Fun magnetic construction toys are ideal for encouraging fine motor skills, logic, imagination and problem-solving. The Swiss-made Geomag toy sets are a leader in this category of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) toys, offering a wide range of innovative play sets for young architects and engineers of all ages.
The original Geomag concept utilises magnetic rods and steel spheres, allowing for infinitely creative three-dimensional constructions. These classic Geomags have now evolved to include new elements and new opportunities for play. Even the littlest builders will be inspired to create with Geomag's colourful magnetic Magicubes, an easy-to-handle upgrade on the classic building blocks. The more advanced Geomag Mechanics, KOR and Pro-L lines, for kids 7 to 8 years and up, challenge these expert builders, stimulate the imagination and provide an introduction to basic concepts of geometry, physic and structural engineering. Here are just a few of our favourite Geomag sets:
The sky's the limit with the expansive Geomag Panels 192 set. This ultimate panel kit includes a generous array of 65 green rods, 50 steel spheres, 3 platforms and 74 coloured triangular, square and pentagonal plastic panels. Suitable for 3 years and up.
Make it sparkly with the Geomag Glitter 68 piece set. The magnetic bars, steel spheres and geometric panels allow for sturdy 3D construction, promoting creativity and logical thinking in young architects from 3 years and up.
Introduce more expert builders to the fundamental principles of physics with Geomag's Mechanics Gravity Jump Run magnetic and mechanical construction set. The Geomag Magnetics line utilises an innovative gravity motor, using the weight of the Geomag steel spheres to kickstart the mechanisms without electricity or batteries. The set includes 11 magnetic rods, 36 steel spheres and 196 plastic mechanical elements. Suitable for 7 years and up.
Explore geometry, structural engineering and the science of magnets and polarity with the Geomag Pro-L 110. Illustrated instructions inspire the creation of spinning magnet models with 36 magnetic rods, 30 metal spheres and 44 geometric panels that easily snap into place. Build the Platonic Solids, Archimedean Solids and molecular structures. Suitable for 8 years and up.
Geomag's KOR construction system allows your child to create innovative characters and invent imaginative stories. Cue the PROTEONs, heroic creatures recently landed on earth, each with distinct characteristics. Meet the PROTEON Vulkram, with strength derived from the power of a volcanic eruption. This 103-piece set provides Geomag's magnetic components and steel spheres along with wings, legs, feet, heads and antennae to create your fantasy character. Suitable for 5 years and up.
You can view the full range of Geomag magnetic construction toys at Kidzinc here.
At Kidzinc, we are dedicated to sourcing only the very best developmental and educational toys for your child. We welcome you to browse our selection of toys, games and puzzles for all ages from baby to 12 years.
There are plenty of sparkly, frilly toys on the market for the little girl in your life. When you're choosing toys, however, you want to be sure that you're offering more than just fun: you want educational value that will stand out! These great preschool toys for girls will allow your little girl to fall in love with a range of exciting toys with incredible educational potential.
1. Playmags are an amazing building toy that will let your little girl learn more about engineering, construction, and more. This 100-piece set contains super-strong magnets that will allow for even more building fun.
2. Miniland Emotiblocks is a game that will help your little girl develop those vital empathy skills. From learning to recognise emotions by facial expressions to opening the door to discussions about how to handle those emotions in others, Emotiblocks offers your family the opportunity to increase emotional intelligence in your little ones.
3. The Gears! Gears! Gears! Sweet Shop is filled with the fun sweets that your little princess often enjoys when she plays in her kitchen, but with a twist: it comes with gears! Spin, twirl, and swirl these fun sweets in a STEM activity that will keep your little one busy for hours.
4. The Let's Go Code! Activity Set by Learning Resources is a great way to teach a little girl basic coding skills without ever requiring her to sit in front of the computer. This coding came will allow her to jump, skip, and hop her way through basic coding lessons as she develops incredible problem-solving skills.
5. Wooden Block Planks by Kapla are a simple, fun toy that will help inspire hours of construction. It's complex simplicity: a familiar plank shape, stable enough for constructing incredible structures with a minimum of effort, will allow your little one to build, explore, and learn more about engineering and construction.
