We’ve done the hard work of sifting through the robotic toys, rocket kits, and tech toys for kids this season to bring you this STEM gift guide with only the best, top-rated educational robots, rockets, and tech toys for kids that ROCK!
Don’t be fooled by another steam breathing dragon that’ll be a dust gathering shelf dweller in a month. You can rest easy with this STEM gift guide because you’ll only find tried and true STEM toys that have been thoroughly researched and put to the test!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Our Family Code earns from qualifying purchases. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more details.
Why STEAM Toys for Kids?
STEAM is the abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. STEAM, like STEM, is an integrated approach to learning that encourages learners to make connections between the concepts they are learning and how they apply them to real-world problems.
STEAM helps students ask questions, problem solve, think creatively, and produce innovative solutions. Many schools have adopted STEAM learning activities into their curriculum, but it’s never too early to start building critical thinking skills with STEAM toys.
We love to learn through play at our house and have a blast playing with the latest top-rated STEAM toys for toddlers, preschoolers, kids, and tweens!
Don’t Forget Batteries!
Most of these toys require batteries, lots of them! Make sure to grab batteries, so you are prepared to play!
The Best Coding Robots for Kids
A STEM guide wouldn’t be complete without the best coding robots for kids! Over the last decade, robots for kids have evolved from a simple remote control machine to complex supercomputers that we’ve watched in Sci-Fi movies for years.
We love robots that teach kids coding and engineering skills. From Dash and Artie 3000 to OWI Robotic Arm and Geckobot, we’ve done the hard work of narrowing down the best of the best robotics toys for kids
Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot
Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot is one of the top rated robotics toys for kids over the age of six.
It’s no wonder that Dash is used in over 20,000 schools! Dash is unique in that kids can give voice commands to explore more with loops, sequences, algorithms, events, and conditions.
I’m a huge believer in verbalization as a way to make coding more understandable for kid coders and Dash is absolutely fantastic for just that! Dash is worth the price tag and is our top pick for advanced robotics toys. Dash (and Dot!) are also LEGO© compatible and can be topped with festive hats too!
Recommended ages: 6+
Find more Wonder Workshop Products
Sphero RVR
Sphero RVR is an all terrain programmable coding robot with a mobile platform for hackers, makers, educators, and learners.
Sphero RVR is a new take on a programmable robot. RVR is drivable right out of the box, built to for customization, and comes designed with a suite of diverse sensors.
RVR is a mobile platform for hackers, makers, educators, and learners. The Sphero Edu app can be downloaded to drive or program the RVR anywhere.
RVR is equipped with all-terrain treads and a powerful motor that allows it to ride over uneven surfaces and around obstacles.
This educational robot features a vector-based control system that allows it to move where you want it to go. RVR features a hackable platform that has a 4-pin UART and an onboard power source that lets you connect and run third-party hardware like Raspberry Pi, BBC micro:bit, Arduino, or Sphero’s littleBits.
Recommended ages: 8+
Find more Sphero Robotics Products
Code & Go Robot Mouse
Get an early start on coding skills with Jack, the fully programmable robot mouse!
The Code & Go Robot Mouse from Learning Resources is a cute way to introduce kids to coding to kids ages 4 and above.
Jack, the mouse, lights up with sounds and also has two speeds making it great for both tabletop as well as floor play.
The mouse comes with pictorial direction coding cards to plan a path and then program the mouse with an easy push-button to send him on his way.
This preschool coding toy is compatible with the STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set and is part of a line of STEM activity sets designed for young learners
What we love about the Code & Go Robot Mouse!
This is a great toy that teaches some fundamental coding skills like sequencing, problem solving, and logical thinking through play!
Recommended ages: 4+
Find more Learning Resources Coding Toys for Preschoolers
Educational Insights Artie 3000
A 2020 Toy of the Year Finalist, Artie 3000 pairs tech with art to make learning to code fun and relatable for kids!
Artie 3000 is a STEAM style robot that is designed to create visual masterpieces through code!
Artie is super easy to setup with a QuickStart guide, step-by-step instruction cards, and FAQs.
Artie 3000 can be programmed by using your tablet or computer to draw your code creations by dragging blocks of code to tell Artie how and what to draw.
For more advanced kid coders, Artie can be programmed using coding applications including Remote Control, Point & Click, Blockly, Snap!, Python, and JavaScript.
Test your program on the online simulator, then set Artie on any sheet of paper and watch as he draws what you programmed! Pairing art + tech allows kids to explore their creativity while also learning foundational coding skills!
