The Electronics Industry is growing at a rapid and accessible state, ranging from IoT (Internet of Things) to DIY (Do-It-Yourself). While electronics are fascinating, the theory and mechanics behind them can be a little intimidating, even more so for kids and teens. To help your child continue his or her passion in the STEM field, we've compiled a list of the best STEM toys and gifts.
Luckily, there are Engineering & Science gifts that make learning about electronics not only easier, but fun for kids and teens. This guide will go through my top nine product recommendations that make electronics education easy, creative, and fun for your young ones and teenagers. Every product in this guide has something helpful for your kids to learn, but we’ll dive in on some of the insights and what makes them fun and creative!
I have indicated the difficulty level (ranging from easy, intermediate, and advanced) of learning the functions of the products as some have a learning curve, though it won’t take too long if your kids spend quality time tinkering. It is highly recommended for kids to have supervision from an adult when using these products, so I’ve added an age recommendation also. With that said, here are the top Engineering & Science gifts for kids and teens!
Robotic Arm Edge Kit
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Recommended Age: 13+
Take control of a robotic arm!
Build this controllable robotic arm with your kids and have the ability to pick things up off the floor and move them around. The OWI Robotic Arm Edge is a challenging build, but kids will be left feeling excited and accomplished with the build when it’s done (and your kids will have fun controlling it!).
Your child will learn what it takes to build a robotic arm and can even get more advanced by adding an Arduino Uno R3 to control the robotic arm without any controls. This will teach them (and maybe you) how to build mechanically and learn how to code the Arduino Uno. Examples of adding an Arduino to the robotic arm can be found all over the internet.
Supervision is required as there are plenty of small parts. Four D batteries are required (not included).
Features:
- Command gripper to open and close
- Wrist motion of 120°
- Elbow range of 300°
- Base rotation of 180°
- Vertical reach of 15ʺ
- Horizontal reach of 12.6ʺ
- Lifting capacity of 100 g
- Hackable with an Arduino Uno R3 and a Motor Shield
LittleBits Code Kit
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Recommended Age: 8+
Introduction to coding.
While the Robotic Arm Edge Kit focuses on hardware building, the littleBits Coding Kit focuses on the software/coding aspect with a blend of circuit design. You can easily incorporate programming into your littleBits circuit with its codeBit module.
You can just simply plug into your computer, build together the needed modules, and then program away! Kids can quickly get going with 4 games (more tutorials & inventions on the computer app) to invent & code that include Tug of War or the Rockstar Guitar builds.
Features:
- Learn about coding and build circuits for your program
- 16 Bits & 30 Accessories
- Snap modules together on the codeBits module and communicate with software
- Comes with 4 Getting Started Sketches
- Can combine with other littleBits kits
LittleBits Rule Your Room Kit
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Recommended Age: 8+
Take control of your room!
Have your kids create automated projects for their room with the littleBits Rule Your Room Kit! They will be able to create interactive creations by using their engineering and problem-solving skills. The kit already provides 8 inventions ready to go.
Some of these inventions include the Burglar Buzzer, which makes them invent their own burglar alarm that catches thieves in the act, or a personal favorite, the Domain Defender which will make them create a defense system to guard their stuff and attack on command.
Features:
- Create cool inventions for your kid’s room
- It includes 8 inventions ready to go (with over 1000 more online & on the app)
- Inventions include Programmable Pop-up Puppet, Moving Collage, Buzzing Booklet, Burglar Buzzer, and more
- Includes 7 Bits and 19 accessories
Sphero SPRK+
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Recommended Age: 10+
Easy-to-learn coding for your SPRK robot.
Writing code can be a big learning curve, but the SPRK+ robot from Sphero (coming soon!) makes coding fun, creative, and educational. This kit provides you the tool set to learn about how sensors work, including sensor data gathering and programming.
The Sphero SPRK+ is approachable for all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner coder who can draw out a path in the app for the robot to follow, an intermediate coder that can utilize the block-based drag and drop interface, or a pro that can code and write your own JavaScript, the SPRK+ is for everyone!
With the Sphero Edu app that can be downloaded on your tablet or phone, your kids will learn all about coding, sensors, and how the SPRK+ robot works, so be sure to have a smartphone or tablet to get him or her going.
