STEM Construction Toys for School Age Children: here's what actually helps. Choosing toys for school-age children can be overwhelming. Shelves are lined with the latest trends, from fidget spinners to slime, which promise hours of entertainment but very little educational value.
What Are STEM Construction Toys and Why Do They Matter
In January, Illinois couple Heath and Kristi Hellstern found themselves in this position when shopping for their 9-year-old son. They wanted a toy that would be fun but also spark their child's creativity and critical-thinking skills. After reading positive reviews online about Riwi Building Blocks, they decided to give them a try.
Within minutes of opening the box - their son was busy creating elaborate structures and inventions. "He made a machine with wheels that could roll and even made a working elevator out of them," says Kristi. "The blocks are lightweight but durable and have a smooth finish. We thought that we were getting a Lego substitute but have found that these blocks far surpass our expectations."
STEM toys, of which construction toys are a subset, encourage skills in science, technology - engineering and math, preparing youth for the jobs of tomorrow. Research shows that children who regularly engage with building toys demonstrate higher levels of divergent thinking, the ability to approach a problem in multiple ways, and are better able to generate solutions.
How STEM Construction Toys for School Age Children Work in Practice
Construction toys are open-ended, meaning there are no directions or designated outcome. This allows kids to explore their own ideas and interests. "When you provide materials that have infinite possibilities - children can do and become anything," says Amanda Gummer, Ph.D., a U.K.-based child psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide, which assesses toys and apps for their developmental benefit.
Gummer says that although many construction toys are designed for children ages 6 and older - there are those that younger children can enjoy as well. Look for construction toys that allow kids to bring their own imagination and curiosity to the play. "Avoid kits that limit children's creativity," she says.
The Research Behind STEM Construction Toys
Children demonstrated significantly more STEM behaviors with loose parts than in the control condition. Block-based STEM tools like Riwi Building Blocks give kids ages 3 to 12 an open-ended foundation for engineering play. Construction toys offer cognitive benefits that support critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity for children ages 6 to.¹²
Research shows that children who build more complex structures at age 3 often develop stronger math skills by age 5. STEM toys outperform passive screen time for cognitive development, fine motor skills and creativity. Building toys introduce the "E" (engineering) and "M" (math) in STEM.
Safety Standards for Toys and Materials
Toys to be sold in the U.S. market that are produced on or after April 20, 2024 will need to comply with ASTM F963-23 as the new mandatory consumer product safety standard for toys. Toys and articles that are subject to the small parts regulations at 16 CFR Part 1501 and in ASTM F963 would fall within the definition of children's product since they're intended for children 12 years of age or younger. Under section 3(a)(2) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) - a children's product means a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger.
The Age Determination Guidelines issued by the Commission staff in September 2002 and any successor to such guidelines are a factor in determining if a product is a children's product. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously voted to approve the revised ASTM International F963 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (ASTM F963-23).
Why the Educational Toy Market Is Growing Rapidly
The Educational Toys Market was estimated at $79.78 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from $88.16 Billion in 2025 to $239.32 Billion by 2035, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period 2025 - 2035. According to research conducted by Market Research Future (MRFR), the demand for educational toys has been fueled by the rising popularity of STEM toys among children and increasing spending power of parents.
Several manufacturers are bringing innovative products to the market and coming up with creative marketing strategies to increase their share in the market. The educational toys market is driven by the growing popularity of toys among children, which aid in developing critical skills and boost learning in young children.
References
- offer cognitive benefits that support - sillbird.com
- that children who build more - toycycle.co
- outperform passive screen time for - riwi-buildit.us
- the Consumer Product Safety Act - law.cornell.edu
- $79.78 Billion - marketresearchfuture.com
