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What is STEM Learning?
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM learning is a fun way to learn the concepts of science of technology through toys, which would prepare the kids to tackle many challenges in this fast-growing world. Learning that happens at a young age (from 0-8 years) casts a permanent impression on a child's life. So, this is the time to trigger their innovative side by tapping their curiosity. Five-year-old kids are enthusiastic learners and playing with STEM toys will help them to discover challenges and interests themselves. These toys will channelize the kid’s energy in the right direction and encourages them to think big. STEM learning leads to holistic development of children. It meets their linguistic, physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs.
As children spend a lot of their time with toys or games, these educational toys will have a direct impact on their personality. So, rather than handing them some random toy, let your kids get involved in knowledge-based activity!
Benefits of STEM Educational Toys for Kids
Introduces Children to Various Sciences:
According to statistics half of the adults believe that the STEM field is hard and this notion might affect the views of children too. So, introducing kids to these toys at an early age as young as 3 helps them hone fundamental and lifelong interest in sciences. It also helps them explore various disciplines in sciences and will instil confidence in them that they can explore the STEM field later in life.Boosts Creativity and Critical Thinking:
STEM focused activities introduce kids to a creative decision-making process more than any other toys. These educational toys introduce children to various options and demonstrate how every decision they make gives a different result. This aspect fosters both critical thinking and creativity.Builds Attention Span:
These days, computers have eased several functions making lives faster and easier. Instant connectivity has made multitasking quite effortless, so one is expected to move from one task to another seamlessly. Hence, building focus and attention is quite important in kids. STEM toys not only develop concentration, but skills in analyses too.Improves Motor Skills:
Physical dexterity is seen in sportsmen, dancers and even actors, and this has nothing to do with memorisation, rules or a set of theories, but it's all about confidence and control. From performing complex brain surgeries to touch-tying several words in one minute is all about coordination and connection between the body and the mind. STEM toys develop this skill in children along with concentration.Appeals to All Kids:
There is a huge gender gap in STEM related fields and women are underrepresented. So, giving early exposure in STEM subjects will help build confidence in every kid irrespective of the gender so that he can conquer any subject and will encourage him to pursue the field of his choice.
10 Best Educational STEM Toys for 5 Year Olds Available in India
1. Einstein Box, Learning and Educational Gift Pack of Toys, Games and Books
The Einstein Box is perfect for kids in the age group of 4-6 years. The beautifully designed box comes with 5 educational books and toys which include –
- Art and Craft – This contains an apron, a book, colours and a spray painting set.
- Puzzle – The 25-piece puzzle set teaches children about various habitats of animals.
- Wipe Clean Book – A book that reinforces good manners.
- Memory Game
- Sticker Book
The book is suitable for both boys and girls and is fun and educational too. It develops language skills, creativity and logic in children. The colours in the kit are child safe and non-toxic. The memory game and puzzles are made of thick cardboard with rounded edges and hence safe for small children. The kit is available on Amazon for ₹ 549.00.
2. Genius Box Learning STEM Nature Explorer
The Genius Box STEM Nature Explorer contains hands-on activities for kids, which helps them understand about plants and nature. The tools and ideas encourage them to learn about the botanical world of fruits, veggies, flowers and plants in general. It also builds awareness about the environment and they learn to respect it. The activity kit stimulates motor and sensory skills, observation, concentration, hand-eye coordination, critical thinking and cognitive development. The kit includes the following things –
- Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
- Nesting Puzzle – ‘Towering Trees’
- Stacking Blocks – ‘Plant Life’
- Symmetrical Shape Matching Activity – ‘Match Leaf Patch’
- DIY Activities – ‘Scrunchy Craft 3D Tree’, ‘Bug Sticks in Potted Plant’
- Stacking Blocks – ‘Plant Life’
This educational activity kit is available on Genius Box for ₹ 1,499.00.
3. Shifu Orboot – The Educational, Augmented Reality Based Globe
The Shifu Orboot Globe and App is an augmented reality based educational activity toy for kids. It is an educational, interactive and fun activity for children where they learn environmental science, history and geography. The kit contains a 10” globe, country flag stickers, stamps, passport and a help guide. The Orboot is compatible with Android and iOS. This is a perfect toy for children as it sparks curiosity and imagination in them. It also develops cognitive and linguistic skills and builds knowledge. If you are looking for a unique STEM toy to gift your kids, then this is it. The toy is perfect for both boys and girls in the age group of 4-10 years. The educational toy is available on Amazon for ₹ 1,599.00.
4. Genius Box Learning STEM Toy – Garden Adventure
The Genius Box Garden Adventure Kit is a STEM and art activity kit for kids 5 years and above. The kit develops logical thinking, socio-emotional development, creativity and imagination, cognitive development, motor and sensory skills and language development. The kit includes the following activities –
- Animals in My Garden
- Little Garden Kit
- Growing a Garden
- Backyard Adventure
- My Garden Patch Match
- Garden Tree, My Growth Chart
- Caretaking Gardener Certificate
- Caring for My Plants Star Chart
These engaging activities will educate and inspire children. This educational activity kit is available on Genius Box for ₹ 2,000.00.
5. Shifu Space – Solar System, Outer Space Educational Augmented Reality Game
Shifu Space is a 4D educational augmented reality based interactive game. It is designed by parents and early childhood experts. This unisex activity kit ensures fun and learning and is ideal for children in the age group of 5-10 years. The interactive game is compatible with all iOS and Android devices having minimum 1 GB RAM. Internet is not necessary once the initial set-up is done. The Play Shifu app can be downloaded from the App Store/Play Store and is free.
