Educational games and toys that support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are all the rage. Check out some of this year's great products that support STEM learning at home.
KAI: The Artificial Intelligence Robot
$99.9, 10+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/products/kai-the-artificial-intelligence-robot
Explore the future of advanced computing technology with KAI — short for Kosmos Artificial Intelligence! Build and program an intelligent, six-legged, app-enabled robot that uses machine learning to react to the gestures and sounds that you make. Using the app and your smart device’s camera and microphone, record physical gestures and sounds, assigning them to KAI’s five functions: walk forward and backward, turn left and right, and stop. The AI will learn to recognize each gesture or sound, even if they differ in small details. The more data you collect, the better the AI will learn from it.
Hydraulic Boxing Bots
$49.95; 10+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/products/hydraulic-boxing-bots
These boxing robots use hydraulic power to move like real boxers. Packed with the excitement of a boxing match and the fun of constructing incredible mechanical models, this kit allows you to build two boxing robots and challenge a friend to a match. Use the handheld hydraulic controls to fight like a champ. Knock your opponent robot’s head backward and score a point on the included scoreboard. Learn about how these amazing machines and hydraulic systems work.
TrainBots: 2-in-1 STEAM Maker Kit
$39.95; 8+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/products/trainbots-2-in-1-steam-maker-kit
You can build your TrainBot in two different configurations: a rolling train and a walking robot. Turn it on and watch it go, with cool water vapor “steam” billowing from its chimney, lit up in a fiery orange glow. This retro-futuristic model is packed with modern technology, including an electric motor, LED lights, circuit board, and an innovative ultrasonic atomizer that transforms tap water into the fine mist that rises from the chimney. Learn about how the ultrasonic atomizer works, about the differences between fog, smoke, and steam, and about the steampunk craze.
Code+Control Robot Dinosaur: REX
$69.95; 8+
ThamesAndKosmos.com
Assemble your own robotic model of the giant, powerful, ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex. Use the handheld controller to command your robot to move around in all directions, light up its eyes, and play sounds, including chowing down on food and even farting.
Solar Race Car
$15.95; 8+
ThamesAndKosmos.com
This sleek, compact race car harnesses the energy from the sun to power an electric motor that really gets it moving. With only 22 parts and an easy, snap-together design, you don’t need anything else except a pair of diagonal cutters to assemble the car.
Surprise Powerz STEM Dolls
$49.99; 2+
Target.com
Four different dolls each have their own specific area of expertise and speak over 75 phrases, singalongs, and sound effects. Each doll also reflects the diversity of girls today with real girl’s voices, so children can play, and learn, from dolls that look and sound like them.
FreeFall (by ThinkFun)
$39.99; 8+
Amazon.com
A logic and skill game that puts your spatial reasoning and dexterity to the test. Build the puzzle and then flip, turn, and guide the ball from cup to cup to finish the maze. With 60 challenges to master, you’ll be building and flipping to prove that you are the Master of Gravity.
NASA Air Rocket Launcher Kit
$99.99; 14+
Amazon.com
Takes outdoor fun to amazing heights of up to 250 feet using only compressed air. Just set up the platform and launch tube, place your rocket at the top, add air to the tank with your pump, and watch it blast off. The onboard tilt sensor ensures the rocket won't launch in an unwanted direction, and the wireless launch remote lets you send your rocket flying from a safe distance.
Power Up 4.0 paper Airplane Kit
$99; 14+
PowerUpToys.com
Inspired by the fighter jets’ stealth, aerodynamic performance, maneuverability, and advanced mission systems thanks to the PowerUp 4.0 smartphone enabled airplane motor this kit allows aeronautics professionals and amateurs alike to have a blast flying this smartphone-controlled foam airplane.
Ultra Bionic Blaster
$39.95; 10+
ThamesandKosmos.com
Construct an air-powered robotic glove that launches safe foam darts. Learn about pneumatics and many cool mechanisms as you assemble the blaster from over 100 pieces.
The Thunderbolt JetX2 by Sharper Image
$54.99; 14+
Walmart.com
Perform stunts and tricks easily including 360° barrel rolls. Gryo stabilization and auto-orientation flight control help keep the plane steady. Landing wheels and the assisted landing feature ensure a soft landing. Built-in LED lights allow you to see the drone while flying at night.
CMY Cubes
$29.95; CMYCubes.com
CMY Cubes use primary colours Cyan, Magenta & Yellow (CMY) and are created to help view life & light through a different lens. A truly unique and interactive toy, the CMY Cubes will keep children and adults engaged and entertained for hours. This fascinating cube appears to create an ever-changing spectrum of colour, providing you with endless enjoyment. Each face of the translucent cube is coated in electromagnetically subtractive materials which at first, appear as cyan, magenta, or yellow. With a twist and turn of the geometry, these seemingly primary colours magically transform into an array of colours.
GeoMag E-Motion Build Your Own Spinner
$37; GeoMagWorld.com
Allows children to create the biggest spinner from Geomag, with 32 pieces this spinner really means business. Fully compatible with all other E-motion sets, it is ideal to learn and play in an exciting and speedy way.
Robotics: Smart Machines - Sidekick
$69.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics. Choose between the four-wheeled rover or the two-wheeled robot Sidekick, and get programming. As soon as your Sidekick is assembled, you can begin programming its movements directly on a built-in keypad. You control your Sidekick’s movements, sounds, and even facial expressions. A full-color, 36-page step-by step illustrated manual helps kids assemble both of the models and use all of the functions of the app — all while teaching them about robotics in the real world.
Intro to Gears
$39.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
This introductory mechanical engineering kit features 61 durable, reusable, easy-to-handle pieces, ensuring long lasting fun and exploration. With many big and small gears, kids can learn about gear ratios, gear trains, transmissions, power, and torque. The full-color, step-by step manual explains to parents and adult supervisors how to build the models and how information can be presented to kids.
Andy: The Code & Play Robot
$49.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
You program the robot by pressing big, intuitive buttons on the top of its head — no app or tablet required. You can control Andy’s movements directly by pressing the arrow keys, or press the Go button to enter a sequence of up to 30 movements. Andy lights up and has two displacement modes, meaning it can travel different distances depending on which mode it is in. Andy can even play music and dance.
Magformers STEM Master Builder 24 Piece Set
$39.99; GeoMagWorld.com
STEM Master Builder with 9 different shapes. Learn Math (nets, surface area). Follow the step-by-step instructions and develop color and shape recognition, fine motor skills and problem-solving ability. Perfect for brain development, critical thinking and STEM education.
Robotics: Smart Machines 5-in-1 Buildable Drone with HD Camera
$199.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
Build a high-tech, flying camera drone and four other camera-enabled robotic models. Control your robots using the remote-control interface in the included app, which you can install on your tablet or smartphone, or write programs for your drone using an easy, visual programming language in the app. The onboard HD camera lets you capture photos and video from the moving robots.
Code+Control: Robo Dozr
$59.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
Build a powerful robotic bulldozer and sleek handheld wireless controller. Then use the controller to command your robot to move around in all directions, play sounds, and light up its cab roof lights. The special Code+Control wireless unit enables you to either directly control your Robo Dozr in real time, or write and save sequences of commands for the robot to perform at the push of a button.
Updated: December 2023
