Introduce a child you know to an exciting adventure with SOIC and SOT: The Microchips! Join SOIC and SOT as they journey from a warehouse to their new home, all while learning how to communicate with each other as they discover their life’s purpose along the way. This charming book is suitable for read-aloud sessions with children as young as four, but it also makes a wonderful gift for elementary school readers. SOIC and SOT: The Microchips is even featured in several SCALE K-12 microelectronic units for elementary-aged children! Through delightful illustrations and accessible technical language, SOIC and SOT: The Microchips effectively engages children while teaching the importance and applications of microchips, all while making learning both fun and informative. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
AlphaBot by Vicky Fang is an interactive flipbook that introduces the fundamental concepts of coding, robotics, and the engineering design process. Children can enjoy an immersive learning experience as the book explores various components of robotics and how each part contributes to the robot's overall functionality. Each page features a different part of the robot, showcasing how it enables movement or other functions. After learning about these components, children can unleash their creativity by designing their own robot while flipping through the pages and combining parts. This book not only fosters engineering skills and creative thinking but also introduces simple foundations of engineering design while encouraging curiosity and critical questioning. -Reviewer Hannah Garcia
Are you looking for a fun, hands-on way to introduce a child to coding? Coding Critters by Learning Resources are adorable, screen-free pets that will make learning programming fun for preschoolers! With a variety of lovable critters to choose from—such as a bunny, cat, dog, dragon, or unicorn—there’s a perfect pet for every little one. With Coding Critters, children will begin learning basic programming concepts by coding their pet’s movements and actions. The simple coding buttons allow children to create commands, and each pet responds by following their instructions—whether it’s making the critter move, play music, or follow a pattern. Playing with Coding Critters is an engaging way to build early problem-solving and logic skills while having fun! Coding Critters is the perfect introduction to coding for young children, offering a playful and screen-free alternative to traditional tech learning. The easy-to-use coding buttons make it accessible for preschoolers, while the included storybooks guide them through coding adventures and challenges. Plus, each critter comes with a pet playset that encourages imaginative play and interaction. To keep the fun going, Learning Resources offers free downloads on their website, including extra storybooks and coding arrows to expand the adventure. And to make the experience even more official, you can download a free pet adoption certificate for the lucky child to celebrate their new coding friend! - Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for a way to inspire a child to tinker, code, and build like an engineer? Doll-E 1.0, by Shanda McCloskey is a witty, engaging story that encourages young readers to embrace their love of STEM. In this delightful book, Charlotte, a young girl who is passionate about coding and building, receives a doll as a gift from her mother. At first, Charlotte finds the doll boring and doesn't quite know what to do with it. But soon, she discoveries the doll has a hidden battery pack. As Charlotte combines her love of technology with her creativity, she transforms her gift into something truly special. This empowering story shows that any child, that no matter what their interests are, can develop a passion for technology and engineering. Help inspire confidence and creativity for a child in your life with Doll-E 1.0, by Shanda McCloskey! – Reviewer Kayla Phillips
How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up by Ruth Spiro is a delightful and accessible guide to coding that makes complex concepts easy to understand for both young readers and curious adults. With its clever mix of humor, simple explanations, and relatable analogies, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to dive into the world of technology without feeling overwhelmed. Spiro breaks down key coding concepts such as hardware, software, algorithms, and debugging in a way that feels approachable and fun. Rather than relying on jargon or overly technical language, she cleverly disguises these challenging ideas as “pro-tips,” making the material feel like a series of exciting discoveries rather than daunting lessons. Through playful illustrations and clear, engaging text, readers are introduced to the fundamentals of coding and how these concepts power the technology we use every day. This book is particularly well-suited for young minds eager to learn about the future of technology. It presents coding as a creative and empowering skill, not just for programmers, but for anyone who wants to understand how the world around them works. However, it’s also an excellent choice for adults who may feel intimidated by the idea of coding but want a lighthearted, non-intimidating introduction to the subject. How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up is a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making coding both fun and enlightening. We love this book so much, it was one of our top five picks last year, and of course, it makes the list again this year. Whether for a young reader just starting to explore the tech world or an adult looking for a quick, enjoyable coding primer, this book is a wonderful resource that will inspire curiosity and confidence. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for a way to spark a child’s interest in engineering? Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty is a charming and empowering children's book that introduces the wonders of engineering through the eyes of a creative, curious young girl. The story follows Rosie, who dreams of becoming a great inventor. However, like many budding engineers, Rosie struggles with the fear of failure. When her inventions don't work as planned, she feels discouraged. But through her journey, Rosie learns a valuable lesson: failure is a part of the process, and it’s through perseverance and creativity that great ideas come to life. Rosie Revere, Engineer teaches children the importance of resilience, problem-solving, and never giving up—qualities every engineer needs. As Rosie’s journey unfolds, she discovers that it’s not about being perfect, but about learning from mistakes and continuing to invent, no matter the setbacks. This delightful book will inspire both you and a child in your life to embrace creativity, celebrate failures as steppingstones, and believe in the power of perseverance—making it a wonderful read for any young aspiring engineer. -Reviewer Josh Clement
