Construction/ STEM ideas for 6yo

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My son will be six just after Christmas, and spends all his time building ‘Robot Wars’ robots out of Lego, junk, Magformers etc. He also loves trying to build marble runs out of Lego and trying to make things spin, chop etc.

Although he will build Lego kits etc, he is far more interested in seeing how the pieces could be used for other purposes, and will spend hours happily constructingBattle Bots or towers to roll things off etc.

We already have a small suitcase full of inherited Lego, lots of Magformers etc.

Can anyone suggest something else (either construction set or STEM kit) that he might enjoy?

TIA

a few ideas

www.thetoyshop.com/stem-toys/engineering/Science-Museum-Mechanics-Laboratory-Roadster-And-Dragster/p/536501

www.brightminds.co.uk/collections/science-tech/products/4m-great-gizmo-tin-can-robot

he also might like magna-tiles?

www.magnatiles.uk/

There are some great lego books with ideas for using the bricks you already have like this or he might enjoy this one which shows you how to build interesting contraptions. You probably need to sit down with him at least on the first couple of projects but it’s a great way to increase their building skills.

K'nex or Junior Meccano

Thank-you. I hadn’t thought about K’nex, but that would be right up his street, and those Lego books look pretty good - I didn’t even know they existed.

I was going to say K'nex we got our ds the K'nes bridge engineering one for his birthday.

Geomags are a good construction toy, they are magnetic balls and sticks rather than the square tiles, although you could probably combine them with the magformers for more play ideas.

Some of the simpler little bits electronic kits? Can't remember if they start at age 6 or 8 but my now 11 year old has had them a few years and still loves them.

Kapla bricks are great. Get a box of 280!

K’nex is my ds’s absolute favourite. You can make much more impressive models out of far fewer pieces. However be aware that some specific kits have thin k’nex. We much prefer the boxes of k’nex with loads of things you can make and the standard sized k’nex. You can also get the motors which ds loves and has made a helicopter, Ferris wheel and carousel.

They sell battle bots and robot wars robot toys! They are great and work really well (my son is totally obsessed with robot wars!)

Should say they are hexbug - if you look on their site they stock more than you can find elsewhere. I’m fairly sure there are new ones due to appear before xmas too.

Lego technic? Either some of the simpler sets, or just a few bits to add to existing blocks to make wheels turn etc. And some of the books are really interesting now.

I know I got DD a girl's engineering set in the past - called GoldieBlox. I wonder is there anything similar for boys - as it really was great once you got over the pink elements.

We've also had some meccano type kits (plastic versions - she hasn't really been interested in full-on spanners and metal nuts/bolts types yet).

Beaker creatures are STEM

My 6yo sounds v similar - snap circuits have been a big hit!

Snap circuits and the coding mouse from learning resources have been big hits here.

Another vote for kapla. It doesn’t look like much but one of the most-played with toys in our house.

zoobs are good fun and you can also get sets that are compatible with lego

Gosh, thanks everyone, I’ve just checked in and seen all these amazingly helpful responses.

Curious, he already has the Battlebots Arena set, and the Robot Wars robots and Matilda are firmly at the top of his Christmas list, but thanks for suggesting them.

It’s good to hear so many positive things about K’nex. I didn’t realise some kits come with motors - that’ll be right up his street.

Biddy, I think he would love Lego Technic, but I am worried he may still be a bit young. I might, however, look and see if I can order a few basic bits - thanks.

I’ve also wondered about the Lego WeDo set. I know it’s predominantly for schools, but I wonder if it’s any good at home. Does anyone know?

It’s interesting to hear so many positive things about Kapla too. I might pop that on his three year old brother’s list, as he’s really getting into construction too.

Interestingly, we have a big tub of the Junior Meccano and he’s barely touched it.