Tag: logic-smart

Our Favorite STEM Toys

What are your favorite STEM toys?  Or, what STEM toys do you recommend?

I get this question quite a bit…

If you’ve heard the term STEM tossed around but aren’t sure what it means, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)   And if you’ve been to our house, you know that we have quite a few STEM toys.

This blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

STEM toys are my kiddo’s favorites.  And they are MOM’s favorites too!

Why STEM Toys are Great
  • They are a great alternative to electronics, or for when kids say “I’m Bored“
  • Last many years.
  • Can be used differently each time
  • Cover a large span of ages
  • Inspire creativity and imaginative play
  • Encourage problem-solving and using logic-smarts!
  • Encourage cooperative play and teamwork   (See the picture below of my kiddos creation: “Thunderbox” a medium thrill roller coaster made with Magnatiles 🙂
So, what our favorite STEM Toys?

*I included recommended ages, but we all know that our children can’t be put into a box!  Some kids, especially those inclined towards science and math may enjoy these toys way before the recommended age!

Wedgits  (ages 3+)

favorite stem toys

Magnatiles (ages 3+)

favorite stem toys

Zoobs (ages 6+)

Gravity maze Game (ages 8+)

Roller Coaster Challenge (ages 6+)

Snap circuits (ages  5+)

This is just a beginner set.  They are more advanced sets too.

Circuit maze (ages 8+)

Marble Works  (ages 4+)

Keva Planks  (ages 5+)

favorite stem toysfavorite stem toys

 

Legos (of course!)

Duplos for the littlest engineers.

favorite stem toys
Here are my older kids using duplos to build a tower to the ceiling. Yay for teamwork!

Tinker Crate (subscription box) is another great STEM idea for ages 9-16.  These are projects sent to your house each month with detailed instructions on how to assemble.  Tinker Crate projects we’ve completed include catapults, pinball machines, hydraulic claws, and more.  A great gift idea to give a generous grandparent or aunt/uncle.

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The Logic-Smart Kid

This is the third post in a series I am doing on the Multiple Intelligences or 8 Great Smarts.  You can find the first two posts here: Nature-smart kid and Word-smart kid.  

For an overview of ALL the multiple intelligences, make sure to check out this post: Multiple Intelligences: Discovering the Way Your Child is Smart.  

It’s important to remember that the multiple intelligences are not meant to box people in. One can grow in any of them, though some come much more naturally to any given person.

This blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

If your kid never outgrew the intense question asking phase that most kids hit around 3 or 4, then you may have a logic-smart kid.  That’s because logic-smart people think with questions.

This post is all about the logic-smart kid.

Logic-smart child

What A Logic-Smart Kid Looks Like:

  • Thinks with questions.
  • Asks questions when excited.
  • Does well in math.
  • Loves puzzles.
  • Thinks for fun.
  • Needs things to make sense.
  • If bored, may resort to taking things can apart (think pens, computers, toys, etc.)  This may look like a mischievous child who gets into everthing. 🙂
  • Reads non-fiction for fun.
  • Loves science.

Possible Careers for a Logic-Smart Kid:

  • Researcher
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Meteorologist (especially when paired with nature-smarts)
  • Pharmacist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Accountant

How you can nurture Logic-Smart Kids:

  • Give them time to ask their inevitable questions.
  • Research things together.
  • Don’t shut down their questions.
  • Affirm their curious spirit.
  • If they’re having trouble finding fiction they like, encourage them to check out mysteries (logic-smart kids typically like non-fiction better, but may enjoy the problem-solving part of a mystery.)
  • If homeschooling, consider allowing them to dive deeper into their passions/interests rather than only sticking to what is on your agenda.
  • If your logic-smart child struggles with learning to read, try using “easy to read” non-fiction material on topics that interest them.

Ideas to help kids who struggle with Logic-Smarts:

  • Ask them lots of “what if” questions.
  • Play trivia games.
  • Ask questions about things they are interested in.  Have them think of questions too.

Games/Activities for Logic-Smart Kids:

Jig-saw puzzles, Sudoku, Brain teasers

 

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