Kids are naturally curious and like to explore everything around them. It is important to provide them with instruments to encourage this natural curiosity and help them grow as individuals. STEM toys are designed to do just that.
This article will take a look at the best STEM toys for 9-year-olds. Keep scrolling.
OUR #1 RATED
Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy
- It comes with clear instructions
- Fun and easy to play
- Has different levels of difficulty
OUR #2 RATED
SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body
- Fun way to learn science
- It's easy to assemble.
- Comes with an anatomy book
OUR #3 RATED
Vector® 2.0 AI Robot Companion
- Has a higher camera resolution
- Constantly updating features through Wi-fi
- Has sensors to avoid falls
Table of Contents
Top 15 STEM Toys for 9-Year-Olds
1. Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy
Thinkfun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game is a gravity-powered maze game.
It develops your child’s critical thinking skills and ties into STEM subjects.
It’s for kids ages eight and up and comes with 60 challenges with increasing difficulty.
Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game builds spatial reasoning and planning skills.
PROS
- It comes with clear instructions
- Fun and easy to play
- Has different levels of difficulty
CONS
- Pieces are a little tight
- The marble is too small
2. SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body
Perfect for budding scientists ages eight and up, it’s a fun way to learn the human body’s inner workings.
It includes a 12″ clear plastic human body model, plastic bones and muscles, and squishy vital organs.
It also comes with a 24-page anatomy book with illustrations and answers to common body functions questions.
PROS
- Fun way to learn science
- It's easy to assemble.
- Comes with an anatomy book
CONS
- Hard to snap outer casing
- Squishy organs are quite delicate
3. Vector® 2.0 AI Robot Companion
It’s a voice-activated STEM toy that answers questions, takes photos of you, and is packed with technology that brings this robot to life.
It has a built-in Alexa that allows the Vector to be more helpful in your home.
What we like about this smart robot are the 5mp resolution camera and the increased battery life.
PROS
- Has a higher camera resolution
- Constantly updating features through Wi-fi
- Has sensors to avoid falls
CONS
- Can't climb up the stairs
- It's on the pricier side.
4. MindWare KEVA Brainbuilders - 3D Brain-Building STEM
The MindWare KEVA Brainbuilders is an interactive STEM tool to teach the basics of physics and engineering concepts.
It includes an idea book to guide your kids to duplicate the balance and composition on each card successfully.
The creative building sets promote spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills for your kids, who could be future engineers.
The games have various levels of difficulty.
PROS
- Comes with a padded zippered pouch
- Perfect for bringing for travel
- Various levels of difficulty
CONS
- Planks are light and thin
- On the pricier side
5. ThinkFun Code Master Programming Logic Game &STEM Toy
Code Master helps build your child’s reasoning and planning skills.
It includes ten maps with 60 levels to solve.
It has increasing difficulty as your child plays through them.
If your kids love smart games and a challenge, Code Master might be the educational toy for your 9-year-olds.
PROS
- It comes with multi-level challenges
- Materials are sturdy
- Easy to follow instructions
CONS
- Too difficult for some
- It's only for one player.
6. 5 Set STEM Kit
Designed to enhance kids’ science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills, this STEM toy inspires young inventors to create mini tanks and aircraft cars.
It contains 5 set module parts. It helps stimulate the child’s creative skills and improve hand-eye coordination.
PROS
- The parts are durable.
- Complete all in one kit
- Only 2 AA batteries required
CONS
- Not very clear instructions
- Screws are so tiny
7. Magical Microbes MudWatt STEM Kit
Mudwatt is a fun way to learn how electricity works.
This STEM kit lets you build renewable energy that runs on microbes that feed on soil.
The Classic Kit includes 20-page educational instructions, a Mudwatt explorer app, 2-power harvesting graphite disks, LED blinker board, nitrile gloves, and a digital clock.
PROS
- Reusable to test different soils
- Easy to put together
- It can last for years
CONS
- The item is small.
- Can only power small electronics
8. Makeblock mBot STEM Projects for Kids
If your child is into technology, electrical engineering, and math, the mBot Robot Kit might be the great STEM toy for your nine-year-old.
Teach children coding skills, logical thinking, and electronics and robotics components in a fun way.
This coding robot kit is an excellent educational toy for a child to build a robot.
This comes with a free mBlock App to program the robot.
PROS
- Has a reasonable price
- Comes with a free mBlock App
- It's easy to build.
CONS
- Minor issues with the remote
- Bluetooth doesn't connect sometimes.
9. Wonder Workshop Dash – Coding Robot for Kids
Help improve your kid’s coding skills with the Wonder Workshop Dash robot.
This helps them create anything they imagine in a fun way.
It responds to voice commands and is perfect for 6-year-olds and up.
Your child can play this solo or with the whole family.
We like that it comes with free mobile apps to allow the robot to sing, draw, and move around.
PROS
- Has a great battery life
- It comes with free apps
- Solid construction and excellent design
CONS
- It doesn't have a camera
- No manual to describe components
10. Climate Change, Global Warming, Lab - STEM Toys
The kit will help you understand how the weather works.
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular place during a short period. [1]
Conducting experiments is easy with the 4M Weather Science Kit.
This toy helps kids learn the water cycle, make clouds, and experiment with static electricity, which causes lightning.