6. The Doll Family Mansion by Hape is the perfect way to inspire your little one to creative and imaginative play. Every little girl needs a dollhouse, and with the Hape Doll Family Mansion, your little princess will be able to let her imagination take flight.
7. The Bamboo Pallina Game by Hape is problem-solving fun for the whole family! Carefully pull sticks out of the basket, but don't let the balls fall down! This game is sure to inspire plenty of family-centered game nights.
8. Goldieblox is dedicated to creating toys and games that encourage engineering and problem-solving skills in little girls--and this book and construction-piece set is a great way to inspire the little girl in your life.
9. Mars Explorer from GeoSmart helps your little girl take her creative explorations to the next level as she works to construct a real moving rover complete with lights and a remote control.
10. Glitter 68 by Geomag is a sparkling, shimmering collection of magnetic toys that are sure to appeal to any little girl. They're bright, colourful, and ready to teach the little girl in your life more about construction and engineering.
11. The Balance Teeter Popper from Fat Brain Toys is a great way to encourage your little girl to get moving and rocking in a fun, exciting way. You'll love watching her face as she explores, grows, and learns how to perform new moves, all with a great sensory experience that will be sure to delight every time.
12. The Design and Drill Flower Popper Studio from Educational Insights will encourage creativity while teaching your little girl a wide variety of engineering skills. Drills aren't just for boys--and the fun, creative garden designs your little one can create with her new kit will help her learn more about what she can do.
13. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is a little book that can teach your little girl big lessons about how to show kindness for others. Little things can make a big difference and be incredibly rewarding, and this book will help walk them through the process of becoming a bucket filler.
Choosing educational toys for your little girl means you have selected a gift that will keep on giving long after the excitement of tearing off the wrapping paper is over.
These preschool toys for girls will delight and educate for years to come.
We love STEM kits!
Tech Will Save Us has designed engaging and educational STEM kits to promote the development of STEM skills, combined with creativity and craftiness to make learning fun. Each kit has something unique to offer, but they all focus on making STEM fun for children by incorporating colourful lights that children control by with coding and design. All of the STEM kits focus on allowing children to express their creativity by allowing them to test and analyse their designs based on how well the results turned out, and they can modify as needed—an important aspect of STEM learning! In addition to the important problem-solving and analytical skills these kits develop, the kits also encourage physical activity, which is important for your child's ongoing development, and craftsmanship, which can teach them valuable lessons about what it means to be detail-oriented. By incorporating motor skills and problem-solving, these kits teach children to employ several skills at once when faced with future challenges.
The Light Racer Kit allows children to create bicycle lights that run on wireless power. Children build an electromagnetic light and then attach the light to their bicycle wheels—the energy the lights need to flash is powered by the movement of the bicycle itself! This kit is perfect for high-energy children who enjoy being creative through physical action.
▶︎ Children will learn about the way that light and electromagnetism work, and they also learn about generating energy in a renewable way.
▶︎ They also get the added fun of showing off their efforts when they ride their bikes, just one way that this kit encourages children to be physically active as well as intellectually curious.
The Sew and Glow Kit use a special type of thread, called conductive electro thread, that lights up in the dark. Children use the thread to sew together bright and eye-catching badges, using either the templates provided or by designing their own, which they can add to their backpacks or clothing as they please.
The Creative Coder Kit is a wearable that children can build and code using block-based coding. The kit comes with simple software that you connect the wearable to once it's built, and then children can program the wearable to light up with specific movements. There are also more projects available in the online community, such as building a lightsaber or coding a hot potato game.
These STEM kits bring together creativity, physical activity, and problem-solving all in one. Each kit teaches children different elements of STEM, such as electromagnetism, conductivity, and coding, while making it fun by combining it with movement and crafts. There is also ample play time, as each STEM kit has an online community where children can find more projects to try or create their own. There is bound to be a kit that appeals to your child, so we highly encourage you to take a look at each of the kits and find the one that's perfect for your child!
At Kidzinc we have a huge range of STEM kits and STEM toys.
Psychologists and educators have long known about the benefits of playing in childhood. With the right toys and games, kids can develop their cognitive, creative, spatial, and deductive reasoning skills.
