STEM Gifts for Kids Under 6 Years Old

Toys with a purpose. That is what this gift guide is all about: engaging, educational STEM gifts for kids under 6-years-old. One of the wonderful things about these types of toys is that they actually span certain age gaps. A toy that is meant for a toddler has benefits for a preschooler and can be just as engaging. STEM gifts are geared toward encouraging curiosity and learning in kids and as a mother, I just love watching my kids’ faces light up as they figure something out.

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What is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Sometimes, you might also see STEAM referenced. This acronym adds Art into the mix (hence a lot of colorful toys). STEM gifts encourage kids to explore the world and seek to understand it. They encourage learning and critical thinking which is so important in the growth of a young child. It is this mom’s opinion that it is never too early to encourage kids to explore and STEM gifts are a great way to do that.

These are my favorite STEM gifts for kids under 6.

You will find many of these wrapped for my kids this year! I can’t wait to see the look on my kids faces when they discover all the STEM gifts we got for them.

In this gift guide, you will find:

general STEM gifts
Building toys
STEM gifts to Explore our World
Coding toys
STEM gifts for the Youngest Kids

So let’s get started!

Playviators

I know, do we really need another toy airplane? The short answer, yes! This one is unlike any other we have in our house as it responds to kid’s pretend play. A weight inside moves as kids tilt the plane up and down, causing gears inside to spin the big propeller. That’s kid-powered engineering!

All about Gears

There is so much to explore with gears. From creating puzzles to building epic creations that light up and move. We have a couple of these Gear toys for our boys this year including this fun one from Fat Brain Toys. They make several different sets that can be added to each other or gifted on it’s own and range from basic sets to building robots!

Electro Dough

Create electrified projects and make the dough buzz or light up!

Marble Run

A childhood classic in my opinion. Kids don’t even realize they are learning about the principles of physics and engineering as they create epic tracks and watch a marble as it finds it’s way down.

Construction STEM gifts

BeebeeRun 5 in 1 Build and Play

Kids can build a helicopter, race car, airplane, forklift, motorcycle, or anything else they can imagine with this 136 piece construction and engineering kit that includes everything kids need to build and play while learning STEM principles.

Lego

I’m a little biased here because I am a big fan of Lego, but they really do make great STEM gifts. There is a surprising amount of engineering that goes into making a Lego creation and making sure it is strong. The classic kits encourage kids to use their imagination and explore what Lego can do. This year, we are getting a set about ocean exploration that looked really engaging and I know my 4.5-year-old will love the imaginative play that comes with it.

Mom Tip! Get yourself one of these Lego play mat and storage options for easy clean up. Nobody wants to step on a stray Lego brick!

Good old Wooden Blocks

Nothing beats a set of wooden blocks. Get them in bright colors or plain wood and kids are only limited by their own imagination.

TinkerToy

Build castles, bicycles, creatures and more. Suitable for kids 3 and up, this engineering toy encourages kids to include movement along with their imagination as they play with what they create.

Magnetic Blocks and Builders

There are so many different magnetic block sets that you can choose from and countless ways to use them. Magnetic blocks spark kids curiosity and get them wondering why the blocks stick. They also encourage kids to explore building and engineering as they test the limits of the blocks. Here are a few of my favorites.

Picasso Tiles Magnetic Blocks

Blockaroo

Tegu

GeoSmart Mars Explorer (5+)

Want more STEM gifts about magnetism?

Check out this awesome kit for kids under 6 to explore magnetism.

STEM gifts to Explore our World

About Today Board

I know this doesn’t seem like a STEM gift but it is a great educational toy. While it focuses on the day of the week, this board also has kids change the weather to match what they see outside and pay attention to the changes in seasons. We will be starting each day by changing our board, which gets up looking forward to the day ahead!

Check out my Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Kids for some great nature based ideas that encourage STEM exploration outdoors.

Science Kits

Exploring the world around you using experiments that are sure to fascinate! These science kits come in various sizes that include different experiments. They also make specialized ones for exploring all sorts of scientific ideas.

Coding STEM Gifts

Computers and coding are here to stay so toys that encourage kids to explore coding make great STEM gifts.

Let’s Go Code!

A non-digital coding game that gets kids on their feet as they hop, step, turn, and jump their way across the mat and practice problem solving skills. It introduces the basics of coding as they create a maze out of floor tiles and work their way through it.

Code ‘n Learn Kinderbot

What kid doesn’t want their own robot? Kids control their new friend’s movement with buttons that have them practicing colors, letter, and early math. While it is marketed for 3+, there is a “secret code” for older kids! There are several different coding robots on the market that you can choose from but this one seems to appeal to the largest age range.

STEM gifts for the Youngest Kids

These toys are marketed mostly for 1-year-olds but actually hold appeal for older kids as well. My 4.5-year-old rediscovered old toys and was just as engaged with them now as he was when he was younger. Most of these STEM gifts are brightly colored to grab a toddlers attention.

Spinning Stacker

Kids will be mesmerized by the spinning colors and will be left trying to figure out how it happens.

Dimple Digits

Each color is marked with a number and a bubble that gives you an oddly satisfying feeling when you pop it to the other side.

Rainbow Counting Bears

One of those great toys that appeals to many ages and has endless educational benefits. From creating patterns to early addition and subtraction, these little bears are a great way to teach math to kids under 6. The bright colors and cute design grabs even a toddler’s attention and engages their minds.

STEM for everyone!

STEM toys are great for all kids to learn to explore and spark interest in these important topics. These STEM gifts are for everyone! STEM is all inclusive and so important to promote critical thinking in our children. Some of my favorite toys I didn’t include because they are currently sold out.

Honorable Mention

I highly encourage you to check out Cubetto from Primo Toys and keep it on your radar in case it becomes available (I know I am). It is a Montessori-inspired wooden robot that teaches basic coding without the use of electronics!