STEM and STEAM education help prepare future generations with skills that will set them up for success. You likely have heard these terms and may be familiar with some of the benefits of STEM and STEAM toys that encourage skill development within the context of play and fun. This contest will help you understand a little bit about some of these toys, and gives you a chance to win amazing toy prize packages.
STEM and STEAM education in a fun interactive package
STEM toys help children learn skills related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM toys help spark creativity and imagination with artistic tasks that naturally align with the STEM skills. With most STEM toys, children are developing a range of technical and non-technical skills, making the distinction between the two terms less relevant. After all, even a basic game of gin rummy with a deck of cards involves counting (math), strategy, and planning. For that reason, I’ll stick to using the more common STEM in the rest of this article, with the understanding that children playing with these toys are developing a variety of abilities including creativity, language skills, spatial skills, etc … a combination of skills from a variety of domains.
With STEM toys, variety is the spice of life
Looking at the image at the top of this article, there are some toys that seem more obviously STEM than others. All of those toys are prizes in this contest, but not all will appeal to every child. A child who loves building might prefer the hands-on fun of the Vtech Marble Rush sets. Another child may really love the logistical challenges of the Osmo Coding kits. Yet another may be intrigued by conceptualizing a 3D plastic creation using the 3Doodler kits. You may look at these toys and know exactly which one is most appealing to your child. Or you may wish your child could experiment with a few to develop and stimulate their minds in a variety of ways.
Each of the STEM toys carried at Best Buy allows children to have fun and develop some skills that can prepare them for a successful future. One toy may help reduce screen-time while building listening and reading skills (LeapPods Max), while another might use a tablet screen for unique learning experiences (Snakebyte Pebblegear tablets) or even use a tablet to introduce complex scientific concepts like light diffraction (PlayShifu Tacto Laser). As you explore the range of STEM toys, you will quickly find some that will be perfect for your children.
Experimentation teaches value of failure and success
We all want our children to be happy forever. These toys are fun to play with, but they also teach the kind of lessons we only learn through trial and error. Lessons like: you can’t do something well without having done it poorly first. Many toys have a learning curve: skills improve over time. You know from your own childhood; there were many toys we had when we were young that would now be considered STEM toys. I remember my first model building experience; it was some kind of naval corvette, and needless to say, the boat sunk!
I did have fun though and that’s another thing that your child will learn and carry with them in the future: though it can take some work, science, technology, engineering, and math can also be a lot of fun. Which reminds me of a quote from American author Frank Sonnenberg: If work isn’t fun you’re playing on the wrong team.
The toys we are giving away in this contest will encourage children to ask questions, embrace failure, and be openly creative. The best part is that each winner will get a package of toys covering a variety of STEM skills! We’ll be reviewing most of these on the blog in the weeks to come so return to the blog often to learn more.
How to enter
Entering this contest is easy and you can enter in two different ways:
- In a comment below, tell us about one toy that you had when you were a child that would now be considered a STEM toy AND tell us what skills it helped you to develop.
- In a comment below, tell us which of the toys mentioned in this article, or shown on Best Buy’s toy page do you most want in your home for your children.
What you can win
At the end of this contest we will randomly draw six (6) winners from all eligible entries. Each winner will receive one of six prize packages; each package will include up to four of these toys:
| 3DOODLER START PLUS |
| 3DOODLER CREATE PLUS BLACK |
| LEAPFROG LEAPPODS MAX EN / FR |
| OSMO CODING STARTER KIT |
| OSMO LITTLE GENIUS STARTER KIT |
| SHIFU TACTO COMBO CLASSICS AND LASER |
| SNAKEBYTE VDF PEBBLEGEAR CARS 7″ TABLET |
| SNAKEBYTE VDF PEBBLEGEAR FROZEN 7″ TABLET |
| SNAKEBYTE VDF PEBBLEGEAR TOYSTORY4 TABLET |
| VTECH MARBLE RUSH CORKSCREW RUSH SET |
| VTECH MARBLE RUSH ULTIMATE SET |
| VTECH KIDIZOOM CREATOR CAM |
This contest runs from Oct 1st to Oct 16th.
Remember you can enter in a variety of ways as discussed above. Spread the word with all of the parents you know. Your child will likely be playing with their children so no matter which family wins, your child will benefit.
Win STEM toys Contest Rules and Regulations
Good Luck!
My daughter would love the marble rush, and I was considering buying it for christmas. But the Osmo coding kit would also be such a great learning tool!
I had a microscope that helped foster a love for biology (eventually leading to my university major!)
I had legos when I was a child; it helped me to develop my fine motor skills.
I want the OSMO CODING STARTER KIT most in my home for my children.
