Ever since my oldest son started school, we could tell what his favorite subjects were and which were most definitely not. When it came to reading, spelling, or anything in the English department, we had to beg and fight our way through homework.
On the other hand, with math and science, he would often finish the homework at school or be totally excited to do it when he got home. No fighting. No begging. Just an eagerness and gleam in his eye.
STEM jobs are the way of the future. Introducing kids to STEM early is key. Here are 10 brain-building STEM apps to help you out! Click To TweetFast forward five years, and that is still the case, but now he has some awards and achievements to go along with it. Last year he was identified as a Duke University Talent Identification Program student for his outstanding test scores in math.
We are so proud of him!
To further our son’s love of math and science, we try to make sure even the games he plays on his iPad are STEM-related. Here are ten brain-building STEM apps that are sure to resonate with like-minded children.
Hopscotch
In Hopscotch, children learn to code their own games and apps. Once done, they can play them and share it with others.
Crazy Gears
This app gets children thinking about cause and effect in a fun way. In this puzzle game, your child will learn about physical properties like gravity, tension, and motion as they progress through each level manipulating objects.
TinkerBox
In this free physics puzzle game, your child will learn basic engineering concepts and science facts. It takes creative problem-solving skills to a whole new level, even for children as young as four.
Monster Physics
In this building app, your child will use their imagination to build and operate their inventions in real-time. Using hands-on physics, they will solve missions and learn about mass, force, friction, and more.
The Robot Factory
In this app, your child can create robot after robot with over a million different combinations possible. They will learn about basic physics through the successes and failures of their inventions.
Odd Bot Out
In this contraption puzzle game, your goal is to help Odd the robot escape from the recycling bin. Your child will use electricity, physics, and building blocks to help him out.
Thinkrolls
Using physics concepts, your child will navigate mazes through hands-on manipulation. Through trial and error, they will learn what works and what does not.
The Everything Machine
Using features of the iPad and iPhone, your child can create different machines using an image-based programming language. This app will introduce your child to circuitry and programming.
Robot School
Using programming, your child will help R-obbie the Robot get back to his planet. This app makes programming fun and easy to learn with drag and drop programming instructions.
Lightbot
In this puzzle game, your child will be introduced to coding, computer science, and programming. Each level will require using programming logic to proceed to the next level.
What was your favorite subject as a kid?
My oldest granddaughter loves anything to do with STEM. I’ve been looking for activities to get my younger granddaughters interested also. Thanks for the information.
So glad to hear your granddaughter loves STEM. Maybe she could participate in an after school program – many have STEM-related classes available
Thank you for these recommendations! Maybe my kiddos will actually enjoy these while learning!
These apps are a great way to get in some STEM learning without them knowing it!
These are great recommendations. Introducing kids to STEM early will certainly give them a head start in school.
Totally agree – it’s great for kids to get into STEM subjects as young as possible
These are some great ideas. My kids always want to be on their electronics and I would feel much better about letting them if I knew that they were actually learning something from it.
It’s always a plus when tech is educational
Both my kids are in gifted programs in school, but being on 100% virtual learning, they don’t get challenged as much. Stem activities used to be a major part of the program. I have purchased some Stem per their request, but I will definitely let them get on the apps. They love Stem!
Ah, yeah, the GT programs are probably hard to implement via the internet. They probably need more hands-on activities. Adding in fun STEM activities after school would probably help.
My kids love gaming and would spend all day doing it if I let them! I love that there are so many STEM and educational games out there that teach them something at the same time.
It is def good to add in STEM in addition to the gaming we all love
These are definitely so needed. Following the pandemic, they would be great for summer in order to prepare for actual in-school learning in the Fall! Thanks for sharing!
Very true! These STEM apps will def help children prepare for school while still having fun