In today’s rapidly advancing world, STEM fields drive innovation and shape the world of tomorrow. From robotics to AI to coding, there is an increasing demand for creators and innovators with skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
As parents and educators of tomorrow’s leaders, it’s wise to prepare our children for the world they’ll live in. That means offering them opportunities to learn the tools and skills they’ll need to succeed.
One way to help our children in this area is to provide them with STEM toys that teach and encourage STEM skills.
STEM toys are available in many forms and levels of complexity. They range from simple building blocks to coding robots, so there are age-appropriate STEM toys for kids of all ages.
In this article, we’ve included 8 of the best stem toys for 4 year olds.
All STEM toys spark curiosity in our young learners and encourage the exploration of scientific concepts.
The great news for parents of young kids is that it’s never too early to introduce your little one to STEM toys.
Note that kids of all ages can enjoy STEM toys. Although some may be more complex than others, this is more suited to older ages.
Generally, older kids can still enjoy playing and getting creative with STEM toys at younger ages.
Best STEM toys for 4 year olds
Below you’ll find some of the top STEM toys for 4-year-olds. This list is by no means exhaustive – there are many STEM toys available today to help kids create, innovate, and learn; the following are just some of them:
1. Magna-Tiles
Magna Tiles are colorful, magnetic tiles that teach kids about geometry and engineering through 3D sculpture-making.
Not only do they teach important STEM concepts, but they’re also beautifully designed, with colored transparent glass-like material made of ‘food-grade MABS plastic that is free of BPA, phthalates, latex, and toxic materials.’
The colorful tiles connect with a satisfying magnet click so kids can build 3D or 2D structures and shapes for open-ended play and creative fun while improving fine motor skills.
In addition, creating these sculptures promotes concentration and focus, a precious commodity in today’s increasingly distracted world.
2. The Toddler’s Science Activity Book: 100+ Fun Early Learning Activities
The Toddler’s Science Activity Book is a source of endless fun for toddlers and slightly older kids.
Not a toy but a science instruction book, this fun kids’ educational resource features more than 100 engaging activities and experiments to teach young kids about STEM concepts.
The activities and experiments included are easy and safe.
Examples include how to make a foam fountain, slime, or a lava lamp.
Author Kailan Carr encourages kids to use materials always around the home or easy for parents to find. Carr also includes an estimated time each activity should take and a mess rating, so parents can know what to expect when it’s time to do some science!
Not only do kids learn about STEM concepts and different ways to engage with the world around them, but they also develop their instruction-following skills.
The book promotes science-based language acquisition and helps kids improve their executive function by following instructions step-by-step, with key tasks to complete along the way.
3. Fat Brain Squigz Kit
The Squigz Kit from Fat Brain Toys is a structure-building toy unlike any other.
Pieces are bendable with suction cup ends and can be combined in many combinations. The suction cup element also makes for an undeniably satisfying POP sound when pieces are pulled apart.
The Squigz Kit is a great way to improve fine motor skills and encourage creativity. The pieces connect to each other and any other non-porous surface, so kids can even build strictures on the wall!
Fat Brain Toys says the Squigz Kit is ‘made of 100% food-grade silicone (BPA-free, latex-free)’ and ‘leave no residue or marks on surfaces.’
4. Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards
Melissa and Doug’s Pattern Blocks and Board is a simple yet versatile STEM toy for kids aged three and over.
The boards come with printed shapes and patterns so kids can search for the right block pieces and copy the image, calling on their counting, color, shape, and size discernment skills.
The set also has a free-play element – kids can create shapes and patterns with the block pieces without following those printed on the board.
In either mode of play, this STEM toy helps develop fine motor skills and encourages creative play.
5. Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Kids Microscope
The GeoSafari talking microscope from Educational Insights is the perfect toy for a 4-year-old. It encourages your little scientist to conduct some fun, educational observation.
This is a unique STEM toy that kids will fall in love with as soon as they use it.