The only negative we have for Artie is that it does require 4 AA batteries that are not included. Other than that, we love this STEAM robot! You can find out more information on CodewithArtie.com!
Recommended ages: 7-12yrs
Find more STEAM Robots
Best Coding Robots for Kids
We love robots that teach kids coding and engineering skills, we’ve done the hard work of narrowing down the best of the best robotics toys for kids!
Fisher-Price Code ‘n Learn Kinderbot
Kinderbot is an interactive preschool robot that teaches preschool math, problem solving, and more through coding!
Fisher-Price Code ‘n Learn Kinderbot is an interactive learning toy that comes to life with lights and phrases.
Kinderbot teaches preschoolers early math concepts, colors, shapes, and more with three ways to play.
To move Kinderbot, preschoolers enter different codes and complete coding challenges as they figure out how to program paths for their robot.
Recommended ages: 3-6yrs
Find more Preschool Robotics Products
Modular Robotics Cubelets
Cubelets are an award-winning robotics system for kids that was awarded Learning Magazine’s 2018 Teacher’s Choice Award for the Classroom.
Cubelets are very easy to use by simply snapping the different cubes together and observing the action that occurs.
The Cubelet Discovery Kit comes with 5 Cubelet blocks including 1 brightness cubelet, 1 flashlight cubelet, 1 drive cubelet, 1 battery cubelet, 1 distance cubelet, and 1 Bluetooth hat. The kit also includes two brick adapters that make Cubelets compatible with LEGO© bricks and other construction kits, which is a huge win in our book!
Cubelets are designed to grow with kids, progressing in difficulty as kids learn new skills. For kids ages 4+, Cubelets help children to learn robotics basics, cause and effect, gross motor skills, sorting, and sequencing. For kids 7+, Cubelets support computational thinking, critical thinking, designing and engineering, network basics, collaboration skills, and pattern recognition skills.
Finally, for kids 10+, Cubelets reinforce computer science basics, smarter coding, parallel programming, systems thinking, complexity basics, design thinking, networks, and abstraction skills.
Recommended ages: 4+
Find more Modular Robotics Products
Learn with Mochi
Mochi is the Award-Winning Coding Rover for Ages 3-9. Kids learn the basics of computer programming in a playful, hands-on way as they explore STEM subjects through fun storybooks. Montessori approved, LEGO© Compatible.
Mochi Basic 1 Book Adventure Pack – $199.00
The Mochi Computer, your programmable Rover, Mochi Bear, 1 book, 1 map and 1 sets of craft pieces for Rover. As well as 12 coding blocks for all your coding adventures!
There are monthly subscription packages that offer different computational thinking adventures for Mochi!
Recommended ages: 3-9yrs
Find more Coding Rovers
Blast Off with the Best Rockets for Kids!
We love to watch things explode, ooze, and launch at our house! These rockets for kids are sure to be a hit while also teaching some pretty awesome physics concepts like trajectory, force, and gravity. Learn the science behind rocket propulsion with these rockets that are great for active kiddos!
Estes Tandem-X Flying Model Rocket Launch Set
The Estes Tandem-X Flying Model Rocket Launch Set is a “must get” for your budding rocket scientist!
This kit features two different rockets that are 15-inches and 30-inches tall and reach heights up to 600 feet, which means that you need a pretty big open space to launch these rockets.
You will need to purchase an Estes engine separately (check Amazon for latest prices) as well as recovery wadding, but you won’t be disappointed with this highly recommended rocket.
What we love about this Rocket
This rocket is one of the highest rated rockets for kids on Amazon with nearly 700 reviews! This rocket has the “wow” factor that most people are looking for in beginner rockets! Please remember that this rocket is NOT a toy.
Recommended ages: 10+
Note: This rocket is designed for kids over the age of 10 and must be used with adult supervision for kids under 12.
Find more Estes Rockets
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket
The Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket set comes with 6 rockets that can launch up to 200 feet in the air!
This set is great for kids over the age of 5 and has been awarded several awards from publications such as iParenting and Creative Child Magazine.
There are a bunch of refill rockets that can be purchased though they aren’t needed since you have everything you need in the kit.
However, we purchased the LED ones that light up and they are super cool! This rocket kit is great for the whole family!
What we love about this Rocket
We love that it teaches physics concepts like force, trajectory, and gravity. It’s also a fun family rocket!
