STEM Gift Guide
Give the gift of STEM! The STEM Action Center has put together a list of STEM gifts we like for students of all ages, with gifts colorful enough for kindergarten, and cool enough for high school. We’ve also included links to STEM-themed books everyone will love.
*Please note, prices may vary from what is listed below.
Pre-K (ages 2-5)
playtab - modular sensory activity board
Mix and match your discovery. A modular sensory toy, PlayTab lets you build a unique experience packed with fine motor challenges, visual fascination, cause-and-effect discoveries, and more.
Grab the tablet and then choose from the twelve unique tiles.
Also available at Tutoring Toy, 1400 S. Foothill Dr. #108, Salt Lake City
Air toobz evo
Arrange the tubes and connectors in any way you can imagine. Create loops and swirls. Weave them under tables and over desks. Then, switch on the fan and let the experimentation begin.
Can you make the foam balls leap from one tube to the next, or hover in mid-air, or go around and around in an endless cycle? The exploration opportunities are endless!
Acorn Soup and Monkey Around Set
Making Acorn Soup is easy as 1-2-3! The round box bottom doubles as a bowl, which contains wooden ingredients and a sturdy wooden spoon for mixing and stirring. Simple recipe cards teach toddlers to identify the ingredients and count as they cook. Mix, stir, eat and play together! Counting, pretend play, sorting, fine-motor skills are benefits of this fun, interactive game.
snap-bots
Survive the quake engineering kit
color-changing touch board
Life cycles theme box
Children learn all about the life cycles of frogs, butterflies and plants with comprehensive, hands-on lessons that span the curriculum. From a greenhouse window and seeds to engaging puzzles and stamps, this themed box is packed with materials that help children explore living things and how they grow.
Five senses theme box
From a feely box and manipulatives to taste packets and a rainbow viewer, this themed box is packed with materials that help children explore textures, flavors, sights, sounds and scents.
lEARN TO COUNT! DOUGH MATS
Kids learn to count with these hands-on dough mats. Each mat features an irresistible, kid-friendly image that corresponds to a number from 1 to 20. Children simply create dough shapes to complete the image—and build counting skills as they play.
cOUNT YOUR CHICKENS
The baby chicks have flown the coop, and it's time to bring them back! With a fun spinner and counting mechanics, children will practice counting, turn-taking, and teamwork—all while having a blast.
IMAGINATION PATTERNS
Calling all puzzle and pattern lovers! Imagination Patterns features the same popular shapes and puzzles as our original Imagination Magnets set, but adds cheerful checks, snappy stripes and polka dots. Boost your child's fine motor and visual-thinking skills with this strategic building tool.
magna-tiles: safari animals
Imaginations run wild with the MAGNA-TILES Safari Animals 25-Piece Set! Whether indoors or outdoors, at home or in the classroom, little explorers can let their curiosity lead the way as they follow the footprints of each adorable safari animal through this vibrant colored habitat.
Also available at Tutoring Toy, 1400 S. Foothill Dr. #108, Salt Lake City
Planet Plates
Your next party will be out-of-this-world with the Unemployed Philosophers Guild Planet Plates. This set of eight cosmic plates features all of our solar system's planets (sorry, Pluto). These dishwasher-safe dishes are brightly-colored and detailed.
Buy in person at Clark Planetarium's store at 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City.
MELISSA AND DOUG BLOCKABLES
stem bath blocks
Buy in person at the Red Balloon store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
space circuits
Dive into the captivating world of electronics with this space-themed STEM kit designed for kids. With over 50 engaging challenges, children can build circuits to light up, create sounds, and more—perfect for igniting their creativity.
Build-it-yourself woodworking kit
Imagine it...then build it! Kids create project after project using smooth pine pieces in a wide variety of shapes. It includes a lightweight hammer, nails, glue and more.
discover cardboard construction kit by makedo usa
This is the ultimate cardboard construction kit for your squad. Be it family or friends, young or old, solo, duo or more... this toolbox contains all the age suitable tools needed to collaborate and make just about anything from up-cycled cardboard. Imagine costumes, vehicles, forts and creatures. An immersive, hack-able world of your own making is at your fingertips.
