Little kids love to explore the world around them and discover how stuff works. STEM toys are perfect for pre-schoolers who are starting to ask lots of questions. Know a 4 year old who wants to know everything? Encourage this love for learning with a STEM gift from our ultimate list. From spaceship toys and bath time games to awesome science experiment kits, these are our top picks!
What exactly are STEM Toys?
S.T.E.M. is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM toys allow kids to experiment with these ideas and concepts in order to develop their skills – and they are super fun too!
How did we choose them?
Every STEM toy on our list is kid tested and approved, and all of the toys we recommend are high quality and from top brands. Our toys are age-appropriate and categorized accordingly, so there is no guessing whether or not they are above or below the child’s skill or interest level.
Best STEM Toys for 4 Year Olds:
- Talking Microscope
- Fizzy Volcano Science Lab
- Cycle Gears
- Bath Time Marble Run – Splashy Fun!
- Build Your Own Racing Car – 30+ Pieces
- Smartmax Power Vehicles – Magnetic Construction
- Play Foam 20 Pack – No Mess Fun!
- Robot – Design & Drill
1 Talking Microscope – with 20 Amazing Slides , $69.99 $69.99
The perfect first microscope
This interactive microscope is the perfect gift idea for 4-year-old scientists. It comes with 20 slides so you can investigate bugs, plants, and more–plus, press the buttons and the microscope will talk to you (voiced by Bindi Irwin)! With over 100 fun facts plus a quiz mode to test your knowledge, this is a brilliantly fun introduction to learning about life sciences. Endless hands-on fun for little investigators!
2 Fizzy Volcano Science Lab , $29.99 $29.99
The Ultimate Experiment!
Embark on a volcanic adventure with the Fizzy Volcano Science Lab! This exciting kit allows kids to conduct their own explosive experiments and learn about the science behind volcanoes. With easy-to-follow instructions and safe, kid-friendly materials, it’s the perfect way to inspire curiosity and exploration. Watch as your child’s eyes light up with excitement as they witness the magic of science in action!
3 Cycle Gears , $29.99 $29.99
Build a Bike with 30 Pieces!
Inspire budding engineers and problem-solvers with the Cycle Gears – 30 Piece Set! This dynamic kit introduces kids to the fundamentals of engineering and mechanics as they build and customize their own gear systems. With 30 colorful pieces and endless design possibilities, it encourages creativity and critical thinking while providing hours of hands-on fun!
4 Bath Time Marble Run – Splashy Fun! , $21.99 $21.99
Brilliant bath-time fun!
This bright, vibrant play set has a combination of colorful funnels, twisty bends and watery tracks, plus plastic marbles with happy smiling faces. The large pieces are easy to assemble and simply attach to the side of the bath or tiles with the suction cups. May result in an enthusiastic race to bath time!
5 Build Your Own Racing Car – 30+ Pieces , $39.99 $39.99
A speedy STEM set
Ever wanted to build your own racecar? Now you can with this cool 30-piece set, which combines creativity and construction. Use the working drill to fix everything in place – and the bolts are easily removable, so nothing is permanent! Mix and match pieces to build endless versions. An excellent gift idea for four-year-old mechanics and engineers!
6 Smartmax Power Vehicles – Magnetic Construction , $49.99 $49.99
Discover the wonders of magnets
Magnets are always tons of fun! This cool 26-piece STEM set introduces children to the magic of magnetism. Use the magnet rods as the base to build a fleet of vehicles, including a forklift, pick-up truck, and firetruck. Simply click the wheels and other attachments into place on the bars. Once the building is done, kids can bring their creations to life with a little imagination and some fun car noises. Vroom vroom!
7 Play Foam 20 Pack – No Mess Fun! , $29.99 $29.99
Sculpt away!
Looking for a mess-free alternative to modeling clay for a little maker? This collection of play foam fits the bill! Each box contains 20 pods with eight colors (four of which are sparkly!) for kids to mix and shape. Best of all, Play Foam is totally mess-free – it doesn’t stick to hands, clothes, or the carpet. Nor does it dry out, so it can be used again and again. Fantastic fun!
8 Robot – Design and Drill , $21.99 $21.99
Build an Awesome Robot!
Unleash your child’s creativity and engineering skills with the Robot Design and Drill set! This interactive kit allows kids to design and assemble their own robot using colorful bolts, a kid-friendly screwdriver, and creative imagination. With its hands-on approach to STEM learning, it encourages problem-solving, fine motor skills, and endless fun!
For more brilliant educational and STEM toys for four-year-olds, check out what’s popular on our website!
Why do tigers have stripes? So they don’t get spotted!
