Do you have a kid that is interested in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM)? Do you want to get your kid interested in these subjects?
When I was a child, I always had an interest in putting things together. I still do! I don’t know if it is a learned behavior or not. I loved puzzles. I wanted to help my dad put the bike (or anything) together. I saw my older brother putting together his toy model car and I wanted to do that! But that was a boy toy. I couldn’t play with it or get one for myself! Now, when I buy or someone gives me something that needs to be put together, I don’t go to sleep until it is. Just in case you’re wondering, I got BS in Computer Science and now I’m studying to be a High School Math Teacher.
I also collected bugs. Yes, I was a girl who collected bugs! I don’t remember why I started doing this. It may have been for a school science project and then I made it a habit. But, whenever I saw dead bugs around my house or on my way home, I picked them up and put them in a yogurt cup in the kitchen closet. They may even still be in my mom’s house! After a while, I was able to see the bones or interior structure of some of them. Even though it’s not what I studied, I love biology, the Discovery channels, all doctor’s programs on TV and nature.
My older niece got her first camera when she was in Kindergarten. It was a Polaroid. She kept on getting upgrades often, until she got a video camera, taped it to a remote control car, turned the camera on and off it went to record. We’re hoping she gets an engineering or a science related education. She still has a couple of years to think about it.
What are your kids into? What are you doing to keep them interested in STEM subjects?
One way to keep your kids interested in STEM subjects is by giving them games related in the STEM subjects they like. To find STEM related games, go into your favorite toy store web site. Look in the learning category and then in science and discovery. Then, it’s probably going to be divided into specific science categories. It may also have an option to select by gender but I don’t think it’s necessary to use this selection by gender with science “toys”.
Here are MY PICKS of toys that may get your kids interested in science at an early age or encourage them to pursue a science related career, if they’re already interested in science.
Subject |
Ages |
Toys |
STEM |
Babies & Toddlers |
Blocks, Shape Sorters, Stacking Shapes, Farm Animals, Counting/Number Games |
STEM |
Preschoolers |
Mazes, Puzzles, Towers, Legos, Counting/Number Games |
Dinosaurs |
4 to 10 |
Big Bucket of Dinosaurs |
Nature, Physics, Chemistry, Air and Water |
5 to 9 |
Little Labs: Stepping into Science |
Geology |
5 and up |
The Young Scientists Set #2: Weather Station – Solids, Liquids, Gases – Volcano |
Astronomy |
7 and up |
Planet Quest |
Dinosaurs |
8 and up |
Dinoworks: Cast & Paint – 19″ Tyrannosaurus Rex Casting Kit |
Anatomy & Biology |
8 and up |
Edu Science Human Body Learning Game with Bonus Stethoscope |
Bug Science |
8 and up |
Backyard Safari Night & Day Bug Habitat |
Chemistry & Physics |
8 and up |
Edu Science Junior Scientist Kit |
Microscopes |
8 and up |
Edu Science Quick-Switch Microscope (comes in different colors) |
Electricity |
10 and up |
Electronic Playground and Learning Center |
Can you share with us how you got interested in science, technology, engineering or math or some of the related things you did as a kid?