When it comes to spatial intelligence, studies have shown a correlation between toys that build those skills—like building blocks or other 3D geometric games —and greater spatial development. Enter Magformers: the perfect toy to develop kids' brains in all areas spatial and emphasise crucial STEM learning.
To work with kids' natural interest in "how things work," it's important to provide toys that allow them to develop those skills. Magformers are an incredible toy that consists of geometric shapes that link together with magnets. By using these to build shapes, kids can develop their spatial reasoning, learn problem-solving. Magformers can also help kids develop their knowledge of shapes, colours, and sensory awareness.
All of these attributes make Magformers the perfect toy to emphasise STEM education. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, gives kids the tools they need to compete in this world. Even better, Magformers allow kids to creatively interact with these components—so they're working on their creative skills while also building up their STEM skills.
Here are some incredible Magformers brain-training sets for kids three and up:
If you want to start your child off with an introductory set of Magformers, the My First Set will be a perfect place to start. Featuring all of the geometric techniques that make Magformers so unique, this set also introduces kids to two different shapes and six different colours, so they can start working on their vocabulary and identification skills as well. In this set, kids can make towers, buildings, and a magic ball. Like all Magformers sets, the magnets always click audibly into place, helping kids further develop their sensory skills.
In a rainbow of colours, the Basic 62-piece set allows children to lay out patterns in the two-dimensional plane, then form them into 3D shapes themselves. This set introduces pentagons in addition to squares and triangles to further build up kids' geometric knowledge. And this Magformer's set has won a few different awards for its ability to teach kids new concepts:
This incredible Creator Carnival set will delight and inspire kids by letting them become active participants in the Magformers circus. With Ferris wheels, carousels, and other circus rides, your kids will delight in all the fun. And no worries - Creator Carnival comes with an idea booklet so that you'll never run out of ideas and fun. Like most Magformers products, the Creator Carnival set has won a couple of awards:
Earning the 2018 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, the Sky Adventures set helps kids soar to new heights with learning. Emphasising those important STEM skills of gravity and engineering, the Sky Adventures set allows kids to build a track - which allows the included shuttle car to interact with the track as it twists and turns.
As a Toy of the Year Finalist in 2018, the 87-piece Log House set captures kids imaginations with a fun yet challenging building experience. In addition to the classic log cabin, your little builder can use their creativity at will to create structures like mansions and tree houses. Watch your kids develop their deductive reasoning as they figure out how to place windows, trees, and fences around their growing Magformers property.
Kids will not only have a blast playing with Magformers' incredible 3D building sets, they'll also be developing vital skills of spatial development, sensory awareness, and reasoning. The award-winning construction toys will train kids' brains to learn - while they have fun at the same time!
Make sure to check out all of the entire collection of Magformers in our shop, to see amazing Magformers variations like the Educational Pythagoras set, the Deluxe Smart set, Vehicles WOW set and more.
The world is changing at a breathtaking speed, particularly in the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The careers that your children will pursue after school probably don't even exist today. So what's a parent to do? How do you prepare your child for a future you can't even imagine?
The good news is that while technology will certainly change, the qualities that make someone an excellent candidate to work in a STEM field do not. Even better, encouraging these qualities as your kids grow is something you can absolutely do. One might even say it's child's play. Here are some important qualities for future STEM superstars, and the magnetic construction toys to nurture them.
Spatial Reasoning
Spatial reasoning is usually explained as having the ability to mentally understand shapes. Someone who is good at spatial reasoning can imagine how an object would look if it were rotated in different directions. But as this skill develops, it becomes refined into a wider ability for abstract reasoning. In other words, kids who start out with a grasp of how things work in physical space become adults who have a grasp of ideas and their ramifications.
Of course, a good place to start is by introducing your child to magnetic building toys. Scientists have shown that when children are working with building toys, their language shifts to spatial talk. Geomag is a great example of a magnetic construction toy that allows children to explore different ways of constructing in any 3-D shape they can imagine. They not only let kids explore building shapes, but also magnet polarity. From toddlers to young teens, Geomag offers both open-ended sets and ones that produce specific results, such as a magnetic track. Magnets enable kids to attach the pieces easily, so frustration about assembly doesn't hold them back.
