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STEM Learning for Early Childhood

Inspire curiosity and hands-on discovery with Kaplan’s STEM learning resources. From science exploration to engineering, math, and robotics, these classroom-ready tools help children build critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills through engaging, play-based learning experiences.

Acrylic Specimen Stones: Plants - 9 Stones
Item: 38035
Status: In Stock
$54.95
2 years & up. Durable set of plant specimens in shatter-resistant acrylic. Set includes 9 authentic specimens; rose, rice, fibrous root, taproot, clover, wheat, maple leaf, daisy and fern frond. Double-sided cards featuring detailed images, fun facts and important information included. The stones fit perfectly inside the Specimen Stone Tabletop Stand for display in classroom centers (sold separately, item 38036).
Snap and Stack Thistle Blocks - 220 Pieces
Item: 300585
Status: In Stock
$64.95
18 months & up. Encourage creative play, tactile exploration, and open-ended building with the Snap and Stack Thistle Blocks. This 220-piece set features durable, flexible plastic blocks with soft bristles that easily snap together, allowing children to build anything their imagination can create. A variety of sizes and bright colors inspire patterning, color and shape recognition, and early STEM learning while strengthening fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. The large assortment of pieces supports both independent and collaborative building experiences, making it ideal for classrooms and learning centers. Includes activity cards to extend learning and inspire new building challenges. Largest piece measures 5.28"L x 1.89"W. Smallest piece measures 1.42"L x .55"W.
Acrylic Specimen Stones: Bugs - 9 Stones
Item: 38033
Status: In Stock
$64.95
2 years & up. Support collaborative conversation and exploratory play with this durable set of  9 bug specimens in a shatter-resistant acrylic. Set includes 9 authentic specimens; wasp, bee, butterfly, ladybeetle, scorpion, cricket, pill bug, june beetle, and spider. Double-sided reference cards included with the set offer vivid images and fun facts to deepen observation, vocabulary, and scientific curiosity. Ideal for <strong>classroom science centers</strong>, discovery tables, or early childhood STEM activities, these specimen stones encourage children to observe, compare, and discuss the natural world. Each stone measures 2.25"L x 1.5"W x 1"H.  Also pair perfectly with the Specimen Stone Tabletop Stand (sold separately) for easy display and group learning.
Texture Time: Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit
Item: 38011P
Status: In Stock
$99.95 - $109.95
18 months & up. The possibilities of discovery are multiplied when rich variables are at children's fingertips. Container Play: Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit is a laboratory of opportunity to experiment and explore various loose parts with different textures and colors. Sorting by color, size, and shape, as well as creating patterns, helps toddlers develop problem-solving and basic math concepts.
See Options for Texture Time: Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit
Acrylic Specimen Stones: Sea Creatures - 9 Stones
Item: 38034
Status: In Stock
$69.95
2 years & up. Durable set of sea creature specimens in shatter-resistant acrylic. Set includes 9 authentic specimens; sea star, shrimp, sea anemone, brown algae, hermit crab, crab, seahorse, tiger barb, and red algae. Double-sided cards featuring detailed images, fun facts, and important information included. The stones fit perfectly inside the Specimen Stone Tabletop Stand for display in classroom centers (sold separately, item 38036).
Acrylic Specimen Stones: Creepy Crawlers - 9 Stones
Item: 301316
Status: In Stock
$59.95
2 years and up. Inspire scientific inquiry by giving children an in-depth look at a few of the world's creepy crawlers. Set in acrylic, these authentic Creepy Crawler Specimen Stones enable children to examine crickets, spiders, and other interesting insects. Additionally, the stones come with reference cards that will extend learning with colorful images and fascinating facts.
Acrylic Specimen Stones: Fossils - 9 Stones
Item: 301315
Status: In Stock
$59.95
2 years and up. Spark curiosity and scientific exploration by giving children an up-close view of the ancient world with this set of Fossil Specimen Stones. Encased in clear, shatter-resistant acrylic, these authentic specimens show children shells, stones, shark's teeth, and other artifacts from prehistoric times. The set's reference cards feature colorful images and fascinating facts that will enhance any science activity.
Natural Stack and Sort Board
Item: 33141
Status: In Stock
$68.95
12 months & up. This oversized board features colorful counting discs for sorting onto stationary pegs. Double-sided wooden squares show numbers 0 through 9 on one side and corresponding dot patterns on the other. The removable counting discs offer versatile opportunities for matching, counting, and practicing addition and subtraction, both on and off the board. Measures 15.75"L x 3.5"W x 4"H.
Specimen Stone Tabletop Stand
Item: 38036
Status: In Stock
$68.95
2 years & up. Beautifully display the pieces from the Specimen Stones sets (sold separately) using the durable, beechwood Specimen Stone Tabletop Stand. Keep a complete set of 9 stones visible and organized during and between supplemental lessons using this easy-to-use display.
Little Pavers Block Builders - 60 Pieces
Item: 35496
Status: In Stock
$59.95
2 years & up. Increase the authenticity of your child's open-ended building experience with these weighted Little Pavers - 60 piece set. Children 2 and up will incorporate these hexagonal miniature pavers into unique architectural builds while stacking, creating patterns and using natural, loose parts. The matte surface texture supports indoor and outdoor play. Set includes 10 double-sided concept cards that serve as creative inspiration to further the hands-on buildling experience. Use with Little Bricks for even more construction play opportunities. Natural, loose parts not included. One Little Paver measures 0.6"L x 1.35"W x 1.55"H.
1 - 10 Number Stacker - Count and Learn
Item: 34023
Status: In Stock
$79.95
18 months & up. The 1-10 Stackers will help children learn early number concepts and are ideal to support early number sense and counting. The stacker bases measure 2" and show four different representations for each number: numeral, standard 1-5 dice array, random dot array, and 10-frame pattern. Made from responsibly sourced beechwood, each set includes ten number posts (2.5"-7") and 55 rings.
Feels-Write Number Stones - Numbers 0 - 9
Item: 62963
Status: In Stock
$67.95
2 years & up. These beautiful stones offer a tactile and visual way of introducing young children to number formation. Each stone is carefully engraved to provide important sensory feedback. Children will enjoy tracing each number with their finger building important motor-memory skills. Have children run to the number you call out for a fun outdoor learning experience that will encourage children to learn while they play. Each set contains 10 number stones (numbers 0-9) measuring 3.5" - 6" and an activity guide.
Tactile Counting Stones
Item: 142483
Status: In Stock
$59.95
2 years & up. The Tactile Counting Stones display number arrays from 1 to 10. These stones are a great resource to introduce and support math concepts including counting, number recognition, subitizing, and number bonds. Ideal for sensory math investigations. Made from a unique stone mix and durable for use in sand, water, and outside. Stones measure 3". Included: 20 Tactile Counting Stones, with two stones of each number 1 to 10.