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The best STEM Christmas presents for young people

By Steve Castle posted 21-12-2023 14:41

  

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This Christmas, Morson and their sister company Waldeck would like to share their choice of ideal gifts for the budding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stars in your life. We are all able to encourage and open the young minds around us into the world of STEM.

While traditional toys and games are delightful, how about considering STEM toys? These gifts offer not only entertainment but also a world of educational opportunities.

We asked Engineers at Morson what they considered to be the top STEM Christmas presents for young people that would foster their curiosity and a love of problem-solving – and they came up with this version of Santa’s list:

1.             LEGO Sets: LEGO is an enduring favourite, and for good reason. The sets, like LEGO Boost, allow young people to build and programme their robots, encouraging creativity and engineering skills.

2.             Coding Kits: Coding is an essential skill for the future. Toys like the Osmo Coding Starter Kit or Sphero Mini provide a playful introduction to programming, teaching kids to code through interactive games and activities.

3.             Microscopes: A high-quality microscope can spark a fascination with the microscopic world. Look for kid-friendly models with prepared slides, like the National Geographic Microscope, to make science come alive.

4.             Science Kits: Chemistry and biology sets, like the Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000 or SmartLab Toys All-Natural Spa Day, offer hands on experiments that inspire a love for science and exploration.

5.             Robotics Kits: Robots are a perfect way to introduce engineering and technology. Consider the Anki Cozmo or the littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit for a creative robotic experience.

6.             3D Printing Pens: These pens, such as the 3Doodler Start, enable kids to bring their designs to life in 3D, promoting creativity and spatial thinking.

7.             Telescopes: Astronomy is a eld that can captivate young minds. Telescopes like the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope provide an introduction to     stargazing.

8.             Math Games: Games like ThinkFun Math Dice or Prime Climb make learning math fun and engaging.

9.             Electronic Building Kits: Kits like Snap Circuits or littleBits make it easy for kids to explore electronics and create their gadgets.

10.         Educational Apps and Software: Invest in educational apps and software such as Tinkercad, Scratch or educational games that make learning interactive and fun.

11.         STEM Books: Books are fantastic resources for young learners. Consider titles like The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book or Ada Twist, Scientist for a delightful combination of learning and storytelling.

12.         DIY Science Experiments: Many kits provide the materials and instructions for hands-on experiments. Brands like KiwiCo offer subscription boxes tailored to different age groups, with a focus on STEM.

13.         Augmented Reality (AR) Toys: AR-enhanced toys like Merge Cube or AR puzzles can provide a unique learning experience, merging the physical and digital     worlds.

14.         Educational Board Games: Board games like Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game or Gravity Maze combine entertainment with scientific learning.

15.         Build-Your-Own Computer Kits: Kits like the Piper Computer Kit or Kano Computer Kit let kids build and code their computers, fostering technology skills.

When selecting a STEM gift, it’s key to consider the child's age, interests, and skill level. We've linked to some of our recommended STEM toys within this blog. We believe these gifts would make fantastic Christmas gifts for children who love to understand, build, learn, and solve problems.

They are brilliant for individuals - but can also be enjoyed by siblings and friends too. Create a STEM bundle for your science or maths-mad child, they'll be jumping for joy on Christmas morning.

The best STEM presents for kids are those that challenge and inspire. By ensuring you buy age-appropriate gifts, you won't put your child off STEM with toys they'll find too challenging.

These gifts not only provide entertainment during the holiday season but also lay the foundation for lifelong learning and a potential future in STEM fields.

These are gifts that won't be forgotten before the end of the Christmas break. So, let's embrace the spirit of curiosity, exploration and innovation by choosing gifts that nurture young minds and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technology whizzes.

For more information on all things STEM talk to a member of Morson’s friendly team on 0161 707 1516, or find out more about our work  on  our projects page.

This article is part of STEM Community's new op-ed service which allows contributors to pay for content to appear on STEM Community. This content will be marked as 'sponsored content'. Contact community@stem.org.uk to explore this and all of our media opportunities including online polls and focus groups

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