Take playtime to learning time with these 15 amazing steam gifts for kids.
They will never know that they are learning while they build, create, explore, and enjoy.
For the most part, I like to choose open-ended gifts for kids, allowing the recipient to stretch and reach and make it what they choose.
I also love to give things that last longer than just a very short season of a child’s life.
For example, Lego is something that is played with from preschool to adulthood and I always consider it a good investment.
Here are 15 of my favorite STEAM gift ideas for kids that are fantastic for a wide variety of ages, levels, interests, and will be enjoyed by everyone in the family.
Gift Guides for Families
- 11 Unique Turtle Gift Ideas for Reptile Enthusiasts
- Step Back in Time with These 12 Little House on the Prairie Gift Ideas
- 12 Gifts For Medieval History Buffs
- Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers
- Ignite the Love for Learning: 10 Homeschool Gift Ideas That Spark Joy
- How To Gift A True Crime Fan : 8 Best Gifts For True Crime Fans
- 13 Amazing and Fun Gifts for Kids Who Love History
- Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers
- Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys
- Gifts For Kids Who Are Wild About History
- 5 Gift Ideas for the Homeschool Mom Who Needs a Cooking Reboot
- Fungi Fun: 11 Unconventional Mushroom Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Spirit
Next, look at these steam gifts for kids.
Steam Gifts for Kids
You'll love these amazing gift ideas for science.
I just love the versatility and how open ended magna tiles are. Children can build a bridge, a castle, animal enclosures, create roads, or pretend they are building a pirate ship to sail the high seas. There are no limitations on the imagination, just simple fun that teaches so much through problem-solving, planning, fine motor skills, and executive functioning.
Design and build 10 amazing moving machines - teach your bricks new tricks. Comes with 80 page instructions, 33 LEGO pieces, Instructions for 10 modules, 6 plastic balls, string, paper ramps and other components
This K’NEX Education set includes 546 parts, plus a battery-powered motor, for a single child or a team of two to three children building a working roller coaster. Two additional models are also included in this set — a ramp and a half-pipe — which can be built one at a time. The set requires two AA batteries, which are not included.
If your gift recipient is into space then they will love this power rocket this National Geographic set comes with everything they need to get their rocket off the ground and into the great blue Beyond ( at least 200 feet of it) like launch pad, charging cable and decals to customize their rocket.
This book is a wonderful reference full of fun games and creative projects to learn about Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Math
Do you want to give your child the freedom to experiment with a bit of independence? This massive box is full of all the chemicals, kits, instruments, and supplies they need to perform the experiments.
Snap circuits are a fun stem activity for preschool on up, you can start with a base unit and then add on to be able to create more and more circuits. The classic alone can create over 300 electronic projects
If your child just needs a little encouragement and structure to get them going look at this box of cards. The cards cover every category of STEAM with simple to put together and complete challenges for middle to upper elementary age children. They also have simple pictures that help you pull together the few supplies needed
Inspired by real-life makers Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this beloved #1 bestseller champions STEM, girl power and women scientists in a rollicking celebration of curiosity, the power perseverance, and the importance of asking “Why?” Don't miss Ada’s further adventures—with her friends Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere—in the instant New York Times bestseller Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters, the first all-new chapter book starring The Questioneers! Ada Twist’s head is full of questions. Like her classmates Iggy and Rosie—stars of their own New York Times bestselling picture books Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer—Ada has always been endlessly curious. Even when her fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don’t go as planned, Ada learns the value of thinking her way through problems and continuing to stay curious.
If your child's interests are towards the ‘art’ portion of STEAM try out a new creative outlet like a pottery wheel. This is a great way to build fine motor skills as well as give them a place to focus their art.
For up to 4 players this tabletop strategy game is a great activity for families to challenge one another with downloadable lesson plans to make the most of this STEM activity and you can even build your own game with the game design guide.
Encourage a love of geology with a rock tumbler to learn about gemstones taking them from rough to polished
For middle and high schoolers a resin printer unlocks some big doors for them. Besides the obvious benefit of giving them knowledge of technology it is great for creativity as well. They can be used to create figurines for tabletop games, tools and gadgets, jewelry, decorative pieces, and so much more