Does your kid love to build and take things apart? That great! Keep that curiosity and creativity alive by giving your kids lots of toys and DIY projects that encourage STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Mitch LOVES to build things and make his own toys from cardboard. Seriously, this kid has made a cardboard iphone, cars and spaceships big enough to sit in and some small enough for stuffed animals, a 3D turtle shelf for holding more turtles and a couple models of our beloved SUV. One he even made as a “shell” for an RC car!

Granted, I’m now up to my eyeballs in cardboard creations, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay to encourage my kid’s creative side.
Awesome STEM Toys and Books
Encourage your kid's creativity and critical thinking skills with these STEM Toys and books full of DIY experiments.
100 Easy STEAM Activities
Love to add Art to your STEM? (That's called STEAM!) Stumped for DIY projects to keep your future engineer or artist busy? Here's 100 ideas all wrapped up in a book. There's some great ideas in this book that work for kids of all ages. And best of all? These experiments can be done with basic tools and things you'll find around the house.
Maker Lab: Outdoors: 25 Super Cool Projects
25 experiments you can do in the backyard with kids.
Maker Genius: 50+ Home Science Experiments
We honestly bought this book because of the bananas on the cover! I'm delighted to report the book is also full of great projects you can do with your kids!
Unofficial Minecraft Lab for Kids
A must read for Minecraft kids! The book has projects that connect the dots from the game to real life. For example, kids are given game tips on how to grow an awesome Minecraft garden, then are given directions for planting a real seed to put on their windowsill.
Sphero SPRK+: App-Enabled Robot Ball
Mitch loves his Sphero--it's an amazing little gizmo that's part robot and part RC car. Great for learning how to program, or just drive it around using an app on your smart phone.
Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets
Stomp Rockets are really fun--and unlike old school model rockets these are strictly kid powered! Set your foam tipped rocket on the launching pad and stomp to provide a rush of air power.
These easily launch to tree top level and beyond. The Dueling Rockets set lets two kids play at once and see who can get their rocket to fly higher. We're also really impressed with the stunt plane set!
Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst
This is one of the BEST all around STEM building kit's we've tested. Totally reusable--everything is built with screws and rubber bands. Not only can your kid build and rebuild like LEGOS with this kit, but it ALL FITS BACK IN THE BOX when you're done with play. Review here.
Modarri Delux 3 Pack
Design your ultimate car and race it around the house! I love that the screws on this car can NOT come off the cars, so there's no fear of losing tiny parts. Modarri review here.
Automoblox Buildable Cars
Automoblox are delightfully solid wooden cars (made of European Beech) with plastic parts. Each car can be pulled apart into 12 pieces and mixed with other cars from the Automoblox line to create a new look.
The cars have rubber tires with tread so they roll great on all kinds of surfaces.
Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab
We tested this kit and it's super fun! It's a great intro to science for little kids--comes with a couple space aliens that you free from their "pods" by dissolving in water, plus instructions for a few simple water based experiments.
Mini Buddha Board
We absolutely LOVE our Buddha Board! Great for doodling--but there's a catch. All your drawing disappear when they dry. Which can be a good thing if you have kids who have the kitchen fridge covered in "amazing" doodles. The mini board is a good size for kids....also comes in larger sizes.
Snap Circuits Jr.
We discovered these at the Magic House, and if they think it's a good learning toy I'm all on board. Great for little kits who want to learn about circuits but aren't ready to deal with wires yet.
Crayola Color Chemistry Set For Kids
Simple chemistry experiments for kids. Make a volcano, slime, goo and more--50 experiments in all. For kids 7 and up.