In today’s digital age, it’s important to introduce kids to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at an early age. STEM kits offer a hands-on approach to learning, encouraging curiosity, problem-solving skills, and creativity. With many options, choosing the best STEM kits for kids can be daunting. Below, find 30 fantastic STEM kits that are educational and fun for kids and a DIY STEM Kit guide. Let’s dive in!

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How Do You Make STEM Fun For Kids?

The best answer to this question is to keep it age appropriate and open-ended. STEM learning can be fun for kids of all ages, from young children to older kids. Additionally, the less complicated and user-friendly the materials, the better. If you are choosing a premade kit, consider the kids’ age, ability, and interests. Additionally, try to assess how much adult assistance may be needed.

For a DIY STEM Kit with everyday materials, you may find that only putting out a small selection of materials for a particular STEM challenge or project helps with time management and decision fatigue. Do what you can with what you have!

The classic marshmallow spaghetti tower challenge is an excellent introduction to STEM with limited materials. All you need is a packet of spaghetti and a bag of marshmallows with some office supplies.

Start with A DIY STEM Kit

Learning how to put together and present STEM activities is an excellent way to encourage learning opportunities that include science, technology, engineering, and math, or what we know as STEM.

Sounds pretty expensive. It doesn’t have to be. We have been collecting materials on different trips to dollar stores, hardware stores, and even from our recycling bin. Cheap STEM projects from our STEM supply list below are fantastic and right at your fingertips.

A wonderful way to get started is to build structures and try out different simple STEM challenges. There are many places to find supplies, like the dollar store, grocery stores, hardware stores, and even junk drawers and toolboxes. If you open up your kitchen cupboards and drawers, you will be surprised at what you have collected.

The recycling bin is a great option too. To start, get a large container and start saving neat things. Check out the handy list below. Keep adding to your STEM bin, and soon you will have an AMAZING go-to STEM materials collection for your next challenge or project.

Free printable STEM project & supplies list to get started today!

Click here or on the image below.

What To Put In A DIY STEM Kit

TIP: Store your items in clear plastic totes. You can put seasonal items back into zip-top bags to reuse next year.

What Are Basic STEM Kit Materials?

What do you need for a STEM classroom, STEM lab, library club, after-school program, homeschool space, and so on…

You often think you need premade STEM kits (we have those below), but you can also throw together a DIY STEM Kit using everyday materials. When digging around in the recycling bin, opening junk drawers, and examining random items in a new way are all you need to get started.

While premade STEM kits can be fantastic, they are not always accessible! It is everyday materials and supplies that can open up the discussion of the engineering design process. Learn more about the engineering design process.

Educational STEM Kits Supply List

  • pipe cleaners
  • straws
  • toothpicks
  • play dough (or the ingredients to make your own)
  • craft sticks
  • craft tape
  • painters tape
  • LEGO
  • wooden blocks
  • marshmallows or other soft candy
  • rubberbands
  • paper clips
  • nuts, bolts, washers
  • pulley and rope (clothes line laundry version from the hardware store is perfect and frugal)
  • plastic cups in different sizes
  • cans and plastic bottles
  • cardboard boxes of all sizes
  • foam trays
  • toilet paper and paper towel rolls
  • paper cups
  • packaging materials
  • old CDs
  • egg cartons
  • milk cartons
  • baster
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • trays
  • squeeze bottles
  • glue and tape
  • drawing utensils
  • paper
  • hole punch
  • level
  • simple tools
  • protective eyewear

30 Best STEM Kits for Classroom and Home Use

STEM kits provide an excellent way to engage children in hands-on learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. This list of 30 best STEM kits for kids offers a range of options covering various STEM fields, from coding and robotics to electronics and engineering. This list includes a variety of price points and ranges from 4+ to middle school!

