Toy Association’s “Back to School” Shopping List Features 25 STEAM Toys for Kids

The Toy Association has released its Back to School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Kissing and Math) Toy Shopping List. 

The list includes 25 approved toys that can enhance children's learning during the school year. Choices can be made from varied activities, as well as building sets or ways to teach math concepts through play. 

All of the featured products have undergone a rigorous assessment process to earn an official STEAM seal of approval and meet the strict criteria of the Toy Association's STEAM Toy Assessment Framework, developed in partnership with The Good Play Guide. 

“As families across the U.S. get ready for another back-to-school season, our list offers parents a well-vetted guide that will help kids flourish this academic year and build skills through engaging, play-based activities,” said Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association. “Parents and caregivers can feel confident that each toy listed will help support their children’s learning journey, using the proven power of play to facilitate development of age-appropriate learning goals.”  

The “Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List” is below and listed alphabetically by product name:

1. CONNETIX 50 Piece Rainbow Transport Pack (Connetix Tiles)

2. CONNETIX 66 Piece Ball Run Expansion Pack (Connetix Tiles)

3. Dino World XL 50-Piece Set (Magna-Tiles)

4. Discover (Makedo)

5. DISCOVERING STEM - Astronomy: Travelling to Space (Engino)

6. Gravitrax Starter-Set XXL (Ravensburger)

7. Gravitrax Vertical Starter Set (Ravensburger)

8. Hexbug Nano Zone (Spin Master)

9. LEGO Buildable Ruler Set (Santoki)

10. LEGO CITY Lunar Space Station (LEGO)

11. Locbloc Counting Blocks (Battat)

12. Magicube 24-PC Set - Recycled (Geomag)

13. Marble Rush Launchpad Set (VTech)

14. Melissa & Doug Wooden Get Well Doctor Activity Center (Melissa & Doug)

15. My Gears® Machine Set (Edx Education)                                                            

16. National Geographic Microscope Science Lab (Blue Marble)

17. Ollyball (VICTURY SPORTS LLC)

18. Penguin Math Balance (Battat)

19. Pixicade Pets (BitOGenius Inc.)

20. Smartivity Hydraulic Plane Launcher (Elenco)

21. Snap Circuits Bric Structures (Elenco)

22. Stanley Jr. DIY Pull Back Race Car Kit (Red Toolbox Ltd.)

23. Superspace (Everplay Labs Limited)

24. Tale-Bot Pro (Matatalab)

25. Ultrasonic Misting Volcano (Klutz) 

Source: www.toyassociation.org