National Geographic has a long history of producing educational and innovative products for kids. From their first magazine to the release of their STEM toys, they continue to be at the forefront in creating fun and interesting ways for children to learn about the world around them.
We’ve created this list of 10 top STEM toys from National Geographic that are sure to keep your STEM-loving child entertained while also helping them develop important skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creative thinking and more:
- Rocks & Fossils Kit – 200 Piece Set
- Earth Science Kit – Over 15 Science Experiments & STEM Activities for Kids
- Break Open 10 Premium Geodes
- Stunning Chemistry Set – Mega Science Kit with Over 15 Easy Experiments
- Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit
- Explorer Science Earth Kit (5 Experiments)
- Mega Fossil Dig Kit – Excavate
- Construction Model Kit (Battalion)
- Glowing Marble Run – 80 Piece Construction Set
- Air Rocket Toy – Ultimate LED Rocket Launcher
Although all of the options above are great, let’s review them in detail so that you can pick what’s best for your STEM-loving child. In this article, we’ll go through a few of the top STEM toys from National Geographic. They have everything to offer, including high-quality educational toys for preschoolers and older kids alike.
Rocks & Fossils Kit – 200 Piece Set (Ages 8+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rocks & Fossils Kit – 200 Piece Set Includes Geodes, Real Fossils, Rose Quartz, Jasper, Aventurine & Many More Rocks, Crystals & GemstonesPrice: $24.99*
The Rocks & Fossils Kit includes everything your kid needs to collect and assemble a collection of rocks, minerals, fossils and more, all while learning about the rock cycle in the process.
This toy kit includes a full-color learning guide and an identification sheet that will help you to sort and identify every rock, gemstone, mineral, fossil in the collection. The possibilities are endless with this fun set of minerals for kids.
Your little one will also learn how to use tools like magnifying glasses, safety goggles, tweezers and brushes necessary for any budding geologist. This is a great option if you’re looking for something with hands-on activities that will help teach them about science as well as allow them some time outdoors collecting samples and maybe even discovering their own fossil.
Earth Science Kit (Ages 8+) – 15 Experiments
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Gemstone Dig Kit – Dig Up 15 Real Gems, STEM Science & Educational Toys make Great Kids ActivitiesPrice: $28.79*
With more than 15 experiment activities like dueling water tornadoes, building an erupting volcano, growing a crystal and two geologic dig kits, the National Geographic Earth Science Kit is sure to keep your curious child occupied for hours.
Moreover, the detailed learning guide teaches kids about Earth sciences in a way they’ll appreciate for years to come. You’ll be able to explore and create together, so you can both have some real fun.
Break Open 10 Premium Geodes (Ages 6+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open 10 Premium Geodes – Includes Goggles, Detailed Learning Guide & 2 Display Stands – Great STEM Science Gift for Mineralogy & Geology Enthusiasts of Any AgePrice: $24.99*
Next on our list is a must-have kit for future geologists. They can break open these rocks to reveal amazing crystals inside, and it’s perfect for kids.
Geology doesn’t get more exciting than breaking open some rough-looking rocks with the help of their best friend (the hammer) then finding out what’s hiding in them, crystal treasures that were never there before they started smashing things up.
Kids can explore 100% natural geodes, which come in a variety of sizes and colors ranging from the size of tennis balls to ping-pong balls. Your child will be fascinated by the science behind how geodes are formed in the detailed, colorful 16-page guide.
This toy is a great STEM activity that also makes an excellent gift idea for girls or boys who enjoy exploring their natural surroundings as much as they love discovering new scientific truths about them too.
Stunning Chemistry Set (Ages 8+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Stunning Chemistry Set – Mega Science Kit with Over 15 Easy Experiments, Make a Volcano, Launch a Rocket, Create Fizzy Reactions, & More, STEM Toy, an Amazon Exclusive Science KitPrice: $34.99*
The National Geographic Mega Science Series Stunning Science Chemistry Set is a huge science set with 45 different experiments to try.
With this kit, your kid will be able to: Mold and paint their own volcano; make it erupt by adding baking soda or vinegar; blow up balloons using pop crystals for a surprise finish.
This STEM toy allows children of all ages the opportunity to discover how smart they are while experimenting with these cool chemical reactions. It is perfect for anybody who wants to experience the scientific process and learn about chemistry in a hands-on way. The experiments are so varied that they’ll be busy exploring them all.
Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit (Ages 8+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit – Includes Rough Gemstones, 4 Polishing Grits, Jewelry Fastenings, Learning Guide, Great Stem Science KitPrice: $59.99
If your child loves to explore the world around them and you want to spark their interest in geology and science, this rock tumbler toy kit is a great way for them to turn any stone into their own sparkling gemstones. The simple and durable design of this toy will make it easy for even young kids with little experience in crafting items like these.
This kit will make your kid want to start polishing your gemstones with everything they need:
- A tumbler that can go either way (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
- Four different types of polishing grits from coarse for removing deep scratches down to fine for smoothing out the surface and making it shiny again.