Junior science academy: bath time science
Science makes a big splash in this kit specially designed to turn bath time into playful learning time. Junior scientists will complete five fun experiments including mixing and using bath paint, creating a bath foam eruption with a floating volcano, observing under water sounds, playing a sink-or-float game and more.
make your own birdhouse craft
Invite local birds to your yard with a bird house you make and decorate yourself. Made of thick pine boards that slot together for easy construction, this sturdy birdhouse is designed for outdoor use. The full-color guide includes instructions, painting tips, and advice on how to attract birds to your birdhouse as well as facts about the birds that you may see.
dig it up! discoveries: wild animals
Junior explorers will have a roaring good time as they chisel away the animal pods to discover a chimpanzee, peacock, leopard and more. Use the excavation guide to learn about each fascinating creature. Simply soak the clay pods in water, then carefully chisel away the sedimentary material to reveal the wild animals inside.
Cupstruction forts
CupStruction Forts offers kids and families an easy way to build fun, sturdy forts. Following the suggested builds or your own unique ideas, stack the specially designed cups that interlock into place, then slide on the builder rings and connect the builder rods.
create & design drill kit
Kids design and drill their way to one-of-a-kind masterpieces. They just grab the super-safe drill, choose one of 20 designs and start drilling—boosting fine motor and engineering skills as they play. Kids will love re-creating each design or inventing their very own.
light play lab
Explore light and color with a super shadow show. Set up a canvas screen and use the projector to make shadows with your hands, body, and solid shapes. Shine light through the clear critters and customizable panels to tell stories.
chemistry play lab
Give your young scientist everything they need to experiment with color combinations, fizzy reactions, and more. This lab set features push-button pumps for mixing and measuring, kid-safe chemicals for kid-led discoveries, and an easy-to-clean workstation for when experiments go awry. Ready to get pumped for chemistry?
learning resources gears! gears! gears!
This STEM building set boosts kids critical-thinking and early engineering skills with open-ended play inspired by outer space exploration. This game encourages open-ended play that lets kids' imaginations explore a galaxy of their own designs!
Klutz ultrasonic misting volcano
With the Klutz Ultrasonic Misting Volcano Kit, kids can learn about the science behind volcanoes by creating a misty, cloud-making volcano. The 32-page book included in the kit will walk kids through nine different experiments that will teach them about environmental disasters, volcanic eruptions, electronic circuitry, and ultrasonic sound waves.
Buy in person at Clark Planetarium's store at 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City.
mindware junior science academy: magic potion science chemistry set
Created specifically to give young learners an introduction to science that’s educational, interactive and full of fascinating fun. Experience amazing hands-on science as you grow a magic crystal wand, make a balloon mysteriously inflate and experiment with other magic mixes in this potion kit.
snap circuits spy kit
Build a working motion detector to protect your stuff, activate the voice changer to send cryptic messages, learn how trip wires work, shield your valuables with the vibration sensor, activate alarms with light or sound, and much more.
Buy in person at Clark Planetarium's store at 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City.
best you krafty kitchen snacks kit
An exciting way to introduce kids to the joy of healthy eating, Best You Krafty Kitchen Snacks goes beyond recipes, offering a unique blend of food exploration and classic games like tic tac toe and memory. Watch as snack time transforms into a fun-filled culinary adventure!
craft-tastic make a bunny friend
Kids will sew a cuddly bunny friend all by themselves with this kit. After you create the stuffed bunny, dress her up with the accompanying 6 ready-made garments and accessories. Sewing is a wildly popular life skill, and this project is one you can be proud of!
wind play lab
See how wind makes things spin, fly, and boogie with hands-on sensory play. Create a mini wind tunnel with a kid-safe fan, and see how scarves, a pinwheel, and foam pieces move inside it. Watch a fabric tube dancer wiggle in the wind, and make balls float in mid-air with the power of science!
create my own scratch art light box!