Recommended ages: 5+
Find more Stomp Rockets
4M Water Rocket Kit
The 4M Water Rocket Kit uses water pressure to launch a recycled soda bottle 30 feet in the air!
This rocket kit is a great gift for young rocket scientists to learn through play! According to reviewers, the water rocket consistently performs at the correct height and even sounds like a rocket blasting off.
This rocket kit requires the use of a bicycle pump that is not included.
What we love about this Rocket
It’s a great deal for an awesome toy that encourages kids to ask questions and test ideas!
Recommended ages: 14+
Find more Water Rocket Products
Tech Toys for Kids that Rock!
I’ll be the first to admit that I have spent way too much money on overpriced tech toys for kids that are great on day one, but fail to engage my kids enough to keep coming back.
We literally have boxes of toys in our garage that I am organizing and donating, regifting to my younger kiddos, and putting in our makerspace to tear apart. Over the years, we have learned how to weed out the future shelf dwellers and find tech toys for kids that are both educational and inspiring enough to spark months and years of learning through play!
Find our top tech toy picks for kids below and explore other fantastic tech toys for kids!
Osmo Genius Kit
The Osmo Genius kit is an incredible toy for kids of all ages, but is geared for ages 6 to 10.
We’ve been using Osmo since its debut in 2014. It’s a great way to combine technology with tactile learning.
The Genius Kit comes with 5 games already, but there are several other great Osmo games too. We are big fans of Coding Awbie, Coding Jam, and Monster Game.
This kit comes with the Osmo Base & Reflector for iPad, Tangram pieces, Numbers tiles, Words tiles, Stackable storage for each game & 5 Game Apps: Numbers, Tangram, Words, Newton, and Masterpiece.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We love that Osmo is designed for kids to be able to play independently and encourages using technology in a hands-on way for learning!
Recommended ages: 6-10yrs
Find more Osmo Learning for Kids
Bloxels Build Your Own Video Game
Think Minecraft meets LEGO© and pair it with your imagination and the sky is the limit for what you can create with Bloxels.
Basically, you use the 13×13 grid and 400 blocks to design a game room, characters, and objects.
The colors of the blocks represent different elements in your game like power ups, liquid, hazards, story, collectible, terrain, or enemies.
After you finish designing the game, you take a picture and upload it to the free Bloxels app (the activation code comes with purchase!) and then you can test and play your game as well as share it with other Bloxels users.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We love that Bloxels is pretty intuitive to use and is educational while also feeling like you are playing a game! We also love that this tech toy teaches the basics of video game programming!
Recommended ages: 8-13yrs
Find more Build Your Own Video Game Tech Toys
Makey Makey Invention Kit
JoyLabz Makey Makey is a fun-for-all educational STEM kit that brings engineering and coding concepts to life in exciting new ways. Turn bananas into touchpads! Craft your own video game controller!
Makey Makey, made for kids ages 8 and older, is a simple circuit board that turns pretty much anything that can conduct a little electricity into a keyboard and connects everyday objects to a computer.
The board can also be programmed with SCRATCH. We highly suggest buying 20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Genius with your Makey Makey Invention Kit.
Makey Makey comes with ten lesson plans tied to the Common Core along with 1000s of other guides available on the JoyLabz website.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We realize that the Makey Makey Invention Kit is an unusual find on a gift guide, but if you are serious about finding a tech toy that is easy and fun to use and has limitless project potential, then you definitely need to check out Makey Makey.
Recommended ages: 8+
Find more Makey Makey Related Products
Sphero Specdrums
Tap colors and make music with Sphero Specdrums!
Sphero Specdrums are app-enabled music rings that make the world your instrument by turning colors into sounds.
To play your Specdrums, connect to the Specdrums MIX or Edu app and tap on anything like your clothes, drawings, or the included playing pad to create sounds, beats, and loops!
The Specdrums are built with an accelerometer, light sensor, and Bluetooth Low energy connectivity. The MIX app also comes with curated sound packs and the ability to produce your own songs. You can also connect to other softward that accept Bluetooth MIDI like GarageBand and Ableton Live.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We love that Specdrums rings provide an accessible, portable, and tactile way to discover music creation without spending money on expensive, singular instruments. We have five kids ages 13 down to 1 and all of them enjoy playing with the Specdrums!
Recommended ages: 6+
Find more Sphero Tech Toys
MERGE Cube
Kids ages 7 and older can explore the world virtually by holding a hologram in their hand with MERGE Cube.
