5 Toys That Will Help Your Kid Be Smarter in Math And Science

Science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, has been talked about a lot over the last couple of years. This is mostly because the U.S. trails behind almost every other developed nation in STEM-related knowledge. As consumers though, we’re doing the damn thang. We line up for days and camp out overnight to buy the latest tech but have no idea of even the basics of how they work.

The educational community recognized November 8 as STEM Day in which all things dealing with the sciences was celebrated. As a nerdy dad that intends on bringing up a nerdy son, this struck a chord with me. One of the things I love to do in order to encourage scientific thinking is finding ways to make it fun. I can remember how boring some of it was in school, so if I can find a way to drum up excitement at a young age in Liam and your kid, then hip, hip hooray. Just in time for Black Friday deals, here are a few really fun toys that encourage STEM skills.

Dash and Dot

Price: $49.99 (Dot), $149.99 (Dash) $199.95 (Both together)

Ages: 5 and up

Buy it HERE: 

There are quite a few toys out on the market that deal with robotics and the basics of engineering, but Dash and Dot takes a much different approach by introducing the fundamentals of coding. The set delivers its lessons in a colorful presentation that’s familiar and attractive to young kids. Dash is a wheeled robot that can be programmed to travel, react to sound and sense obstacles. Dot is a stationary device that can do much of the same, including controlling its counterpart.

The magic is in the apps that allow you to learn the steps of how programming works. Kids arrange blocks of commands that Dash and Dot translate into actions like changing colors, playing sound effects or play instruments like an optional xylophone attachment. The robots come together as a set or individually, depending on how much you want to spend. Apps are free with a purchase and can be used on Apple or Android devices. They’re really good for elementary school aged kids but the basic app which allows basic movement, light and sound functions is more than enough for preschoolers.

Stepping Into Science

Price: $39.95

Ages: 5 and up

Buy it HERE: 

In our instant-everything world, it’s all too easy to forget that it’s important for kids to learn simple life concepts like where food comes from or how things work. That’s where the Stepping Into Science kit comes in. Aimed at kindergarteners and above, the kit contains 25 experiments that range from showing how colors mix to how evaporation works. For $40, the Stepping Into Science kit has more than enough projects to keep young minds busy. If there are multiple kids in the family, everyone has a chance to learn and do something cool.

Leapfrog Epic Tablet

Price: $139.99

Ages: 3-9

There’s a good chance that the kid in your life already knows the basics of operating a phone or tablet but Leapfrog Epic scales the technology down to a more kid-friendly level. The home screen allows little kids to tap on and interact with background objects and characters in addition to the apps. One of the coolest functions is how the home screen can reflect the time of day it is by showing night or day.

There’s also a way to set it up so that there’s a new on-screen surprise every day. As the child gets older, you can flip to a more advanced level of the interaction, having it run in full Android mode. Guess what? There’s access to the Google Play Store and not a limited custom “shop” like a lot of other kid-based tablets. Leapfrog Epic also lets parents control what websites kids can visit, how much screen time they can have and is built super rugged. Even if the screen gets cracked, there’s a layer that protects young fingers from swiping their way into a bandaid.

Kids First Automobile Engineer

Price: $44.95

Age: 3 and up

Buy it HERE: 

Who doesn’t love cars? Especially when we’re constantly reminded of how much our own vehicles suck as opposed to the latest overhyped rapper, reality show celeb or athlete. Only a few days ago, all eyes were on Kendall Jenner and her $100,000 birthday car. Your kid may not be promised a vintage 1957 Corvette Stingray for their 20th birthday but they can learn how one works way before then. The Kids First Automobile Engineer kit takes children into the world of cars behind the rims, paint jobs and sound systems. Kids learn engineering through a story of two kids and their dad going to the supermarket. The kids build a car, mini-van and other vehicles to overcome situational problems. The approach of this kit is brilliant as it applies its lessons real-life.

Litiholo Hologram Kit

Price: $99.99

Age: 10 and up

Buy it HERE:

The technology behind creating holograms has come a long way and as it continues to evolve, it’s being adopted by more industries. We’ve already seen them in movies and at concerts (Tupac, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Eazy E) and before you know it, we’ll be able to communicate via holographic images, just like in sci-fi movies.

That’s what makes the Litholo Hologram kit a perfect find. It teaches kids how holograms work and how to create their own. There’s still a lot of ground to explore around the use of holograms  outside of entertainment purposes. Imagine how they could possibly impact the medical world. Your child may be the one to imagine and develop how their holographic knowledge could impact the medical world. Just sayin’.

Larry Hester is a Brooklyn-born writer who’s written for Vibe, BET.com, The Source, Complex and more. He now resides in Newark, New Jersey with his wife and son. He welcomes any parenting advice or encouragement. Check him out on Facebook and Twitter @almostcooldad.

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