Besides introducing your child to science, STEM toys help children develop several skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and the basics of coding and engineering. By the time your toddler is 4 years old, he/she will have significantly improved on attention span. Most kids of this age show great interest in basic math and solving puzzles.
This is a perfect age to introduce your child to STEM toys as it enables them to express their creativity. However, with the wide array of toys available, getting confused when choosing the best STEM toys is easy. Well, simplify your search by looking at the products mentioned below.
Reviews of the Best STEM Toys for 4-Year Olds
1. CoolToys Monkey Balance Cool Math Game
- COOL MATH GAME: This game teaches basic counting and beginning math skills and encourages retention through stimulating multi-level math games.
- INTERACTIVE LEARNING: Monkey Balance is perfect for children ages 3 and up and is the ideal teaching tool for parents, families, and teachers looking to encourage and reinforce multi-dimensional learning at home, school, nursery, and during tutoring sessions.
- EASY SET-UP + INSTRUCTIONS: Monkey Balance has everything kids and families need to start playing and having hours of math and counting fun! This STEM game is easy to assemble and easy to learn—so children and families can start playing instantly.
- KID + FAMILY FUN: This 64-piece toy set includes: 19 monkeys, numbers 1–10, 30 double-sided cards, monkey scale, base, 2 scale pans and an easy-to-read instruction leaflet.
- ENGAGING + EDUCATIONAL PLAY: Get toddlers and young kids on the counting and mathematics fast track! Monster Balance improves memory, encourages interactive play and helps develop fine motor skills. Cute graphics and colorful design are eye-catching for the whole family! Monster Balance also makes a great gift for young girls, boys and families!
The CoolToys Monkey Balance Cool Math Game is an excellent game if you want your child to learn basic mathematics, fine motor skills and boost memory. The game provides an excellent and interesting way of introducing your kid to math, which is often challenging for kids and adults.
The toy features a balance scale, a toy monkey at the center, and two small-scale pans. When playing, your child should place a number on the scale and a corresponding number on the other side of the monkey. If your child places corresponding numbers on both sides of the monkey, the scale will balance. This makes it a fun game for kids looking to master numbers and counting.
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2. K’Nex Build A Bunch Set Toy
- 66 CHUNKY PIECES –Create fun and friendly creatures with the KID K’NEX Build a Bunch Set. It contains 66 soft, colorful, and chunky rods and connectors that easily stack, snap, and plug together. Plus, fun and unique parts such as wheels, eyes, and tails will bring your child’s creations to life. This set includes chunky multicolored pieces that are perfect for young minds and little hands.
- 30 BUILDING IDEAS – Your child will have fun building 30 different models, including a colorful airplane, a train, bugs, animals, underwater creatures, and more. Let your little ones explore their young imaginations by discovering how to build colorful creations on their own.
- COMES WITH IDEA SHEET – Children will piece together the chunky and colorful KID K’NEX rods, connectors, wheels, eyes, and tails for hours. A poster-sized sheet is included for the 30 building ideas you can make with this set. Guide your preschooler in assembling vehicles, bugs, animals, and other creatures during playtime.
- CONVENIENT STORAGE – The KID K’NEX Build a Bunch Set is carefully packaged in a handy, easy-open box for effortless storage and portability. Everything can be easily and quickly stored in this durable container. Once playtime is over, place the parts in the handy storage box for a quick and easy cleanup. Packaging may vary.
- STEAMagination: It’s the connection of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) with a preschooler’s natural curiosity and creativity and it powers the fun of each and every KID K’NEX building set. Building with KID K’NEX puts preschoolers on a path towards a fundamental understanding of STEAM/STEM subjects.
The K’Nex Build A Bunch Set Toy is an excellent STEM toy for developing problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness. Without a doubt, most kids of this age like building new structures. This toy is a great choice as the child can build multiple models using the same pieces.
The toy helps children develop fine motor skills while teaching them how to follow instructions. The K’Nex Build A Bunch Set Toy features large and flexible pieces that perfectly suit your kids’ tiny hands. The wide range of structures that can be created from this toy makes it a good choice if you want to keep your child engaged in creative activities.
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3. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set
- 66 CHUNKY PIECES –Create fun and friendly creatures with the KID K’NEX Build a Bunch Set. It contains 66 soft, colorful, and chunky rods and connectors that easily stack, snap, and plug together. Plus, fun and unique parts such as wheels, eyes, and tails will bring your child’s creations to life. This set includes chunky multicolored pieces that are perfect for young minds and little hands.
- 30 BUILDING IDEAS – Your child will have fun building 30 different models, including a colorful airplane, a train, bugs, animals, underwater creatures, and more. Let your little ones explore their young imaginations by discovering how to build colorful creations on their own.
- COMES WITH IDEA SHEET – Children will piece together the chunky and colorful KID K’NEX rods, connectors, wheels, eyes, and tails for hours. A poster-sized sheet is included for the 30 building ideas you can make with this set. Guide your preschooler in assembling vehicles, bugs, animals, and other creatures during playtime.