Ideal for young artists aged 6 and up, this kit allows children to scratch their own designs into special coated sheets, revealing vibrant colors that glow when illuminated from behind.
WORKING HYDRAULICS
Control all arm movements with water-filled syringes for safe operation. Demonstrates basic hydraulic principles and mechanical systems. Made from sustainable birch plywood with smooth, child-safe edges. Features vibrant, non-toxic construction vehicle graphics.
gigantic paper planes
Detailed instructions provide all you need to fold enormous paper planes, with wingspans up to 17 inches wide. Make awesome aircraft, including the F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and Tornado fighter jets.
bouncing planet maker by copernicus toys
Create a bunch of multicolored planets and moons that bounce. Kit includes ten colorful packets of terraforming powder and two molds for both big and small planets. To complete your solar system, the kit provides several planetary rings and a little space ship.
crystal growing volcano
Exploding onto the crystal growing scene is our new volcano kit. The kit includes the paper form of the volcano, a tray, terraforming solution and instructions. Pour in the magic terraforming solution and watch your mighty volcano grow, effloresce, and bloom.
crystal growing sequoia
Introducing our take on the classic crystal growing tree: the mighty Giant Sequoia. This kit includes everything you need to grow your own little Sequoia in hours, plus cool facts about these incredible trees.
4M Toysmith KidzRobotix Tin Can Robot
The 4M Tin Can Robot teaches the value of recycling by repurposing a used can into a fun and functional robot. No special tools or knowledge required; the kit contains detailed instructions and all the necessary parts. Just add a used soda pop can and let the fun begin. Use the kit to create a silly robot or a motorized monster, or a combination of the two.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City.
3rd - 5th Grade
dsicovery mindblown
Does your child dream about creating the next greatest invention? Want a fun, exciting way to keep them entertained? Introducing the Discovery Mindblown DIY toy model engine kit. Let your kid get their hands on this DIY mini replica of a classic four cycle internal combustion gasoline car engine. This intuitive, engaging gadget allows children to play around with the valves, cylinders, cranks, and pistons all in one kit.
national geographic flower & herb gardening kit
With this complete set, kids will have fun decorating their pots, then planting cosmos, nasturtium, and basil seeds. The included materials make growing an herb and flower garden easy. This super-fun kids garden kit includes three durable, stainless steel pots that are perfect for decorating. Kids can use the 15 stickers and 6 paints included with the kit to make their garden beautiful.
WIzarding world harry potter, bitzee interactive toy
Digital friends you can interact with: Interact with Harry Potter characters like never before with Bitzee. The Hogwarts pod responds to touch, movement, swipes & tilts with interactions and sounds. Each character arrives on Hogwarts Express, just like the movies. Fill the cauldron meter to collect Harry, Hermione, Ron, Hedwig, Dobby and more.
kinetic light-up speaker
Make some noise with a light-up speaker — built by you. Get familiar with electronic components as you build the speaker’s circuit to connect lights and sounds. As the music plays, lights flash and foam balls bounce to the beat. Ready to get movin’ and groovin’ with electronics?
Coding for kids with minecraft
CodaKid’s Minecraft Java coding educational software provides 90+ hours of interactive lessons designed to engage and educate kids, teaching them to become creators. Students learn real Java coding and video game design using the professional text editor Eclipse to create amazing Minecraft mods to share with family and friends.
smartivity robotic mechanical hand
Bring out your inner super hero with this exciting mechanical machine. Our step-by-step instructional manual ensures a deeply engaging DIY experience, perfect for kids to construct and enjoy for hours. As kids build their own toys, they learn about the science around us, developing a lifelong love for science.