GeoSmart is another example of an excellent building toy. These brightly coloured geometric shapes that attach magnetically offer a wide range of play. Some sets are designed to build special projects (Mars Explorer, anyone?), while others are basic shapes for self-directed play.
Analytical Skills
Another vital skill for future STEM workers is the ability to think analytically. The mind that is adept in this way can identify problems and effectively seek solutions. It's not hard to see how this would be an asset in STEM careers, where innovation and problem-solving are in constant use.
When children play at building things they are naturally going to run up against problems and be challenged with how to solve them. Magformers give them the opportunity to do just that. These bright, magnetic shapes can be used for creative play, or to assemble things like a remote control cruiser. Whether kids are working to bring their own vision into reality or puzzling through the process of putting together the parts for a specific outcome, they will have to figure out how to solve the obstacles that naturally come.
Tegu is an unusual example of a magnetic construction toy that will help children develop analytical skills. These smooth wooden blocks, either tinted in a range of gentle shades or left naturally coloured, are perfectly suited to open-ended play. These blocks come together in a wide variety of ways, challenging kids to explore the many options they offer for creating.
Collaboration
Of course, no STEM worker is an island. Whether they are working with other scientists, coders, engineers, or mathematicians, they will need to be able to communicate their ideas and understand the viewpoints of others.
When kids work together to construct something, whether something of their own design or someone else's, they will eventually run into conflict about how they should proceed. They may just need to learn how to communicate their ideas, or they may need to negotiate a mutual plan. Either way, building together is an irreplaceable way for them to develop those skills, in a fun atmosphere of play.
Playmags, featuring bright magnetic panels in a wide variety of shapes, are an excellent example of the kind of toy kids can use to create shared masterpieces. They can work together to form their own design, exploring the many ways two-dimensional shapes can come together to make different three-dimensional forms. Or they can figure out how to follow directions together to assemble a remote control car.
For even more options for different kinds of magnetic construction toys, take a look at some of the other product lines we offer, including Neopuzzles, Magsnaps, Smartmax and Magna Tiles. There is a wide variety of options, from simple universal building shapes to a sky track, with different ways to assemble for use with a shuttle car.
Providing your child with toys that will help them develop important skills can only benefit them in the future. And no matter what career they end up in, magnetic construction toys will give them hours of fun.
Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit - Kano the successful learn-to-code company that created numerous kits for teaching children and adults how to build their own computers and laptops, has created a new coding kit featuring the beloved magical world of Harry Potter.
We're going to examine the ways this amazing kit encourages your child to develop valuable learning skills, as well as a brief description of how it all works.
Why should I encourage my child to learn to code?
Great question! According to Edutopia, there are many benefits children get from learning how to code at a young age. In particular, researchers have found that the tasks involved in coding can improve children's ability to solve problems, as they have to figure out what works and doesn't work based on results they get. It also teaches children how to follow logical reasoning, which often involves understanding and paying attention to details. It can also increase children's natural appreciation for the learning process, as they have to experiment with different strategies and evaluate their results. The Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit makes this a fun experience for children because the results of their coding skills generate magic on-screen!
But beyond just the cognitive abilities that learning to code can improve in children, learning to code can provide healthy development of creative skills as well. Children can design their own projects and challenges with the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit, which allows children to exercise their creativity and apply the skills they've learned in new and innovative ways. Because of that, it encourages children to be active creators rather than passive consumers. Children can use the problem solving and analytical skills they learn in a variety of contexts beyond coding, as those are skills are used in a variety of STEM disciplines.
Of course, there is also the practical benefit of encouraging children to consider pursuing a career in coding. For example, the Australian Department of Jobs and Small Business currently predicts an additional 126,000 jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services to be added by 2022 (there are over one million people employed already), and lists "Software and Applications Programmers" as one of the top 3 hiring occupations in this field. Introducing children to coding in a fun and engaging way could prepare them for a promising career in the future!
What's in the kit?
