Highly-Rated STEM Gadgets for Kids [2024]

A STEM gadget is a learning-based tool for kids that is used to improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. ‘STEM’ stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A STEM gadget is designed to instill fundamental math and engineering skills in kids, in addition to fostering an interest in science and technology.

There are various types of STEM gadgets available in the market. A few examples of STEM gadgets are electronic kits, coding tools, optical tools, programmable robots, 3D printers, VR and AR devices.

There are 6 major benefits of getting your children a STEM gadget.

1. Develops problem-solving skills in children by encouraging them to think critically and come up with creative ways to solve a particular issue.
2. Builds the confidence of kids by allowing them to successfully complete puzzles and construct objects through experimentation.
3. Encourages curiosity by posing analytical, logical, and creative questions or problems to children, thereby compelling them to understand why and how particular objects work.
4. Induces collaboration and social skills among kids through team-based projects and DIY kits, thereby allowing children to work together to come up with the best solution for a STEM problem.
5. Prepares children for the future, as the advent of AI and expansion of technological sectors increases the interest in STEM fields.
6. Helps children foster an out-of-the-box thinking process to bring forth innovative solutions to modern problems.

The Geekflare team has listed the best STEM tools out there based on important factors like STEM training, problem-solving skills, coding skills, and critical thinking skills.

1. CircuitMess (Best for Variety in STEM Gadgets)
2. SHASHIBO (Best for Creativity and Stress Relief)
3. 4M Hover (Best for DIY Projects)
4. Kidwill (Best for Robot Enthusiasts)
5. Activ Life (Best for Outdoor Activity)
6. 4M Table Top Robot (Best Value for Money Product)
7. Educational Insights Kanoodle (Best for Puzzles)
8. Playz Coding (Best for Teaching Coding and Computer Science)
9. Playz Chemistry (Best for Introduction to Chemistry)
10. Lego Chain Reactions (Best for Learning Mechanical Engineering Concepts)

CircuitMess

CircuitMess offers different types of STEM kits for both kids and adults. Many of these STEM kits are DIY projects, such as encrypted wireless communicators, robot building kits, self-driving cars, a DJ Mixer, and a robotic arm, among others.

The CircuitMess STEM gadgets enhance the problem-solving abilities of kids, including their math skills. Also, the children get some early hands-on training with electronics and coding-based projects.

With distinct subscription lines tailored for different age groups, CircuitMess STEM gadgets aim to stimulate curiosity and nurture scientific temper in kids.

CircuitMess Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	N/A
Dimensions	N/A
Age Group	10+ years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Toy self-driving car, Wireless communicator, Toy robot kit

CircuitMess Pros ✅

• The projects encourage teamwork
• Introduce kids to concepts like coding and engineering

CircuitMess Cons ❌

• Products are expensive
• Requires adult supervision due to complex nature of products

SHASHIBO

The SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box is a cube-shaped STEM toy that can transform into over 70 shapes. SHASHIBO claims that it is made of 100% recycled premium injection-mold plastic.

The educational STEM toy has 36 rare earth magnets to help you mold it into the shape you want. It fits comfortably in the hand and functions as a stress reliever as well.

For more creative possibilities, you can also get 2 units of the SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box to make bigger shapes. When combined, they also give the kids more options to play around with their creative ideas.

SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	0.25 pounds
Dimensions	2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
Age Group	8+ years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Shape-shifting plastic toy

SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box Pros ✅

• Ideal for all ages
• Ignites creativity in kids and adults alike
• Has a tearproof design
• Safe to use

SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box Cons ❌

• Can be too big to use for toddlers
• Expensive for the features it provides

SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box Price

The SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box is priced at $24.99.

4M Hover

The 4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat is a STEM gadget that helps kids understand the workings of a hovercraft. The product comes in the form of a science kit containing the building parts of a hovercraft, along with the necessary screws.

The science kit makes for a fun science project for kids. After they are done constructing it, the 4M Engineering Airboat will hover above the floor with the help of its air cushion.

The 4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat runs on 4 AAA batteries, which you’ll have to purchase separately. It also requires you to have a small crosshead screwdriver to build the airboat.

