STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM toys encourage kids to learn more about these different subjects by applying each to the real world. They make education exciting for kids and help to develop key skills.
If you’re keen to know more about STEM and its place in the classroom, take a look here at the National STEM Centre learning website. They provide STEM subject teachers with access to a huge range of teaching support materials for all ages from 4+, a good 5 mins worth of surfing for anyone excited by innovation and creativity.
Kidz Labs Magnet Science £10.99 (Age 6+)
The Kidz Labs Magnet Science is new to Great Gizmos this year. Perform fun magnet games and experiments. Learn the science principles involved. Contains a super magnet set that could be transformed to perform 10 fun experiments and games. Make a super power horse shoe magnet or a magnet wand. Construct a super magnet racer, a yacht compass or a mysterious dangler. You can also have great fun playing a fishing game or creating a magnetic sculpture.
Orchard Toys Counting Caterpillars £8.50 (Age 2+)
Collect one to ten in this first colour and number game. Can you be the first player to find all the numbers to complete your caterpillar? A fun colour matching game that helps to teach number sequencing.
Gears! Gears! Gears! Beginner’s Building Set £22 (Ages 3+)
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Beginner’s Building Set. This great value set offers endless colourful construction fun! Set includes a box overflowing with gears, cranks, connectors, interconnecting base plates and Activity Guide.
Stick Insect Kit £15 (by Insect Lore) Age 5+
Is it a twig or an insect? Well, both, kind of – it’s an insect that looks just like a twig and acts like one too! Raise Indian Stick Insects with this complete kit. Feed them bramble, ivy or privet and watch them shed their skins and grow 6 to 10cm. Watch them mimic a stick swaying in the wind. Kit includes 30cm tall spring up habitat, voucher for Indian Stick Insect eggs, brush to make transferring easy.
Little Labs: Stepping Into Science by Thames & Cosmos £27 (Age 5+)
Begin a lifetime of scientific investigation and understanding with 25 fun experiments in five key areas: nature, physics, chemistry, air, and water. Learn what plants need to grow, build a barometer, see how water climbs, watch plants sweat, and investigate plant propagation.
Discover how a magnifying glass enlarges, how colours mix, how static electricity attracts, how sundials tell time, and how a motion picture works. Investigate air pressure, air flow, hovercraft, paper airplanes, and suction. Write secret messages, float a paper clip, blow super bubbles, observe capillary action, and test displacement.
Build a soap-driven boat, mix oil and water, experiment with evaporation, paint with sugar, and watch a balloon inflate itself. With a 48-page guidebook, Stepping into Science teaches science fundamentals with step-by-step, hands-on experiments, while also introducing children to the scientific method itself.
Bus Stop Note: As I’m not affiliated to any retailers (and this bus stop is totally non money making), and feel that linking the above to suggested stores would be too much favouritism at this time of year, I’ll let you search the best shops to buy them.
Creative Bus Stop 