In this kit, players first put their wand together, and then complete fun puzzles and challenges to learn the basics of coding. As they progress, players solve the coding challenges and wave their wand to cause magical effects to take place on a screen, right before your children's eyes. The kit comes with the components for the coding wand, a "Guide to Wand Motions" poster, fun decorative stickers, and a book explaining how to construct the wand and run the program. You connect the wand to a computer, iOS, or Android device to begin playing through challenges and mastering new coding skills. The Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit also keeps children motivated by incorporating rewards such as medals and experience points, and you can collect costumes, accessories, and pets as well. The program features eye-catching brightly-coloured illustrations of iconic locations and characters, to really bring the magic of Harry Potter to life.
We hope that if you have children around six or older, you'll consider ordering the Harry Potter Coding Kit soon. With its unique approach to teaching coding skills, your children will feel a sense of wonder as they perform magic right before their eyes, all while improving valuable cognitive skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking. Not only that, but it promotes creativity, as users can create their own spells and projects to enjoy.
You can order the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit here, or browse all of our other educational toys for something to spark your child's interest in learning!
In today's article, we explore gifts for 8-year old boys. 8-year-old boys are inquisitive, curious, and they are still discovering their own identity and how they fit in within groups. They love to solve problems independently and exercise their imaginations when they play.
Encourage and stimulate the 8-year-old boy in your life with these fun and educational presents. These toys and games provide hours of fun, but they also help develop crucial developmental skills.
1. ThinkFun Gravity Maze GameThe object of this game is to arrange towers and create a path for a marble to successfully travel to a target. It is a fun way to increase logical-reasoning and visual-perception skills. With 9 Building Towers, a Target tower, 3 Marbles, and 60 Challenge Cards, it’s like having a brand-new game every time he plays.
Mazes strengthen neural connections in the hippocampal area of the brain. This improves spatial memory skills and learning abilities. Spatial memory is used every time your 8-year-old needs to navigate through a house, remember where objects are placed, or analyze clues or landmarks to find the best way to get from one place to another.
2. Discovery Kids Night Mission Goggles
These sturdy night-vision googles detect objects using heat, so your inquisitive boy can sneak through the dark and detect people, animals, computers, and other heat-generating items up to 6 meters away. The handy LED switch allows him to use directional beams of light to employ night vision.
These googles satisfy his penchant for role-playing as he pretends to be a spy or a SWAT-team member out to capture the bad guys in the dead of night. They enhance creativity, open-ended play, and executive-function skills.
IQ Key Perfect 1000 is the ideal system to introduce your 8-year-old to the amazing worlds of robotics and mechatronics. The kit includes over 200 parts as well as additional supporting pieces that all connect together to create 40 different models. After he finishes building his creation, he can even bring it to life with the electrically-powered capsule that transfers energy to all the attached parts through the connection pegs.
This kit helps him to develop his focus, fine-motor, and visual-processing skills. He will learn science and pre-engineering skills by implementing motors, gears, and power.
4. Wild! Science My First Disgusting Science Kit
What 8-year-old boy is not enthralled with disgusting science experiments? Boys love stinky farts and slimy snot, so present them with the amazing Disgusting Science Kit. They’ll learn important scientific-reasoning skills without even realizing how much they’re actually learning!
The kit comes with many items and an activity guide so your 8-year-old can learn about polymer chemistry, solid-liquid physics, magical non-newtonian effects. He’ll be able to make a fart putty, creeping sludge, joke soap, weird gases and more!
5. Zoob Glow Dinos 250-piece set
Immerse your boy in the fascinating world of Jurassic-era dinosaurs with the incredibly-fun 250-piece Glow Dinos set. Instead of creating immovable structures with square building blocks, your child will get to create several species of movable dinosaurs. This encourages him to play with his creations for hours after he builds them.
This set builds several brain-building skills such as logic and reasoning, spatial memory, as well as focus and observational skills. Get two sets so he can invite friends over. He’ll revel in the friendly competition to see who can build the best dinosaur!
6. Littlebits Electronics Gizmos & Gadgets Kit
Give your 8-year-old a taste of what it’s like to be an inventor with the Electronics Gizmos & Gadgets Kit. With 63 pieces and a 24-page instructional book, he will never tire from inventing and re-inventing electrical machines.
