Curiosity doesn’t kill the cat.
It kills the adult who tries to decide what gift to buy their 6-year-old for that special occasion.
You don’t want something that will just be some flash in the pan either. You’re looking for longevity. Something that has a bit of mileage to it.
Enter STEM Gifts for 6-year-olds.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These are the perfect gifts to satiate the curious mind that is at an age of constant question asking.
What’s more, STEM gifts ask young people to analyse, experiment and access their creativity as they go about understanding the world around them.
Below is a list I’ve compiled from various sources that include Wired, National Geographic and more to help you find that perfect present for any young person.
You’ll find the usual microscopes and kits but also programmable wands and toys kits that blend art with science.
So let’s dive into the first one!
Crayola Paper Butterfly Science Kit
Crayola Paper Butterfly Science kit is a cool craft kit for kids that lets them explore colour saturation and the physics of capillary action. They’ll learn something new while making amazing paper butterflies that will have their friends in awe!
Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit
Learn about how circuits work with Snap Circuits Jr.! This set includes over 30 parts to build circuits with, so you can learn about electricity and electronics in a fun way! Perfect for ages 6+, this is the perfect kit for all your science fair needs!
Magna Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set
Magna Tiles is a toy with endless possibilities. Designed for children aged 3 and up, this set will help your little ones learn about shapes, angles, and colours as they build and create with this hands-on toy.
Unlike other toys that only allow kids to follow along with the instructions, Magna Tiles lets kids explore and create something all their own. Get your kids started with Magna Tiles today to lay the groundwork.
ThinkFun Gravity Maze
The Gravity Maze Game by ThinkFun is a logic game that requires kids to build their own marble run using their visual perception and reasoning skills whilst keeping within the rules of the challenge which has been set by the game.
Osmo Genius Kit
Osmo Genius Kit is a hands-on digital learning experience for kids where they can learn 5 different subjects – Maths, Physics, drawing, spelling and vocabulary – all through a gaming interface. Powered by the world’s most advanced motion-controlled technology and a deep wealth of learning content from some of the best educational institutions in the world, Osmo is now bringing digital learning to homes around the world.
Ozobot Bit Coding Robot
What do you get when you combine a robot and a computer? A coding robot that’s AS SMART AS YOU! Ozobot is a tiny, fun, and educational robot that learns with you, too. Kids will love learning the basics of programming and technology with Ozobot. Fun for all ages!
4M Water Rocket Kit
Blast off into the stratosphere with the 4M Water Rocket Kit! Construct a rocket from a recycled soda bottle and use water pressure to blast it up to 90 feet in the air. The kit contains all the parts you need, no tools required. Use this kit for STEM learning or as a family science project.
Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers Spy Science Kit
Has your child always wanted to be a detective? Now they can be with this fun and educational crime-solving kit that will have them following clues, gathering evidence, and decoding secret messages just like a real-life detective. This science kit has everything they need to become an expert criminologist.
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar Toy
Want your child to learn how to code? Well, you’re in the right place! With a fun and easy interface, Code-a-pillar™ will teach them some of the fundamentals of programming logic. This app is a new and innovative way to learn how to write lines of code, while having a lot of fun in the process.
Mattel Bloxels Build Your Own Video Game
Relive your childhood and get your kids started early on their way to programming with Bloxels! The world’s first video game development platform that lets you create your own video games, Bloxels brings the joy of video games to everyone. You can design your own characters, design the look of the games, and finally create a story for people to play through. Your imagination is the only limit!
Hape Dynamo Kid’s Wooden Domino Set
Do you have a little engineer on your hands? Give them the tools early with Hape 100 Wooden Dominoes and keep them entertained for hours! Our solid wood dominoes are lightweight, durable and easy to clean. These colourful blocks will inspire kids to build and make while learning about physics and engineering at the same time.
Tactbit Cubes
You don’t want to wait until your child grows up to encourage their curiosity and creativity – introduce them to the world of inventors with Tactbit Cubes! These 2″ cubes are great for fostering creativity in kids. Teach them about sound, colour, mobility, & invention with this toy for creative kids. They can experiment with different creative possibilities through hands-on play.
