Top 5 STEM Building Blocks Toys for Children: A Review

So you’ve finally decided to get your child a STEM building block toy. But, how do you know which one is the best choice for them? Well, we have reviewed some of the most popular STEM building block toys on the market and narrowed it down to our top 5. We will also talk about what each toy has to offer and if they are worth buying or not so that you can make an informed decision.

Some of the best STEM building block toys are:

LEGO
K’NEX Education Kits
Magna-Tiles
Tinkertoys
PicassoTiles

Although some of these names may be familiar to you, let’s look at each one to see why they are considered a good STEM building block toy for your loved ones.

1. Lego STEM Toys

At the top of their list is LEGO brick. It is a great way to spend time with your children because it’s both an intellectual challenge and a physical one. According to the Scottish College of Art, LEGO promotes fine motor skills, improves creativity and mathematical thinking.

There are many different kinds of LEGO sets on the market, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. Also, LEGO kits allow children to learn how things work and develop problem-solving skills as they construct their creations brick by brick.

From building to following instructions, LEGO has a lot of STEM principles in it. These sets can be a fantastic gateway that opens up a world of science and engineering to everyone.

They also teach a child about failure because if something doesn’t come out right, it can be pulled apart, sometimes several times over, before achieving success. The best part is being able to see what actually went wrong in order for them not only to fix it but create an even better solution next time around.

Another benefit of buying your child a LEGO set is knowing there will always be more pieces left for you or another family member’s kids should you decide to expand with siblings at any point.

Young children not only love the variety of sizes, colors and shapes but they also get an opportunity to explore how each piece is made without fear for their safety.

The potential may seem endless with LEGO bricks in hand, so if you want your child to grow up well-rounded then these are the toys to stock their toy box with.

A lot of the sets are specifically geared towards studies into science, mathematics and technology. So, what are good STEM Lego Toys for parents to buy? There are a lot of choices, but here are some great candidates:

LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 Build Your Own Creative Toys, Kids Building Kit (790 Pieces)

Price: $ 37.98*

LEGO Classic 10717 Bricks Bricks Bricks 1500 Piece Set – Encourages Creativity in all Ages – Ideal for Creators of all Ages – Brick Separator Included

Price: $ 64.70*

2. K’NEX Education Kits

K’NEX toys are another great option when it comes to STEM building block toys for your kids. They have everything you need for your little scientist, tech geek or engineer.

These kits also encourage creativity and logical thinking skills while developing fine motor skills at the same time. K’NEX sets are designed to give children a way to exercise their minds and harness creative energy.

Each set features hands-on, inquiry-based lesson plans that busy parents can use to teach their kids about STEM topics and are aligned to national education standards. It is important to mention that K’NEX toys follow ASTM F963 regulations to ensure safe play and they don’t contain materials or designs that could be harmful to kids.

You can spend a bundle of money on your kids’ fun and education, but it’s important to know what investment will actually be worth it. The K’NEX Education building toys are pricey compared to other options, but they’re sure to keep children entertained and educated at the same time.

Some great examples include:

K’NEX Education – Kid K’NEX Group Building Set – 131 Pieces – Ages 3+ – Preschool Educational Toy

Price: $ 45.29*

K’NEX Education ‒ STEM Explorations: Roller Coaster Building Set – 546 Pieces – Ages 8+ Construction Education Toy

Price: $ 33.49*

3. Magna-Tiles

Magna-tiles STEM toys come third on our list. They are a great option for your kids if you want to encourage on them the interest in science. They usually have good quality and they are not expensive.

Magna-tiles can be used to model three-dimensional shapes, patterns, maps of the world or even complex mathematical equations. They come in different sizes and colors while their surface is magnetic so that when kids get them close together on one side, they stick tightly.

You can use them on the light table, letting children focus their attention while building 2-D patterns or fantastic 3-D structures. That’s why they are an engaging way to practice fine motor skills as well as develop visualization skills that help in spatial awareness and problem solving.

