Best STEM Toys for 7-Year-Olds (Top 14 Picks for 2024)

STEM toys fit a wide range of toy types, and the best thing about them is that kids can learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, all while having fun. It hardly feels like learning at that point. Even better, these will keep your 7 year old busy and engaged for hours on end. 

We dug through many STEM toys, but the best overall STEM toy for a 7 year old is the Dot and Dash Robot. It offers a unique combination of learning coding and being creative in freeform, open-ended play. Otherwise, we recommend the Fire 8 Kids Tablet for all-around learning as it offers so many different options to keep your children entertained.

Related post: Best Educational Toys for 7 Year Olds

Best STEM Toys for 7 Year Olds

Best Overall — Wonder Workshop Dash Robot

The Dash Robot is our top pick among STEM toys because of just how versatile it is. Your 7 year old will have hundreds of hours of coding and five free mobile apps at their fingertips to get them started.

This robot has been used by children in over 20,000 classrooms and will provide an engaging and fun learning experience of coding basics that help kids get interested in science, technology, and engineering. Kids will be able to do problem solving with their robot to accomplish challenges in free mobile apps. 

Because of how many activities this product boasts, it will be able to grow with your child and their abilities. It can be used for individual play or in groups with games such as Hot Podoto (a cute adaptation of Hot Potato). Kids can even have it their way and make their own games in the app! 

Even better, you can get accessories and add-ons for Dash. It’s even compatible with LEGO bricks!

Best for STEM Learning — Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet

The Fire HD 10 Pro Kids Edition Tablet is a great choice for seven year olds particularly interested in STEM because of just how many different STEM topics they will have access to. 

It comes with a free 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ service, which allows access to over 20,000 apps, many of which are fun STEM-related games. After that, you can keep using the service at the price of $2.99 per month. There’s also parental control to help you prevent this abundance of apps turning into unnecessary screen time!

This tablet has a 7-hour battery life, which makes it perfect for on the go fun. Since there is such a large amount of apps and games available, your child will be able to choose the STEM topics that interest them the most for entertainment. The Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet is a vector for better learning than a traditional video game. 

To top it off, this product comes with a thick case to help protect it from drops and tumbles. It also comes with a guarantee that if it breaks in the first two years, it will be replaced for free.

Best Budget Option — Klutz LEGO Kit Crazy Action Contraptions Craft Kit

The Klutz LEGO Crazy Craft Kit allows for building 16 high-performance projects with more than 100 LEGO pieces. It can be used to create things such as vehicles, launchers, and games. Because of its versatility, this product is great to add to your list of gift ideas for the younger kids. 

One of the biggest draws to this kit is how it can teach kids about mechanical devices and how they work. In addition to the 16 outlined projects, children can use this kit as a way to let the creative juices flow. 

Best for Experimentalists — UNGLINGA Kids Science Experiment Kit with Lab Coat

This Science Experiment Kit comes with everything a kid could need to feel like an all-out scientist. It includes a lab coat, safety goggles, and lots of scientific equipment. The activity cards it comes with have step-by-step instructions to help guide your child. 

This kit will grow with your child; even the lab coat is designed to fit kids up to 11 years old! The test tubes and beakers are designed for easy handling with smaller hands. Additionally, this kit can be used for experiments and even pretend play. Who said this much fun had to be expensive?

A fun addition to this would be tie-dying the lab coat to make it extra special and memorable for your child. This is a great way to introduce your kids to STEM and allow them to make their experience their own. 

Best for Building — Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set

The Marble Run Super Set comes as an 85 piece kit with 19 different types of pieces. Additionally, there is an app to help kids get started with guides and fun challenges. This toy is particularly great for kids who are interested in engineering and math. It ranks among the best toys for kindergartners. 

There is no one way to build a spectacular run, so your kids can really get creative with this one. It’s all fun and games until the structure topples over! Thankfully this comes with three large bases and five other regular-sized bases to help ensure maximum stability. 

This product is like a more modern version of building blocks. Marble runs help children with problem-solving, motor skills, and building skills while still being fun. Your kid will get to build to their heart’s content. This is a toy your child and their friends can enjoy while working together to create a true masterpiece! 

Best for Gadgets — Osmo Genius Starter Kit 

Osmo Genius Starter Kit is a great supplementary item for those who already have an iPad or Fire tablet. It keeps your kid entertained with tangram pieces, number tiles, and word tiles that can all be stored in stackable storage boxes. 

It comes with seven games included, two of which are family-friendly. This kit will have the whole family working together to solve puzzles. It also encourages individual play and learning. It will grow with your child because of how many different levels and games it has. It is designed for kids ranging from ages 6 to over 10.

The Osmo Genius Kit is fun and helps exercise spatial and visual problem-solving skills that are important fun and development! This popular product has a unique combination of classic physical pieces and technology. The best part? It can be enjoyed by the whole family during game night!

Best Science Toy — Great Explorations Glowing 3D Solar System

The 3D Solar System is another classic in STEM toys. It is particularly great for children who are always looking up at the sky. It comes with 9 glow-in-the-dark planets and more than 200 adhesive stars. It even comes with a solar system guide!

Kids will be able to experience the solar system and universe in their very own room. Their creativity can run wild and the universe they create is completely open-ended. Better yet, the fun doesn’t stop when it gets dark outside. Their solar system will add an incentive to bedtime. 

The solar system guide that comes with this kit also will help teach children about the environment on the planets in our solar system, how far they are from the sun and their relative sizes. It puts even more meaning behind this cool toy kit!

Best for Aspiring Botanists — Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit

The Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit is one of those super fun gift ideas for kids. It allows kids to be creative in how they design their terrarium, learn to responsibly care for something, watch and learn about how plants grow, and have fun while doing it.

