STEM Learning for Early Childhood

8 years & up. Explore the basics of mechanical physics by building a series of simple machines designed to perform complex tasks that make our everyday lives easier. Build 26 working models focusing on six simple machines: wheels and axles, levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, and wedges. Learn the science behind your builds in the full-color, 32-page manual and follow the easy to understand step-by-step instructions to assemble each machine. As your understanding of mechanical physics develops, use the building elements to construct your own working piece of simple machinery. Included: 132 building pieces to create 26 working models and a 32-Page full-color instruction manual.

Ages 3 years & up. Strengthen early cognitive skills with the Montessori Sorting Box, a timeless educational tool designed for hands-on discovery and meaningful play. Inspired by classic Montessori materials, this engaging set invites children to explore shape recognition, color matching, object sorting, and fine motor coordination as they work to fit pieces into their corresponding slots.<br /> Perfect for classroom learning centers, small-group activities, or home play, the Montessori Sorting Box encourages independent problem-solving, visual discrimination, and early categorization skills. Its sturdy construction and child-friendly design make it ideal for repeated use in preschool environments, while the open-ended nature of the activity supports creativity and exploration at each stage of development. Wooden Storage box measures 18"L x 2.5"H x 6.25"W.

4 years & up. Develop social emotional and STEM skills in a collaborative, play-based environment with the IO Blocks® Center. This all-in-one table brings movement, simple machines and dramatic play to the original IO Blocks® friction-fit, construction toy platform. Combine gears, slides, IO people and standard IO Blocks® pieces to create limitless builds using problem solving, introductory architecture and budding STEM skills. Constructions are stabilized on the raised grid tabletop while the sturdy birch plywood table features handy storage below to hold IO Blocks® and additional parts. Includes: 1 birch plywood play table, 4 storage bins and 458 building pieces. Easy assembly - simply affix the enclosed table legs to the IO Blocks® tabletop. Measures 31"W x 23"H x 22"D.

3 years & up. Light up creativity and exploration with this Color Changing Light Panel! These light panels give children the opportunity to explore the effects of color mixing, opacity, and transparency. Children can observe natural and man-made objects in an interesting and different way. The light panels are powered by a low voltage mains power supply using the latest LED strips and diffusers to evenly illuminate the panels. Light panels can change between 20 different colors using an infrared remote control that can be set for individual color or slowly rotate colors through a sequence via "smooth, fade, flash, or strobe" settings. Size: 16.1"L x 23.1"W.

3 years & up. Enable little engineers to build magnificent structures with this set of IO Blocks®. The set's square, double-sided base blocks can form either 2D or 3D bases upon which children can design, build, and earn about STEM concepts such as engineering, physics, and math. The set also comes with small figurines (both people and cows!) that provide a dash of imaginative play for children to add to their creations.

3 years & up. Join Rosa on some fun adventures with this set of Rosa's Workshop Books. These books follow Rosa and her friends as they grow plants, study the water cycle, make pizza, and do all kinds of other things. As they explore and discover, Rosa and her friends gain valuable insights about scientific concepts such as light and density and show children how to productively interact with the world around them.

3 years & up. Children can easily collect, curate, experiment with, and display found objects and liquids with these sturdy, colorful acrylic Treasure Tubes for 360 degree viewing. The lids sit on top of the tubes and do not secure, making it easy to add trinkets, natural materials, and sensory objects to observe, display, and rattle. Ideal for color and sound exploration and light table activities. Holds marbles, beads, twigs, leaves, small toys and more. Stack the tubes on top of each other to customize play experience. Easy-to-remove wooden top keeps objects securely in place until ready to be replaced. Set of 8 tubes. Largest Tube measures: 3" diameter x 5.75"H. Smallest Tube measures: 3" diameter x 3.5"H.