The set comes with 60 beautiful slides to observe under the microscope, from insects to flowers, 100 fun facts to learn, two modes of use (Fact Mode, Quiz Mode), and even a talking feature voiced by Australian conservationist, zookeeper, and TV personality Bindi Irwin!
6. Melissa and Doug Magnetic Human Body Play Set
Another excellent STEM toy from innovative toy manufacturer Melissa and Doug, the Magnetic Human Body Play Set, comes with 24 magnetic pieces that help young children learn about the parts and systems of the human body.
Pieces are magnets that kids place on the frame to learn about which systems work together and how all the different systems work together to support our life.
Kids love learning about anatomy because it means learning about themselves, their bodies, and all the wonderful and complicated things we’re made of!
A screen-free, no batteries required, an easy-to-tidy toy from beloved STEM toy manufacturer Melissa and Doug, your kids will surely love this one.
7. Ruko Smart Robot for Kids
The Ruko Smart Robot for Kids may blow your little one’s mind!
This is a hard-to-put-away toy that teaches kids about the wonders of robotics. It is suitable for even older kids, but 4-year-olds can still enjoy learning how to use the robot and then watching it dance, play music, and follow other commands.
You can also download an app to your phone or an iPad and create sequences for the robot through the app!
When we were kids, we may not have imagined that our youngsters will own robots, but here we are!
8. Blippi My First Science: Science Kit with Color Experiments
You may not know much about Blippi. But if your kids are into STEM learning on YouTube, they’ll be familiar with this animated online science teacher.
Blippi’s Science Kit with Color Experiment is a fun and engaging science kit with easy-to-use, kid-friendly tools that teach kids about color mixing.
The set engages kids with a lab-like science set, including tubes with lids and a tube holder, one pipette, one funnel, three beakers, nine color fizzing tablets, a color wheel, and one colorful set of easy-to-follow instructions.
Benefits of educational toys for 4-year-olds
STEM toys combine fun and play with education and science concepts in ways that significantly benefit young children’s development.
4-year-olds are at a stage in their lives where their abilities, skills, and growing independence pair beautifully with their curiosity about the world and their eagerness to participate in it.
Some of the many benefits kids gain from playing and engaging with STEM toys include the following:
1. Curiosity
STEM toys are known to encourage curiosity and exploration. The hands-on experience of a STEM toy helps kids engage with STEM concepts that theory just can’t teach to younger kids.
Instead of sitting at a desk learning by theory and memory, STEM toys allow kids to learn by doing.
Learning through interaction is one of the most effective ways to learn and is complemented by the trial-and-error element associated with many of these fun, educational toys.
The combination of physical play and STEM learning spark in kids a sense of curiosity about the world around them.
2. Problem-solving skills
STEM toys help our little learners develop their problem-solving skills.
Geometry and engineering-based toys require children to develop creative solutions for using space and structure.
Coding calls on children to try new ways of doing thighs, making mistakes and learning from them, and engaging in trial and error.
3. Innovation
Puzzles, building blocks, and robotics toys allow kids to experiment and create in a way that fosters innovation.
STEM toys pose problems that children must figure out how to solve, often leading to exciting and unique approaches.
4. Confidence
STEM toys are accessible but challenging, so they take some cognition and effort to play with well.
The more success your child achieves by overcoming problems, tasks, and challenges posed by STEM toys, the more confidence they’ll develop.
Offering our little ones the opportunity to grow more confident is one of the most important gifts we can give them.
Conclusion
“The best play, discovery, and creation simply begins with imagination.”
Melissa, Co-Founder of Melissa & Doug
STEM learning fosters an appreciation for science and technology, helping our kids take on the world of tomorrow and supporting our little learners’ brain development.
Through fun, engaging, and educational play, kids learn valuable life and science skills that will help them think creatively in many areas of life.
Children can develop innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills by playing and engaging with STEM toys.