Growing up, dirt poor, I remember my parents buying us a Slinky – the steel little gizmo toy, that we would put on the stairs and watch it go down by itself – that was our entertainment for a few hours. Oh yes, the yo-yo too, was another one my parents bought us- I would try to compete with my brother, to see who was the best at it. (this is now going back some 65 years now). Thanks for the memories.
i had legos when i was a kid
i would like the osmo coding sets
I had a science set that I drove my parents crazy with. Always set up on the dining table.
I loved my Mousetrap game – design, physics and a whole lot of fun!
the Osmo Coding kits would be great for my kids to start learning about coding
when growing up it was Legos which taught me all about building, math, engineering.
I had the beloved Etch-A-Sketch growing up and could spend hours creating shapes and buildings.
We would love the VTech Marble Rush Corkscrew Rush Set.
the Osmo Coding kits would be great for my kids
I had lego blocks when I was growing up to build whatever I wanted. which helped me to learn and having fun.
We grew up with legos not sets that had you build something according to a set but just tons of blocks that allowed us to be create . My Mom still has them ! They stood the test of time
The 3 D Doodler would be awesome to fan the flames of creativity
I want me kids to get learn coding as they are on the computer all day. The Osmo Coding Kit would be perfect for them.
My kids are starting to get into coding, so Osmo would be perfect for them.
I played with blocks and Legos when I was young – the application of putting the different pieces together to create something makes it a now called STEM activity.
I played with Legos growing up, it’s definitely a STEM activity as you’re doing critical thinking, using dexterity to build something.
the Osmo Coding kits would be great for my daughter in my home
I had lego blocks when I was a kid to build whatever I wanted. Those used STEM principles to let kids to learn.
the Osmo Coding kits would be great for my kids in my home
A building toy called Lego I spent many hours playing with Legos as a kid, great for pre engineering skills
A building toy called Lego , great for pre engineering skills
As a child I had a Little Professor calculator/math game. This gave me problem solving and math skills.
WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog is the toy that I most want in my home for my son.
We had legos and knex growing up, great for developing creativity and innovation. Would be nice to have a 3doodler kit, kids would have fun with that!
I had an Etch-A-Sketch drawing toy. No batteries. It developed creativity and patience!
It had a sylus controlled by horizontal and vertical knobs, was a challenge to create diagonal lines,
but provided hours of entertainment. Inquiring minds wanted to know how the aluminum
powder worked.
Growing up we had legos and knex great for developing creativity and innovation. It would be nice to have the 3doodler kit at home, kids would have fun with that.
I had building blocks to be considered as STEM toys which helped me to learn stack, count and design.
I guess my vintage Lite Bright toy would have been considered a Stem Toy back in the day. Uses electricity, patterns and colour to create pictures and shapes. It helped me build my creativity and develop fine motor skills. I think my youngest son would love the WowWee programmable robot and my oldest would love the 3D printing pen – I would love to have either of these join our household!
It would be cool to have a Snakebyte PebbleGear 7″ Kids Tablet – Cars for little one thank you
I had blocks at home and played lots with my brothers and sisters. Kept us busy when we weren’t able to play soccer outdoors. Learned to share, use my imagination and patience.
I had lego blocks when I was growing up to build whatever I wanted. Those used STEM principles.
I would love to have one of the Osmo Coding kits at home for the kids.
I have 8 grandkids so picking one toy is hard. I think most would enjoy VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam HD Digital Camera with Tripod. Thank you
Etch a Sketch was what I would consider a stem toy. I’m still not much in the drawing department, but I can draw a great stick person. I’m sure it was meant to help fine motor skills.
My kids would love this: https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/osmo-detective-agency-exploration-game/14139603
My etch a sketch would help me learn to draw and create shapes etc
building blocks, to design, best wishes
The OSMO coding kits seem really neat and would help my kids develop the important skill of coding and problem solving, which is needed in many professions today.
I had LEGO Technic sets as a kid which helped build problem solving and engineering skills.
i think the 3Doodler StartPlus would be a fun and creative toy to have in the house
the SNAKEBYTE VDF PEBBLEGEAR FROZEN 7″ TABLET would be pretty cool!
I would love to have the vtech marble rush in the house
building blocks – creativity, coordination 🙂
we had lego and before that even the old Lincoln Logs sets for building whatever our imaginations built in our minds, helped to foster creativity, design, , math for measuring , guessing , just plain fun too
I think the kids would love this
Musical Pretend Play Pet Dog House Toy Set for Toddler Kids – LIVINGbasics®
Model Number: LB-GY-8721
Web Code: 16032107
I had building blocks, that helped me design, stack, count, balance
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