Amber Thomas: 

Does anyone have any STEM-based toys/kits/games they would recommend?

Peter Bernard Ladkin: 
 

(Sorry about that – finger trouble. To continue….)

Easy access to the last 10-20 years of Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. They are all on-line of course, but a gift of RI membership might encourage a youngster to go prying around more than they otherwise would (besides which, wouldn't it be a neat boast to their friends?)

John Adams “Hot Wires Plug & Play Electronics” - our children (now adults) were given loads of STEM toys over the years, but this was the one that engaged our daughter the most from memory, she had it when she was about 8. Still available today. (I have no connection with the company etc)

The key is finding toys/kits/games that they can explore themselves, and are both fun and stretching without being impossible to really understand. Surprisingly difficult!

Of course Lego and K'nex! But they're obvious.

For a book, David Macaulay, “The Way Things Work” - technology explained using mammoths, we all enjoyed that one, I see from the inscription that actually my sister gave it it to me on my 30th birthday!! I guess best for 8-11 year olds…or 30++ year old professional engineers!

For older children, if they have some hobby or interest where they could do tweaking / repairing /customising etc to their equipment then a simple set of the appropriate tools can be fantastic - real confidence builder that they are their own tools to be trusted with and make their own mistakes. These can be not obviously “STEM” activities, for example the specialist set of jewellery pliers and cutters we got our daughter as a teenager.* Similarly bike repair tools and maintenance guides etc.  When they were teenagers I gave both of ours one of those basic “household tool kits” in a case that supermarkets often sell, to use for their various activities, and they both still have and use them. 

Cheers,

Andy

* And before anyone says “gender stereotypes”, over the years I have also given her a power drill and a soldering iron…which she also still uses…

Does it need to be in a postable box? 

Anything that involves fettling, given the age/liberty/space/tools to do so:

Make a puppet theatre? 

Make kites? 

Bicycles, motorcycles? 

The former two can be built from scratch (think cardboard box theatre), the latter maybe deliberately refurbish & repair.

Boats as well, but don't forget life jackets or buoyancy aids. Like motorcycle, that's for older ages, and you need the right space.

The outdoors ones might encourage patience, too, if we're thinking of Christmas! 

Mark Rober's Domino Machine
Also tinker crates from Kiwico
 

Last year I bought a build your own robot kit that was sold in Tesco. I think the age range was 8+? It mentioned STEM on the box and has programming skills for rasberry pi. I also used to get various radio and electronic kits when I was young. You can get them from WH Smiths and places like science centre gift shops, plus a browse online will show some up I'm sure. 

Another book, this time newly released, I'd strongly recommend this for the teen who's just starting to get interested in science: “Rutherford and Fry’s Complete Guide to Absolutely Everything (Abridged)”

I've just been reading it over the weekend - it's for adults as much as teenagers - great fun, my two would have loved this (so would I as a teenager!) 

Cheers,

Andy

Hello Amber!  Very interesting question you have asked.  One will laugh at first instance but let me say that in fact each and every toy involves the STEM.  The thing is how to explain or present the toy to the child, first time.  After all, a Toy is not just a Toy but an example of the STEM. 

Thanks everyone, some great ideas on here ?