Are you looking for screen-free activities that offer hours of fun while boosting a child's learning? Look no further than the My First Coding and Computer Science Kit by Playz! This hands-on, educational kit is the perfect gift for young minds interested in exploring the world of coding, technology, and computer science—without the need for a computer. The kit is packed with engaging activities that introduce core concepts in coding and computer science. From creating binary necklaces and ancient encryption devices to designing pixelated pictures, children will have a blast while developing important STEM skills. It’s an excellent way to spark curiosity and creativity in children, all while they learn about the building blocks of technology. The kit includes everything needed—no additional materials required—so children can dive right into the fun. The instructions are clear, detailed, and easy to follow, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience. Whether you know a child who is a beginner or one who has some prior knowledge of coding, the activities are designed to be both challenging and accessible. In addition to its educational value, the My First Coding and Computer Science Kit makes a fantastic at-home science lab for children. It’s ideal for rainy days, weekends, or school breaks, offering a productive and fun alternative to screen time. With this kit, children will not only be entertained, but also gain foundational skills that can set them up for future success in STEM fields. My First Coding and Computer Science Kit by Playz is an engaging, hands-on way to introduce children to the world of computer science, while keeping them entertained and off screens. Perfect for at-home learning, this kit is a great educational gift that will provide hours of fun and learning. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for a way to inspire young kids in your life to explore STEM careers? Coding Can Change the World by Edwin Kim is an engaging book that illustrates how one person's coding skills can make a real difference. The story follows a young girl named Mia, who faces challenges while learning to code. Mia finds encouragement from her father to persevere through her challenges. The book highlights how various STEM fields utilize coding to tackle different problems, revealing the impactful side of coding. Mia discovers how coding can help people, animals, and our planet. This book helps children learn the importance of resilience when learning new skills, making it the perfect read for any budding engineer! -Reviewer Daisy Coble
Are you looking for a hands-on toy that a children can build themselves? The Mechanical Hand by Smartivity is an engaging wooden puzzle that guides children through detailed step-by-step instructions to build a fully functional mechanical hand. With its intricate construction, this toy is perfect for young builders eager to dive into engineering. The kit includes wooden pieces and rubber bands needed to assemble the gears and mechanical systems, showcasing the complexity of how these components work together. Building the Mechanical Hand is not only a fun activity but also an educational experience, providing insights into the fascinating world of mechanics! -Reviewer Daisy Coble
What if we told you there’s a way to engineer the future by bringing back the past? Keyestudio’s STEM Programming DIY Mini Light Controlled Phonograph Kit allows children to do just that! This kit includes all the parts and fasteners needed for the wooden body, an expansion board for a micro:bit, a battery holder, and various sensors that can be connected and programmed. To get started, children will need 4 AAA batteries, a micro:bit, and a computer for coding and assembly instructions. Once assembled, the device can be programmed to play music! The adaptive nature of this toy allows for numerous sensor and coding configurations, giving children plenty of opportunities to experiment and enrich their learning experience. Overall, by engaging with the STEM Programming DIY Mini Light Controlled Phonograph Kit, children can develop stronger programming skills while exercising their creativity. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Makey Makey by Joylabz is an innovative educational STEM coding kit designed to inspire creativity and learning. The kit includes a Makey Makey board, 7 alligator clips, 6 white wires, and a USB cord. To get started, simply plug the board into a computer using the provided USB cord, connect an alligator clip to the “EARTH” segment of the board, and hold the opposite end of the clip to test it out! The kit provides initial instructions, with countless project ideas available on the Makey Makey website found at https://makeymakey.com/pages/how-to. As children engage with the kit, they'll learn essential concepts related to microelectronics, including circuits, coding, programming, and the capabilities of micro:bits. Makey Makey keeps children entertained while encouraging engineering thinking as they explore various projects and unleash their creativity. -Reviewer Hannah Garcia
Do you want to kickstart a child’s coding journey? The Code Car by Let’s Start Coding is perfect for beginners and those with a bit more experience looking to expand their skills. All that is needed is a laptop and a stable internet connection to explore the intricacies of coding. This toy is ideal for newcomers because it offers the choice between block-based and text-based coding. For those who might find typing code intimidating, the option to arrange pre-made “blocks” to create code makes the process more accessible. Even children who already have some coding knowledge will find plenty to enjoy, as the car features various functions to control, including headlights, brakes, a horn, and even a custom car alarm. -Reviewer Daisy Coble
Looking for a hands-on way to introduce a child to the world of electricity and circuits? The Electricity and Battery-Making Kit from National Geographic is a fun and educational gift that will spark a child's curiosity and deepen their understanding of basic electrical concepts. The kit includes everything children need to build a functioning clock powered by a homemade battery. Only 2 potatoes and 2 AAA batteries are needed. The kit also includes a detailed learning guide with pictures, diagrams and “cool science facts” that are sure to enhance the educational experience. The clock even doubles as a voltmeter, so children can see the voltage produced. Once the clock is built, learning doesn’t stop. Children can experiment with other fruits and vegetables to test how much voltage they can generate, while making predictions and comparing results. This hands-on exploration helps build valuable skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. The Electricity and Battery-Making Kit is an excellent gift for home or as a classroom science project. It’s a perfect introduction to STEM concepts, combining engineering, science, and practical experimentation in a fun, interactive way. Plus, with the detailed guide and engaging experiments, children will have hours of hands-on learning fun while discovering how electricity works! -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Do you know a teenager interested in how microelectronics can shape their future career? The Smart Student’s Guide to Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 by Mike Nager is an excellent resource for exploring a wide range of STEM careers and their real-world applications. This book encourages young readers to adopt an engineering mindset, prompting them to examine everyday objects and consider their production processes. Each chapter concludes with in-depth discussion questions that help to deepen understanding of the topics explored. The Smart Student’s Guide to Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 is one of our favorites, which is why it has made our list for a second consecutive year. It’s an ideal read for any teen who wants to learn about manufacturing and the interconnectedness of various STEM fields. -Reviewer Daisy Coble