3 years & up. What can we find today? Children can collect sensory objects, natural materials and trinkets to place in the beautiful Treasure Blocks. Smooth hardwood frames with inset, colored transparent acrylic windows have a removable panel to place small objects. Ideal for display, observation, color exploration, light table activities and more. Largest Block measures 5.5" L x 5.5" W x 2" H. Set of 8.

3 years & up. This "waddle" of penguins will delight and inspire children into pre-coding fun! The Pre-coding Penguin Stones promote directional and positional language, matching practice, problem solving, pattern making, logical thinking, and sequencing skills. These durable stones are specifically designed to embed pre-coding skills through an appealing, tactile resource. Set features four of each directional arrow and two without arrows. The Pre-coding Penguin Activity Cards feature a variety of activities that focus on matching, sequencing, pattern making, and logical thinking. The photographic images provide an appealing and realistic backdrop to the activities. Cards are made from sturdy and washable plastic. Stones measure 2". Cards measure 8" x 11". Included: 18 Penguin Stones & 16 Pre-coding Penguin Activity Cards. Purchase as a set or individually.

All ages. Meet Obie, the next level of interactive play. Discover games for kids of all ages to play, replay, and come back for more. Children are actively learning while being physically engaged promoting a healthy, active life style for the brain and body. Kaplan Early Learning Company has pre-selected dozens of energizing, popular games to challenge your early learner in areas such as literacy, gross motors skills, math skills, science, music, and more. Bring new excitement to the classroom with our Kaplan exclusive handpicked activities and Obie. Measures 16" x 19" x 4". Recommended mounting height is 8 to 13 feet above the floor. Distance from wall should be at least 8' feet for best results.

3 years and up. Learn about the weather without interrupting playtime. This set of Explore the Weather Counters depicts 6 different weather patterns (lightning bolt, snowflake, cloud, raindrop, wind, and sun) for children to investigate. The child-sized pieces are perfect for small hands, and each weather pattern has a different surface pattern to spark sensory stimulation. As they play, children will gain valuable scientific knowledge about the world around them.

3 years & up. This Color Crystal Block Set with Activity Cards can help children learn to fit shapes together and expand their understanding of spatial relationships, geometric vocabulary, and color recognition. This transparent acrylic block set features 17 different regular and irregular shapes in 5 translucent colors. These manipulatives will also spring to life when used with a light panel or in front of a sunlit window. The blocks create colorful streams of light and eccentric shadows. The included mirror provides an opportunity to observe reflection. Children can also explore color mixing. Made from extra thick acrylic plastic, these colorful shapes are designed to last for years. Use the 15 activity cards and a teacher's guide for extended learning ideas. Largest block measures 3.1"W.

3 years & up. This set of Translucent Sensory Gem Cubes features acrylic cubes perfect for color mixing, stacking, and balancing. Place cubes on a light panel or hold them in front of a window to create colorful shadows and watch colors dance. These colorful manipulatives are appealing for children to handle, which makes them an excellent resource for open-ended, sensory play. The high-quality, solid acrylic cubes are easy to wash and are designed to last for years of classroom or center use. Set also comes with a drawstring bag for easy storage and travel. Clean with warm water and mild soap. Each cube measures 1".

3 years & up. Help children discover the amazing effects of light and color with this toddler-sized light table! This color-changing light table contains a raised outer rim to keep sand, water, or other activities on the table. Constructed of plastic, the table is lightweight, sturdy, and water-resistant so it can be used indoors or out. There are 16 different color settings and 4 automated color transition settings. The table is powered by the included rechargeable battery or by the A/C power cord, which plugs into a low-voltage main power supply. An 8-hour charge cycle will provide 5-10 hours of light depending on settings used. A remote control is included for on/off and color-changing operations. Table measures 17.7"H x 27.2" in diameter. Depth of discovery area: 2.4".

3 years & up. Children can experience Western-inspired architecture, indoors and outdoors, using the Notch Blocks Western set. Plastic, neutral-colored blocks feature notched parts that easily connect for strong, detailed builds. Using included ladders and bridge pieces, children can build different structures with varying elevated platforms and span natural elements. Set includes 85 pieces and 10 double-sided build cards.

