Skip to main content

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.

Branch Blocks - 36 Pieces
Item: 91332
Status: In Stock
$49.95
3 years & up. Give block play a natural feel with our Branch Blocks. The intact textured bark on each building piece adds sensory exploration mirroring the organic benefits of outdoor play. These blocks empower children to construct all sorts of structures and develop key STEM skills such as sorting and stacking. The blocks' nature-inspired design will also deepen childrens' appreciation of nature and may even make them feel like they are constructing their own habitats. Includes 36 wood pieces.
STEM Journals - Set of 10
Item: 86303
Status: In Stock
$24.95
3 years & up. This 8 page STEM Journal outlines how to utilize the scientific process in an early childhood classroom. Each of the 11"L x 8.5"W pages provide a space for children to draw pictures along with developmentally appropriate lines to write text as they utilize the scientific method. Perfect addition to any science center! Set of 10 journals.
Ramptastic - STEM Ramp for Testing Velocity
Item: 63780
Status: In Stock
$74.95
3 years & up. This sturdy wooden incline ramp invites children to explore STEM concepts through prediction and experimentation. The six varying textures give children the opportunity to test the effects of surfacing, weight, and velocity on the potential speed and function of different objects. Ramptastic also introduces simple machines to children and is the perfect addition to the STEM toys in your classroom. Activity card(s) included. Cars sold separately. Measures 12.5"L x 4.75"W x 4.25"H.
Jurassic Adventure STEM Learning Interactive Take Home Activities Kit
Item: 63629
Status: Out of Stock
$44.95
3 years & up. Bring dinosaurs to life through hands-on STEM exploration and literacy-rich learning. The Jurassic Adventure STEM Learning Interactive Take-Home Activities Kit invites children and families to explore fossils, prehistoric life, and early science concepts through engaging, play-based experiences. This comprehensive learning kit combines storytelling, tactile exploration, and interactive activities to build early literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Children discover how fossils are formed, examine dinosaur skulls, and participate in matching and inquiry-based activities that encourage observation and discussion. Designed for both classroom and home use. Packed in a convenient backpack for easy transport, this STEM kit fosters curiosity about the natural world and early scientific discovery.  The kit includes a book, learning materials, and activity cards.<br /> <br />  
Animal Adventure STEM Learning Kit
Item: 63630
Status: In Stock
$44.95
3 years & up. Bring the adventure indoors with this engaging Animal Adventure STEM Learning Kit. This take-home STEM kit promotes literacy, dexterity, fine motor skills, color recognition, and collaborative learning. The adventure kit invites families to participate in enjoyable STEM based learning together. Activity card included. Contents may vary slightly.
Wooden Block Balance Scale
Item: 63232
Status: In Stock
$34.95
This 17-piece Wooden Block Balance set provides a hands-on STEM experience featuring cubes, rectangles and notched squares to creatively stack on the curved balance board. Explore and experiment by arranging the blocks on each side of the board to evenly distribute weight to achieve a balanced result. Children will develop STEM-based skills such as spatial sense, estimation, reasoning, probability, and the concepts of none, more, less, most, smaller, smallest, bigger, biggest. Included: Balance Board, 8 Cube Blocks, 4 Rectangle Blocks, and 4 Notched Square Blocks.
Block Science Foundation Set A - 55 Piece Set
Item: 89786
Status: Ships From Manufacturer
$144.95
$79.95
3 years & up. This Foundation Set is designed to exercise early engineering concepts, collaboration, and the study of matter, motion and mathematics. Plastic building and roadway clips stabilize builds, drawbridges and loops to enable taller, sturdier and more mobile tracks and builds. Simplified, wooden cars with soft plastic wheels easily glide across the solid wood tracks while carrying algebraic people designed for mathematical and dramatic play activities. Foundation Set includes Concept Cards for building examples and language associations. Made from beech wood and polypropylene plastic. Requires standard unit blocks for proper building experience and is ideal for one or two builders. 55-piece set. Cars and people not included.
