5 More Must-Have STEAM Gifts to Spark Curiosity in Kids

By Lori Cunningham

In the first part of this series, we explored five Top STEAM Gifts that inspire creativity and learning. From Magnetic Tiles for building to coding with Sphero Robotic Balls, each gift offered kids a chance to develop essential skills while having fun. If you missed it, make sure to check out Part 1!

Now, we’re back with five more top must-have STEAM gifts that will light up your child’s curiosity and keep them engaged. These toys combine education and play, giving children the tools to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in exciting ways. Let’s dive into this next batch of standout gifts!

5 More Must-Have STEAM Gifts

1. Planetarium Projector

• Ages: 8+
• Price: $32.99 
• Amazon

Does your child love gazing at the stars? The Planetarium Projector transforms their bedroom into a celestial wonderland, projecting breathtaking images of constellations, galaxies, and nebulae onto walls and ceilings.

Beyond its beauty, it introduces kids to astronomy, sparking an interest in space exploration and science.

Parents will love how it combines education with relaxation, as the soothing lights also make for a perfect nightlight.

It’s a magical way to encourage curiosity about the universe while creating a calming bedtime atmosphere.

2. Nex Playground

• Ages: 8-15
• Price: $139.99
• Nex Official Site

The Nex Playground is another one of the top must-have STEAM gifts.  It is a super fun small gaming console that turns active movement into fun, interactive gameplay.

By using a motion-tracking camera, kids engage in games like Fruit Ninja and Whac-A-Mole without the need for controllers.

Designed to encourage physical activity, the Nex Playground makes gaming a full-body experience while fostering teamwork and family interaction.

Parents will love how it shifts screen time into active play, promotes healthier gaming habits, and brings families together for multiplayer fun—all with a simple, easy-to-use setup.

As a STEAM Teacher, this is my most popular activity during recess.  Students line up for their chance to Whac-A-Mole, play soccer, and take turns out the most popular game, Party Fowl where kids compete in brief looney games to come up on top! 

I love all the various game activities like stomping, swatting, and jumping up and down…my students don’t even realize they’re burning calories!

3. Osmo Coding Starter Kit

• Ages: 6-10
• Price: $51.96
• Amazon

Osmo makes coding approachable and exciting for younger kids. Using physical coding blocks and a companion app, kids can create sequences, solve puzzles, and program characters to complete tasks. It’s an intuitive way to teach problem-solving and logic skills.

Osmo encourages screen time with purpose, helping children develop critical thinking and confidence in their coding abilities. It’s a fantastic starting point for kids new to programming.

Osmo also has other super fun modules you can buy.  I pull my Osmo out for my students in smaller settings and they have so much fun with it. 

Osmo has lots of fun educational activities to keep your child engaged.

4. Remote Control Dinosaur

• Ages: 6-12
• Price: $46.99
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Bring the Jurassic era to life with this remote-controlled Velociraptor! With realistic movements, roaring sounds, and LED lighting effects, this toy captures the imagination of dinosaur-loving kids.

The rechargeable battery ensures extended playtime, while the easy-to-use remote offers flexible control.

This RC Dinosaur toy for has a mix of robotics and imaginative play, making it a unique introduction to technology. It’s fun, interactive, and perfect for hours of entertainment.

I had one similarly in my STEAM lab classroom, my students loved it.

5. 100+ Fun STEAM Projects and Why They Work Book

• Ages: 7+
• Price: $9.19
• Where to Buy: Amazon

This book is packed with over 100 hands-on experiments and activities that kids can do at home.

Each project explains the science behind it, helping kids understand concepts while they play. From making a lava lamp to designing paper rockets, there’s something for everyone.

While this book can encourage independent exploration and curiosity, I have found that most kids prefer an adult to do the experiments and activities with them.

It’s a perfect gift for kids who love asking, “Why?” and enjoy learning through experimentation. This book keeps giving and provides quality time as one of our top must-have STEAM gifts.

A Mom’s Perspective

As parents, we all want to give our kids gifts that not only bring joy but also add value to their learning journey. These five must-have STEAM gifts, along with the top five from Part 1, are perfect examples of how toys can entertain and educate simultaneously.

Whether your child dreams of exploring the stars, building robots, or experimenting with science, these gifts provide endless opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun.

This holiday season, give your kids the tools to spark their curiosity and inspire a lifelong love of discovery.

Happy gifting, and may your home be filled with wonder and creativity!