Kids Hack Labs' Top 10 STEM Gifts - 2020
I reviewed a number of sources and put together a top 10 list of STEM toys. My criteria was not scientific but I kept the following in mind:
engaging
offline
ease of use
mix in price and target age
Give your child the gift of STEM. These gifts are a great compliment to Kids Hack Labs' Coding and Science programs.

Code Rocket by Let’s Start Coding
Age: 8 - 12
Price: $58 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
Follow 21 different coding projects of varying difficulties or code your own project
Simplifies coding and clearly demonstrates how the child's coding is impacting the rocket
Builds an interest in coding while teaching computational, critical, and creative thinking skills

Gears! Gears! Gears! Robots in Motion by Learning Resources
Age: 5 - 9
Price: $53 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
The robotic building set works with other Gears! Gears! Gears! building sets
Build robots with moving parts
Follow instructions or build your own design
Explore, understand and experience how gears function
Builds an interest in exploring while teaching creative thinking skills

Botzees by pai Technology
Age: 4 - 11
Price: $100 cdn
Purchase: Best Buy
Combines augmented reality, coding, and creativity
Build and code the robot
Code the robot to move and make sounds
Code your own motion patterns or follow instructions
Child can navigate the robot
Builds an interest in exploring and coding while teaching creative thinking skills

Gravitrax Obstacle Set by Ravensburger
Age: 8+
Price: $150 cdn
Purchase: Walmart
Works with other GraviTrax building sets - other sets range in price
Build a marble run out of 100+ pieces
Build your own design or follow plans
Builds an interest in exploring while teaching critical and creative thinking, spatial reasoning and design skills

Energy and Circuits by MindLabs
Age: 8+
Price: $20 usd (approx $26 cdn)
Purchase: MindLabs
1 - 4 children can play together remotely or in the same room
Circuit-building game that uses physical cards and a digital app
Construct the circuits with cards and they come to life via the app
Includes 22 sets of cards
Builds an interest in engineering and circuits while teaching creative thinking and problem solving

Design & Drill Space Circuits by Educational Insights
Age: 5 - 8
Price: $66 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
Space themed circuit-building game
Use problems solving skills to construct a circuit that satisfies a mission
Builds an interest in engineering and circuits while teaching creative thinking and problem solving

Hydraulic Gearbot by Pathfinders
Age: 14+ (younger children with supervision)
Price: $66 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
Build a hydraulic catapult from die-cut plywood
Once built, objects can be launched
Builds an interest in engineering and physics while teaching spatial reasoning critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, iterative design, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills

Synth Wave Kit by Tech Will Save US
Age: 12+
Price: $70 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
Build a musical synthesizer and record your music
Experiment with electronic music by interacting with various controls
Builds an interest in engineering and circuits while teaching creative thinking, problem solving and incorporating art

Moon Mission: The Epic 400-Year Journey to Apollo 11 by Kids Can Press
Age: 10 - 14
Price: $19 cdn
Purchase: Amazon
"This riveting narrative told from the astronauts' points of view offers a unique approach to the story behind Apollo 11's successful --- though nearly disastrous --- 1969 moon landing."
Detailed book that explores the history and technology of space travel
Includes "mystery" sections that document examples of science, technology, engineering and math challenges of space travel
Builds an interest in aerospace engineering

Project Crates by KiwiCo
Age: 1 - 14+
Price: $100+ (prices vary by item and subscription)
Purchase: KiwiCo
Purchase single projects or a subscription to a project of the month
Project themes range from Science, Art, Geography and Early learning
Each project requires the child to construct something
Builds an interest in exploration and engineering while teaching resilience and problem solving