Instructions are included for 12 different projects, including an automatic bubble blower and a remote-controlled race car. This kit will give him a strong foundation in geometry, mechanics, and logical reasoning.
Gobblet is a quick-paced, space-saving strategy game. It’s similar to Tic-Tac-Toe, except that it’s much more fun and invokes strategy and memory skills. The object is simple: gobble up, line up 4 pieces in a row, and win.
This simple game packs a punch when it comes to increasing skills. The more your 8-year-old plays, the more he will improve his deductive logic, visualization, memory, and problem-solving abilities.
8. Smart Games Temple Connection
Temple Connection is an engrossing solo-play game that works well at home or in the car. The object is to build roads and tunnels to link the temples. There are over 80 levels from beginner to expert, so this is one game that he’ll play over and over again.
Puzzle games like Temple Connection are great for improving memory, perceptual speed tasks, planning, problem-solving, and spatial insight.
Introduce your 8-year-old to the world of circuits with the Circuit Scribe Basic Kit. Instead of the old-fashioned circuit boards, your child will step into the future by drawing circuits using the included non-toxic, silver conductive ink pen. He’ll be able to write on any surface, just like a regular pen.
He can start by creating a simple circuit to learn about conductivity and then work up to creating a touch-sensitive circuit using the NPN transistor. It comes with 27 pages of easy-to-follow instructions. He will love creating, but you just may be preparing him to excel in a future hi-tech career!
10. Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty Mixed by Me Thinking Putty Kit
Delve into the exciting world of colours and putty with the Thinking Putty Kit. The kit contains 5 tins of Thinking Putty and 3 colour concentrates and 3 special effects so your child can create any combination he can imagine.
He will love playing with the finished product. He can bounce it, sculpt it, pop it, stretch it, and more. It makes a great party activity, as well.
11. Mindtwister Pentagon Compact Game
Mindtwister’s Pentagon Compact Game is a compact, 2-player game that brings strategic thinking to a whole new level. The rules are simple: create a row of 5 marbles. Being able to do it is a bit tougher, though!
During gameplay, you get to twist one of the four game blocks as part of your move. This means the game is always dynamically changing. It sounds simple, but it incredibly fun and exciting as you work hard to outwit your opponent.
12. Kapla 280 Wooden Block Planks Set
Kapla Wooden Blocks are unique because they are designed with a 1:3:5 size ratio, providing instant fun right out of the box. They come in an exquisitely sturdy wooden box with potential designs printed on it to inspire your 8-year-old’s creativity.
Building creations with these blocks help improve geometry, art, physics, and technology skills. They build focus, logical thinking, creativity, spatial awareness, and motor skills, too.
The 280 blocks come with an instructional book for extra guidance. Your 8-year-old will find an unlimited potential and endless possibilities to build creation after creation.
13. Bucket-filling Books Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids
This award-winning, 32-page picture book written by Carol McCloud teaches children how easy and rewarding it is to be kind, grateful, and loving by “filling buckets”.
It conveys the idea that, by filling up others’ buckets, kids can fill up their own. Its positive message teaches that, even when they dip from someone else’s bucket, it’s not a permanent label. Rather, it’s simply a temporary negative behaviour that can be remedied with better decisions. This book makes a great affordable gift that every child needs.
14. Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty Liquid Glass
Crazy Aaron’s Liquid-Glass Thinking Putty is unlike other Thinking Putties. It’s smooth, transparent creation is so crystal-clear, your boy might think the tin is empty! It turns cloudy when handled, but after he puts it back in the tin, it will return to its crystal-clear state in no time.
This putty is small enough to take anywhere, and it’s a great way to keep your child’s hands busy and mind engaged. It is silicone-based and is completely non-toxic. It makes a great stress-reliever for those times when your child has to sit and wait in an office or for an appointment.
Toys are fun, but they’re even better when they help your child develop critical thinking, motor, and social skills. Surprise your 8-year-old boy with a few of these award-winning games and toys. He’ll be grateful, and you can rest assured knowing that you are helping him develop into the best kid he can be.