By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
The Toy Association has released its Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List, which features 25 officially accredited STEAM toys.
“As families across the U.S. get ready for another back-to-school season, our list offers parents a well-vetted guide that will help kids flourish this academic year and build skills through engaging, play-based activities,” said Toy Association SD, Anna Yudina. “Parents and caregivers can feel confident that each toy listed will help support their children’s learning journey, using the proven power of play to facilitate development of age-appropriate learning goals.”
The STEAM Toy Shopping List includes a variety of hands-on activities and games that cover topics related to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Each product on the list has passed an extensive evaluation process based on criteria established in The Toy Association’s STEAM Toy Assessment Framework, which was developed in partnership with The Good Play Guide.
The testing process for the STEAM toys included professionally observed testing by children, as well as additional evaluation by experts from The Good Play Guide.
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The products included on the Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List are listed below in alphabetical order:
1. 50 Piece Rainbow Transport Pack by Connetix Tiles.
2. 66 Piece Ball Run Expansion Pack by Connetix Tiles.
3. Dino World XL 50-Piece Set by Magna-Tiles.
4. Discover 126-Piece Cardboard Construction Set by Makedo.
5. DISCOVERING STEM – Astronomy: Travelling to Space 3D Model by Engino.
6. Gravitrax Starter-Set XXL Marble Run by Ravensburger.
7. Gravitrax Vertical Starter Set Marble Run by Ravensburger.
8. Hexbug Nano Zone Sensory Toy by Spin Master.
9. LEGO Buildable Ruler Set by Santoki.
10. LEGO CITY Lunar Space Station by LEGO.
11. Locbloc Counting Blocks by Battat.
12. Magicube 24-Piece Set – Recycled by Geomag.
13. Marble Rush Launchpad Set by VTech.
14. Melissa & Doug Wooden Get Well Doctor Activity Center by Melissa & Doug.
15. My Gears Machine Set by Edx Education.
16. National Geographic Microscope Science Lab by Blue Marble.
17. Ollyball by VICTURY SPORTS LLC.
18. Penguin Math Balance by Battat.
19. Pixicade Pets by BitOGenius Inc.
20. Smartivity Hydraulic Plane Launcher by Elenco.
21. Snap Circuits Bric Structures by Elenco.
22. Stanley Jr. DIY Pull Back Race Car Kit by Red Toolbox Ltd.
23. Superspace by Everplay Labs Limited.
24. Tale-Bot Pro by Matatalab.
25. Ultrasonic Misting Volcano by Klutz.
Consumers can view and purchase the full list of products on the official STEAM Accredited Toys Storefront located on Amazon.
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association is a trade association that represents businesses involved in creating and distributing toys and entertainment products for children and youth.
The Toy Association’s STEAM toy accreditation program was launched in 2021 with help from the Good Play Guide.
The creation of the program involved several years of research to identify the appropriate characteristics of a STEAM toy for a variety of age groups and developmental milestones.
The Good Play Guide is a toy evaluation organization that was founded by Dr. Amanda Gummer in 2012. Dr. Gummer has a PhD in neuropsychology from The University of Sheffield and has worked with children and families for over twenty years.