Before robots take over completely, it might be a good idea to learn a little about how they work. Start with this Elenco® Joysticks Robotic Arm Kit. After building it, you’ll understand mechanical basics and be able to watch the inner parts working in tandem (mechanical rods, planetary gears and transmission) as you control the arm’s (4) axes in (8) different directions simultaneously and easily with (2) joysticks. Pick up objects of different sizes and shapes with the convertible (2)- and (4)-claw grippers. Fully constructed, the machine measures approx 20” long x 10-1/2” high x 6-1/2” wide. Requires (2) “D” batteries, not included, but we’ve got them for you. Ages 10+

The ingenious Sir Isaac Newton spent years coming up with his laws of motion, but now your kid can learn all about them fast by building (8) working models in this Discovering STEM Newton’s Law snap-together kit from Engino®. Models include a ballistic catapult, a gravity fan, a collision car, a moving cabin, a balloon-powered plane and a dragster. Included booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles, and a quiz section is also available to challenge your kid’s newly acquired knowledge! Also has an interactive 3D app.

Snap Circuits™ has added Brics, their name for little plastic building blocks that are, luckily, compatible with Lego, those other little, inerlocking plastic building blocks you have. This award-winning 225-piece Bric Essentials set has sheets and blocks plus Snap Circuits connectors, blinking and steady LEDs, a slide switch, a fiber-optic bundle, an incandescent bulb and a melody integrated circuit, along with adapter blocks to mate the Snap Circuits components with the brics. Has instructions to make over 25 projects, including a house and a tower, on the 10” x 5” base. You add a trio of “AA” batteries. For ages 8+. Winner of Six Toy of the Year Awards! ages 8 to 108. A great gift for the Lego Lover!

Right after you build your own working medieval catapult or trebuchet. All you’ll need is glue, scissors and a steady hand (plus a small bag of marbles or rocks or something as a counterweight for the trebuchet) to construct these wooden, Canadian-made siege engine kits. The catapult stands 6” tall x 5” wide x 10” long and will toss assorted stuff 15 feet or farther, depending upon the stuff. The finished trebuchet will be 26” long x 18” wide x 24” tall and will propel small objects (meatballs?) 20 feet or more. Both include detailed instructions and are great resources for STEM activities. For ages 9+. Note: Please don’t propel small mammals, and please don’t put anyone’s eye out.

The secret is in the gears. This 185-piece kit from UGEARS® assembles in 2-3 hours without glue or tools, and results in an 8-compartment box. Opening the lid activates (3) main blocks to the side and front. A third block moves a lower drawer with (6) compartments, while a secret button on the back opens (2) secret compartments. Includes a locking latch. No doubt about it—this box is fancy, festooned with myriad floral and ornamental design elements. Completed box will measure approx 11” x 8-3/4” x 8”. Made in Ukraine. For ages 14+.

It doesn't get much cooler in the robotic-arm-kit game. The assembled STEM educational arm is 15" tall x 9" long x approx 3-1/2" wide. It's 2-pronged hand opens to 1-3/4", lifts up to 3.5 oz (100g), swings 120 degrees at the wrist, pivots 300 degrees at the elbow, and sits on a base that swings 180 degrees up and down and rotates 270 degrees, like, well, an arm. Controlled by (5) 2-axis joy-sticks and powered by (4) D-Cell batteries that you provide. Includes a hand-mounted search light and over-torque and gear-breakage alarms, which is more than your arm has. Requires a diagonal cutter and Philips screwdriver for assembly of its 200+ pieces and is made for ages 12 and up.

Make a whole bunch of fun and instructive Lego® machines/chain reaction models like marble runs and mousetraps involving ramps, buckets, funnels balances and much more. Comes with (33) Lego® elements, (6) Lego® balls, a dozen paper props, and a 78-page instruction booklet for (10) machines. You add a few common household items. Includes suggestions for more complicated devices if you have your own Lego® pieces, and if you don't, what are you waiting for? Ages 8+.

Teaching a kid how to manage time—hey, that’s up to you—but this wind-up clock kit teaches kids the basic mechanical principles of gears and pendulums. Clock has a clear body, approx 7-3/4” dia x 1” deep with a 1/2” tall base, and individually colored gears for easy identification. It’s spring-driven, so no batteries are needed. Bell "dings" in 15-minute intervals. Tweaking the pendulum mounting, and tuning it, takes a little focus. Ages 6-10. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

UGears® is the model company that specializes is wooden steampunk versions of otherwise simple objects, perfect for perfectionist painstakers who revel in constructing complicated kits. (You know who you are.) In this case, you pick: the (43) piece Steampunk Clock, a beautiful collection of gears, lacy ornament, flowers, stars and a moon that you make into an imitation clock approx 2" x 3" x 5" when done; or the Wheel Organizer, the world's most delightfully complicated desktop pencil and pen holder. The (51) parts include wheels, gears and slots that deliver the pencil of choice when you turn the big ship-like wheel. Finished model will be 4-1/3" x 3-1/2" x 3-2/3". No glue or special tools needed, and you can paint or stain them if you like.

These DIY cardboard game kits are fun and easy to assemble. A relatively small number of components and basic instructions allow kids to put them together and begin play quickly. No tools or batteries needed. Included instructions promise assembly in 45 minutes. Then, kids can start playing with their very own bowling alley or pinball machine. Each kit has (11) cardboard sheets and all the other parts needed for the games. Cardboard doesn’t last forever, but this stuff is durable enough that it’ll still be around when the kids have moved on to teenage rabble-rousing. You pick: the bowling alley, with (6) pins, (2) balls, and other parts, measuring approx 21-1/2” x 7” x 5-1/2”; or the pinball machine, with (1) marble, (3) elastic bands, and other parts, measuring approx 15” x 10” x 6”.