15 Best STEM Toys for Boys
Updated 28 January 2021
This post may contain affiliate links.
Author
Learning doesn’t have to be dull and toys don’t have to be all about only having fun. That’s the joy of STEM toys, which combine creativity and entertainment with important lessons about how things work and are put together. Even if they don’t already have an interest in STEM, these toys can spark off a fascination without kids even realizing that they’re learning.
These recommendations offer challenges that boys will love tackling, like building a solar-powered car as well as incorporating classic favorites like LEGO and Play-Doh. STEM toys are only fun when they work, of course, so we’ve steered clear of fake reviews when compiling this list to only recommend the very best toys out there endorsed by real people.
1LEGO Gadgets (Klutz Science/STEM Activity Kit) 10.25" Length x 0.75" Width x 10" Height
This activity kit is one of the best STEM toys for boys because it combines the building aspect of LEGOs, but allows them to make fun and realistic gadget machines that are fun and interactive. This includes 58 different LEGO elements that can be combined in different ways. It is meant to help encourage and promote creativity with various open-ended prompts.
What we love
- It includes everything needed to make the 11 machines in the instructions
- The instruction manual has brightly-colored images to make it easier to follow them
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the gadgets are more advanced and children might need assistance from an adult
2PLUS PLUS - Open Play Set - 600 Piece - Basic Color Mix, Construction Building Stem Toy, Interlocking Mini Puzzle Blocks for Kids
This kit of Plus-Plus blocks is the ultimate gift for any boy that enjoys building. The pieces are made with different colors and high-quality material that makes them durable and easy to work with. Unlike other kits that only are capable of building specific things, this set comes with a guide book that can help inspire a kid's creativity, but it does not limit it.
What we love
- Comes with 600 pieces of building blocks
- The pieces are made from high-quality BPA-free and phthalate-free plastic material for durability
What We Don't Like That Much
- You can build in 2D and 3D, but the pieces do not allow for movable parts
3MindWare KEVA Brainbuilders - 3D brain building STEM challenges for boys & girls - Try to build the image - Practice spatial thinking - 20 planks & 30 puzzles
Building kits are designed to help with creativity and technical thinking skills and the MindWare KEVA Brainbuilders kit is perfect for boys that like to create different structures. The kit is designed to help train a boy's brain to be able to turn 2D diagrams into practical 3D structures. This set will also allow them to build up their problem-solving skills. This kit can be entertaining because it doesn't just have building planks in the kit.
What we love
- Each card has a different way of arranging the wooden plans
- The kit comes with 20 durable KEVA planks and 30 full-color double-sided cards
What We Don't Like That Much
- It has a carrying case, but it is only designed for the cards, not to hold the planks
4Fat Brain Box and Bouncy Balls Toy
This set includes eight balls and each box that comes in the set has a picture of a ball game that can be played when it is positioned in a particular way. One of the best things about this set is that although the boxes do have game suggestions, there are countless ways that the boxes and balls can be arranged to allow creative play and different challenges that the developers might have not thought of including with the set.
What we love
- The boxes and balls are made from high-quality material
- Bouncy balls are large enough that they are not a choking hazard
What We Don't Like That Much
- The set doesn't have an official manual for full game ideas
5Learning Resources Playground Engineering & Design STEM Set, 104 Pieces, Ages 5+
This STEM set is designed to allow kids to build some of their favorite playground designs, which will help them to deal with critical thinking skills and thought processes. It includes an added art component that helps to strengthen the overall Stem lesson plans.
What we love
- Kids can design and build some of their favorite playground toys
- It will help kids develop their critical thinking skills
What We Don't Like That Much
- It doesn't have enough pieces for kids to build all of the possibilities at once
6ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge STEM Toy and Building Game for Boys and Girls Age 6 and Up – TOTY Game of the Year Finalist
Many kids have enjoyed building virtual roller coasters on various gaming consoles, but with this building game, they can build one in real life. This game is designed to help develop various critical skills like engineering challenges, problem-solving skills, and planning and reasoning skills that are not used with some of the other roller coaster challenges. This game comes with 40 different challenge cards that will help to sharpen the mind of the person playing it.
What we love
- The game increases in difficulty the longer it’s played
- There are enough pieces that will allow for over 100,000 unique building opportunities
What We Don't Like That Much
- Although this is classified as a game, it cannot be played by multiple people at the same time
7LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Fun Robot Building Set and Educational Coding Kit for Kids, Award-Winning STEM Learning Toy (847 Pieces)
With this kit, boys not only get to play with a robot, but they can build and code it themselves, as well. This set includes detailed instructions on how to build up to five different multifunctional models. After building the Vernie the Robot model, this kit allows boys to code the robot to do things like dance, interact with the auto builder, and make discoveries with the M.T.R.4.
What we love
- This kit provides kids with many IQ-boosting activities to enjoy
- The kit includes a total of 847 pieces
What We Don't Like That Much
- The robot will require the use of a tablet or mobile device, which is not included in the kit
8Pica Toys Solar Car V1 Model Kits to Build, Science Experiment Kit for Kids Age 8-12, Wireless Remote Control Robotic Stem Project, Electric Motor Hybrid Powered
For kids that like building model cars, this kit will allow them to go one step further by creating a solar car that is capable of actually running off of solar energy. This kit combines science with crafts and it can be used to help develop a boy's problem-solving skills. Each piece included in the kit is made from high-quality natural materials, and it only uses the best wood for the wooden pieces of the car.