STEM Builder Series Build a Waterway
Item: 63198
Status: In Stock
$49.95
3 years & up. This 90-piece set includes a variety of items to create working waterways. Children can experiment with the effects that construction, gravity, and distance have on water pressure and flow as they create endless waterway configurations. Materials are transparent to allow for easy viewing of water flow. The Build a Waterway STEM Kit builds on children's natural curiosity by providing the materials and freedom to explore. The funnels, measuring pitchers, connector tubes, blockers, and water wheel provide endless opportunities for child-guided learning. Children should be encouraged to build, create, and invent on their own. Experimentation and use of the included materials can be encouraged at the water table, in small groups, and for independent learning. Activity card(s) included.
52 STEM Family Engagement Ideas - 5" x 5" Activity Cards
Item: 63785
Status: In Stock
$18.95
3 years & up. This set of 52 activity card(s) will provide classrooms with a year's worth of interactive STEM activities for children and their families. These simple and straightforward STEM-themed family engagement ideas are enjoyable for teachers, families, and children alike. Activity card(s) measure 5" x 5" and store in a sturdy plastic container.
Click Builders Classic Prism - 1,000 Pieces
Item: 63675
Status: In Stock
$64.95
3 years & up. Make building a captivating experience with this collection of Click Builders. Young children can design an infinite number of structures, which will improve their fine-motor skills, creative-thinking skills, and problem-solving skills. The transparent colors will also teach children about color patterns-especially if they play with these builders on a light table. 1,000 pieces in different sizes and colors.
STEM Concepts Posters- Set of 12
Item: 89773
Status: In Stock
$21.95
Decorate your classroom or learning center with these STEM Concepts and Activities Diverse Settings Poster Set . These posters are a great way for your children to identify and relate to others as they engage in similar STEM activities. Use these posters in an interactive lesson to describe what STEM based activity the children are engaging in. Each high quality image measures 11"L x 17"W.
Vinnie Banana Slug 8" Plush
Item: 300930
Status: Only 18 left
$16.95
$14.95
2 years & up. Encourage an interest in science with Vinnie Banana Slug 8" Plush. Help children learn about different types of bugs, their characteristics, habitats, and behaviors with this cute and cuddly critter. For children who may feel fearful or apprehensive about insects, playing with Vinnie may help desensitize their fear and promote a more positive attitude towards these creatures. Vinnie Banana Slug is made with 100% recycled stuffing and covered in super soft plush.
Desert Dome
Item: 303276
Status: In Stock
$33.95
3 years & up. This all-in-one kit makes it easy to plant, sprout, and care for a variety of cactuses and succulents. Designed with excellent drainage and ventilation, it creates the perfect environment for long-lasting growth that requires minimal watering. Just add water and watch your mini desert thrive!
Discover and Learn STEAM Books - Set of 4
Item: 303251
Status: In Stock
$66.95
3 years & up. Spark curiosity and early problem-solving skills with this book set, specially selected for preschool learners. Through playful stories and colorful illustrations, children are introduced to the foundational concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in ways that are easy to understand and fun to explore. Each book encourages young learners to ask questions, observe the world around them, and think creatively as they begin building the skills that support lifelong learning. These books connect everyday experiences to basic STEAM concepts. From exploring how things work to discovering patterns, shapes, and creative expression, the stories help children develop curiosity, critical thinking, and imagination. The approachable language and engaging visuals make complex ideas accessible while supporting vocabulary development and early literacy.
Mega Magnetic Building Set - 24 Pieces
Item: 302191
Status: In Stock
$499.95
3 years & up. Take magnetic play to a whole new level with giant tiles. Children will use their whole bodies as they build, stack, imagine and make satisfying connections with this colorful set. Super-strong magnets are safely built into each piece, making builds ultra-durable. A specially-designed panel with a window hole encourages meaningful dramatic play opportunities, the possibility for creative games, and imagination. Set includes 24 pieces in various shapes and colors. Largest piece measures 12"L x 12"W.
Specimen Jar
Item: 302409
Status: In Stock
$10.95
2 years & up. Collect and observe bugs and natural specimens using this durable, easy-to-clean jar. Complete with a magnifying lid and a convenient carrying strap, this specimen jar makes the perfect companion for outdoor adventures, experimentation and exploration. Jar measures 3.4"L x 3"W x 3.75"H.