The propeller of the 4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat spins at a high speed when the airboat motor is switched on. Hence, 4M advises both kids and adults not to touch the propeller blades with their fingers while it’s powered on.

4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	0.46 pounds
Dimensions	2.5 x 11.5 x 8.5 inches
Age Group	10+ years
Power Options	Requires 4 AAA batteries
STEM Gadget Type	Toy airboat

4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat Pros ✅

• Accredited by STEM.ORG
• Sharpens hand-eye coordination
• Encourages teamwork
• Makes for a quite good project for science fairs

4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat Cons ❌

• Requires adult supervision; with the spinning propeller blades, the airboat requires careful handling
• As per buyers on Amazon, the airboat has very small screws and nuts, which makes it difficult to assemble
• Buyers on Amazon also complain about a malfunctioning motor
• The 4 AAA batteries are not included with the product

4M Hover DIY Mechanical Engineering Airboat Price

The 4M Hover Engineering Airboat is priced at $14.99.

Kidwill

The Kidwill Solar Robot Kit is a 14-in-1 educational STEM kit for kids. With the Kidwill robot kit, kids can build easy and complex toy robots like Turtle Bot, Wheel Bot, Surf Bot, and Zombie Bot. In total, the kids can build 14 different types of robots.

The pack includes all the parts required to build the toy robot of your choice, like plates, wheels, and gears. With these parts, the kids can build robots that can walk, roll on wheels, and even float on water. 

The Kidwill Solar Robot Kit comes with a Lithium Polymer battery. However, it also has a solar panel which allows the kit to work through solar power as well.

Kidwill Solar Robot Kit Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	1.1 pounds
Dimensions	2.5 x 7.8 x 10 inches
Age Group	8-12 years
Power Options	Requires 1 Lithium Polymer battery/Sunlight
STEM Gadget Type	Robot toy

Kidwill Solar Robot Kit Pros ✅

• Incites curiosity in kids about robotics
• Improves hand-eye coordination
• Kids expand their spatial sense
• Great for team-based activities
• Battery included with the robot kit

Kidwill Solar Robot Kit Cons ❌

• Has thin wires that are prone to damage
• Does not come with written instructions

Kidwill Solar Robot Kit Price

The Kidwill Solar Robot Kit is priced at $19.99.

Activ Life

The Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings are simple and lightweight plastic flying rings designed for small children. They promote outdoor activities for kids and can be used to play in the pool, since they float on water.

The rings encourage physical exercise, and help kids sharpen their reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Kids can take the flying rings to the beach or park and have fun with their friends. This also improves their motor skills and spatial awareness through hands-on activities.

Adults can also join their children by using the Activ Life Kids Flying Rings as part of their group activities. The flying rings will help the kids socialize with other children through group play.

Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	0.33 pounds
Dimensions	9.88 x 9.88 x 0.74 inches
Age Group	8+ years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Flying rings

Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings Pros ✅

• Very lightweight compared to normal frisbees
• Safe to use
• Encourage kids to exercise and spend time outdoors
• Float on water so they can be used in pools
• Helps kids make new friends through play

Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings Cons ❌

• The flying rings are too thin
• The plastic body breaks on rough use

Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings Price

The Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings come priced at $18.99.

4M Table Top Robot

The 4M Table Top Robot is a crab-shaped DIY robot stem toy that works on 1 AAA battery. It can walk like a crab upon activation. If its path is blocked, it will change its direction.

This educational STEM toy can also perform acrobatics. The kit contains all the parts necessary to build the robot and can be assembled easily by kids.

The 4M Table Top Robot requires the user to have a small cross head screwdriver. The company advises users to take the battery out when not using the robot toy.

4M 5576 Table Top Robot Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	0.3 pounds
Dimensions	8.5 x 1 x 10.75 inches
Age Group	8 – 15 years
Power Options	Requires 1 AAA battery
STEM Gadget Type	Robot toy

4M 5576 Table Top Robot Pros ✅

• Easy to build
• Product comes with a detailed instruction kit
• Introduces kids to concepts of mechanical engineering and robotics
• Provides value for the price you pay

4M 5576 Table Top Robot Cons ❌

• Battery not included with the package
• Plastic used in the product can break
• Taking the battery out of the robot toy is difficult

4M 5576 Table Top Robot Price

The 4M 5576 Table Top Robot is priced at $14.50.