Features:
- Easily learn to program and command your SPRK+ robot, Connects via Bluetooth
- Powered by the Sphero Edu App that can code the SPRK+ across several platforms
- Programmable sensors that include motor encoders, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer
- For all skill levels, from beginners to pros
- 60-minute battery life with charging, waterproof, and scratch-resistant
- Can go over 4.5 mph (2 m/s)
Kit Contents:
- Sphero SPRK+
- Inductive Charging base with USB charging cable
- Quick Start guide Maze tape, 360-degree protractor, and sticker sheet
- Sphero Edu app available for download in the App Store, Google Play, Chrome Store, and Kindle Store
- Swift Playground available for download in the App Store, compatible with the Sphero Arcade and Sphero Template playground
LittleBits STEAM Student Set
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Recommended Age: 8+
The student set accommodates 1-3 kids.
This set is for those that want to have more of a classroom environment with more than one child. This student set will provide more than 16 hours of lessons that develop their engineering skills and critical thinking. It comes with many online step-by-step resources where they can learn about how circuits and electronics work.
It comes with 8 fun challenges and even more challenges and inventions on the app. Invent a self-driving vehicle, an art machine, a security device, and more! It includes over 50 accessories.
Features:
-
littleBits kit to help them develop critical thinking and engineering design
-
Comes with 19 Bits & 45 accessories
-
Online resources to help you expand the learning experience
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Endless inventions that you can combine with other littleBits kits
Snap Circuits Jr. 100
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Age Recommendation: 8+
Build over 100 projects!
With colorful circuit design, the Snap Circuits Jr. 100 from Adafruit Industries makes teaching circuit design and functionality fun. With its color-coded modules and a guide for over 100 projects, you and your kids will have fun for hours. Some of the cool projects that can be built include a flyer saucer, a spin draw, a sound activator, and an alarm circuit.
The kit includes a photoresistor, a music integrated circuit, motors, a space sound integrated circuit, and much more! Note that two AA batteries are needed (not included).
Features:
- Hands-on experience designing and building models of working electrical circuits
- Build over 100 projects including: flying saucer, photo-sensor, flashing light, adjustable-volume siren, spin draw, and much more
- Includes 30 parts
- Easy-to-follow instruction manual that can also be found online
LittleBits Gizmo & Gadgets 2nd Edition Kit
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Age Recommendation: 8+
The Ultimate littleBits Kit.
If you think the other kits won’t be enough for yours kids to keep them busy, this will keep them creative for hours! This kit has over 60 parts, enabling your kids to create over hundreds of projects. You can even use other littleBits Kits to combine parts with this ultimate version of the littleBits kit line.
What comes in the box has your kids ready to build 16 inventions. Some of the best inventions include the BitBot, which is a rover that roams your room wirelessly, the Rotolamp, which you can create your own light patters with this rotating light projector, or even a cool Bumperball game!
Features:
- The Ultimate littleBits Kit that has 13 Bits & 56 accessories.
- Compatible with most iOS and Android devices
- Can reuse other littleBits module with this kit
- 16 inventions ready to go (with 1000s more online and on the app)
Raspberry Pi 3 Starter Kit
Level: Advanced
Recommended Age: 13+
Accessories to get you started with the RP3.
The top spot goes to the first and only SBC (Single Board Computer) on this list, the very popular Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. While this product is a more complex compared to the other products in this list, there is a reason why it is one of the most popular SBCs out there. The Raspberry Pi community has made this one of the easiest boards to handle with thousands of coding examples and learning experiences online for almost all age ranges.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to projects with the RP3. You and your kids can start off with simple coding and circuit designs, such as blinking LED sequencing, and then move on to more advance projects like building sensors that keep track of movements, temperature, and humidity.
The reason I put this product on the top of the list is because of the extensive possibilities of this board , plus accessibility to a community that can help anyone become an expert using this board, kid or adult. Note that you will need a monitor, keyboard and mouse, and HDMI cables for the initial setup.
Kit Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 3 – Model B (Built-in Wi-Fi)
- Adafruit Raspberry Pi B+ Case
- Adafruit Assemble Pi Cobbler Plus
- Full Size Breadboard
- Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires
- US to TTL Serial Cable
- 8 GB SD Card pre-installed with the latest NOOBs files
- 5V 2.4A Switching Power supply w/ 6’ MicroUSB Cable
- Raspberry Pi Badge
- Electronical components that include resistors, a capacitor, LEDs, switches, and a photo cell
관련 상품 참조
Raspberry Pi 3 Starter Kit | 3058
Adafruit Industries Embedded System Development Boards and Kits 보기Whichever product you end up getting from the list, it’ll be sure to keep your kids engaged and wanting to learn more while expanding their creativity. Some of these products can even be entertaining to an adult (like me!) and help you understand electronics better. Hope that these keep you and your kids entertained and engaged in learning.
Check out our other gift guides that include DIY, robots, and 3D printers!