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:
| 3DOODLERÂ START PLUS |
| 3DOODLERÂ 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 |
| VTECHÂ 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!
Growing up my ideal toy was the car kits. putting the model car together parts and section by section taught me how to follow instructions precisely, assemble and build. the pride and joy in completing the model car. A great way to pass time and very helpful for focus and attention to detail. I miss those types of toys it would be the perfect STEM toy today.
I would love the leapfrog max in our home for the children. Especially for the audio adventures and the active challengers.
I think my Etch A Sketch would be considered a stem toy. It taught me patience and precision.
The Vtech Marble Rush set would be amazing for my son Chance creating things that are hands-on really interest him.
I like the Marble Rush sets – would help develop spatial concepts, science, building skills, and creativity.
Had wooden coloured beads (abacus) that taught me counting, basic math skills
I had a Spirograph that taught me drawing and math
The osmos kit looks like a toy all my kids would love
I always played with wooden blocks and it help with design, building
I most want the Osmo Creative Starter Kit… This kit combines games, technology, and creative tools to help my child learn.
Legos a lot as a kid. it helped spark my creativity in designing and building things which I am using .
Legos my grandson just loves them
My grand kids would love the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen when they come for a visit.
OSMO CODING STARTER KIT would be awesome for my kids
Id love the marble rush kit for my kids
I had a microscope that helped me develop skills in understanding nature and biology
My choice would be the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen.
Going back some, but I had a junior chemistry set which fascinated me, as I was seeing chemistry in action.
lego would make a great gift for my great niece
The marble rush set looks like so much fun. My youngest who I just found out may be on the spectrum would definitely enjoy it.
Marble Rush kit
Always loved Lego
My kids would love the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen.
Marble rush!
Mechano was one of my favourite toys as a kid. Taught me to build mechanical toys that really worked. Also how very annoying it can be to work with tiny nuts, in tight spaces. 😛
I loved Etsa sketch! And light bright!
I would play for hours!
Growing up I had numerous toys that I would consider STEM toys. I had leapfrog tablet/books where you press a pen to certain words/pictures and it’ll read out info which helped my reading and speaking skills. I had plenty of lego kits which helped my hand-eye coordination, model planning, and engineering design skills. I had telescopes and a microscope along with related books which helped me learn and gain an interest in astronomy & microbiology.
As for some toys I would love to have for my kids at home out of the above items I would love to have either of the OSMO toys. The coding starter kit would be great as I’m a software developer and it would be a great way to introduce concepts that I use in the industry to my older kids in a simple kid friendly way that they would enjoy while learning. The OSMO little geniuses kit would be perfect for my youngest daughter to give her an upper hand before pre school with fun hands on learning activities
Hi
I had a Chicken Loto Game where we would all gather round & play .
I learned to put the Chicken Eggs with no’s on them into the Chicken .
Then clicked the Chickens Tail and a Numbered Ball would pop out . I would be the Caller, call out the number and on each of our cards we would place a marker on the correct number if we had it on our card and yell Chicken Loto if we filled our card ie made a Line
It taught us to play together . Learn no’s and be Alert to Win!
We had so much FUN playing
My kids would love the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen.
Growing up I would would say the nano baby was my toy that had my imagination thinking I was a parent with responsability. Feeding the baby…lol today for my kids I look at leapfrog max and I wish we had toys like that to help develop our reading skills. I would love this for my toddler.
I had a big Construx building set in the late 1980s. 30 years later, I’m a Civil Engineer.
I was absolutely enamored with Meccano sets. Metal pieces and screws and bolts etc. Construction was limited only by one’s imagination. And I had brothers and this was a popular toy at our house.
Lego
I had an Mechano set. Could build just about anything. It helped form mechanical and Spatial skills.
2 New Grandkids could sure learn more skills with the VTECH RUSH sets!!
I had a microscope growing up. It was lovely. For my kids the Marble Rush kit sounds perfect for STEM learning.
Lego
The Marble Rush kit to build problem solving skills
We had a mechano set and a Lincoln log set and also tinker toy set, all great for learning to think, lots of opportunity to be creative, and build structures. No batteries required.
We had a mechano set and a Lincoln log set and also tinker toy set, all great for learning to think, be creative, and build structures. No batteries required.
We had a mechano set and a Lincoln log set and also tinker toy set, all great for learning to think, be creative, and build structures. No batteries required.
WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog is a great choice.
One toy was a carpentry kit-It It made me interested in building and measuring and helped me figure thing out when they didn’t go as planned.
I most want The Marble Rush kit to build engineering/math skills.
My son had the PlayMobil Esso Station that he played with for hours.
Hello,
I would like the Snakebyte PebbleGear 7″ Kids Tablet – Mickey & Friends as it is a good learning tool. Also I don’t have to risk an iPad.
Thank you
All of these toys sound awesome but if I had to pick just one would go for the VTech Marble Rush Ultimate Set
Hello,
I had Lego bricks as a kid. They may be consider a STEM toy as they helped me developed spatial reasoning and creativity.
Thank you
Any of the board games that I had and played when I was a kid: Monopoly, Sorry, Clue, Risk which helped develop counting and math skills as well as ability to plan and strategize
I would like Lego technic toys for my children
I would most want the OSMO CODING STARTER KIT in my home for my child.
I would love to have the Leap Pods Max in my home for the kids to play with.
Had Monopoly as a child which taught me math, learning to count
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