Educational Insights Kanoodle

The Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle set is a STEM game that offers puzzle-solving in 2 formats: 2D and 3D. Consult the puzzle book that comes with the pack and choose a design. Then, arrange the pieces as shown in the book. Now, you have to fill the empty spaces with the pieces that are left.

The puzzle set comes with 12 puzzle pieces, 200 puzzle challenges, a puzzle book, and a carry case. It has puzzles that range from beginner to advanced level. However, due to very small parts, it is not meant for kids below 3 years as they can swallow and choke on them.

Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	0.05 pounds
Dimensions	5 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches
Age Group	8+ years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Puzzle set

Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle Pros ✅

• The puzzle set makes for a great brain exercise
• Develops problem-solving skills in children
• Comes with a 48-page illustrated puzzle book
• Highly portable
• Suitable for all age groups

Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle Cons ❌

• Requires careful use due to very small parts
• 3D puzzles are difficult to play when traveling in a bus or train

Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle Price

The Educational Insights Kanoodle Genius 3-D Puzzle is priced at $10.89.

Playz Coding

The Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit is a STEM set that has more than 30 tools, parts and ingredients. It also has a full color lab guide intended to guide the kids into making their projects.

The idea behind the Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit is to introduce young children to the basic coding concepts and computer science in a fun way without relying on an actual computer system. That’s why the product comes with a 19-page full-color Activities and Lab guide filled with experiment steps and fun science-related facts.

With the Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit, kids can learn the basics of computer science and coding. The kit allows them to get a beginner’s hands-on training in coding by making items like binary necklaces, cyber mazes, sorting algorithms, ancient encryption devices, pixelated pictures, and more. This is why it can also work as a decent STEM gift if you want to introduce your children to coding and engineering.

Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	1.05 pounds
Dimensions	12.2 x 10.1 x 2.8 inches
Age Group	6+ years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Coding set

Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit Pros ✅

• Introduces kids to the basics of coding without using a computer
• Durable pieces
• Variety in science projects

Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit Cons ❌

• Very basic STEM toy for kids, and they can get bored
• Not suitable for classroom teaching as per some users

Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit Price

The Playz My First Coding & Computer Science Kit is priced at $29.99.

Playz Chemistry

The Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set comes with 52 experiments and over 50 essential tools and ingredients. It has plenty of STEM projects for young and curious minds. The experiments include Alum Alchemy, Foamy Volcano, and Exploding Balloons, among others. With these experiments, kids can grow crystals using alum, salt, and sugar. They can also measure the pH value and see what happens when an acid reacts with a base.

A detailed full-color guide comes included with the pack. The instructions provided in the guide are handy and detailed, thereby providing children with all the necessary information for learning and activity.

Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	2.07 pounds
Dimensions	15.2 x 12.68 x 2.91 inches
Age Group	8-12 years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Chemistry set

Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set Pros ✅

• Helps teach basics of Chemistry to kids
• Makes experimentation fun
• Good for team-based learning

Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set Cons ❌

• Doesn’t include a microscope
• Does not have extra pairs of goggles and gloves

Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set Price

The Playz 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set comes at a price tag of $34.99.

Lego Chain Reactions

The Lego Chain Reactions set includes 33 LEGO elements, 6 LEGO balls, and 6 feet of string. The pack also includes more items like 2 paper pop-up signs, 1 paper funnel ramp, 8 paper ramps, 1 paper flag, 1 paper bucket, and 1 platform. Using all these, kids can build 10 types of moving machines like Quintopple, Dominoes, Seesaw and Ramp, Pop-up Flag, Falling Hammer, and more.

To help explain all possible activities with the set, the Lego Chain Reactions set packs in a 78-page book as well. The book contains full instructions on activities that can be performed with this educational STEM toy and how it can foster basic skills like logical thinking and creative thinking.

