Gift Guide for STEM Kids Who Like to Build

This post contains affiliate links.

I have two boys that love to build things. We have tubs of Legos. So many Legos! Legos everywhere. I step on them regularly during middle of the night treks to the bathroom. The boys love them, and they are a great toy because they can be used over and over to build anything they can dream up.

But we have soooooo many Legos. With Christmas on the way, I’m looking for Lego alternatives. When I come across something I think is cool,  I run it by the boys to gauge their interest. These are the top ten that received the most enthusiasm from my six and ten-year-old. They’re available from multiple online retailers and can be found in some brick and motor stores as well. 

MindWare Q-Ba-Maze Big Box – With Q-Ba-Maze, kids use design, construction and physics to build their own marble runs. The pieces can be taken apart and used over and over again in a variety of combinations. Q-Ba-Maze makes multiple, compatible sets so you can keep adding to the fun.

OWI Air Power Racer Vehicle – Kids will learn about compressed air technology as they build their own air-powered car. After it’s assembled, they’ll have hours of fun racing it around the house and outside. Parents will love this because there aren’t any batteries or charging cords required.

Snap Circuits SC-300 Electronics Discovery Kit – Snap circuits are electric circuits mounted in plastic that snap together to build a variety of projects including door bells, security alarms and AM radios. Kids can even create electronic games. They can be disassembled and reassembled over and over again. Kits come in a variety of sizes and with different applications.

 

Chaos Tower – This Rube Goldberg kit is a marble run on steroids. The kit has 602 pieces, a max height of 78″ and a motor driven chain. Arranging chutes, slides, funnels, catch baskets and trampolines, kids learn about physics while building a fun machine that dispenses marbles and returns them to the top.

ZOOB S.T.E.M. Challenge – We’re already familiar with Zoobs in our house, plastic building pieces that snap, click and pop together. Now they have a 175 piece STEM kit that inspires kids to build projects that solve problems, like how to hit a target or make a ball bounce.

Thames & Kosmos Remote Control Machines – My boys already love remote control cars. With this kit you build your own. It comes with three motors that can be used to make three separate cars or combined for one powerful vehicle. The pieces can be assembled and reassembled over and over.

3-D Home Kit: All You Need to Construct a Model of Your Own Home or Addition – Budding architects will love this one. The kit allows you to design a home, then recreate it with cardboard building materials. Everything from brick walls to kitchen cabinets are included. Step-by-step instructions and seven house designs, if you don’t want to make your own, are included. YouTube instructional videos will help you make the most out of this kit.

Elenco FM Radio Kit –  Kids will learn basic electronics skills and how to work with printed circuit boards. This does require an additional solder kit, and probably some parental supervision, depending on the age of your child.

Grip 9 pc Children’s Tool Kit – One of my kids always wants to build something, and with these real tools he can work on all kinds of building and woodworking projects. It comes with all the basic tools you need and a carrying case.

MiP Robot (White) – This isn’t something you build, but any kid interested in STEM will love this affordable little robot. It can be controlled by hand gestures, sound or an app on iOS or Android and works with Bluetooth. Kids will have fun with their new electronic friend who does tricks and can carry its own weight. You can play games with it or have it perform simple tasks, like deliver a can of Coke to someone in the next room. Check specs for compatibility with your mobile device.