STEM toy ideas for 7-year-old boys?

December 27, 2024 7:55 AM

I'm looking for STEM toy ideas for my seven-year-old nephew. My sister prefers not to give him screens, so I've researched and found that STEM toys seem like a great option. However, I'm having trouble deciding which one would be the best for his age. Can you provide some suggestions? Thanks in advance!
posted by caro1989 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

As a kid who was more into science than anything else, the things that I was drawn to were chemistry sets (too bad they took all of the "fun" stuff out of them) , robotics kits, electronics sets, and telescopes.

Target has a "STEM Toys" section online that may help get you started. The age filter on the page will narrow it down. This particular site has filters for 5-7 and 8-10. I'd look at both for ideas since the recommended ages can be a bit arbitrary and the 5-7 may just have really basic stuff that may bore a 7 year old.
posted by SegFaultCoreDump at 8:06 AM on December 27 [1 favorite]

A microscope
Binoculars
A telescope
Books about nature with lots of pictures
Books about the solar system with lots of pictures
Books about the human body/anatomy with lots of pictures
Strategy games where you learn to plan better the more you play with others

I don't like fixed-goal kits for kids (most Lego these days, most DIY "science" kits) because they don't leave any room for creative and open ended play, absolutely crucial for learning and development.
posted by phunniemee at 8:08 AM on December 27 [3 favorites]

Snap Circuits have been a huge hit in our house
posted by potrzebie at 8:33 AM on December 27 [7 favorites]

Great suggestions above. If he likes puzzles (like giguring things out not like jigsaw puzzles) my son enjoys the Turing Tumble. He got Spintronics for Christmas, but we haven't tried it yet. I'm exoecting it to be a hit though because he does like SnapCircuits so I think building his understanding will help him make his own circuits, which is his preferred mode of play.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:55 AM on December 27

Is there an Audubon or other nature center close to you, with family programs? Spring for one of those day programs for kiddo and his parents, and yourself if you live close by.

Also, star parties where professional and amateur astronomers bring their telescopes can be amazing.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 9:00 AM on December 27 [1 favorite]

My kid loved the KiwiCo TinkerCrates at that age. You can get a monthly subscription, or just buy a one-off, depending on how much you’re looking to spend. Grandparents generously gifted us several years of monthly crates and Tinker Crate mail day was always very exciting!
posted by Empidonax at 9:39 AM on December 27 [1 favorite]

I have a son who just turned 7. Here are a bunch of ideas:

The Ultimate Book of Airplanes and Airports (or others in that series)
UV flashlight for checking rocks for fluorescence.
Geodes
Snap circuits
Lego (I agree a lot of the sets are not so creative although my kids play creatively with them but you can get the boxes of bricks and also include one of the ideas books)
Puzzle games like Gravity Maze or Rush Hour
A stopwatch
Binoculars
We got so much use out of this giant foam plane my dad found at the dollar store.
posted by carolr at 10:51 AM on December 27

The Kid Should See This Gift Guide is always a great place to look for ideas.
posted by rockindata at 11:13 AM on December 27 [4 favorites]

rockindata beat me by just a bit
posted by drossdragon at 2:01 PM on December 27

I just saw this Electronic Burp and Fart Machine that is compatible with Lego bricks and looks pretty fun. It's not super educational it seems, but a 7 year old will probably enjoy it!
posted by wemayfreeze at 3:09 PM on December 27

Strongly seconding Snap Circuits. We got these for my daughter and if there's a better way to learn basic electronics I don't know what it is.
posted by 1adam12 at 6:41 PM on December 27 [1 favorite]