- There are nine types of real rough gems, so there’s something in this kit just right for everyone. Also, it includes a complete color guidebook on how best to polish these little beauties.
Use this toy kit to create beautiful homemade jewelry with your little ones. It includes a safe and secure fastening system for their creations that will surely make them proud of all the amazing things they can do.
Explorer Science Earth Kit (Ages 3+) – 5 Experiments
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JM80204 Explorer Science Earth KitPrice: $52.21
Next on our list, we have another National Geographic Earth Kit. The toy is designed with curious kids in mind who want more than just one experiment over another – they get five of them at once with this kit that includes an erupting volcano, crystal-growing projects and much more.
The Explorer Science kit is the perfect gift for your child to learn about Earth. The detailed learning guide teaches all sorts of science behind experiments and allows kids to develop a deep appreciation for geology.
This science lab kit is great to share between siblings because they are so much fun to work with and there’s enough for two kids. The price of the kit is around $52, which is great if you’re looking to buy a STEM gift that doesn’t break your budget.
Then you can upgrade to the version described above that contains 15 experiments.
Mega Fossil Dig Kit – Excavate (Ages 8+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Fossil Dig Kit – Excavate 15 Real Fossils Including Dinosaur Bones & Shark Teeth, Educational Toys, Great Gift for Girls and Boys, an AMAZON EXCLUSIVE Science KitPrice: $19.99
Now let’s go back to the paleontology category with the Mega Fossil Dig Kit. This STEM toy will keep kids all day long digging with their hands and chisels to find amazing dinosaur fossils. They’ll use the brush, magnifying glass, and paintbrush to inspect these incredible specimens.
It has everything your kids will need for hours of fun. They’ll get their hands dirty and find fossils from dinosaurs, sharks, brachiopods, mosasaurs etc. The kit includes a full-color guide that illustrates how fossils are formed and helps young scientists identify each specimen as it’s found.
Construction Model Kit (Ages 14+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Construction Model Kit – Build 3 Wooden 3D Puzzle Models, Learn about Da Vinci’s Improved Designs, Craft Kits are a Perfect Gift for Girls and Boys, an AMAZON EXCLUSIVE Science KitPrice: $29.99
The Construction Model Kit is perfect for parents who want to teach their children about Leonardo Da Vinci and his amazing inventions.
It will give your little ones a hands-on opportunity to build an ancient machine with wooden pieces and rubber bands in the set. They can choose between a ballista (enormous crossbow), a bombard (an early form of cannon) or a catapult; all while choosing how creative they would like to be.
The models you can build with this kit are fully operational, which is why targets and projectiles are included for endless fun once your kid’s creations are ready.
Glowing Marble Run – 80 Piece Construction Set (Ages 8+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Glowing Marble Run – 80 Piece Construction Set with 15 Glow in the Dark Glass Marbles & Mesh Storage Bag, Educational STEM Toy, an AMAZON EXCLUSIVE Science KitPrice: $29.99
Now it’s time for another construction kit, but with a glowing touch. If your child loves marble runs, this 80-piece set has everything they need. With ramps and channels for the marbles to race down, each kit is sure to provide hours of fun.
The marble run kit is perfect for those looking to add some excitement and color into their room. With 6 different colors of glow-in-the-dark glass marbles, players can make the course as long or short they want by adjusting its height based on what feels right.
The kit also includes a friendly teaching guide that teaches about the science of motion and aerodynamics. It also explains how to construct proper experiments for building a good marble run.
Air Rocket Toy – Ultimate LED Rocket Launcher for Kids (Ages 6+)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Air Rocket Toy – Ultimate LED Rocket Launcher for Kids, Stomp and Launch the Light Up, Air Powered, Foam Tipped Rockets up to 100 FeetPrice: $19.99*
National Geographic Air Rockets give kids a chance to stomp and launch air-powered rockets up to 100 feet in the sky. You’ll get 3 LED-equipped rockets, one rocket launcher base, one launching tube and an instruction manual.
The rockets from this kit are covered with colorful designs that can be illuminated at night for spectacular launches you won’t soon forget.
The Air Rocket Toy is a great way to get kids outside to play. They’ll learn important skills, make friends with other kids in the neighborhood, have fun as they explore their surroundings.
The Air Rocket toy can be played by both girls and boys of ages six and up, with any skill level. It also promotes creative thinking while encouraging cooperative play.
Benefits of National Geographic STEM toys
From the National Geographic STEM series, you can find high-quality educational toys that are a whole lot of fun. If your experience is anything less than extraordinary, reach out to them and they’ll make it right for you.
The main pros of National Geographic toys are their:
- STEM-based educational value.
- The focus on real science for inspiration
- A variety of play possibilities that push kids to be creative.
Over to you
We hope this article has helped you find the perfect National Geographic STEM toy for your child. Our goal is to help parents navigate the world of science and technology toys with ease, so please share it with any friends or family members who might also have kids on their list.