The Ducky Dispatch

A practical guide to choosing STEM Christmas gifts for curious kids aged 6 to 12. Match the kit to what the child loves, and get it wrapped and shipped in time for the holidays.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. A STEM toy is one that teaches those subjects by having kids actually do something: build, experiment, code or discover. Here is what that looks like in practice, what each kind builds, and a simple checklist for separating real learning toys from ones that only have educational packaging.

Not sure which robot kit your child can actually build and enjoy? This guide covers the four main types of robot kits, what each one involves, and which to pick first, with specific options for every level from ages 6 to 12.

Water rockets launch because trapped air pushes water out fast, and that force drives the rocket up. Here's how it works, what changes the height, and how to try it yourself with a kit built for beginners.