Having Fun With Smithsonian Stem Toys

I received product/compensation in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

Now that my kids are older they still want toys but not babyish toys. They want toys that look cool and act cool, if that is such a thing! When kids are little it is definitely easier to shop for them but I feel like most of those toys end up trashed and discarded weeks later.

Did you know that The Smithsonian Institution that includes 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park also has a product line? Smithsonian Stem Toys come in a variety of products for all ages. They are designed to engage kids and spark learning for curious kids (and adults.)

Just in time for the holidays, there are three hot products from Smithsonian to check out:

Smithsonian Wave Machine

Observe a continuous wave simulation.
Explore how waves and rip currents form.
Learn about rogue waves and tsunamis.
Examine how waves impact the landscape.
Learn about the largest waves ever recorded.
Learn what causes tides and why it’s important to track them.
Requires 1 C (1.5V) battery (not included).
Ages 14+

This is honestly a great product to engage kids on physics and how waves work. My 14-year-old loves seeing it on his desk while he does his homework and says it helps him focus. I admit I have a hard time taking my eyes off it! It is crazy how so much can be learned from such a simple product. You also get an information sheet with this set to explain about physics and the science of the product.

Smithsonian Prehistorian Sea Monster Kit

Smithsonian Prehistoric Sea Monsters include: 1 Aquarium, 1 Background, 1 Bag of Triop Eggs, 1 Bag of Sand and Color Poster with Instructions.
Net Wt: Triops Eggs 0.017 oz. (0.5g)
Adult supervision required.
Ages 7+

These are basically sea monkeys but they are designed to look like prehistoric sea monsters. To hatch them you just need to add water and then you wait. I will say it does take some patience to hatch and says it can take up to a week. I love that it comes with everything you need and is designed to look like dinosaurs which kids are all about today. There is no lid so definitely be careful to not spill it and it does need to be near sunlight. You also need to feed them a few times a week with food from around your house or fish food. You also get an information sheet with this set to explain about dinosaurs and the science of the product. The sheet says they can live about two months.

Smithsonian Perpetual Motion Kit

Build a “Perpetual” Motion Machine, powered by an invisible magnetic field.
Understand how batteries create the magnetic force that keeps your machine working.
Learn about magnets, their early uses, and some of the many ways they are used today.
Learn the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics
Requires 4 (1.5V) AA batteries (not included).
Ages 8+

I remember my science teacher having one of these when I was younger and she would click it around on her desk. It is amazing to have one on my own desk now and watching it go around as I work. There really is something soothing and amazing watching it go round and round. I did not understand the science back then and I can’t say I understand it now but it does remind me how science works in mysterious ways and is always all around us. You also get an information sheet with this set to explain about a magnetic field and the science of the product.