Recommendations for STEM toys

[ThomasRichard]

I thought we could share ideas for good STEM toys :)

I've got DS (5) an ozobot, which works by following lines drawn on a piece of paper or a tablet, doing different movements depending on the colour of the line.

DD (2) is getting Playmags, which follow the same concept as Magna Tiles.

I've also been recommended this electronics kit, which looks fab.

Where do I get ozobots or something similar in the UK?

[Grin] Gosh, I am surprised.

If hoping your children do well I'm STEM subject make you an arse then I am officially a massive arse. So shoot me.

Nice straw man there, palomb.

not sure why some people have a problem with STEM , tbh Dd hasn't showed much interest in science until she started high school ( other than astrology), primary schools don't teach enough science or engineering, Dd is now obsessed with science and goes to a STEM club at school, we never bought her science kits though she has a lot of Lego.

Would be interested in ideas for older children, she has asked for a Bunsen burner for Christmas but won't be getting one , she's getting a microscope from grandparents and probably some Lego technics from me.

Wow. As a real, actual person rather than a screen name, I'm quite hurt. Why should using shorthand terms on a thread title make me an 'arse'? And clearly I'm failing my son, who loves being read to and has an amazing imagination, if I try every trick in the book to encourage him to learn the skills to be able to access the things he loves for himself.

I have never said this before, but you are bang out of order. I shouldn't need a thick skin on the Christmas topic.

The Stem websites are also great for ideas, mostly for school clubs but can be done at home, for example by home educated children.

Ok, sorry OP, no need to be hurt. Seemed an OTT approach for a thread about Christmas presents but my bad but for not entering into the spirit of it. Apologies. Genuinely.

And also Rapid, the Education section is great for kits.

Back to the thread subject, I'd love to get this straw construction set. Not at that price though!

DS has a little construction set to build your own wooden racing car, with screwdrivers and all the bits. It was a gift from a relative abroad and I can't see anything similar on Amazon but I'll have a look for the manufacturer name when I can get hold of the box. He enjoyed building it and having the proper tools.

I got DS' Ozobot from Amazon. There's a basic one and then a more advanced one for older kids. The one I got was the basic one for about £38.

Dc1 had hot wires from age5 and loves them. Loving the Ozobot, coding has become a bit of an obsession since the introduction at school so I suspect it would be a big hit in this house with both dc's. I particularly like that it can be used with pen and paper as well as the app - santa may have decided on his gift to my dc's!

Well this thread has just started a very interesting convo with engineer DH about what to get DD1 for Christmas so thank you.

Fair enough, somepeople. Big of you to apologise :)

I'm glad you've apologized somepeople, it's not OTT to use shorthand, it's just shorter.

Interesting ideas here! I hadn't thought of using coins with games.

My DD is very much a build the lego and then leave it as is child. The creator 3 in 1 kits go down really well with her because then she has a reason to break them down and remake into something else, which means she gets a lot more play out of them. She's getting another of those for Christmas.

Amazon has a section for STEM toys, just had a browse. I think I'll get ds screwball scramble for his obsession with levers! Snap circuits next year then perhaps.

May I be PFB mummy? My DC1 mentioned on his UCAS statement that his first interest into his field of engineering was a book given to him by his Grandfather was the Usbourne 'Book of Space'. Books are very important. He also mentioned my job and that he was the guinea pig for any software or project I was trialling. He had 10 points knocked off.

Hot wires is played with a lot in this house. DS got the robotic arm for Xmas last year, it's not been played with that much beyond the building of it though, same with the Haynes build your own engine.

Gears, gears, gears is brilliant and was played with loads.

Wow I can't believe this is actually a thing, how dumb am I.
Ds 7 is so into stem and I've overlooked presents that I could get him around this, I've just done his Christmas list from this thread, he will love hot wires

That's allowed elephant :o

For the baby in your life, a cuddly DNA from the Christmas Bargains threads.

Have you asked your parents (or GPs) how they got into engineering?
DH used to play with plugs and old awitches.

I love the idea of SilverHawk's DH getting into engineering through playing with old witches :o

Older children might be interested in looking at their own project. I was open-mouthed at the incredible projects put forward by teenage kids for the Googke Science Fair this year. Amazing. The Fair has its own tool to help kids start thinking about their own project here. Buying the bits for something they're really interested in would be a wonderful present.

At the logic/problem solving side, DS1 likes Castle Logix . He could do the easiest levels (with some thought) when he got it at 4yo. A year on, he's now managing the second hardest level of difficulty so I'd expect it to still be played with for a little while yet.

thank you ThomasRichard a good idea, but I did see a good periodic table teeshirt yesterday that read Be Er

I don't get it

Tis true, she is a witch.
However, give them the old switches/plugs/ headlights even if they are (under two) very young.
If, you can find any.
Let them loose on a car and yes I do mean five or six year olds.