The Tot Tube: A STEM Toy for Preschool and Beyond

A STEM toy that is simple to assemble, easy to store, and works with a variety of toys.

My kids love setting up intricate ramps for races. Sometimes I visit their toy room and discover clever attempts to use anything they can find to create cool ramps – container lids, box tops, even tables. My toddler and I have tried to make a stable ramp out of recycleables many times and they always collapse. I admire their ingenuity, but, oh the mess!

In contrast, many of the pre-packaged ramps and race tracks we’ve purchased have frustrating limitations. They are often high-priced, flimsily made, frustrating to assemble, and difficult to store. Many of these branded toys fit a specific size of car or ball, without much flexibility. Plus, if you looked for a ramp or a track in a traditional toy store, iy would inevitably be found in the “boys” section.

The Tot Tube Playset offers a smart solution to these issues in 4 ways.

1. Simple to Assemble. The Tot Tube is made of three plastic tubes and goes together in seconds, no tools required. No batteries, lights, or sounds included; except for the ones your children imagine. You can even purchase multiple sets and put them together to create a longer ramp or place two side bey side for a race.

The tube can be propped against furniture to create different heights and angles. My children especially like standing on our old coach in the toy room, propping the tube against the coach, and watching cars and balls shoot down. This toy would also be a fun outdoor toy and great to use with water or sand!

2. Teaches STEM Skills. The Tot Tube introduces basic physics concepts and encourages experimentation. At 48 inches long, it’s fun to use inside or out, with water or sand, plus accommodates a large variety of toys.

I am looking forward to taking the Tot Tube to the park when the weather improves and watching the kids experiment.

• What happens if I prop it against the tall slide? What about the shorter slide?
• What if I spray it with a hose or fill it with sand?
• What will happen if we call to each other from each end? Will our voices change?

My 3 1/2 year-old enjoyed experimenting with the Tot Tube yesterday and having me watch the results. This kept him entertained for a good 20 minutes while he tried the following:

• Will this small ball fit? What about the big one?
• Will the heavy car go faster or the lighter car?
• What happens if I stand this Pet Shop umbrella at the end and then hit it with a car?
• If I lay out cars at the end, will the truck knock them over or jump over them?

The only consistent suggestion for improvement from all 3 of my older kids: Make the whole tubing clear, so they can watch the toy travel the entire length. While the toy is advertised as working for 24 months to 7, I would say it’s been most popular with the preschool to Kindergarten set at our house.

3. Works with a Variety of Toys. To date, the following toys have made their way down the Tot Tube:

• Several brands of cars
• Mini  monster trucks
• Balls of all shapes, sizes, and weights
• Pet Shop
• My Little Pony
• Candy
• Legos
• Trains

The Tot Tube is gender neutral (no pink washing here), so it appeals to kids with a variety of interests and encourages interactive play.

4. Easy to Store. To store, simply pull the tube apart into three pieces. This creates a manageable size for easily storing in a container, closet, or on a shelf. No awkward shapes or long tubing to store.

Here’s a quick and simple video of my son experimenting with the Tot Tube:

Disclaimer: I received product to review for this post. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.