Choosing the best STEM toys for 9 year olds can be a challenge. Not because there are not many to choose from, but because they are in such abundance that it's hard to pick the right one.
There are so many brands of toys that advertise themselves as being STEM-friendly, but they don't stack up when it comes to their function and STEM benefits.
When picking out a STEM toy, it's important to consider if the toy promotes science, technology, engineering, and math in an interesting and fun way. Also, be sure to make sure the toy is age-appropriate so the child has a chance at assembling the toy or completing the experiment successfully.
Below are 20 awesome, engaging STEM toys 9 year olds are sure to love.
This is a really neat STEM robot building kit that teaches kids about coding and robotics. With this toy, kids aren't limited to building just one design, either - their imagination is the limit.
This toy comes with drag and drop software and can be used in conjunction with dozens of different computer modules.
It may sound complicated, but this toy is easy for kids to assemble and is actually a great first robot toy for elementary-age kids.
Check it out: Makeblock mBot Coding Robot Kit
This solar robot building toy comes with nearly 200 components for an open-ended robot building experience.
Kids can make this robot roll over and even float on water, all by the power of the sun. This is a great STEM toy for 9 year olds as it helps develop their skills in engineering while providing hours of fun.
No batteries required is an added bonus parents love.
Check it out: Education STEM 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
This STEM toy is slightly less complicated than the previous ones on the list, however, it still provides the benefit of enhancing a child's STEM skills.
With the pieces in this kit, kids can build a variety of fun and functional models. The pieces are also high quality and durable, which means your child will be getting a lot of use from this toy.
Check it out: Gxi STEM Toys Building Blocks for Kids
If you have ever built a marble run with your child, you know how much fun these toys for kids are. The Ravensburger Gravitrax is one of the coolest marble run sets on the market.
This STEM toy teaches kids about physics and basic engineering by letting them set up the tracks in different ways to control the speed of the marbles.
This set is unlike any other.
Check it out: Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run
Snap Circuits is a popular STEM toy for kids ages 5 and up. These kits let kids build up circuit boards with color-coded components to make really cool things happen.
This Snap Circuit set is different from the rest as it lets kids work with fiber optics and infrared technology. This kit is aimed at kids ages 8 and up, but these electrical circuits are even a blast for adults to use.
Check it out: Snap Circuits LIGHT Electronics Exploration Kit
This STEM toy comes with 5 unique projects that teach children about engineering. It's perfect for 9 year olds as the instructions are age-appropriate and easy to follow.
This building kit gives kids everything they need to build fun projects like a ferris wheel and a rolling tank. Many of these pieces can be paired with household items for open-ended building projects, as well.
Check it out: 5 Set STEM Kit
A crystal growing kit makes a great STEM toy for kids. With this Learn and Climb crystal growing kit, kids get the chance to make 10 unique science-based STEM projects.
This STEM toy is unlike other crystal growing kits where kids perform the same experiment multiple times.
Kids also love this kit because they get to keep their neat-looking crystals and display them. It also comes with a display case they get to paint themselves.
Check it out: Learn & Climb Crystal Growing Kit
SmartToy makes some of the coolest STEM toys for kids. This ferris wheel model kit is particularly impressive.
With this STEM toy, kids get to work with axels, electrical circuits, and even a motor. The finished product is a ferris wheel that really works.
It also comes with a set of paints so kids can make it uniquely their own.
Check it out: Ferris Wheel Kit- Wooden DIY Model Kit
This circuit building set is amazing in its quality and educational value. The EUDAX kit is a bit different from the Snap Circuits kits in its function.
Also, with this STEM toy, kids get to work with wires, which enhances their understanding of electrical engineering.
The items in the package are durable and high quality, as well, making this a great value.
Check it out: EUDAX Physics Science Lab
Outer space is such an abstract concept for kids and it's helpful for them to learn about it in hands-on, fun ways.
There are 6 awesome activities included in this box, including crafts, science experiments, and even a STEM board game. This is a fun kit because kids get to learn about space by applying their knowledge practically, as well.
Check it out: Jackinthebox Space Educational Stem Toy
With the Kidpal Solar Powered Robotics Toy, your child gets the chance to construct all sorts of fun projects, all while learning about the power of the sun.
There are 12 fun and unique projects kids can do with this set. Each one gives them an authentic building experience.
The pieces are high quality and the instructions are thorough but easy enough for kids to understand.
Check it out: Kidpal Solar Powered
Legos are the ultimate STEM toy and are popular in many households, including mine.
This kit has so many cool pieces that are not included in standard Lego sets, including gears and axels. The instructions are so easy to understand that even a 9 year old will be able to create things like a robot boxer and a working claw.
Check it out: LEGO Gadgets
The KEVA Maker Bot Maze is one of the most creative building sets available. It really is unlike any other STEM toy.
With this toy, your child gets to create their own bot, place obstacles in the maze, and then build the maze out for a fun challenge. It's 2 STEM toys for children in one.
Building the maze is an open-ended project, so your child will return to this toy over and over again to construct different mazes.
Check it out: Keva Maker Bot Maze
Sometimes when we think of STEM toys we overlook the simple toys in favor of the more complicated.
This simple 200-piece wooden block set gives kids all the STEM benefits without all the plastic, gears, batteries, and complicated instructions.
The STEM benefits of wooden blocks apply to all ages. Your whole family will enjoy this STEM toy.
Check it out: LuckIn 200-Pcs Wood Building Blocks
This straw constructor is a really neat STEM toy for 9 year old. It's simple to use, but it still has all the benefits of the other STEM toys on this list.
Using these colorful and fun connectors and tubes, kids have unlimited open-ended building options. This STEM toy helps kids develop their building skills while having hours of fun.
Check it out: RAINBOW TOYFROG Straw Constructor STEM Building Toys
If you are like me, you remember how much you enjoyed tumbling rocks as a child. Well, rock tumblers for kids have come a long way since then.
This National Geographic rock tumbler is advertised as a hobby toy, but it actually teaches kids a lot about chemistry and geology.
Kids love it because they get to make smooth stones for crafting and jewelry making.
Check it out: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit
This is a fun STEM toy that teaches kids all about meteorology. It has everything your child needs to set up their very own weather lab.
Math skills are developed by measuring wind and rainfall. They will also learn about atmospheric pressure and even get to make their own rainbow.
This is a great STEM toy that will get your child learning in the outdoors.
Check it out: Be Amazing! Toys Weather Science Lab
This STEM toy takes the concept of a marble run to a whole new level. In fact, this is less of a marble run and more of a marble stunt track.
This amazing product teaches your child about engineering and helps develop their spatial reasoning - all without glue, nuts and bolts, or tools. Everything they need is right in the box.
Check it out: Q-BA-MAZE 2.0: Ultimate Stunt Set
This is a really fun Lego product that your 9 year old is sure to love. This toy is 2 projects in 1 - a hovercraft and a twin-engine aircraft.
If your child is interested in how planes and boats are constructed, they will love this toy. It is easy to assemble, with pieces either snapping or sliding into place.
Check it out: LEGO Technic Rescue Hovercraft 42120 Model Building Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a toy stem?
Many toys have STEM capabilities, though that's not obvious at first glance. Traditional toys can be used in a type of play called "loose parts play" to unleash their STEM utility.
Are LEGOs good for your brain?
Absolutely. Legos help kids develop spatial reasoning, math skills, and engineering skills through hands-on building activities.
What are some STEM activities?
STEM activities include things like building and conducting experiments. STEM activities incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math and are typically hands-on.
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