Picking the Perfect Summer STEM Toys for All Ages

Summer is here, and with it comes longer days, more time outside and even the occasional popsicle. But for some kids, shorter attention spans — and equally short patience for parents — can mean boredom and frustration sets in sooner.

Thankfully, we asked the RS experts what their favorite STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) summer toys are to keep kids occupied no matter their age. They’ll have so much fun, they won’t realize there’s a bit of learning mixed in. Best of all, some of their suggestions are things you can find right in your own home.

Need more help? Check out our handy flow chart or take our quiz to help choose the right one for your child.

Age 3-5

Anyone with a preschooler knows that attention spans can be short and tempers high when boredom sets in. The good news is that these kids can be happy with anything from a roll of tape to a bucket of water. These toys can help too:

• Magna-Tiles: Whether it’s a garage for their cars or a Frozen ice castle for Elsa, these upgraded building blocks allow kids to use their critical thinking and problem solving — not to mention their emotional regulation when it inevitably falls over — while bringing their imagination and creativity to life. There are even add-ons to make cars, houses and more.
• Go Find It: If there are times you struggle to get your kids outside, this nature scavenger hunt can help make it a bit more enticing. The stack of cards asks kids to find different elements in the world around them such as bumpy, smelly or furry.
• Stomp Rockets: A physics lesson in disguise, these simple air-powered rockets help kids test their strength while unknowingly learn about angles, trajectory and aerodynamics.
• Ivy Kids Kits (subscription): Keep the fun going with a new kit every month. Each box comes with a book and 10 activities that pair with the story. If your kids like getting things in the mail every month make sure you check out Dolly Parton’s free Imagination Library or Ranger Rick Jr. magazines. 
• Robot Turtles – A rainy day calls for a new board game. This one stars turtles searching for jewels, while teaching coding and critical thinking skills.

Age 6 – 9

Whether it’s a burgeoning engineer, artist or scientist, this is the age you’re starting to see where your kids’ passions flourish. On the other hand, with more schoolwork needing a computer, you’ll likely see increased screen time as well, so finding something that can keep them busy offline is key. Just keep in mind, at this age reading levels may differ, so the amount of parental help will need to adjust depending on the child. Here are our favorites: 

• Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kits: Part engineering, part craft, these projects can help direct your child’s activity, while giving them something to be proud of. There are kits for things like small toys or a corner bookshelf, and they come with everything you need — except the hammer.
• Legos: This one may be obvious, but there’s a reason why Legos have endured for so long. They’re versatile no matter what your child’s interests are, and they also provide countless educational opportunities. “If something breaks, they know they can always rebuild it,” says Lego’s Education website. “This is the kind of self-confidence, perseverance, and resilience that comes when engaging in purposeful play.”
• Chain Reactions: These toys demonstrate the simple art of cause and effect. They boost kids’ confidence as they build their own creations and watch what happens. Whether it’s a marble run or more intricate “create-a-chain” — available in both younger sets and older kits — these will provide countless hours of opportunity.
• Subscription boxes: The subscription boxes trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, and that means there are more options than ever to keep the fun coming. Some of the monthly kits available include build-your-own “tinkering” kits, science discovery, exploring different occupations or coding app projects.

Age 10 and up

As your kids are trading their cartoons for smartphones and comic books for novels, you may find that you need to up the ante in terms of what keeps them engaged. These choices are for the true budding engineer:

• Festo Bionics: With options to build the Swift bird, Bionic flower or whole kit — which includes a model fish, elephant trunk or chameleon gripper — these project-based robots can be controlled with a mobile device once completed.
• Arduino Starter Kit: Touting no experience required, these kits “introduce both coding and electronics through fun, engaging, and hands-on projects.” Projects you can create include a color mixing lamp, digital hourglass and a crystal ball. If your kid has mastered the Arduino starter kit, they can level up with a more complex robot, like this DIY sloth kit. It can walk, gesture and even take directions.
• Makey Makey Invention Kit Classic: These kits use materials from around your home, like fruit and playdough, to conduct experiments. Plus, kids can learn coding languages to create their own controller.
• KiwiCo: If your older kids are feeling left out of the subscription box delivery, don’t worry. KiwiCo has options for teens and up, including the Eureka Crate for engineering and the Maker Crate for art.

All ages

The best STEM activity, no matter what the age? Getting outdoors. Whether it’s a nature walk turned scavenger hunt or simple repair projects around the house, you don’t always need the latest and greatest toy. “The SFK Project” has activities that will allow your kids to test experiments using materials typically found around the house. Or checkout We are Teachers’ list of outdoor science projects. Here are some other free fun activities for all ages:

• Vinegar and baking soda: remember your old school volcano science experiment? That’s just the beginning. There’s more you can do using the same ingredients.
• DIY car wash: grab their favorite toys — cars, dinosaurs, ponies, anything — and get them dirty in the yard. Then spend the same amount of time scrubbing them clean.
• Water table: this can be as simple as filling a plastic tub with water. Or as elaborate as a mechanical engineering feat.
• Building projects: Whether it’s replacing a board on your deck or volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, don’t underestimate the power of a hammer.
• Garden: caring and cultivating can be surprisingly satisfying, especially when dirt is involved. Even better? Studies show that kids eat more fruits and vegetables when it’s homegrown.

Want even more STEM toys? You can also check out our Holiday Gift Guide for other favorites.