21 January 2026

More Than a Trend: How STEM Toys Spark a Love for Engineering

Are engineers born or made?

There’s no clear answer. But imagine a child who grows up taking things apart and putting them back together — toys, gadgets, anything within reach. By the age of ten, he starts learning to code simply because he wants to understand what’s happening “under the hood.” You know this kid. Everyone does. Years later, Elon Musk would say that real understanding came from hands-on experience, not textbooks — and that the idea of “take it apart, understand it, build it again” shaped the way he thinks as an engineer.

So… did SpaceX and Tesla start with toy kits and a disassembled vacuum cleaner? 😊
Not exactly. But paths like this are rarely accidental.

History is full of similar stories. Nikola Tesla built mechanical models and water wheels long before his breakthroughs. Wernher von Braun was launching homemade toy rockets years before NASA. And Albert Einstein’s fascination with physics began with a simple compass he studied for hours, trying to understand the invisible forces behind it.

In the end, at the core of technological progress, automation, and today’s digital world lies one thing: curiosity. “How does this work?” is the first and most important question engineers ask — at any age. And to give children and adults alike the freedom to experiment, explore, build, take things apart, and develop creative thinking, the STEM approach gradually emerged — not as a passing trend, but as a natural extension of our human desire to understand and create.

And when it comes to creating, why not build the ultimate realistic fire truck?

What are STEM toys?

Oh, there’s much more to them than just fun sets for kids. S for Science, T for Technology, E for Engineering, and M for Math — in other words, everything modern life is built on. The real purpose of STEM toys is to help kids (and yes, adults too — more on that later 🙂) explore how the world works by creating things with their own hands. These toys invite you to experiment, try, fail, fix, and try again — without fear of getting it wrong. Their biggest strength is simple: learning through play.

And the emotions? They’re real. The satisfaction of a challenge. The thrill of seeing something finally work. That moment of “Wait… I made this? With my own hands? Wow.” So… are you starting to look at building sets, 3D puzzles, and DIY kits a little differently now?

How STEM Became So Popular

A bit of history first. While the term STEM itself only appeared in the early 2000s, the idea behind those toys is much older. As far back as the 19th century, kids were playing with mechanical building sets, gears, and experiment kits — early predecessors of what we now call STEM toys. Metal construction sets like Meccano were even used in engineering education to teach basic mechanical principles.

In the 1950s and 60s, during the space race, interest in science and technology exploded. Children were given radio kits, simple computer sets, and home laboratories. The goal was clear: spark curiosity early and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

The real STEM boom, however, came in the 2010s. Why? Because in a world where almost everything has gone digital, STEM toys bring back the joy of working with your hands. Look around — screens are everywhere, automation is the norm, and you can order almost anything in just two clicks. Is that a good thing? Absolutely. But in that kind of environment, the chance to build something yourself, take it apart, and put it back together feels surprisingly refreshing — and genuinely fun.

Another important reason for STEM’s rapid growth is its impact on future interests. Research suggests that kids who regularly engage with STEM toys are more likely to develop an interest in technology, engineering, and science — and to see these fields as possible paths later on.

Kidults, your time has come!

If you’ve ever thought these toys are just for kids and teens — stop it. Seriously. Better yet, pick a set you actually want to build 😎 Because the stats don’t lie: in the U.S., about 30% of toys are bought by adults for themselves. And most of that? Builders, DIY kits, and mechanical engineering sets — the stuff that gives you the pure joy of creating with your own hands and lets you dive into full-on engineer mode.

Some of these “toys” aren’t even really toys — they’re legit engineering challenges. Need proof? Check out our DIY bulldozer with 1,715 pieces to assemble. Warning: it may cause excessive pride and serious “I built this myself!” vibes.

What if… we add A for Art?

STEM quickly grew beyond the idea of just assembling things correctly. Because even in a super-technological world where usability comes first, beauty still matters. When art joins science, technology, and engineering, STEAM is born — a space where logic meets imagination. Here, it’s not only about how something works, but also how it looks, feels, and tells a story. Color, shape, details, mood — that’s the “A” in action.

What does this mean for DIYers? It means the fun doesn’t end once the model is assembled — that’s where creativity really begins. Grab some paint, switch on your imagination, and give your creation a personality.