The terrarium itself starts growing in 3-4 days and comes with everything necessary to make a gorgeous terrarium. Even better, this toy allows for enjoyment during the day, and at night, with the glowing sand and glow-in-the-dark stickers. 

Best for Electronics — Snap Circuits Beginner Electronics Exploration Kit

The Snap Circuits Kit has enough parts to build over 20 different projects. It even has extra safety features for the younger engineers, which makes it perfect for 7 year olds. This kit comes with a colored manual, making following the instructions easier and more straight forward. 

This kit is made to teach children how electrical circuits work in everyday devices (think toasters, coffee makers, etc.). This product encourages experimentation with the circuits so that children can learn how they work. For instance, they will see what happens when they reorient the fan or turn the LED lights around. 

Best for Creative Kids — QIDI Single Extruder 3D Printer 

This QIDI 3D Printer has a 4.3” touchscreen with easy to use icons to help with ease of operation. It is sturdy, which is perfect for small hands. It also comes with a test print model, so you can get started right out of the box! 

3D printing is all the rage now, and this printer is one of the best. What’s better than getting one toy? Getting something that allows your children to make many toys of their own! The possibilities are endless. And even better than that, it’s a device that will impress mom and dad too.

This device will help your child learn to design their own projects. From figurines to a game board, if they can think of it, they can make it.

Best for Forensic Science — Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers Science Kit

The Crime Catchers Science Kit offers two mysteries with eight different activities. These activities will have children thinking like real forensic scientists. They will be able to match fingerprints, decode messages, and test different powders and liquids to solve the mysteries. 

This kit is one way to teach children about science while keeping them entertained with the mystery behind it. It is a safe and fun kit with an easy to follow instruction book. Kids will think critically about what is in front of them and learn to draw their own conclusions. 

Best for Animal Lovers — Fisca RC Robotic Dog

This Fisca RC Robotic Dog is incredibly interactive. It responds to touch. It also can sing, dance, walk forward and backward, blink, and much more. On top of all of this, children can program it with the actions they want it to do. 

This toy will have the whole family together, playing and laughing with a cute robotic pup. It’s an engaging option that has rechargeable batteries and is made out of high quality materials so it can withstand continued use and play.

This is a wonderful alternative to having live pets in your home, all of the fun and none of the additional clean up! You and your kids will appreciate it.

Best Puzzle Game — Shifu Plugo Link Construction Kit with Puzzles

The Shifu Plugo Link will grow with your kids and is a way for them to solve real-world problems. It comes with a foldable gamepad, guide, and 15 magnetic building blocks. Even better, the Plugo app is free to download and comes with 5 different games with over 250 levels.

This interactive app allows for solo or group play to solve problems. The front-facing camera of your device reads the location of the blocks and registers it into their app, creating an interactive system that is full of fun! 

There are also different kits from this same brand that will allow your kids to develop their math skills and even learn to play the piano! 

Best for Hands-On Experiments — Learning Resources Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor

Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor is a fun toy that allows for kids to find and collect 35 mysterious Beaker Creatures. Kids will conduct experiments that create a bubbling reaction that will reveal their surprise creature! 

This comes as a 15 piece set to start with, and more creature pods can be bought separately. Each creature comes with its own classification card to understand more about them and the environments that they would live in. This toy makes science more fun than ever before! 

What to Consider When Buying a STEM toy for a 7 Year Old

Safety

Some of the toys listed above are recommended to only use under adult supervision. This is to ensure the safety of your child. However, there are others that adult supervision isn’t as necessary. It will be important for you to assess how much time and supervision you will be able to dedicate when your kids are playing with the toy(s) that you choose. 

Interests

Different toys will appeal to different interests. Some kids will be more interested in learning about and playing with space concepts; others are more interested in playing with robots and coding, while the rest may be more interested in biology-related toys. What your kid is interested in will ultimately drive your decision on what toy is most suited for kids aged 7 and up. Science, technology, engineering, and math cover a wide range of topics, and you’re sure to find something that will fit your child’s interest.

Budget

STEM toys vary widely in their pricing. But it really depends on how much you need to spend on a toy, and how long you want this toy to entertain your children. However, this range of pricing allows for consumers with all kinds of budgets to invest in STEM toys for kids.

Engaging

7-year-old kids typically don’t have a very long attention span, but they learn quickly, so it is best to look for a toy that will grow with them. The more potential to grow with them, the longer the toy will last, and the more engaged your child will be with this toy. It will also help get the most out of whatever toy you choose. The more engaging the toy, the more use it will get, plus the possible learning that will come out of it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a STEM toy?

A STEM toy is a toy that focuses more on science, technology, engineering, and math. This is different from an educational toy which tends to focus more on fine motor skills, reading, and writing. A STEM toy is a great way to gauge the interests of your children and help them develop STEM skills that will be useful throughout life. 

How do I select the most appropriate STEM toys for kids?

The most appropriate STEM toys for kids will be the ones that are appropriate for their age group and allow them to focus on what they are interested in. By getting a STEM toy that plays in the interest of your kids, you will surely be able to give them hours of entertainment. Even better, they will be learning while having fun!

What are the benefits of STEM toys?

STEM toys teach kids about the world around them. They can help develop math skills, problem-solving, and even building skills. All of these skills will help your children throughout their lives as they continue through school and eventually into adulthood. One way that these toys do that is through keeping kids engaged and willing to learn because they are having so much fun. A good STEM toy might even beat out a great video game for your kids! The best part about STEM toys is just how much they can offer to your child and you as you learn and enjoy together.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API