Erin is an inquistitive child, full of questions with a thirst for knowledge and I try really hard to provide opportunities to explore the natural world and encourage her learning especially in STEM subjects where we know the jobs of the future will be. Therefore I am working with Bandai this year to promote their range of STEM gifts and STEM toys for 9 year olds.
Erin will be putting a range of STEM gifts through their paces and letting us know which ones excite her the most. Luckily Erin’s school does a lot to inspire her learning and this year she is a digital leader at the school which has given her some training in coding and animation. We also went to the BETT show in London which was amazing for the children as they saw so many innovative learning tools. This term she is also doing a science after school club which I have bought her for one of her Christmas presents. I take many opportunities to buy STEM gifts!
STEM is where the future is at and many of the jobs and careers that Erin’s generation will have, we have no idea about yet! During half term, I took Erin to We Are Curious in Bristol. This hands-on experience gets visitors asking questions and exploring new concepts. We had a brilliant day and it left Erin fired up.
We have started off our ambassador role by reviewing the National Geographic Dig Kits. We were sent both the National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit and the National Geographic shark tooth dig kit. These are great value kits and make ideal STEM gifts . Finding STEM toys for 9 year olds can be challenging as at this age they want to be able to play or excavate independently so it needs to have the right level of challenge.
The Gem Kit allows kids to uncover dazzling amethyst, quartz, and tiger’s eye gemstones to add to their rock collection. The National Geographic’s Gemstone Dig provides the opportunity to become a treasure hunter as they carefully uncover spectacular gemstones using the digging tools provided. National Geographic’s full-color learning guide makes identifying each specimen easy. The guide is also packed full of information and amazing facts about their crystals.
Erin used an old shoe box lid to excavate in as it is a messy process! However, she did contain all the mess within the box. The process took her about half an hour to dig out the gems and clean them up. It is a great way to provite a conversation about precious stones and how we mine them. We chatted about responsible mining afterwards too which is great. Again Erin is her classes Eco Warrior and therefore I engaged her in some critical thinking!
Erin uses any opportunity to discover more and this kit is ideal for promoting some discussion and learning about geology. She had fun with this kit and I would buy this STEM gift for others her age. It really is a good starting point for STEM toys for 9 year old.
Special mention: VR headset for kids
This comparison is not complete unless we mention Heromask, a VR headset that includes lot of fun games to practice languages or mathematics. If you’re thinking in a gift for a 5 to 12 years old kid, this is probably your best choice!
Heromask Mathematics is an innovative learning tool that combines the excitement of virtual reality with engaging math challenges. Designed for children aged 5 and up, this interactive headset transforms math practice into an adventure, helping kids sharpen their arithmetic, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills. Players solve puzzles and equations in immersive 3D environments, making learning fun and memorable. Heromask Mathematics is compatible with most smartphones and includes adjustable settings to suit different skill levels. Perfect for parents seeking an educational gift, this cutting-edge device makes math enjoyable for kids while boosting their confidence and cognitive abilities.
