This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

After finishing my Top STEM Toys lists (Part 1 and Part 2), I realized that I hadn't included toys that were focused primarily for girls. This was not exclusion of girls by any means. I purposely meant for the toy lists to be for both boys and girls and consist of more quality toys. I believe that the science toys on those lists are not gender specific, or at least they should not be. Unfortunately, though, toys have been traditionally stereotyped by toy companies and society. The problem with these stereotypes is that they have permeated society so deeply, that many parents may not even realize how their decisions and attitudes about toys may be sending messages to their children about what they should and shouldn't do in their lives-- and which activities are acceptable and which are not. ​

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

More and more companies are gearing toys to compliment STEM initiatives, and enthusiastic parents are following their lead. (STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.) There is also a push for STEAM in education, which incorporates STEM and the Arts. --  Many toys overlap into the creative STEM arena.

STEM toys have the advantage that they can deliver insights about the physical world to your children. Kids who play with STEM toys may be more likely to be curious about how things work in the world around them and pursue studying STEM subjects. Having a strong foundation in STEM can give kids a great launch pad for future success in this ever-growing, tech-savvy world. ​

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

This is Part 2 of my Top STEM Toys List. It includes Best STEM Toys in the following categories: Science, Math, Family Games, and Wee Ones. Be sure to check out Part 1, which included my overall top picks and best in the categories of Engineering, Tech, and STEAM toys.

Again, these are my recommendations for toys that I believe will provide great learning and provide hours of fun. (I am providing these lists to help you narrow down your toy searches. These are my own opinions based on my own experience or research. I have never been paid for a review. Please make sure you look at the manufacturers recommendations and review the products before purchasing.)

I encourage you to get STEM toys for your children as they provide so much in educational value and can even steer their future based on the fun learning experiences that they have now.

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

Photo: @LilianFNorris

Halloween time is a great time of the year to dig a little deeper and unearth more dimensions to the holiday by adding science education to the Hallow-theme. There are many science topics in themselves that are a perfect fit with Halloween and its eerie props, including anatomy, forensics, chemistry, and physics. While kids are already in the zone, use the following ideas to your advantage to slip in some science education in the Halloween spirit.

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

To those who are unfamiliar with makers, makerspaces, and the maker movement, it all might sound like some enthusiastic hobbyists and crafters getting together for some DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. But, to those who have created makerspaces or have worked in them, they are keenly aware of their benefits and their huge potential.

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

Photo credit: Lilian F Norris

Often overlooked and underfunded, art remains a very important component to education. Studies have shown how art can not only help connect dots, but improve academic performance, keep kids engaged, and even keep students from dropping out. In addition, its integration into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs helps to develop well-rounded individuals. Incorporating the arts with STEM to spark creativity and fuel ingenuity and invention is what is needed to leap technology forward in hopes of finding sustainable solutions to problems now and in the future. 

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me, at no extra cost for you. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

Service learning is so much more than philanthropy or fund-raising. It can be a powerful platform to engage learners in real-world, meaningful applications to solve actual problems. When the projects are chosen by the students, and when the kids can see the results in their own community it has the power to transform and empower them into leaders and to provide the realization that their efforts can make tangible differences. Service projects can benefit humanity, animals, our environment, or a combination of all three. This article will highlight just a few examples of remarkable projects.