makeblock mbot robot kit
Entry-level Coding Robot Toy: mBot robot kit is an excellent educational robot toys, designed for learning electronics, robotics and computer programming in a simple and fun way. From Scratch to Arduino, this STEM projects helps kids to learn programming step by step via interactive software and learning resources.
gravitrax kinetic blast marble run
Looking for a toy that keeps kids engaged, learning, and having fun? The GraviTrax Kinetic Blast Set delivers a one-of-a-kind marble run experience that brings STEM concepts to life through interactive play. Blast the marbles through your tracks using the thrilling action elements, explore physics in motion, and unleash their creativity like never before.
lego space roller coaster
Space fans ages 9+ enjoy an exhilarating trip to an amusement park with this highly detailed LEGO Creator 3-in 1 Space Roller Coaster (31142). The playset includes a winding roller coaster track featuring 3 moving carts for fun rides, which zoom past a decorative space rocket, models of Saturn and Earth, a moon base and a shooting star.
Buy in person at Clark Planetarium's store at 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City.
scrib3d 3d printing pen
Create, draw, doodle, and build in 3D with this versatile, high-quality 3D pen. The SCRIB3D P1 enhances spatial thinking, creativity, and artistic skills. Ideal for collaborative projects, handmade creations, decorations, or everyday repairs.
deluxe eco robotics
A fascinating DIY experience powered by the sun! As young engineers work their way through the two levels of robot construction, their minds quickly expand and their imaginations roll into endless possibilities!
run the runaway
Aspiring fashion designers, bring your clothing creations to life. This comprehensive fashion designer set includes over 450 fabrics, a versatile sketchbook, easy-to-follow dress patterns and essential design tools to turn your vision into reality!
Lava Lip Gloss Lab
Learn some basics of kinetic chemistry while you make 3 trippy tubes of lava lip gloss! Aspiring chemists will have a blast conducting a test tube lava experiment and observing the effects of different liquid densities.
gravity drop
With the LEGO® Gravity Drop Activity Kit, creativity meets the thrill of physical science. This kit comes complete with everything needed to construct a captivating 18-inch tall marble maze, featuring wooden balls, LEGO® Technic elements and a sturdy chipboard frame that bring the fundamentals of physics to life right before your eyes.
pendulum art machine
Discover the science of swing with a pendulum-powered art machine you build yourself! Swing the platform, release the pen, and watch amazing automatic art unfold before your eyes.
science of cooking
Science is never cooler than when you’re using it to make ice cream! Learn about the science behind ice crystals and freezing, how air is one of the most important ingredients in ice cream, and how stabilizers help keep dessert delicious. Then customize the included recipes to make all sorts of creamy concoctions
national geographic break open geodes
Break open these rocks to reveal amazing crystals inside. Geology doesn’t get more exciting than breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures.
metal detector starter kit
This metal detector kit is the perfect tool for a treasure-hunting expedition. The 7.4" dual coil is waterproof up to 4" and can detect objects up to 4" deep. It's perfect as a beach metal detector. Simple operation makes it easy for kids to start treasure hunting.
Hello Blink Sticker Maker
Create and Print Your Own Sticker Art: Design and print your own custom sticker art! Design it, Print it, Color It, Stick It! This craft is great for kids who love to create custom and personalized art.
Available at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City.
kidzlabs color lab mixer
Includes 18 fun experiments; learn about mixing colors and light refraction. Designed for active participation; ideal for curious and creative kids.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City.
Arcade alley ball
Each player gets 60 seconds high score wins! Electronic score counter and sound effects. Giant 3 Foot (95cm) track. Fast paced action, just like the arcade.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City.
potato clock
This exciting kit allows kids to power a clock using potatoes, introducing them to the concept of alternative energy sources in a fun and engaging way. Find out what other substances will power the clock - you'll be amazed. Kids can use various liquids like soft drinks and juice to activate the clock, encouraging experimentation and discovery.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City.
magic water tap
Build Your Own Magic Water Tap - Assemble a jaw-dropping water tap that creates a continuous stream of water, showcasing the wonders of science! Allows kids to explore the principles of water pressure and motion.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City.