What we love
- The guide is designed to be easy to follow
- Designed for kids of all skill levels to use, even beginners
What We Don't Like That Much
- The car is only capable of going backward and forward
9Sphero Specdrums (2 Rings) App-Enabled Musical Rings with Play Pad Included - White (SD01WRW2), Package may vary
For any child that is inspired and enjoys making music, these Sphero Specdrums are easy for kids of any level of musical ability. The set can be purchased with one or two rings, and it comes with a play pad that will allow kids to simply tap the ring on the pad to create various types of beats, sounds, and loops. It is an app-enabled musical toy, which the child does have to have access to some sort of smart device for it to work effectively.
What we love
- Sleek technology that includes light sensors, LEDs, an accelerometer, and Bluetooth low energy connectivity
- Makes for an unforgettable gift for the right child
What We Don't Like That Much
- It does require a suitable smart device to run properly
10VATOS Wooden Building Toy
This set of VATOS STEM toys are designed to provide kids with an entertaining way to build dinosaurs, and they are designed to help kids with at least four different key learning concepts. The block pieces are made from high-quality materials and they are non-toxic, which makes them perfect for kids. This is classified as a logical kit and the set is designed to help kids develop various developmental skills, like problem-solving skills, logical thinking skills, and hand-eye coordination skills.
What we love
- This set includes everything needed to make different models, including the wrench tool
- The instructions are easy to follow
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the models could require some adult help to complete properly
11Tech Will Save Us Electro Dough Project Kit | Educational Electronic Science Technology STEM Toy, Gift for Boys, Girls, Kids Ages 4 and up
Every boy enjoys building and playing with Play-Doh, and with this kit, kids can take their play to a whole new level. This kit helps combine different aspects from technology, science, math, art, and engineering into a single project that will help to keep a kid’s for hours. Everything that is needed for this particular project comes in the kit, and this includes the dough, batteries, battery back, LED lights, connector wires, and buzzer.
What we love
- Helps to facilitate open-ended play and creativity for kids to enjoy
- Combines aspects from some of kids' favorite things like LEGOs, Play-Doh, and puzzles all in a single project
What We Don't Like That Much
- Although the kit does have an easy to follow manual, it has to be viewed online
12VERTOY Remote Control Building Kits, STEM Toys for Boys 6-12 Year Old, Educational Construction Set for Pickup Truck or Racing Car Model, Best Birthday Gifts for Kids Age 6 7 8 9 10-12
There are hundreds of remote control cars, on the market, but this kit is designed to give kids the satisfaction of building a car and then enjoy the benefits of their labor. The pieces are made from high-quality durable material, and unlike other building kits, kids can assemble and reassemble this car to practice their skills rather than it only being built a single time.
What we love
- The car can be built multiple times
- It is designed with a powerful motor
What We Don't Like That Much
- Kids might need the supervision and help of an adult to properly build the car model
13Kids-Fort-Building-Kit-130 Pieces-Creative Fort Toy for 5,6,7 Years Old Boy & Girls- Learning Toys DIY Building Castles Tunnels Play Tent Rocket Tower Indoor & Outdoor
Every boy will enjoy building a fort where they can play with their friends and with this set, they can build their private place into almost any shape that they want. The set comes with a total of 130 pieces, and the pieces are easy to connect with the provided connectors which is what allows kids to arrange the pieces in their preferred shape. This building kit will help kids develop their critical thinking skills, imagination, and problem-solving skills.
What we love
- It is designed specifically for kids that love building forts and have an interest in engineering
- The pieces can be assembled and reassembled in different shapes
What We Don't Like That Much
- This building kit will give kids a framed fort, but it doesn’t come with a privacy cover
14ABirdon Kids Science Experiment Kit with Lab Coat, 28 Pcs STEM Educational Toys Gift with Storage Box, Scientist Role Play Toy for Boys Girls Age 5-11
Many kids are interested in science, but very few of them are ever able to perform science experiments that will allow them to feel like real scientists. With this experiment kit, kids can conduct some of the world's favorite science experiments to help build their understanding of science and aspects of science that can be difficult to grasp without visually seeing and conducting the experiments. This kit not only comes with all of the science tools required for experiments, but it also comes with a lab coat to allow the kids to feel like a true scientist.
What we love
- The provided case is made from durable plastic and has a handle for easy transport
- The kit includes everything that is needed to conduct different experiments
What We Don't Like That Much
- All of the pieces in this kit have to be hand-washed because they are not designed to be dishwasher safe
15DEUXPER Science Experiments DIY Kits, Wooden Stem Models Building Toys with 12-Color Paint Tool for Kids, Homeschool Projects (STEM 5 Kits)
This building kit contains science experiments that are designed to help improve a child's curiosity in the world of science, but it will also give them various building and artistic skills in one package. It comes with all of the parts required for the five different projects, but it also comes with twelve colors of paint tools that will allow them to decorate each project after they finish building them.
What we love
- Each of the five projects has easy to follow instructions that help to build up a boy's self-confidence
- It includes all of the parts and painting materials to create and decorate the five projects
What We Don't Like That Much
- It includes paint, but if other colors are desired, more paint will have to be purchased separately