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Best STEM Gifts 2020
If the kids in your life are anything like mine, there are few gifts that make it past the one-month mark. Some because they cannot take the beating that my kids dole out, but moreso because they simply lose their appeal after a handful of uses (once the ‘new’ factor wears off!). I find that the only toys with staying power, meaning my kids are still using and loving them a year later, are toys that combine their passions with play. If you are looking to give a gift with staying power this holiday season, here are the BEST STEM Gifts for 2020, brought to you with love from me and the Career In STEM® kiddos:
databot™
When your kids get out of bed every morning and the first thing they ask to do is play with the databot™, you know you have a winner! databot™’s slogan is ‘science on the move’ which is exactly what this super cool toy meets technology offers. On the very first day me and my two elementary age kids…
– tested CO2 levels in our breath
– measured UV light near the window vs. a closet
– hiked up the hill to see how elevation changed with the altimeter
– graphed monkey bar action using the gyroscope
– used the light sensor to find the brightest place in the yard
– saw whether it was warmer or colder inside the camper using the temperature probe
– tracked acceleration as databot™ went down the slide
– and MORE!
That’s some serious science, all done from home in our pajamas (as you can see in the video)! And the best part was that everything was 100% led by my kids – everything on the list above was THEIR idea to try, not mine! To me that is what makes the databot™ truly priceless – you just can’t put a price tag on getting kids excited about science, making it accessible for students of all ages, and connecting it to the real world (it doesn’t get much more real than your own backyard!) in a tangible way. My son is so excited in fact that now he wants to learn how to code so he can write his own programs for databot™ – one proud momma, one awesome STEM gift!!!! >> Get your databot™ classic HERE
POWERUP 4.0
Like most parents, I have taken my fair share of paper airplanes to the side of the head. My son especially loves flying dagger type designs…. Thus the most logical gift for him this year is the POWERUP 4.0 – a paper airplane that you fly with your cell phone!
Last year he got a starter drone, but as a then 6-year-old most of his time was spent struggling to operate it – more frustrating than fun. That was NOT the case with the POWERUP 4.0! To start, the POWERUP is better than a drone because it promotes more active hands-on learning (lots of aerodynamics, math, and engineering concepts behind folding and flying a paper airplane!), and we got to spend quality time together doing something my kids love – making paper airplanes! My son chose the Invader design, using the provided template paper and super easy YouTube video directions.
Then we attached the module, downloaded the app, and took it outside to fly! My kids both found it easier to fly than a drone, and of course flying a paper airplane with your phone is totally cool! This is a STEM gift that will absolutely stand the test of time, as there are dozens of different airplanes to build, attempting to fly lettuce, contests with friends, seeing how different weather affects flight – you name it, you can try it in true STEM fashion with the POWERUP 4.0! >> Get your POWERUP 4.0 HERE
KODABLE
Coding is the language of the 21st century. Despite its tremendous importance (and lucrative career options), computer science is not typically something kids learn in school. Which is where you come in! Kodable uses fun, interactive games to immerse kids in computer science, teaching them core coding concepts through mazes, fuzz building, and more! A bonus of the home membership, which we have, is the member-only challenges. Both my kids have been competing with each other this past month to see who can finish the most Kodable Bingo squares! The K-5 age kids in your life may already be familiar with Kodable, as it’s used in half of all schools across the USA. A definite gift that keeps on giving, and it’s so much fun kids won’t even know they are learning! >> Start your free trial right in time for the holidays HERE!
STEM BOOKS
Every year I give a book as a gift to every kid in my family – my own children, nieces, nephews, etc. Books never go out of style, and as a book lover myself I thoroughly enjoy hunting for perfect book to match their passions. This year my son, a lover of nature and technology, is getting Beastly Bionics by Jennifer Swanson, and my daughter, who loves ‘I Spy’ type games, is getting The Private Eye (with super cool eye loupes). Books like these inspire curiosity and a lifelong love of learning – see these and more of my Top 10 STEM Books HERE.
FUN STUFF
Looking for a STEM stocking stuffer or add-on for the main event? There are lots of fun STEM gifts that are wallet friendly. Here’s my favorite picks under $10:
owl pellets – $2.75
edible bugs – $5.95
magic sand – $5.95
STEM games – $1.25 and up
The gifts on this list are true kid pleasers – a fact that I can personally testify to, as they have all passed the test with flying colors from my own kids! From my family to yours, may you have a blessed holiday season, and a very Happy New Year!
Have you tried one of these STEM gifts, or have another one to share? Share to us at hello@careerinstem.com to be featured!