From your experience, which STEM toys are particularly effective and enjoyable for girls aged 3 to 6?

[Lee Trigonis]

Based on your knowledge and experience, could you recommend some of the best STEM toys that are suitable for girls between the ages of 3 and 6? We are looking for toys that not only engage and entertain but also promote learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Ideally, these toys should be age-appropriate, safe, and capable of capturing the interest and imagination of young girls, helping to foster a love for STEM subjects from an early age.

[Terra Lubin]

When I was young, my dad brought home interesting insects, lizards, snakes, and turtles for us to observe and touch. He involved us in gardening, teaching us how things grow, and we hunted for fossils and interesting rocks. On summer nights, we laid on blankets and observed the stars. My parents encouraged my curiosity by letting me read whatever I wanted and allowing me to take apart my toys to see how they worked. My dad watched the news with us and explained it, while my mom taught me to sing, draw, paint, and create art from anything. She shared stories, taught me about world cultures and religions, and instilled compassion in me. I later pursued art in college and earned a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology. The essential skills for science include curiosity, creativity, a drive to learn, and critical thinking. Encouraging your child to develop these qualities in their own way can make any activity a great “STEM” toy.

[Elizabeth Porco]

Snap Circuits can be successfully used by six-year-olds, as they have the motor skills and understanding required to follow the instructions. However, the age range you've mentioned is too broad because three-year-olds and six-year-olds have very different developmental stages. For a three-year-old, I would recommend reading "Magic School Bus" books to spark their interest in science and conducting simple demonstrations, like taking apart basic machines, to show them how things work. Engaging them with age-appropriate activities can help build a strong foundation for future learning.

[Dr. Mark Sanquist]

For children aged three to six, there are several engaging such tools and activities that cater to their developmental needs. Building blocks and LEGO Duplo foster creativity and spatial skills, while the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set teaches basic anatomy. Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad and Botley the Coding Robot introduce early coding and cognitive skills in an interactive way. Magformers or Magna-Tiles help with understanding geometric shapes and basic engineering, and the Tinker Tots Toolbox allows safe exploration of simple tools. Science kits like "My First Science Kit" offer hands-on experiments that spark curiosity and foundational STEM learning.