6th - 8th Grade
4d build space shuttle with led lights
For the avid traveler or lover of space exploration, this 4D Build Space Shuttle is beckoning to be displayed on your shelf or as coffee table decor. This 4D Build model kit includes all the details of a Space Shuttle – you can even check out what’s going on inside – plus LED lights to imitate the sparkling windows of the spacecraft before blasting off.
4m science in action water rocket
Launch a rocket with nothin but air and water! There’s no fire or explosives or anything - how high could it possibly fly? Learn about pressure and suddenly see your rocket BLAST!
4M Crystal Growing Science Kit
Watch as sparkling crystals form right before your eyes! Perfect for young science enthusiasts, especially those with an interest in geology!
instant snow station
Leave the cold outside and bring the joy of the snow indoors! Using the large, colorful plastic base station, dozens of fun tools, and super-expanding instant snow powder, you can make, play with, and experiment with an avalanche of amazing instant snow. Simply combine the non-toxic snow powder with water and watch it expand to hundreds of times its original size, creating a light and fluffy material resembling snow. No mittens required!
Available at the Red Balloon Toy Store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City.
engino deluxe architecture set
This deluxe set builds working models of a house, a pyramid and various types of bridges (beam, arch, truss, cable-stayed and suspension) along with huge models of the world famous Eiffel Tower in France (59" tall) and the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia (56" in length)!
home grown: grow a garden in your kitcken
Introducing no-waste kitchen gardening. The complete set of Home Grown Growing Kit includes everything kids need to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs from common kitchen produce, like growing a head of lettuce from a romaine base. Home Grown Growing Lamp provides light in areas lacking direct sun. Its slim design tucks neatly onto most any countertop or other indoor space.
paper making kit
Learn the art of paper making by transforming used paper into unique creations, with our paper mache kit. Promoting environmental awareness and hands-on creativity in a fun and engaging way for kids. Comes with a plastic mesh tray, screen, plaster molds, various paints, glow paint, a brush, and a scroll tool, everything needed to create colorful, textured paper projects at home.
Available at The Red Balloon Toy Store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City.
table tennis robot
Ace your serve with a table tennis robot you build yourself. Tinker with motors, assemble a launcher, and wire it up. Then grab a racket and test your reflexes. Experiment with spin, and learn the science behind every bounce.
spinning sand garden
Make a meditative art machine that draws spiraling patterns in the sand. Engineer a rotating geared base and customize your setup to create a changing, spinning generative art machine that soothes.
craft culture beginners wood burning kit
The Complete Woodburning Kit for Beginners includes everything needed to turn into a woodburning champion. Follow the step-by-step instructions, sketch, burn, and paint and produce 8 beautiful art projects.
Gskyer Telescope
Comes with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens.3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines inside make locating objects easy.
rokr 3d puzzle marble run
This is a miniature house marble run model toy full of cyberpunk style, with a total length of about 187cm of track inside. When marbles are thrown into the hole, it will shuttle through the city and rolling marbles from top to bottom by gravity, then climb up the lift to the top and repeat the entire process.
rokr 3d puzzle swing ride
This 3D wooden puzzle takes 6 hours to complete. When you press the switch, the lights will on and the music will play. Besides, the flying chairs and mirror tower will rotate automatically.
zipstring luma and zipstring
Unlock the secrets of flight and dive into a world of wonder with ZipString! This little gem is not just a toy—it's an imagination booster that will take you on a journey through the realms of propeller dynamics and the science of levitation. It's like having your own personal museum of mind-blowing spinning and flying adventures, all right at your fingertips.
hydraulic boxing bots
Build two boxing robots that are powered by hydraulics. Learn about the physics, design, and components of hydraulic (water-powered) mechanisms, including gears, cylinders, and pistons. The upper and lower body move independently to simulate real-life movements, allowing these boxing bots to dodge, jab, and punch with accuracy.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City
green engineering
You can construct a model home with a variety of features that demonstrate different aspects of green architecture and sustainable living. Model house measures approximately 14” long, 8” tall, 7” wide. This comprehensive kit includes a solar panel, home energy storage battery, water pump to create a climate control system, LEDs, light sensor, robotic lawn mower, green roof for growing plants, and more.
