Preparing children for 21st century jobs isn't limited to STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) curriculum. Toys also help them develop skills in these areas, and the most effective and enjoyable aim for the next level: STEAM. A stands for arts, including music and design. I tested two toys that tick many STEAM boxes: Nintendo's Labo robot kit and the littleBits​ Avengers Hero Inventor kit. While screens are part of the fun, these kits are as much, if not more, about hands-on learning, problem-solving and creating.

A Nintendo Switch is required for the robot kit, whose software guides users through the creation of a wearable robot from supplied materials – essentially cardboard cutouts and string. Attached to this suit, console controllers translate the player's movements into the on-screen robot's actions. The self-contained Avengers kit gets kids building basic circuits with colour-coded, magnetised sections according to the app's instructions, and writing simple code using on-screen blocks. Challenges are associated with superheroes' powers, so the Ironman-inspired LED matrix can be programmed with custom logos or scrolling text, for example. Circuits click into a wearable plastic gauntlet.

While cardboard and plastic won't last forever, tape will extend the lives of these kits aimed at girls and boys alike.

VERDICT