This Christmas, I love the idea of offering interactive toys for the kids that will challenge their little minds and offer hours of continued independent play. I’ve curated my Top 10 STEAM Gift Guide and Stocking Stuffers,  below:

Lazer Maze Combine three of my son’s (and allll his friends’) favorite things: lazers, mazes, and inventing, and you’ve got a winning gift idea.

Ozobot Smart Programmable Robot This little robot inspires creativity and coding. Download the free app to your iPad or android tablet to follow the activities, games and obstacles, or follow your own mazes and drawings using the ozobot color markers – all at a reasonable price!

MagnaTiles I’ve gotten recommendations from friends, teachers, and professional motor therapists alike. I don’t know what it is about these, but they are sure to provide hours and hours of entertainment and engineering.

Tinker Crate Give the STEM gift that keeps on giving with the Tinker Crate. You can buy one project of your choosing, or purchase a subscription. My son would especially love the Awesome Animation and Motion Sensing trick Spider kits! DEAL ALERT: Tinker Crate is starting their Black Friday Special early! Get up to 60% off through November 30!

Kiwi Crate This is a crafty counterpart to Tinker Crate – something my younger daughter would be far more interested in. Again, you can purchase a subscription or buy one project of your choosing. Eve would especially love this Lemonade Stand Crate. The same Black Friday Specials applies to Kiwi Crate – get up to 60% off now through November 30!

Snap Circuits My son absolutely loves this kit and I love watching him build one of the many activities included and dream up some of his own!

Project Mc2 I have to admit, I’m just as excited to try one of these kits as my daughter probably will be. Sure, they might be a little less science and a little more girly / craft focused, but I love the idea that she will be learning while creating her own lip balm, bubble gum, or rock candy jewelry.

She also thinks the dolls are totally cute, and I love that they come with their own mini experiments, like a DIY lava lamp or glow necklace.

Dot and/or Dash programmable Robots This one is a bit pricier, and is on our “someday when there’s a ridiculous sale” wish list. My son really loves computer coding, and I love how this combines the two and brings coding and robotics to life for kids.

V-Tech KidiZoom Action Cam I love the idea of a kid-proof version of the GoPro camera! They can submerge it in water, attach it to their bike or skate board, or even use it to document the neighborhood water gun fight! Take it on vacation, create kid-friendly photo scavenger hunts, or just turn them loose and see what they capture on their own.

Stop Motion Minecraft Animation Studio My son would freak out if I got this for him! I’ve well-documented his love of Minecraft, but he’s also really interested in the idea of animation. What a great way to spark creativity! I don’t think I’d see him for hours at a time if I got him this as a gift.

What would you add to my Top 10 STEAM Gift Guide? Let me know in the comments below.

 Lightbulb image c/o Freepik.