STEM Toys for Yr1 boy

[NeverNic]

I'm struggling to come up with options for my son this year. He has more lego than he can store, with more coming from GP's so I don't want to buy any more for him. He loves science at school and construction things. Anyone think of something that might be good for him? Most of the things I've spotted are 8+ but he's not 6 until the summer. He hasn't come up with any suggestions himself so I'm struggling this year. Thanks!

PS. No slime. My nerves can't take it!! HAHA

Hot wires KIT for making electrical circuits.

Hot wires is 8+ but mine were younger when we bought it and fine with supervision. Instructions very easy to follow.

Snap circuits?

My DD does coding club in year 2- she loves the ozobot she is learning to use code with. She is also a big fan of roominate- a building set for budding architects where you can wire up simple circuits etc. Goldiblox is great too- no wiring but building components to get kids thinking about cantilevers, pulleys, centrifuges etc in a very kid friendly way. We also love laser pegs here- there is a neat set on amazon now that’s a tank and you can wire up the motor to the belts on the wheels.

However, at year 1 age even things like Lego and kids Chem sets are STEM toys. Oh and anything from the science museum range of toys...

Knex?

Have a look at Thames and Kronos. They do a range of sets for all aspects of STEM.

A marble run might go down well, DS got one last year at 5.5 and it gets lots of use.

If he likes construction toys but you want something not Lego then K'nex are good (and come in a plastic tub so easy to store). Mine also like ZOOBs and actually they brought out an add-on so they can be used with Lego.

I think it's hard at that age as most of the decent STEM toys seem to be for slightly older children. Plus it seems to me that every toy store is jumping on the bandwagon and labeling every dubious pile of shite as a STEM toy .

Magformers. Pricey, but they are played with every day in my house by dc aged 6 and 7. Really wonderful, tactile, great quality building toy