Inspire kids to turn off their screens with these 7 brain-building toys

For former kids now of a certain age, one of the most dreaded phrases in the English language was “educational toy.”  A generation ago, anything in that category was about as exciting to unwrap as a pair of socks. Luckily for today’s kids — and parents — there now is a Santa’s sack full of options to inspire a child’s creativity; get them interested in science, technology, engineering and math; and unleash their inner Einstein. More important, they’re so fun that kids might actually want to shut off their screens to play with them. 

But how do you know which STEM toys will pique a child’s interest and grow those brain cells? 

John Martinez, MSU Denver Physics laboratory coordinator, knows a thing or two about getting kids interested in science. He does outreach to local schools, armed with toys so fun that kids often don’t know they’re participating in science. He said kids from preschool to high school like tactile toys, things they can hold and manipulate. 

Bethany F. Dillen, Ph.D., a Psychological Sciences professor, loves classics such as Lincoln Logs and Marble Run. “I like less techy things that let them do what they want with their imagination,” said Dillen, who studies how children learn and grow, particularly in the context of education.  

She’s a fan of toys that encourage trial and error, so kids can figure out on their own what works and what doesn’t.

RELATED: How to get kids to love science and math

Below are seven toys Dillen and Martinez say kids will be thrilled to unwrap and will enjoy even though they’ll be learning something. And to the list add something that can’t be wrapped up: experiences, such as visits to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, both of which regularly offer free days and an opportunity to engage with your children. “The thing kids want most is our attention,” Dillen said. 

Coding Critters

This award-winning, screen-free toy uses kids’ fascination with animals to teach basic coding. Kids plan a pet’s movements to play, fetch, hide and seek using paw-print decals. The original set comes with a puppy and a larger dog, decals, storybook and, yes, a fire hydrant. For ages 4 and up. 

KiwiCo

A subscription service, KiwiCo provides monthly kits for kids that are tailored to a child’s age and interests. Each kit contains five or six activities, and themes include building simple machines, learning geography and making ice cream (because after all, cooking is chemistry). Kits are offered for infants and kids up to 18 years. 

Magna Tiles

Brightly colored, BPA-free plastic magnetized tiles in multiple shapes set kids free to build castles, bridges or whatever their imaginations can dream up. One set includes more than 100 shapes and sizes. For ages 3 and up. 

The Doctor’s Office

This role-playing kit comes with a working stethoscope, a blood-pressure monitor, a reflex hammer and information about anatomy. Dillen likes this toy because it inspires imaginative child-led play. “Any time we can use sociodramatic play — kids pretending to do things they see adults do — that helps them think about and understand society’s rules and social norms,” she said. For ages 4-10. 

Raspberry Pi

This may have all the elements of a toy — it’s fun, engaging and hard to put down — but is a computing platform about the size of a cellphone. Attachments are available that teach coding, and kids and adults can program it to perform a variety of operations. For ages 12 and up. 

Diffraction glasses

These affordable stocking stuffers have thousands of tiny slits on the lenses. When light hits these slits, it bends and breaks into colors. That makes for a colorful display of light diffraction in action, Martinez said. For all ages. 

Plasma globes

Devised by Nikola Tesla, the inventor who pioneered the use of alternating current electricity, these clear glass containers are filled with noble gases, with a high-voltage electron in the center. All of which makes it look like magic is happening. “You touch it, and the fronds inside the glass stick to your fingers,” Martinez said. “And if you take a light bulb and place it outside the glass ball, it will light up.” While kids are oohing and ahhing, they’re also learning about states of matter and electric fields. For all ages, although younger children need supervision.