At the Museo dei Bambini, our team regularly meets parents eager to extend their child’s learning beyond our hands-on exhibits. They ask how to bring the same spirit of discovery home—how to nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity through everyday play. That’s where STEM toys come in.
Whether you prefer to shop local or browse from home, Lecce offers a surprisingly rich landscape of shops where educational toys take center stage. Here’s a guide to the most reliable options in the area, along with three standout online retailers.
Città del Sole – Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Lecce
This boutique toy shop is well-known throughout Italy for its thoughtful selection of educational and creative toys. In Lecce, it’s located in the heart of the city. Parents will find wooden construction kits, magnet-based logic puzzles, and early engineering toys—all presented in an inviting space that feels more like a Montessori classroom than a store. Staff are knowledgeable and available to help choose age-appropriate STEM options. They also offer home delivery and telephone ordering.
Abbruzzese Giocattoli – Via Imperatore Adriano, Lecce
Operating since 1920, Abbruzzese is one of Lecce’s oldest toy stores. While its atmosphere recalls a classic neighborhood shop, its offerings are up-to-date. The STEM section includes small-scale robotics kits, basic electronics, and tactile logic games suitable for different age levels. The staff are particularly helpful with explaining how the toys work and recommending products based on a child’s interests.
Giocheria Megastore – Via Francesco Calasso, Lecce
With more than 500 square meters of space, Giocheria Megastore offers Lecce’s largest selection of toys. Families will find everything from infant activity sets to programmable robots and circuit-building kits. The store is part of a national chain but maintains a local feel, with friendly staff and clear labeling of educational toys. Many families appreciate the ability to compare dozens of options in one place.
Top Online Stores for STEM Toys
Learning Resources
One of the most trusted names in STEM toys, Learning Resources offers a huge catalog of products covering math manipulatives, science kits, and programmable logic games. Their toys are classroom-tested and come with clear educational objectives. Parents can shop by age or skill focus, making it easy to find the right match.
Fat Brain Toys
Fat Brain is known for well-designed, durable toys that combine fun with critical thinking. Their STEM section includes marble runs, construction kits, coding games, and tactile brain teasers. Each item on the site is reviewed with learning benefits in mind, and the platform offers useful tools like an age-based toy finder.
Sphero
Sphero brings robotics and coding to life. The company’s app-enabled robotic balls, programmable vehicles, and interactive kits are favorites among tech-savvy kids and educators. Each product introduces coding principles through engaging gameplay. The site also includes lesson plans, making it a great choice for home-schooling or supplementing school-based STEM work.
Conclusion
In Lecce and beyond, families don’t need to choose between educational value and play. With the right toys—whether picked up at a trusted local store or ordered online—parents can recreate the wonder of the children’s museum at home, sparking deeper exploration and a lifelong love of learning.
