5 Toys Inspiring The Next Generation of Explorers and Scientists

When I was a kid, my mother would introduce me to toys that I’d obsess over. I loved STEM toys like rockets and Legos especially; not only because they were so much fun to play with, but because they always led to something greater. Every toy rocket I built made me want to build another one that went even higher. Every connection between Legos made me want to make another one, then another; and before long, I’d create something amazing, something I never before thought was possible. All because of that first connection.

Now, I have my own family (which is something miraculous in its own right). As we travel around California and the rest of the United States, living the most adventurous life possible, I want to inspire this same sense of wonder in my own kids. The best way I know how to do that is by taking a page out of my mother’s parenting book and offering my children similar toys that I had as a kid. Here are the STEM-inspired toys that my kids have fallen in love with most recently.

5 Toys Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers and Scientists

In this list, I’ll highlight the products I trust and use every day to inspire my own little explorers and scientists of tomorrow. Just as my mother inspired my first connection to this world of wonder, I’m here to do the same for you (and for my kids), so you can inspire your children to live a brighter, more courageous tomorrow.

You’ll notice that many of these toys are from the National Geographic line. I love this brand because all of the STEM kits come with their own full-color learning guides and some even have additional educational digital content you can tap into. Each learning guide teaches kids all about the fascinating foundational science behind each fun topic discussed below. Aside from supporting an altruistic brand like Nat Geo, the learning guides are what really set these toys apart from the rest — they truly make all the difference and ensure to me that my kids aren’t wasting their educational playtime away. Nat Geo is the only kids' toy brand with a scientific organization at its core, which is why many parents (such as myself) view them as a trusted authority on the information.

National Geographic consistently knocks it out of the park when it comes to creating educational toys, toys that kids and parents alike are sure to love. Plus, it’ll keep them busy and their attention geared in the right direction during these unprecedented times.

1. Geodes Kit

This geodes kit is one of the coolest activities you’ll find, especially for budding geologists. Geodes form with a wide variety of crystals inside, and this kit lets the kiddos break open rocks (safely with protective eyewear, of course) and find crystal treasures for themselves.

They’re 100% natural geodes (they aren’t made of plastic like some other kits you’ll find). Your kids will love the thrill involved in cracking them open, and that interest is exactly what brings them to learn more about the science behind them. Conveniently, this kit comes with a learning guide that introduces real-world meaning to their interests. This learning guide takes you through all the different types of geodes you might open in the kit, including what they are, how they form, information comparing geodes versus nodules, and where you can find the geodes in nature! It’s the perfect balance of fun and educational.

These STEM kits are fun, but also educational in a way that will actually make kids have fun while they learn.

2. Veterinarian Kit

If animals are more your kids’ thing, and not necessarily rocks, they’ll love this fun veterinarian kit.

The plush alone is super cute (and worth writing home about). It’s a little chimpanzee that’s just 10 inches tall and made with recycled materials. He’s cuddly and soft and makes sounds when his mouth, chest, and paw are pressed.

But it’s not just a stuffed animal — this kit works wonders in inspiring a love for animals in anyone who plays with it (parents included!). The future will see many animal lovers and conservationists if this veterinarian kit has anything to say about it! The kit comes with everything you need to come up with your own pseudo-wildlife refuge. You can scan the included QR code and learn more about all the creatures that Nat Geo works hard to protect around the world. The QR code also links to animal-themed profiles, games, quizzes, videos, images and more on natgeokids.com/safari.

3. Large Plush

The veterinarian kit I just talked about is a great option for those wildlife lovers in your family — but if you want to give them even more critters to work on, you should try this large gorilla plush. It is a bit larger than the chimpanzee and it teaches your child about a brand new species through additional content like videos, quizzes, and fun facts, just like they learned about the chimpanzee in the veterinarian kit.

You can go on an expedition and draw the gorilla in its habitat or even play with the bonus sticker sheet set. Even the packaging is fun — it’s made out of recycled materials and has stencils and other features so you can cut and color all day long. This packaging encourages reusability as a way of trying to be more sustainably-minded — and I just love that.

4. Marble Run

For a STEM experience that’s a bit more action-packed, try out this marble run from Nat Geo. This fun science kit comes with its own mesh storage bag and dozens of dark glass marbles.

It comes in various sizes, so you can really customize your family’s experience. The best part though is that it’s not just about playing with the marbles — it has smooth run track pieces so your kid can build their own towers, runs, and other structures to learn more about the physics of aerodynamics and physics of motion. It comes with built-in construction projects to help give you an idea of where to start, too.

Plus it glows in the dark. How cool is that!? Again, like other toys mentioned throughout, the included learning guide really sets this toy apart from others. It makes it so much fun for my kids to learn and engage, and I truly believe it puts them at an advantage by leading them in a trusted scientific direction as opposed to other toys.

5. Air Rocket

Last but not least is this rocket toy. It honestly reminds me a lot of the rockets I used to build when I was a kid — but of course, it’s a toy rocket for the modern age! With this kit, you’ll be able to build rockets that soar up to 100 feet in the air. Each rocket is equipped with built-in LED lights so you and the kids can launch them at night. That’s something I never had the opportunity to do with my own rockets (but would have loved to!).

I love this rocket because it encourages kids to get outside, play, and wonder about our solar system and the science of physics and aerodynamics. Since the adjustable launch tube that’s included makes it possible to launch rockets at all kinds of different angles, you’ll love switching things up each time you have a new launch ready to go.

Of course, no Nat Geo toy would be complete without a detailed learning guide. This one has rocket flight experiments and insight into how the physics of aerodynamics and motion actually work. It’s an incredible toy for any kid you know.

Make Something Extraordinary

Whether you choose one of these toys or something else, I encourage you to give STEM toys a try. If you’re like me and don’t have a lot of space (even if you’re not totally like me and living in your RV most of the year!) then you’ll appreciate that these toys don’t take up a ton of space, yet they make a major impact when it comes to encouraging your kids to think about the natural world in a brand new way that they can understand.

Help your little explorer discover something new. Be the catalyst for creating the best, most fun, and most educational experience possible.