The Toy Association has unveiled its “Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List,” which includes 25 officially accredited STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toys that will enrich kids’ learning during the academic year. Families can now shop the list of toys (below), choosing from a variety of hands-on building sets as well as activities that gamify mathematical concepts and invite kids to explore outer space, natural sciences, and much more. Each featured product has passed a rigorous evaluation process to earn an official “STEAM Stamp of Approval,” and meets the strict criteria established in The Toy Association’s STEAM Toy Assessment Framework, developed in partnership with The Good Play Guide. The toys were first tested by children under professional observation, before being evaluated by The Good Play Guide, which uses a scientifically proven toy evaluation method backed by Dr. Amanda Gummer, who has a PhD in neuropsychology and more than 20 years of experience working with kids and families.
“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 (listed alphabetically by product name):
1. 50 Piece Rainbow Transport Pack (Connetix Tiles)
2. 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)
The Toy Association’s STEAM toy accreditation program was launched in 2021 in partnership with the Good Play Guide™, following years of research to identify and detail specific characteristics of a good STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toy for various age groups. Consumers can shop the list of STEAM-approved products available on Amazon on the official STEAM Accredited Toys Storefront. To learn more about The Toy Association’s ongoing STEAM initiative, visit toyassociation.org/STEAM or contact steam@toyassociation.org.