Jumbo Eyedroppers - Set of 3
Item: 302404
Status: In Stock
$6.95
2 years & up. Enhance the possibilities for scientific discovery by adding authentic, easy-to-use eyedroppers to your classroom. The perfect addition to science lessons, exploration and sensory play, these jumbo eyedroppers are made from easy-to-clean plastic. Children will have fun experimenting with cause and effect while practicing fine motor skills. Includes 3 droppers, each measures 4.6" long.
Sound and Play Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit - 34 Pieces
Item: 302318P
Status: In Stock
$149.95 - $189.95
18 months & up. Encourage toddlers to explore sound, movement, and discovery with the Sound and Play Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit. Designed for curious young learners, this engaging loose-parts set invites children to shake, tap, scrape, and crinkle materials to create unique sounds while building early STEM skills. The open-ended pieces inspire experimentation, sensory exploration, and hands-on learning both indoors and outdoors. Perfect for early learning environments, the kit promotes creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while strengthening fine motor development. Toddlers become little sound scientists as they investigate how different materials interact and produce new auditory experiences.
See Options for Sound and Play Toddler Loose Parts STEM Kit - 34 Pieces
Number Stamping Stones - 10 pieces
Item: 302727
Status: In Stock
$28.95
2 years & up. Bring numbers to life with this set of Number Stamping Stones, perfect for hands-on math exploration. Featuring the digits 0-9, each durable stone is engraved for clear and consistent stamping in dough, sand, paint, and more. Whether children are learning to count, explore number formation, these stones offer a fun, tactile way to build foundational math skills. Ideal for indoor or outdoor learning environments, they're built to last through endless creative play. Set includes 10 stones, one for each number 0-9.
Motors and Magnets Loose Parts STEM Kit - 178 Pieces
Item: 302262P
Status: In Stock
$249.95 - $269.95
3 years & up. Encourage young engineers to investigate, solve problems, use critical thinking skills and independently make discoveries using this unique set of rich, open-ended materials. This interesting compilation of magnets, motors and building pieces will inspire builders to learn STEM principles while they integrate key learning skills and make impactful connections. Large set inspires individual discovery as well as team experimentation.
See Options for Motors and Magnets Loose Parts STEM Kit - 178 Pieces
Motivated Makers Pack
Item: 302770
Status: In Stock
$2,029.00
Foster vital thinking skills in your classroom, makerspace, library, or museum. Fascinating and fun, Cubelets nurture your student's imagination, creativity, and inventive spirit. Cubelets make the principles of programming easy to learn and practice. Inside of each block is a part of a program - as you build your robot you build the code that controls its behavior. It's hands-on coding! The Motivated Makers Pack supports six student groups. Groups of 3-5 students work best. Cubelets are recommended for builders ages 4 and up. Cubelets are intuitive enough for preschoolers to start building robots, but they scale in complexity, teaching new skills as kids grow. Cubelets are even loved and used in university computer science programs! Cubelets are tough and backed by the support of a one-year warranty.
Plastic Sorting and Mixing Bowls - Set of 6
Item: 91031
Status: In Stock
$8.95
3 years & up. Use these Hard Plastic Bright Colored Sorting and Mixing Bowls for Manipulatives and More for different color recognition activities. Children will enjoy sorting materials by color, texture, shape, size, and more. For a fun activity, encourage children to sort the items into the bowl that match the color. These bowls can also be used in sand and water tables, and during arts and crafts to mix materials. Measures 6"D x 1"H.
Snap and Stack Thistle Blocks - 220 Pieces
Item: 300585
Status: In Stock
$74.95
18 months & up. Encourage creative play, tactile exploration, and open-ended building using the Snap and Stack Thistle Block set. Children can easily fit the durable plastic bristles together to create satisfying connections and construct anything their imagination can inspire. A variety of pieces will help children develop color and shape recognition as well as size relationships and pattern building. This 220-piece set allows for large builds independently or collaboratively.
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.