What are STEM Toys & Why Are They Important?

Jul 13, 2022

STEMS toys are our speciality. At BrightMinds, we are passionate about supporting creators of technology and education, not simply creating consumers of tech and our selection of STEM toys allows us to help develop your child’s learning through play. So let's learn more about these toys and how they benefit children! 


The definition of STEM


STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The best definition of STEM Toys is toys that are developed with an educational purpose in mind that positively encourage learning. 


Most children tend to steer away from STEM learning as it is rarely promoted as a fun activity and can feel like school. However, at BrightMinds, we have a whole range of exciting and fun STEM toys that do not feel like educational toys.  


A variation of STEM is STEAM, which includes an 'A' for art and design, and in our opinion STEM doesn't work without ART. Where is engineering without Art & Creativity? So, here at BrightMinds, we have Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Maths toys for children of all ages.


What are STEM Toys?


STEM toys can range from talking robots, science experiments, and educational books to arts & craft sets. STEM toys can be just as fun as any regular toy! 


Our current favourite STEM toys

Brainbox Electronics Kit


Brainbox is a simple 'Plug and Play' electronics kit with all parts designed for quick and easy assembly. The components are connected with press-studs, making them suitable for all abilities. The Cambridge Brainbox 100 Primary 2 Kit is designed to teach children the basic principles of electricity and electronics in a fun way.

Brainbox Electronics Kit

Learning Resources Bugnoculars

 

These bugnoculars are the perfect toy for any child who is wanting to learn more about the natural world around them. Catch and observe all kinds of bugs, flowers, and even fish and tadpoles with these Learning Resources Bugnoculars. The snap-lock lid, air-holes and water-tight bottom keep catches safe until they're released.

Ideal for younger naturalists, who may need a little guidance in their bug hunting.

Learning Resources Bugnoculars

Crystal Growing Experiment Kit

 

Start a fantastic crystal collection by growing your very own crystals and then exhibiting them in display cases. Make small, medium and large-size crystals, or make different coloured crystals by mixing the red, blue and white seeding mixtures in different proportions. This science kit contains everything you need for successful crystal growth!

Crystal Growing Experiment Kit

My Very Own Rainbow


Bring nature's most beautiful light show into your bedroom. This enchanting light projector displays a rainbow on walls or ceilings in a darkened room.


The light projector uses multi-coloured LEDs contained deep within the projector’s arc to shine their light towards a unique reflective surface, diverting and beaming it high onto the nearest flat surface.

My Very Own RainbowSelf-guiding AI Robot DIY 


Put your DIY skills to the test with 107 push-out pieces to assemble before Tobbie is brought to life. Once built, Tobbie turns into your new best robot friend, with two modes: 'Follow me' where he will follow anything moving (your hand or another Tobbie) and 'Explore' where he uses his IR sensor to avoid obstacles. 

 

Self-guiding AI Robot DIY


Why are STEM Toys important for your child's development? 


Child psychologists and education experts have said that early childhood is the best time for your children to be exposed to and play with STEM toys. But what benefits do STEM toys have on your child's development? 


Improves cognitive skills


STEM toys help your children develop important cognitive skills, such as critical thinking and logical reasoning. STEM-related activities teach children a whole range of skills that can be applied throughout their lives and are much more than memorising numbers and figures, making learning fun. 


Enhances problem-solving and creative skills 


Unlike regular toys, STEM toys are all about active play, which encourages children to interact with toys in a whole new way. STEM toys promote creativity through arts and crafts but also creative thinking and enhance problem-solving skills. 


Breaks the stigma that STEM is hard 


Playing with STEM toys from an early age breaks the stigma that STEM subjects and topics are hard. Children learn from their day-to-day experiences and mould their interests and future aspirations around this. So it is important for them to have a positive experience with these topics, as it will boost their confidence towards STEM in later years.


Learning becomes fun and less like a chore


At BrightMinds, we love STEM toys because they make learning fun! The more children have positive experiences with learning and educational subjects such as math and science the less these subjects will feel like a chore. 


STEM toys for all children 


STEM toys are not just for older children. Playing with STEM toys throughout the early years of childhood will help your little ones to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills much earlier. Playing with STEM toys at a younger age also encourages a more positive relationship with learning. 


At BrightMinds, we have a range of STEM toys for all ages. The toys tend to become more challenging and increase in complexity as children age. 


Shop our range of educational toys for all ages. 

Educational STEM toys at BrightMinds 

Our mission at BrightMinds is to foster “a brighter way to play” to inspire children to be curious about the world around them & encourage creativity through learning. We curate a world-class range of educational toys, games & books which are good quality, safe and backed by our extraordinary customer service.


For more information, feel free to contact us or explore our FAQs if you have any questions. 

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