PROS
- Includes six interesting weather experiments
- Includes book teaching about weather
- Easy to assemble and affordable
CONS
- Made of plastic material
- Slight problems with measuring device
11. Crystal Growing Kit for Kids
The Crystal Growing Kit is one of the fun and engaging science experiments to try if your kid is into crystals.
This kit allows your kid to grow three different crystal formations from three chemicals.
This STEM toy also fosters your child’s creativity as it allows them to paint their own crystal display stage.
PROS
- Comes with 15 thought-provoking experiments
- Some crystals glow in the dark
- All ingredients are included
CONS
- Crystals are a little fragile
- Ingredients are not labeled
12. Math for Love Prime Climb
Put your child’s Math skills to test with the Math for Love Prime Club game board set.
This game is for pre-teens, but even adults will enjoy playing this.
Prime cards are included with challenging games to master multiplication, division, and factorization.
PROS
- Can be played with family
- Has learning opportunities and strategies involved
- Cards are of great quality
CONS
- A little bit expensive
- Some instructions are confusing
13. Wooden Ferris Wheel DIY Model Kits
This educational toy allows you to foster your kids’ creativity and imagination.
Kids build a colorful ride that works.
It provides hands-on learning of world application by building erector sets using 3d puzzles, motor, and snap circuits for kids.
PROS
- It can be painted
- The pieces are sturdy
- Easy to assemble for kids
CONS
- Has some issues with battery
- Some packaging issues
14. Snap Circuits LIGHT Electronics Exploration Kit
Snap Circuits Light Electronics Exploration Kit is a fun and engaging hands-on learning experience to learn electronic skills.
It also allows your child to learn how to construct working circuits and fiber optics.
These projects challenge your child to be creative.
This game is also available in Snap Circuits Jr.
PROS
- Easy to follow directions
- Can build 175 amazing projects
- No additional tools are needed.
CONS
- Issues with the batteries
- Has connectivity problems sometimes
15. Solar Robot Kit for Kids
One of the fun ways of learning science is using educational toys.
The Solar Robot Kit is a great STEM toy for your kid who loves building robots.
This kit can make six working models, including a Dog, Space Station, Shuttle, Explorer, Space Rover, and Astronaut.
PROS
- Can create six models
- The parts are durable
- Charged by solar panels
CONS
- Insufficient instructions about battery power
- Need adult's help to assemble
Buying Guide
Safety
It’s important to read through all the warnings and labels on a toy before buying it to ensure your child’s safety. Check if there are any sharp edges or pointy parts on the toy. Check if any tiny parts might come off the toy and pose a choking hazard for your child.
Educational Value
Toys for kids that provide educational value are important for a child’s development because they provide a creative outlet for kids that may not be found in other areas of their life. They also teach kids valuable lessons about sharing, taking turns, and being patient while waiting for their turn.
Specialized Tools & Equipment Required
While educational toys can help your kid’s learning, some toys need special equipment to build them. Some need screws and other materials to complete building robots. Others need additional materials not included in an experiment kit. Before buying STEM-related toys, ensure that you can get the special materials needed.
Eco-Friendly
Some parents want to make sustainable choices, including the toy they buy for their kids. Buying an eco-friendly STEM toy reduces plastic consumption in their households. An eco-friendly toy is also safe for kids because they use non-toxic materials and paints. Parents can opt for a plastic-free design or a toy made from sustainable materials.
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Recommended Age
Age recommendations are usually based on the developmental level of the child. This means that they should be able to play with the toy without any difficulties, but they should also learn something new while playing with it. A toy should always be age-appropriate, so check the recommended age group before buying it.
Supervision Requirements
Parents should also be aware of the necessary supervision requirements for safe play. There are different types of toys and different supervision requirements for each kind. For example, adults should supervise kids when playing with a toy that uses sharp points or edges. This toy can cause injury, cuts, and other potential hazards without proper supervision.
FAQS
Yes, STEM toys are good for kids. They stimulate their natural curiosity and help develop their cognitive and motor skills. They are also a great way to get kids interested in science and engineering. They promote learning and help kids develop skills that will be useful in the future.
You can show them how STEM is relevant to their everyday lives. For example, when teaching kids about engineering, you could show them how bridges are built and why they need to be strong. When you introduce STEM to kids, it is crucial to make sure they are interested in the topic.
There are many age groups for STEM toys. Some are for toddlers, some are for kids aged 6-12, and some are for teens. There is no specific age that is appropriate to buy a STEM toy. The decision should be based on the child’s interests, development level, and the parent’s preferences.
STEM subjects are important for children because they provide a solid foundation for the future. It helps them develop skills required in the future, such as creativity, problem-solving, and communication. STEM subjects also help kids discover more about the world around them and understand the environment.
Wrapping Up
STEM toys are a fun way to stimulate the minds of the kids. These toys and games can help develop STEM skills related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They also allow kids to explore their creativity and develop problem-solving skills.
The first thing you should consider when choosing a toy for your nine-year-old is what they are interested in. Maybe a robot kit would be best for them if they are into robotics.
The best toys for your kids should be age-appropriate, educational, and fun. They should also offer various opportunities for learning and exploring their skills.
Thank you for reading this far! I hope that the information provided in this article will be helpful to you.
OUR # 1 Recommendation
Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy
- It comes with clear instructions
- Fun and easy to play
- Has different levels of difficulty