Lego says that the 33 Lego elements can combine with basic bricks to design the moving machine. Moreover, the activity book also contains information about the physics of each machine that the kids make with the different components. This makes for a decent introduction to physics and engineering basics and is an excellent STEM gift for your young ones.

Lego Chain Reactions Set Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Weight	1 pound
Dimensions	10.04 x 1.69 x 9.13 inches
Age Group	8-15 years
Power Options	N/A
STEM Gadget Type	Mechanical Engineering STEM set

Lego Chain Reactions Set Pros ✅

• Durable building blocks
• Easy to follow instructions
• Good introduction to science fields like physics and engineering

Lego Chain Reactions Set Cons ❌

• Needs the user to have plenty of their own blocks
• Users on Amazon have complained that the pages of the book fall apart

Lego Chain Reactions Set Price

The Lego Chain Reactions Set is priced at $18.19.

Best STEM Gadgets for Kids: A Comparison

Here, we compare all the STEM gadgets for kids on this list based on their weight, dimensions, age group, power options, and type.

STEM Gadget	Weight	Dimensions	Age Group	Power Options	STEM Gadget Type
CircuitMess	N/A	N/A	10+ years	N/A	Toy self-driving car, Wireless communicator, Toy robot kit
Shashibo	0.25 pounds	2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches	8+ years	N/A	Shape-shifting plastic toy
4M Hover	0.46 pounds	2.5 x 11.5 x 8.5 inches	10+ years	Requires 4 AAA battery	Toy airboat
Kidwill	1.1 pounds	2.5 x 7.8 x 10 inches	8-12 years	Requires 1 Lithium Polymer battery/Sunlight	Toy robot
Activ Life	0.33 pounds	9.88 x 9.88 x 0.74 inches	8+ years	N/A	Flying ring
4M Table Top Robot	0.3 pounds	8.5 x 1 x 10.75 inches	8 – 15 years	Requires 1 AAA battery	Toy robot
Educational Insights Kanoodle	0.05 pounds	5 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches	8+ years	N/A	Puzzle set
Playz Coding	1.05 pounds	12.2 x 10.1 x 2.8 inches	6+ years	N/A	Coding set
Plays Chemistry	2.07 pounds	15.2 x 12.68 x 2.91 inches	8-12 years	N/A	Chemistry set
Lego Chain Reactions Set	1 pound	10.04 x 1.69 x 9.13 inches	8-15 years	N/A	Mechanical Engineering STEM set

How to Choose the Best STEM Gadget for Your Kid?

There are 8 important factors to keep in mind before buying your kid a STEM gadget.

1. Easy to handle and assemble – The STEM gadget you buy should be complex enough to challenge the kid to assemble it but not too complex as it would kill their enthusiasm.
2. Replay Value – Before getting a STEM gadget, consider if the product has replay value and can keep children engaged for a long time. 
3. Use of Safe Materials – Ensure to purchase STEM toys that are constructed with materials that are safe for children to use. Avoid toys that are made of cheap plastic, as they can contain dangerous chemicals like restricted phthalates.
4. Creativity – Consider STEM gadgets that allow the child to create shapes on their own, instead of premade gadgets. This will engage the child and foster creative thinking skills.
5. Logical thinking and problem-solving skills – Puzzle-based STEM sets and building sets encourage the children to solve a particular STEM challenge through their own thought process. This will also develop their analytical skills and foster innovation.
6. Mechanical Engineering and Physics Basics – STEM gadgets like robot toys that can move give children a proper idea about essential skills like spatial awareness and also introduce them to concepts of Mechanical Engineering and Physics.
7. Coding and Computer Science Basics – Coding kits help kids learn the fundamental concepts of Computer Science, which is the foundation for many modern STEM fields, such as data science and web development.
8. Chemistry Basics – To foster your child’s interest in Chemistry, go for Chemistry kits and STEM gadgets that have visual and hands-on components. This will help them understand how different substances react with each other to give varying results and kindle their visual learning process.

FAQs

More For Your Kids’ Education

• Best Drawing Tablets for Kids
• Best Smart Robot Toy Gifts for Your Kids