That way, children will learn how to use these tiles with many squares without any problem at all. These toys are perfect for your kids if you want them to explore more about STEM subjects at home like geometry or algebra as well as other areas such as design.

Children who play with this toy also develop logical thinking skills, which could make math easier later on in life because it makes sense rather than being just random numbers thrown around.

Magna-Tiles Stardust Set, The Original Magnetic Building Tiles for Creative Open-Ended Play, Educational Toys for Children Ages 3 Years + (15 Pieces Including Glitter and Mirrors)

Price: $ 29.99*

Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set, The Original Magnetic Building Tiles For Creative Open-Ended Play, Educational Toys For Children Ages 3 Years +

Price: $ 47.06*

4. TinkerToy

TinkerToy blocks are another nice STEM toy. They are colorful while being different shapes and sizes, which will help your child explore with them more in order to create something new or build it up from scratch.

Their flexible construction pieces let you make whatever creations come to mind without any problems at all. Children who play with these toys develop their critical thinking skills as well because they need to figure out how to put together what was broken before, just like engineers do every day.

This building block toy has been around since 1913, so no matter if you want classic or innovative, this option should be perfect for your little ones. We bet they’ll love playing with them even when they grow.

Most TinkerToy sets include instructional material with 30+ building ideas, as well as a sturdy carry-case box, so kids can play and build anywhere they go. It is small and durable enough to be portable for on-the-go fun.

TINKERTOY ‒ 100 Piece Essentials Value Set ‒ Ages 3+ Preschool Education Toy

Price: $ 26.80*

TINKERTOY 30 Model 200 Piece Super Building Set – Preschool Learning Educational Toy for Girls and Boys 3+ (Amazon Exclusive)

Price: $ 42.68*

5. PicassoTiles

PicassoTiles STEM Toys are another great option for your kids. The beauty about this set is that it offers opportunities at any age level as well, from toddlers who need something sturdy to build upon to teens with more advanced building ideas in mind. They facilitate and cultivate a children’s creative and powerful learning mind.

Most PicassoTiles kits come with 100+ tiles, which is perfect for any budding artist. Some kits include a power drill, wheels, anchors, screw bolt, wrenches and ratchet to allow kids to use their imagination to build a wide range of creative gems, from 2D structural designs to 3D creations.

The colorful picture instructions will help children create their own masterpieces without frustration or confusion. This also includes heavy-duty storage containers with lids that close tightly, preventing pieces from spilling out when not in use and transporting them easily.

The bricks will last for years, so you don’t have to worry if your little one likes playing rough because nothing will break.

Here are some of our favorite options:

PicassoTiles 60 Piece Set 60pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks Construction Playboards – Creativity beyond Imagination, Inspirational, Recreational, Educational, Conventional

Price: $ 29.99*

PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks Construction Playboards, Creativity beyond Imagination, Inspirational, Recreational, Educational Conventional

Price: $ 47.99*

Honorable mention: Tinkering Lab Catalyst Kits

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst, Robotics Stem Kit for Kids Age 8-12

Price: $ 59.00*

Last but not least, we have Tinkering Labs Kits. This STEM toy stands out because of its engineering focus, it’s the ideal toy for kids who want to be inventors and engineers. It’s worth mentioning that this toy is recommended for kids between ages 8 and 12.

Rather than creating a step-by-step guide to project building, Tinkering Labs Catalyst Kit offers simple instructions about how the parts can work together and then challenges kids to build their own robotic creations, which will be great for kids that want to follow along but still have their own spin on everything.

Building robots, powering electric model cars or adding motors to Legos, are just some of the options your kid can explore.

It’s perfect because then when little ones get older, they’ll know exactly where to find some inspiration if one day they do decide engineering sounds like something fun to try out.

The Tinkering Lab Catalyst Kits are not meant for one-time use or for a single project. Instead, they were made to be remade over and over in as many ways as your child can imagine. That makes them an ideal evergreen toy to keep on hand.

It might not seem possible at first glance, but this $59 toy could end up being one of your child’s most valuable educational investments if they know they’ll spend hours tinkering with it over time.