- CONVENIENT STORAGE – The KID K’NEX Build a Bunch Set is carefully packaged in a handy, easy-open box for effortless storage and portability. Everything can be easily and quickly stored in this durable container. Once playtime is over, place the parts in the handy storage box for a quick and easy cleanup. Packaging may vary.
- STEAMagination: It’s the connection of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) with a preschooler’s natural curiosity and creativity and it powers the fun of each and every KID K’NEX building set. Building with KID K’NEX puts preschoolers on a path towards a fundamental understanding of STEAM/STEM subjects.
The Melissa & Doug Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set is one of the popular STEM toys that help toddlers develop imaginative play and creative expression. From a young age, kids begin to identify various visible parts of the body automatically. However, with their curious nature, kids are often on the lookout for what is inside the body.
If your child has such curiosity, the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set is an appropriate toy of choice. The toy provides great visuals of the internal human body organs. This prompts your child to learn more about biology. You will appreciate this toy as there are very few available STEM toys focusing on anatomy.
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4. Polymer Clay Modeling Clay Kit
- ✔️ EXPERIENCE THE JOY AND CREATIVITY OF THE WORLD'S BEST POLYMER CLAY SET! Get into your creative zone and make cool creations such as keychains, jewelry, figurines, home décor, mixed media, modelling, card toppers, cake decorations and much more! Supply 4 U assures you of a quality product, the 32 Colors included provide a great range of colors!
- ✔️ SUPPLY 4 U IS AN AMERICAN COMPANY! WE HAVE UP-FRONT COMMUNICATION AND LIGHTNING FAST SERVICE! Non-toxic, eco-friendly, with safety testing report. Non-sticky, soft, easily malleable. High quality! This set is ASTM D-4236 TESTED PASSED AS WELL AS CE (EN-71)
- ✔️ THIS CLAY KIT COMES WITH 32 ASSORTED COLORS, 5 SHAPING TOOLS, AND ACCESSORIES! Each clay is .7 ounces (20g)----7x2.8x0.8cm(2.75x1.1x0.3inch)
- ✔️ 3 DIFFERENT BAKING METHODS: Oven Baking: Pre-heat the Oven to 120-130℃ (248-266℉) Bake for 15-30 minutes. Hair Dryer Method: (Suitable For Small Creations 1-2 inches) --Put creations into paper box, blow dry for 3-5 minutes. Boil Method (Suitable For Small Creations 1/3 inch)--Put Creations on a plate in cold water, heat water until boiling.--Allow to boil for 10-20 minutes. Let water cool, take out.
- ✔️ 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE-- If for whatever reason you are unhappy receive 100% of your money back. This is the BEST gift for kids! (Even BIG kids) Get off those electronics and get your hands into some creativity! The people at Supply 4 U have years of experience providing quality service/products to people. You can't go wrong with us!
Part of your child’s development is exploration, which includes digging out soil and other dirt. However, this becomes impossible for kids growing up in homes without backyards or close parks. If your kids are in such situations, get them the Polymer Clay Modeling Clay Kit, which fuels their spirits of exploration using polymer clay.
The clay comes in a wide range of colors, enabling your toddler to build creative pieces. It also features several sculpting tools and accessories that enable your child to model animals, ornaments, and other items. The tools include earing hooks, hairpin holders, ring holders, mobile phone chains, bells, and more. It also comes with an instruction manual, which makes it easy to use.
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5. VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set
- Make Learning Fun: The KidiBeats Drum Set comes with three drum pads and a cymbal to help develop your little one's sensory development through each unique sound
- Rock Out and Learn: Toddlers can play along to 9 melodies in styles like rock, dance and pop; the drum set also sings about letters, numbers, and music
- Multiple Ways to Play: Toddlers will be entertained for hours with the 4 modes of play including free play, letters, numbers, and follow-along; each drum features a unique LED light
- Feel The Music: The KidiBeats Drum Set comes with a set of 2 drumsticks; your toddler can play and dance to their own beat on the attached drums and cymbals
- Ages 2 to 5 years old: This musical toy makes a great toddler birthday gift; 3 AA batteries are included for demo purposes only; new batteries recommended for regular use
Kids are often inclined to music, and the VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set is a great way for them to rock a good time. The drum set features a pair of drumsticks used to tap the four electronic drums. Your child can play freestyle or play along with the nine pre-set melodies in various musical styles. For a structured play, the child can follow light illuminations on the drum as they listen to numbers and letters.
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What to Look for in a STEM Toy for a 4-Year Old
A good STEM toy should keep your child engaged. Consider the following before making a purchase;
- Age range – age is an important factor when searching for the best STEM toys. Unfortunately, 4-year old kids are tricky, as they have graduated from the toddler age. Therefore, make sure that you balance between toys that are above toddler age but not big kid toys. It is always prudent to check the age rating of the toys.
- Educational value – children aged four years are in the pre-school age. Therefore, they would benefit significantly from STEM toys with educational values and skills. Find toys that teach basic reading and counting skills.
Conclusion
STEM toys are an essential purchase, especially with the world shifting towards technology. Therefore, you should introduce your child to science at a young age to prick his/her interest in the field. When finding the best STEM toy for a 4-year old, find something that will keep them engaged, and help them learn essential skills.
Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API