The activity is an innovative combination of physical play and mobile devices. It contains 60 Space Cards – space missions, phenomena, celestial bodies and great personalities, everything on the mobile screen. It stimulates self-learning, creativity and imagination. The educational toy is available on Flipkart for ₹ 749.00.
6. Blix – Cars – 2 DIY, Educational, Learning, STEM, Building and Construction Toys
Blix Cars is a new-age construction toy set that is ideal for 5-year-old kids. Children will learn about designing and construction through this creative play. It encourages their creativity and imagination, analysis and critical thinking, rhythm and pattern recognition, colour and shape recognition skills. This Learning, STEM and educational DIY construction toy is available on Amazon for ₹ 445.00 and the kit includes the following things –
- 14 Stamps
- 1 Set Colour Pencils
- 1 Stamp Pad
- A Set of Paper
7. Butterfly Fields Make Your Own Mini Vacuum Cleaner
This battery-operated STEM toy helps kids learn the concept on how a vacuum cleaner functions. This DIY kit develops problem-solving and innovative skills in children. This interesting activity kit is available on Flipkart for ₹ 329.00 and by assembling this DIY vacuum cleaner children will learn –
- Application of properties of air in real life.
- They practically learn that using a fan, air can pull and push things.
- Air is present everywhere. Lack of air can suck things.
- The toys introduces the concepts of high and low pressure.
- They also learn that air has weight and it can exert force.
8. CocoMoco Kids Solar System Snap Flash Card
This is a space puzzle for kids in the age group of 2-6 years. The Solar System Snap Flash Card Game will increase the curiosity of kids and boost their knowledge. It also helps to enhance their motor skills and critical thinking and creativity. The card game can be used as –
- Flash Cards of Space Objects.
- As a Memory Game – place the cards upside down and find pairs.
- As a Matching Cards Game – SNAP
The cards have illustrations of space objects such as asteroids, comets, constellations, planets, etc. which makes learning fun through play. It keeps kids engaged for hours. It is a great way to get kids to learn about the Solar System and space. It is also great travel game that you can easily carry everywhere. If you are hosting a Solar System or space-themed birthday party, then this is a perfect party favour or return gift for kids. The price of this educational game is ₹ 290.00 and it is available on Flipkart.
9. Butterfly Fields Math Kit: 7-in-1 DIY Math Learning Aids
This DIY activity makes learning fun for your kids while enabling deeper understanding of several mathematical concepts. It enhances problem solving skills and sparks creativity in children. It also improves perseverance and attention span in children and motivates them to learn and apply concepts they learn. Available on Butterfly Fields at a price of ₹ 4,500.00, this 7-in-1 DIY learning aid includes the following things –
- Instruction manual that gives clear understanding on how to use the kit.
- 7 mathematics learning aids.
- Student workbook that is suitable for kids above 4 years.
The DIY Math Learning Aids helps kids learn fundamental mathematical concepts. The DIY aids include –
- Math Mat – 10 x 10 grid with coins.
- Place Value Cards – 36 different cards to represent 4 digit numbers.
- Grouping Sticks – A set of rubber bands and sticks for grouping.
- Fraction Strips – This includes 15 rectangular strips divided into parts.
- Fraction Circular Kit – This has 10 circular discs that are divided into sectors.
- Snakes and Ladders – A board game with coins.
- Decimal Kit – This includes a set of different sized blocks.
10. Shifu Plugo Link
This Shifu Plugo Link Construction and Building Kit is a STEM toy for boys and girls 5 years and above. This AR powered gaming kit needs an iPad or iPhone and transforms your device into a fun learning system. The kit comes with 15 hexagonal building blocks and a foldable gamepad. The gamepad and hexagons connect with the help of embedded magnets. Step-by-step instructions are included in the help guide provided along with the kit. Available for ₹ 2,499.00 on Amazon this learning game gives an opportunity to your kids to solve real-world problems and develop engineering skills. It also spurs creativity, reasoning abilities, critical thinking and spatial intelligence in children. It is compatible with the following devices –
- iPad 3rd gen and above, iPad Mini 2 and above, iPad Pro all models (except 12”), iPad Air all models, iPhone 6 and above.
- Samsung Lenovo – 2015 and newer, 2 GB RAM and above.
- Amazon Fire 7 – 9th gen, Fire 8 – 8th gen and Fire-8 – 10th Gen.
How to Choose Educational STEM Toys?
There is an array of STEM toys available these days, so it is often confusing to parents while choosing the STEM toy for their child. Follow these tips while buying STEM toys –
- Age – Always choose a toy that is appropriate to your child’s age. The label on the toy usually mentions the age range, so choose one depending on this factor. Always choose age appropriate toys. If the toy is too complicated, your child may lose interest in it.
- Type – There are various categories of STEM toys. So, pick one depending on the interest of your child and the STEM skills you want him/her to develop. There are programming kits, robot kits, circuit kits, kid computers, science kits, telescopes and construction STEM kits available.
Learning need not be a chore, rather it must be a fun activity where your child can learn about how things work. STEM toys encourage this kind of learning without making the child feel that it is tedious or complex. Whatever STEM kit you choose for your child, spend time with him when he is using it. This ensures that your child has a good time and also, he retains interest in the toy.
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Upgrade Your Child's Skills and Creativity with STEM Toys
STEM toys are an excellent medium to upgrade your child's skill-sets and boost his creativity. We hope this BP Guide would have helped you understand what is STEM learning, how STEM toys are extremely beneficial for your child and which STEM toy you would like to buy for your 5-year old. Stay connected with us for more such engaging content.