Buy in person at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City
diy rainbow catcher
This clever snap-together rainbow maker catches sunlight and projects tiny rainbows into your room like a disco ball. The included book is chockfull of information about how rainbows form: the science of sunlight, prisms, and the very special weather conditions under which rainbows might appear.
Buy in person at Red Balloon Store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City
9th - 12th Grade
retro games coding advent calendar
Game your way through the holiday countdown with an inventive calendar that tasks techies with building a new electronic challenge every day.
rokr 3d woodeN puzzle movie projector
Once assembled, the 3D wooden puzzle can play films in dark room. Just hold it 12 inches away against a white screen, rotate the handcrank, and you can see the vivid animation.
lego architecture LONDON skyline building set
build and play chess set
Construct a mechanical chessboard with hidden drawers and advance your game. Built-in geared drawers swing out to store your customizable all-wood pieces. Then, get your game on with an illustrated “Ready, Set, Chess!” book that guides players through a first game and beyond.
discovery plasma ball
Experience an incredible display of interactive light that you can control Simply place your fingertip against the glass sphere and watch as the lighting -like plasma beams follow your every move. With its built-in sound sensor, the plasma will also respond to your voice or music, creating an amazing 360 degree light show like no other.
the thames & kosmos microscope
This student microscope offers versatile magnification levels of 60x, 150x, and 600x, achieved through a 15x ocular lens and three objective lenses (4x, 10x, 40x). Smartphone Integration: A universal smartphone adapter is included, enabling users to capture photos and videos of their microscopic observations using their own smartphone camera.
powerup 4.0
Grab a sheet of paper, fold it, and go! Instantly put yourself in the cockpit of an amazing smartphone controlled paper airplane that does high speed tricks. The bluetooth module, which includes autopilot control, connects to your phone so you can experience the sensation of flying countless paper, foam, and even Balsa Wood airplane models.
Available at Tutoring Toy at 1400 S Foothill Dr #108, Salt Lake City
butterfly garden
Our Award-Winning Butterfly Garden® kit provides an unforgettable learning experience for your family or classroom. This all-in-one kit arrives to your door with 5 baby Painted Lady caterpillars and the accessories needed to complete this fascinating butterfly life cycle project.
Available at The Red Balloon Toy Store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City
3d cyber googles
3D Cyber Goggles are a futuristic-style toy accessory designed to make kids feel like they’re entering a digital or sci-fi world. They usually have bold shapes, bright neon colors, and transparent or tinted lenses that give a “cyberpunk” or “virtual reality” look.
Available at The Red Balloon Toy Store at 2033 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City
STEM Books
The way things work book
The sweeping new update to the worldwide bestseller, The New Way Things Work includes all new sections on the technology that most impacts our everyday lives.
puffy the clud prince: a fun introduction to cloud technology for young leaders
Puffy the Cloud Prince is a beautifully illustrated children's book that blends the magic of storytelling with the wonders of modern technology. Set in the enchanting Cloud Kingdom, this educational adventure follows Puffy, a young cloud prince, as he sets out on a royal quest to understand how his kingdom works-and what it takes to one day become king.
botanicum: welcome to the museum book by kathy willis and katie scott
The 2017 offering from Big Picture Press’s Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.
Additional STEM Book Recommendations –STEM Action Center
We have our own webpage compiling a list of STEM books we love, whether you’re a first-grader or a college graduate. Check out some of these books to find a great gift.