The Merge Cube brings the physical and digital worlds together using augmented reality technology and the powerful camera and sensors in your mobile devices.
Using more than 13 free apps, the MERGE Cube lets you explore things like holding a galaxy in the palm of your hand, examining fossils and ancient artifacts like a real archaeologist, and watching as a volcano erupts before your eyes.
In order to use the MERGE Cube, you do need a pair of virtual reality goggles and a smartphone device.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We love that MERGE Cube is a tactile tech toy that kids can use to explore objects with virtual reality! With MERGE Cube, kids can upload, view and share user created 3D creations that lets students discover problems quicker and iterate faster, so they can create better designs.
Recommended ages: 7+
Find more MERGE Cube Virtual Reality Products
Boolean Box
The Boolean Box is a STEM educational computer kit that was designed based on the input from thousands of girls in coding camps and classes!
High five for girls who can code! With the Boolean Box, kids will build their own computer and explore how to program it.
The computer, made for kids ages 8 and older, comes with a variety of lessons and projects in multiple computer languages.
The Boolean Box introduces coding with Scratch with the ability to move on to using Python and Java once they become comfortable with basic coding concepts.
In addition to the computer kit, the Boolean Box also supports learning about electronics through electronic gadgets and circuits.
The only thing needed is an HDMI cable. You don’t even need an internet connection to use this awesome tech toy.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
What we love most about the Boolean Box is that it is an open-ended kit with endless coding, engineering, and technology games and learning opportunities.
Recommended ages: 8+
Find more Raspberry Pi Build Your Own Computers & Attachments
20+ Tech Toys for Kids
We’ve hunted down the best tech toys for kids that are both educational and engaging and are sure to be a hit.
Piper Computer Kit
The Piper Computer Kit was a Tech Toy of the Year 2018 finalist, is backed by Stanford University, and recommended by Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Piper’s mission is to “inspire the inventors of tomorrow”, which is absolutely apparent in this computer kit.
The kit, designed for kids ages 8+, includes everything your child needs to build their own computer.
Kids learn the basics of coding, engineering, electronics, circuits, programming, and coding through hands-on play with a Raspberry Pi edition of Minecraft that teaches them how to add hardware, circuitry, wiring, and more as they progress through the levels of the game.
What we love about this Tech Toy for Kids!
We love how thorough the Piper Computer is! My daughter built her Piper Computer when she was 11 and she enjoyed using the blueprints to build the actual computer and following the instructions to add all of the internal components! We are in the process of disassembling our Piper in order for our 9yr old to give it a try!
Recommended ages: 8+
Find more Raspberry Pi Build Your Own Computers & Attachments
PIN THIS IMAGE TO SHARE THIS STEM GIFT GUIDE WITH FRIENDS!
STEAM Gift Guides
Looking for a STEM or STEAM toy? Check out these gift guides for more information on our top STEAM toys for kids!
20+ Best Tech Toys for Kids that Rock!
We’ve hunted down the best tech toys for kids that are both educational and engaging and are sure to be a hit.
Blast Off with the Best Rockets for Kids!
These rocket toys for kids are sure to be a hit while also teaching some pretty awesome physics concepts like trajectory, force, and gravity. Learn the science behind rocket propulsion with these rockets that are great for active kiddos!
The Best STEM Toys for Little Builders Under 5
Encourage little builders and strengthen fine motor skills with these STEM toys for kids under 5!
STEAM Gifts for Preschoolers that Cost Less Than $25
We’ve narrowed down the top STEAM toys for preschoolers under $25! Check out these great learning toys that teach STEAM concepts through play designed for kids 5 and under!
Coding with Awbie: Teach Kids to Code with Osmo
Find out why we love to use Coding Awbie to teach kids ages 3-9 how to string together commands and learn basic concepts of coding with Osmo!
Meet Toni, the Maker Mom behind Our Family Code
Hey there, I’m Toni! I’m a software engineer and Maker Mom that finds my joy in unleashing my children’s curiosity by exploring STEAM concepts with my fantastic five!
When I’m not chasing toddlers or raising tweens, you can find me tearing things up and putting them back together over here at Our Family Code.
I am the owner and content creator of multiple educational websites designed to increase access to STEAM & STEM education with a focus on teaching computer science and coding to kids of all ages!
You can also find out more about me by visiting ToniGardner.com!
Candace Loweman
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Great article, totally what I was looking for.
Toni
Friday 2nd of October 2020
Thanks for reading Candace!