Ages 4 to 8 Set down the code cards you want and Sammy, the sandwich robot, will drive over them to scan them in. Then the bot will run the sequence on the next grid and interact with other pieces.

Our list of the best gifts for kids includes everything from learning gadgets and creativity-inspiring tools to the hottest toys of the year. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature.

There’s no doubt the STEM toys category has lost a bit of its magic. The hype that started about a decade ago, powering a wave of startups to launch creative and experimental products — pitching ...