STEM Play with Stems – review & giveaway (AD)
With two little humans at home we’re always on the lookout for new toys. Now that the Bears are a little older, I’m becoming really attracted to things that have an educational benefit. I had heard of STEM play a few times so, when the opportunity came up to take a closer look at Stems – which I have to say looked incredibly odd at first look – I was really interested to take a closer look.
WHAT ARE STEMS?
Stems are a flexible 3D construction toy from the team at Learning Resources, which encourages STEM learning through play.
If you’re not already aware of STEM, the idea is that it’s an interdisciplinary approach. Building Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths into education and play to build those skills at a foundation level. What STEM does is encourage curiousity and create a desire to learn and understand the world around them. STEM play can build a great foundation for children.
Sounds great right? With this in mind, Stems are designed to pip the curiousity of little ones and encourage them to get creative. Designing and building things with these weird bobbly pieces.
STEM PLAY WITH STEMS
Weird to look at, the Bear really was unsure at first. When I told her that we could make anything she was not convinced at all. Looking at the little ‘broken rectangles’ as she called them, she couldn’t see how they could make things like balls, glasses and hats. She was curious enough though to demand I make a unicorn to prove it. Nothing like starting easy eh?
I was rather proud of my attempt!
Before long it was her turn though. It took a little getting used to, but as soon as the Bear got the hang of clipping the Stems together, she was off! Watching her play in this way, I could see some of the learning skills that Stems encourage. Problem solving, fine motor skills and hand eye coordination were all in play as well as problem solving. All great STEM play benefits.
The pack holds 20 pieces, four each of five colours: pink, orange, yellow, green and blue. It includes a small activity guide to get you started and get your creativity flowing. This is a great way to warm up so that you can get familiar with the possibilities.
Bright, bold and interesting to look at. I can really see this being a great learning aid that will grow with her over the years. As she develops, so will the creations that she manages to put together.
THE GIVEAWAY
The Learning Resources team are giving away a tub of 20 Stems to one lucky Tippytupps reader. Just enter via Rafflecopter using the link below and follow the usual social media accounts.
This giveaway is open to UK residents only, is powered by Rafflecopter and will close on Sunday 14h July 2019 at midnight. The winner will then be chosen at random using the tool. Please note this competition is hosted by the Tippytupps blog but the prize is being provided by Learning Resources who will be responsible for posting your prize out to you. For full terms and conditions for the giveaway, please visit the Tippytupps terms and conditions page.
Good luck!
If you enjoyed this review, they why not check out our other reviews over on the blog.
We we provided with these items in return for our honest review. As always, all thoughts are our own.
an elephant
I would love to meet a panda
I like to meet a Gruffalo.
I’d love to meet a cheeky monkey on my trip
A dolphin would be lovely
A wolf
A unicorn!
a giraffe its their gawkiness I really like
an elephant 🙂
I would love to meet an elephant, I love them!
I would love to meet a elephant
I would like to meet a unicorn with a rainbow mane
Penguins wearing raincoats
white tigers, they are beautiful x
an elephant!!
Elephants <3
A monkey
Penguins. Do love penguins…
A polar bear x
A polar bear, my daughter says!!
Panda ‘ – amazing creatures
a unicorn.
tough choice but id say panda
A wolf would be good.
A giraffe
I would love to meet a polar bear
A unicorn
A killer whale
A tiger but only if he was friendly!
A beautiful tiger as they are my favourite animal.ever
Would love to meet a Giraffe
A baby elephant
i would love to meet a sparkly unicorn
I would love to meet a flock of beautiful coloured Macaws
An elephant or a giraffe.
A koala bear x
a tiger grroooaarrrr
A lemur.