WIRED's updated 2026 STEM toy guide offers a broad selection of educational gifts, from simple building blocks to sophisticated coding tools. The list, compiled with input from parents and a teacher, focuses on toys that encourage hands-on experimentation rather than passive screen time. New additions this year include Gravity Maze, an Engine-Building Kit, and Rush Hour Deluxe, alongside perennial favorites like the Turing Tumble marble-powered computer.
Among the standout products are the Qubs Qubitunes sound stage, a screen-free wooden player that uses character tokens to trigger audio stories and music, and the Ambessa DIY Kinetic Flashlight, which kids assemble from 10 parts and power by winding. The Particula GoChess Mini, at $250, is the priciest item, offering Bluetooth connectivity and AI-guided move assistance to help children learn chess. At the lower end, the Plus Plus Mini building block set costs $44 and was particularly popular with 7- and 8-year-olds in classroom settings.
The guide highlights a clear trend toward premium pricing, with many toys exceeding $50, though some discounts are noted—such as the Qubitunes, marked down from $130 to $73. Several kits are designed for repeated disassembly and reuse, making them suitable for schools. WIRED's testing process involved real classrooms, giving the recommendations a practical grounding that parents may find reassuring when making purchasing decisions.