3 years & up. Children can begin early exploration of physics, STEM lessons, and architectural design using the Unit Block Marble Run 40 piece set. Rubberwood blocks feature drops, bumps and routed paths that allow for multiple building opportunities. Ten double-sided concept cards provide building inspiration for different block arrangements as well as corresponding lessons related to physics theories. Set includes 4 starter acrylic marbles and 36 block pieces scaled to unit block proportions allowing for multiple run path possibilities. Largest piece measures 5.51"L x 2.76"W x 2.76"D.

3 years & up. Introduce early math, science, and literacy concepts, as well as fine motor skills, in a fun and engaging way by utilizing included materials on your light table. Over 200 pieces including transparent numerals, 2 and 3 dimensional shapes, circular dots, and bead-filled shapes - all in a variety of colors! Three sorting trays and an activity card(s) are also included.

3 years & up. It's fun to explore and compare measurements! This Primary Science Mix & Measure Set is the perfect way to introduce young learners to measurements and weight through pouring, scooping, and stirring. Encourages sensory integration, self-help, and math development. Features six uniquely designed measuring cups which help children visualize equivalent quantities in different formats. Bowl measures 4.75"H x 6"D. Includes: 1 Scale, 1 Bowl (with lid), 4 Measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup and, two 1/4 cup), 2 Two cup liquid, measuring cups, 3 Measuring spoons (1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon), and 10 Activity cards.

3 years & up. Make learning to count an exciting prehistoric adventure with these colorful Dinosaur Counters. Your little paleontologist will love sorting these little dinosaur models into groups of similar colors and patterns and then counting how many are in each one. Promotes the development of number and quantity relationships, patterning, and counting and sorting. Size: Biggest Dinosaur measures 2" x 2". Included: 60 Realistically-detailed toy dinosaurs (6 of each type), Storage bucket.

3 years & up. Help your children identify these great creatures with these high quality Animal Skin Picture Cards Matching and Identifying Activity. These cards are perfect for children to identify animals they've learned about. Is it a cow, giraffe, or elephant? Use the close up cards to match the skin to the full picture of the animal. These cards promote problem solving, identifying, and critical thinking. Includes 50 cards.

3 years & up. Roll your way into a good time with this marbulous-marble run! The durable, transparent pieces allow children to visually track the entire course of their marble as it makes its journey through several fun twists and turns. This Transparent Marble Run promotes fine motor skills, spatial relationships, logic, and STEM skills. The colorful pieces can fit together multiple ways, so children can design them differently each time. Have children drop the marbles in at different points to see which marble reaches the bottom fastest. Includes 48 transparent pieces and 16 marbles.

3 years & up. PowerClix® Solids Natural integrates elements of natural play, light and color exploration and loose parts theory with the innovative STEM toy building platform of PowerClix®. With nature-inspired colors, the Solids Natural set encourages children to create beautiful 2D patterns and advance to architectural constructions using familiar shapes. Use these pieces on a light table or in a sunny spot for a unique sensory experience. In keeping with STEM toy attributes, PowerClix® magnetic building toys encourage children to think like engineers while having fun. Children can build unlimited 3D forms and solid, structured models for sorting and collecting activities. Solids are designed to integrate flawlessly with all PowerClix® system sets. Organize and store PowerClix® pieces easily with the new metal plate built right into the packaging. The metal plate may be used as a building base as well. Store indoors.

Sea Beans are seeds from trees and vines that grow along tropical shores. They wash into the ocean, drift and are collected. The seeds are a beautiful, natural element for investigations, sorting, sand and water play and more.

3 years & up. Students discover which objects are and are not magnetic when they slide the attached magnet over the clear acrylic cover. Perfect for learning and discovering the scientific method and cause and effect. All of the provided objects are sealed in 16 compartments. Wooden frame 8.5 inches square x .75 inches thick.