Learning Resources Sum Swamp Game
Add to the excitement of math with this swamp-themed, award-winning game that takes kids on an adventure through Sum Swamp. With two modes and customizable difficulty levels, Sum Swamp Game is perfect for your family. Practice your addition and subtraction skills as you make your way through crocodile shortcuts and across the swamp. Choose to play either the addition or subtraction mode and select a difficulty level: easy, medium, or hard.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope
My First Microscope is the perfect way for your child to experience the joys of science in a fun, easy way! Explore everything from the tiny microbes on your hand to a drop of pond water under My First Microscope. With two large eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized design, this learning toy gives children a hands-on learning experience that’s perfect for ages 3+, 5+, and 7+.
Pathfinders Leonardo da Vinci Catapult Kit
It’s time to take their engineering skills to the next level and build a da Vinci Catapult kit. This kit will not only teach them about the science of Catapults but it will also help them plan and create their own catapult. This kit contains everything they’ll need and is geared towards people 14 and up, but younger kids can feel free to try as well! Perhaps something for that overachiever.
Kinetic Sand Moldable Sensory Play Sand
Having trouble keeping your hands off the sensory toy you wish you could buy for your kids? The wait is over! Introducing Kinetic Sand Original, the safest & most mesmerizing moldable sensory play sand that’s fun for all ages. Kids will love exploring their creative side with Kinetic Sand, and parents will love the mess-free experience. Pick up some today because this is one thing that can’t be missed!
Fat Brain Toys Shape Factory
The Fat Brain Shape Factory is a gleeful and silly twist on this beloved brain teaser. With the push of a button, the top twists and slots change. Kids get to explore and experiment to solve the puzzle and match all the shapes! The objective is to find two matching shapes, but there’s no time limit so kids can take their time.
Educational Insights Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Recycling Truck
Simple, safe, and fun! This is the perfect toy for teaching young children about recycling and how it helps the environment. Buddies Recycling Truck is a construction set and at the same time a toy store! Your child is guaranteed to love it!
4M Crystal Growing Experiment
You’ve never seen anything like this before. Crystal Grow Experiment’s crystal growing kits will open your eyes to the fascinating and beautiful world of crystals and how they grow. The kit includes seven crystal growing experiments and one awesome microscope that can be used to explore the smaller crystals. You’ll soon understand why crystal growing is such a popular hobby!
Lego Spike Prime Robot
You can’t have a robot without a brain! Introducing the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime, the best robotics kit for any age. With 14+ years of research and development, it’s perfect for classrooms and homes alike. This robotic system includes interactive coding lessons to get your creative juices flowing and we’re adding more all the time!
Sphero Specdrums
Imagine this: you’re walking through the park with your friends, and you find a beautiful tree that catches your eyes. You get your Specdrums, connect to the Specdrums apps, and start tapping. You tap on the tree’s bark, leaves, and even its seeds. And then you get to listen to what it sounds like. Wouldn’t that be nice? The Specdrums are musical rings that let you turn colours into sounds.
Osmo Numbers
“Osmo Numbers” is a hands-on math game that teaches kids how to count. In the game, players release the fish from bubbles by solving math problems. Players have to place numbers or dot tiles in front of the screen that adds up to that number, so they can release the 3 fish from their 3 bubbles.
Crayola Color Chemistry Set
Get ready for a world of creativity, innovation, and imagination with Osmo’s Table Tiles. Colourful, chemical-free, and easy-to-set-up tiles can be used to create all types of creations. With an included instruction booklet that covers 50+ chemical reactions, the possibilities are endless!
Particula GoCube
The perfect twisty puzzle for STEM enthusiasts, gamers, engineers and inventors. The GoCube goes beyond the traditional 3×3 cube with its built-in sensors and the digital aspect of the game. You can now do more than just solve puzzles; now you can play the game!
Coding Set PRO- Coding like ABC by Matatalab
Learning to code is so much more fun with Coding Set PRO. This set teaches kids about coding without screens or keyboards and includes several sets of adventure maps that challenge kids to find different objects and collect them. Once kids know how to code, they can change the look and feel of their worlds by creating new map packs!
Sphero Indi At Home Learning
Kids love Sphero Indi At Home Learn! It’s a STEAM-powered indi kit designed to engage kids ages 4+ in hours of exciting exploratory learning and play at home, the perfect gift for the little learner in your life. With 3 different modes of coding-focused gameplay, kids can program their Sphero to complete challenges, explore the world around them, or just have fun with their new friend.
Do you need to buy a gift for an older child? Then check out my best coding gifts for tweens page for more inspiration.