Toy Association's "Back to School" Shopping List Features 25 STEAM Toys for Kids

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Association™ today unveiled its "Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List," which includes 25 officially accredited STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toys that will enrich kids' learning during the academic year. Families can now shop the list of toys (below), choosing from a variety of hands-on building sets as well as activities that gamify mathematical concepts and invite kids to explore outer space, natural sciences, and much more. 

Each featured product has passed a rigorous evaluation process to earn an official "STEAM Stamp of Approval," and meets the strict criteria established in The Toy Association's STEAM Toy Assessment Framework, developed in partnership with The Good Play Guide™. The toys were first tested by children under professional observation, before being evaluated by The Good Play Guide, which uses a scientifically proven toy evaluation method backed by Dr. Amanda Gummer, who has a PhD in neuropsychology and more than 20 years of experience working with kids and families.

"As families across the U.S. get ready for another back-to-school season, our list offers parents a well-vetted guide that will help kids flourish this academic year and build skills through engaging, play-based activities," said Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association. "Parents and caregivers can feel confident that each toy listed will help support their children's learning journey, using the proven power of play to facilitate development of age-appropriate learning goals."

The "Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List" is below (listed alphabetically by product name):

1. 50 Piece Rainbow Transport Pack (Connetix Tiles)
2. 66 Piece Ball Run Expansion Pack (Connetix Tiles)
3. Dino World XL 50-Piece Set (Magna-Tiles)
4. Discover (Makedo)
5. DISCOVERING STEM - Astronomy: Travelling to Space (Engino)
6. Gravitrax Starter-Set XXL (Ravensburger)
7. Gravitrax Vertical Starter Set (Ravensburger)
8. Hexbug Nano Zone (Spin Master)
9. LEGO Buildable Ruler Set (Santoki)
10. LEGO CITY Lunar Space Station (LEGO)
11. Locbloc Counting Blocks (Battat)
12. Magicube 24-PC Set - Recycled (Geomag)
13. Marble Rush Launchpad Set (VTech)
14. Melissa & Doug Wooden Get Well Doctor Activity Center (Melissa & Doug)
15. My Gears® Machine Set (Edx Education)
16. National Geographic Microscope Science Lab (Blue Marble)
17. Ollyball (VICTURY SPORTS LLC)
18. Penguin Math Balance (Battat)
19. Pixicade Pets (BitOGenius Inc.)
20. Smartivity Hydraulic Plane Launcher (Elenco)
21. Snap Circuits Bric Structures (Elenco)
22. Stanley Jr. DIY Pull Back Race Car Kit (Red Toolbox Ltd.)
23. Superspace (Everplay Labs Limited)
24. Tale-Bot Pro (Matatalab)
25. Ultrasonic Misting Volcano (Klutz)

The Toy Association's STEAM toy accreditation program was launched in 2021 in partnership with the Good Play Guide™, following years of research to identify and detail specific characteristics of a good STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toy for various age groups. Consumers can shop the list of STEAM-approved products available on Amazon on the official STEAM Accredited Toys Storefront. To learn more about The Toy Association's ongoing STEAM initiative, visit toyassociation.org/STEAM or contact [email protected].

About The Toy Association™ www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org

Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $102.4 billion, and is the nation's most effective resource and influential advocate for hundreds of companies including manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others who are involved in the youth entertainment industry. Toy Association manufacturing members account for 93% of U.S. toy and game sales driving the annual $40 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.  As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair®; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.

About the Good Play Guide™  www.goodplayguide.com 

The Good Play Guide™ is the official accreditation body for the STEAM Accreditation Program. Founded by Dr. Amanda Gummer, who has a PhD in neuropsychology and over 20 years of experience working with children and families, the Good Play Guide uses a scientifically proven method to evaluate toys. Every toy submitted for evaluation is firstly tested by the important people – children. While the children play, they are observed by professionals who have been trained to carry out research with children in a robust and ethically responsible way. The toys are then evaluated by the Good Play Guide's team of experts to ensure they meet the strict criteria set in The Toy Association's "STEAM Toy Assessment Framework."

SOURCE The Toy Association