
fi ve experiments in which
kids discover the perfect
recipe and learn about the
power of yeast.

13» ETI TOYS
LIL’ ENGINEERS
ENGINEERING BLOCKS
for ages 3 to 6. This box of
colorful various size and
shape blocks, screws, nuts,
plates, wheels and connectors
will keep kids engrossed
for hours. Kids can build 12
diff erent toy designs while
developing their motor skills,
hand-eye coordination,
logical thinking and problem
solving skills.

7» OSMO GENIUS KIT
for ages 5 to 12. This kit
boasts fi ve games that turn
an iPad into a hands-on
learning experience. Osmo,
on the iPad, interacts with
every real-live move. This
kit enhances kids’ visual
thinking and creative
problem solving skills
and self-expression.

11» ROCK ON! GEOLOGY
GAME for ages 5+. Kids will
explore earth’s geological
treasures in this fun science
game. It comes complete with
a nice assortment of rock and
mineral specimens.

14» PRIME CLIMB for ages 10+.

Learning to add, subtract, divide
and multiply is a breeze with this
award winning mathematics
board game.

8» THINKFUN RUSH
HOUR for ages 8+. Winner
of a national Mensa award,
Rush Hour is a game of logic
that sharpens kids skills in
planning and sequential
reasoning. In this traffi c
gridlock game, there are 40
challenges from beginner to
expert. The goal is to move
cars through the puzzle until
the red car can escape the
traffi c jam.

12» BIG BAG OF SCIENCE
for ages 8+. More than 70 fun
activities can be performed
with this kit in the areas of
chemistry, physics, biology,
geology, magnetism, weather
and fl ight. Kids will use the
real scientifi c tools that are
included in the kit in their
experiments to amaze family
and friends.

15» GOOBI CONSTRUCTION SET for ages 3+. Kids will
learn about magnetism while constructing 3-D structures
out of colorful plastic bars, iron balls and tripods. Children
will develop a sense of proportion while improving eye-
hand coordination, problem solving skills and learning the
basics of physics, geometry and architecture.

16» GREEN KID CRAFTS, RAINFOREST DISCOVERY
SCIENCE BOX for ages 3 to 10. This kit embraces kids’
creativity while providing scientifi c exploration. Kids can
conduct a rainforest pollution experiment, create a rain stick
and build a rainforest terrarium, among many other activities.

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