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  1. littleBits Starter Kit: Kids can use electronic building blocks to unleash their imagination and engineering skills by creating interesting inventions. Plus, you’ll find small kits such as creepy crawly creatures or bubble maker to get started.
  2. Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit: This kit introduces the basics of electronics through snap-together circuit components, enabling kids to build projects like doorbells, alarms, and FM radios. A favorite for young minds!
  3. Makey Makey Invention Kit: With Makey Makey, kids can turn everyday objects into interactive touchpads and invent games, musical instruments, and more.
  4. Kano Computer Kit: This DIY computer kit teaches children about the inner workings of a computer and coding through a step-by-step process of building their own device. This is a pricey STEM kit but offers quite a bit of variety.
  5. Circuit Maze Electric Current Logic Game: By solving circuit puzzles, children learn about electrical currents, logic, and spatial reasoning in a fun and challenging way. This company has a variety of fantastic STEM games, such as Codemaster.
  6. Thames & Kosmos Engineering Makerspace: This kit is a great way to introduce engineering principles through hands-on projects, including constructing bridges, vehicles, and motorized machines. There is a fun variety of sets and price points for various ages.
  7. Magformers Magnetic Building Set: Kids can explore geometry and magnetic principles by building 3D structures with magnetic shapes that snap together easily. Look for various options for set sizes!
  8. Osmo Genius Starter Kit: This interactive kit combines physical play with digital learning, covering various subjects like math, spelling, and creativity through games and activities.
  9. Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst Kit: Kids can design and build their own unique creations using motors, wires, and other components to learn about mechanical engineering and problem-solving.
  10. Engino Discovering STEM Structures Constructions & Bridges Kit: Kids gain insights into structural engineering principles and stability by building various bridges and structures.
  11. Coding Critters: This kit introduces the basics of electronics through snap-together circuit components, enabling kids to build projects like doorbells, alarms, and FM radios. A favorite for young minds!
  12. Snap Circuits LIGHT Electronics Exploration Kit: Kids can delve into light and optics, building projects such as light-sensitive alarms, color-changing LEDs, and fiber optics.
  13. Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set: This coding game involves programming a robotic mouse through a maze, teaching kids (4+) the fundamentals of coding and critical thinking.
  14. Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot: Dash is a programmable robot that engages kids in coding, problem-solving, and creative play, sparking their interest in robotics and technology. This is a good grow-with-you robot, and we thoroughly enjoyed ours and even purchased the add-on sets.
  15. KiwiCo Tinker Crate: Each month, Tinker Crate delivers STEM projects that inspire kids to explore science, engineering, and technology concepts in a hands-on way. We had a blast with many of these, and you can try just one if you don’t want to subscribe.
  16. K’NEX Education STEM Explorations Gears Building Set: This kit enables children to build and experiment with different gear systems, exploring mechanical principles and engineering concepts. There are a wide variety of sets and concepts to explore!
  17. National Geographic Mega Crystal Growing Lab: This kit teaches Kids about crystal formation and geology by growing dazzling crystals. Also, try these DIY Borax Crystals.
  18. 3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set: This 3D printing pen allows kids to bring their imagination to life by creating 3D structures, enhancing their spatial awareness and creativity.
  19. Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set: Botley introduces coding concepts to kids (5+) through screen-free programming, offering hands-on activities through coding challenges and games.
  20. Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy Kit: This is an excellent kit where young engineers can explore renewable energy sources like solar and wind power by building projects like solar-powered fans or hand-cranked generators.
  21. Thames & Kosmos Robotics Workshop: This kit provides the tools and instructions for building and programming five robots, introducing kids to robotics.
  22. Learning Resources STEM Explorers Pixel Art Challenge: Combine coding, math, and art for screen-free, hands-on learning that young kids will love!
  23. Geomag Mechanics Magnetic Motion Building Set: Through magnetic rods and steel balls, children can construct moving mechanical systems to learn about motion, gravity, and engineering principles. We have a variety of these sets!
  24. Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Exploration Kit: This kit allows kids to build their own arcade-style games, introducing them to circuitry, logic, and game design.
  25. Gravitrax Starter Set: Children can design and build marble run tracks using gravity, magnetism, and kinetics to explore the laws of physics. This company has many awesome options.
  26. Circuit Cubes Robots Rumble Kit: Set up your own Battle Bots while you learn to build and program these robots. Challenge a friend to a bot vs. bot challenge!
  27. 4M Green Science Solar Rover: How do you convert sunlight to energy? Investigate with this simple solar rover STEM kit for kids. This company has a variety of kits at great prices! The good news is that this company has a variety of hands-on stem kits at great prices!
  28. Snap Circuits PRO Electronics Exploration Kit: With more advanced components and project options, this kit offers a deeper understanding of electronic circuits and their applications.
  29. Squishy Circuits Kit: Fun, hands-on kit for exploring electronic circuits! This electric science kit lets your creations come to life as you light them up with LED lights, spin with the motor, make noises with buzzers, & more. This one is so much fun!
  30. Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech 5, Mechanical Coding Robot: Learn mechanical engineering and coding basics while making this mech kick, throw, lift, and more.

Printable STEM Pack for Kids

80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack! This educational kit includes fun projects for young learners and makes a fantastic addition to a DIY STEM Kit!

  • Full instructions with sample images
  • Activity-specific instruction sheets
  • Data Collection Sheets
  • Questions for Reflection
  • Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
  • Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
  • Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
  • 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
  • Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
  • Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
  • What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
  • Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
  • Engineering vocabulary cards
  • Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!
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11 Comments

  1. But they can be really fun!! You can build like an architect, play a brain-boosting game or color your way to strong math skills.

  2. and math projects from 30+ education writers. All ready to get your kids excited to learn.

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  10. I place an empty bin in each teachers lounge, labeled STEM trash to treasure. The teachers save their empty tissue boxes, clorox wipe containers, lids from water bottles etc. and place them in the bins so that we can recycle them for STEM projects. We use the lids for catapults, the boxes for making coolers or fooseball games, lots of great trash to treasure projects.

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