Children learn through play, and they learn more than adults might expect. Science experiments are a great way to spark their curiosity, get their minds active, and encourage them to do something that doesn’t involve a screen. So, whether you’re looking for the best science kits for kindergarten, science kits for 10-year-olds or for kids in middle school and beyond, we’ve got you covered.
If your kids are already on their 12-16s, you might want to take a look at some of the best science kits for teens. Furthermore, if you are an adult already looking for a science kit, we got you covered here too.
Top Picks: The Best Science Kits for Kids Overall
We couldn’t pick just one this time, so we’ve got two products tied for our top spot in the best science experiment kits for kids.
First, the basic edition of the Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids, with 21 general science experiments ranging from classics like an erupting volcano to making your own lava lamp and much more. Find links to step-by-step videos for each experiment and have a blast while learning science. Also, if you want something more complete, you can find below the more advanced version, with more than 65 experiments.
Second, at a more premium price point, we have the LEGO Boost Robotics and Coding Kit for Kids. This is possibly the best introduction to coding and robotics for children you can find right now. Once you assemble one of the five possible robots, the real learning (and fun) starts as you program the robot using the mobile app on a tablet or phone.
Take a look first to our quick comparison table if you want:
General Science Experiment Kits for Kids
Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids – 21 Experiments
Tied for first place on our list, this experiment kit from Learn & Climb is recommended for kids age 5 and up, making it one of the best science kits for kindergarten classrooms or for parents with younger children. But even older kids will have a blast exploring 21 awesome biology and chemistry experiments.
Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids
The kit comes with everything you need to perform these science projects except for basic household items, like dish soap and water. Adult supervision is advised for young children, but older kids can play independently thanks to the full-color instruction manual and online videos showing how to do each experiment.
For the number of projects and the educational value it provides, this kit is an excellent value: the perfect price point for a young science lover’s birthday present. Make a volcano erupt, grow crystals, and even build your own lava lamp!
Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids – Over 65 Experiments
This is the expanded version of the previous product from Learn & Climb, with about three times as many experiments. It is very similar to the smaller kit and contains most if not all of the same experiments, plus lots of new projects.
Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids (65 Experiments)
Unsurprisingly, this educational science kit is more expensive than our top pick because it contains so many more experiments and pieces. It’s designed for the same age group, though, so if you have a curious child aged 5 to 10 years old, this would make a wonderful gift for a special occasion.
Engineering and Robotics Science Kits for 10-year-olds
LEGO Boost Robotics and Coding Kit for Kids
If you’re looking for science experiment kits for middle schoolers or slightly younger, this robotics and coding set from LEGO is one of the top science kits for 10-year-olds. The recommended age range is 7-12 years old, but every child is unique, and parents or teachers will be the best judge of whether this toy is at the right level for theirs.
LEGO Boost Robotics and Coding Kit for Kids
There’s no point skirting around the fact that this is a bit pricey. However, we’d say it’s well worth it based on the number of options and overall educational experience. First of all, this kit can be assembled into five different types of robots (although not at the same time), which are then controlled from a smartphone or tablet via the mobile app.
Moreover, unlike many science experiment kits with a robotics focus, these LEGO robots actually teach children the basics of coding and programming. All of this is done in the app, where you will level up to new, more advanced capabilities once you have mastered programming the basic ones. 2018 Toy of the Year Award winner.
Elenco Electronic Snap Circuits – Over 300 Projects
Another great option for teachers and parents of kids who love LEGOs but would prefer a toy that doesn’t just sit around collecting dust once it’s been put together. The Elenco Electronic Snap Circuits 300 kit is a safe way for children to learn all about electricity and the electronic circuits that power TVs, radios, and more.
Elenco Electronic Snap Circuits – Over 300 Projects
This is the perfect introduction to electronic circuits for kids because it doesn’t require any soldering or extra tools. Every component simply snaps into place! All parts are clearly numbered and color coded, making it easy to follow the directions for over 300 projects.
The experiments in this kit start out simple and get progressively more complex, and some of them are incredibly cool: many types of noise-making contraptions, a lie detector test, motion sensors, time-delayed devices, and lots more. As far as science experiment kits for kids go, it’s a great price for an educational toy that will provide endless fun and learning.
CIRO 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
As the product name indicates, this robotics set allows you and your children to build 12 different types of robot (one at a time). All of the models are solar powered and require no batteries, and there are land and water versions (like the rowboat bot).
CIRO 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
The manufacturer recommends this toy for kids aged 8 and up, but younger kids might have trouble separating the pieces and handling the small parts. We’d say this is right on target as a science kit for 10-year-olds or middle schoolers if you want kids to work independently. However, it can be enjoyed by even very young children with help from a parent or teacher.
Also, the robots’ face bears an uncanny resemblance to WALL-E, which is simply adorable! And for the price, you can’t beat it—definitely one of the best science kits for kids in the pre-teens and early teens age group.
Giggleway DIY Electric Motor Robot Kit
Build three different robots at once with this fun robotics kit designed for kids aged 8 and up. Children will love the bright colors and silly googly eyes for the robots. Plus, one of the robot models is a doodling or graffiti bot, which stands on three included markers as legs and skitters about on a sheet of paper, drawing as it moves.
Giggleway DIY Electric Motor Robot Kit
A small magnetic screwdriver is included, but kids at the lower end of the recommended age range may still struggle with the tiny screws. At the same time, the cutesy robots may seem a bit juvenile for middle schoolers. So, while we’d recommend this educational science kit for kids around 9 or 10 years old, it’s best for parents and teachers to decide what their children will find appropriately challenging and engaging.
National Geographic DaVinci’s Inventions DIY Battalion
If your young engineer is also something of a history buff, this battalion set from National Geographic is the perfect science kit for you. Inspired by the inventions and original designs of Leonardo DaVinci, this kit includes parts and instructions to build three functional miniature weapons: a bombard, a catapult, and a ballista.
National Geographic DaVinci’s Inventions DIY Battalion
When I say “functional”, I mean that, when correctly assembled, these models will launch their payload up to 15 feet!
Recommended for ages 12+, this would be a great science kit for middle school students, who will almost certainly have a blast “battling” one another with their wooden renaissance battalions.
Biology and chemistry educational science kits
AmScope Kids’ Beginner Microscope
This is a fantastic introductory microscope, but more than that, it’s one of the best science experiment sets for kids who love nature. In fact, it’s a 52-piece kit including the carrying case, complete with microscope slides and covers, petri dish, tweezers, eye dropper, and brine shrimp eggs so that your child can watch the brine shrimp hatch and go through their life cycle.
AmScope Kids’ Beginner Microscope
The kit includes a set of slides that have already been prepared for you with different specimens, plus blank slides so that kids can take a closer look at the things they find while exploring outside.
National Geographic Mega Crystal Growing Lab
Crystal growing is a classic science experiment that all kids love, and this kit from National Geographic allows you to grow 8 different colors of crystals at home. It comes with everything you need, plus a lighted display base so you can show off your 5 favorites. This makes a gorgeous nightlight!
National Geographic Mega Crystal Growing Lab
The crystal growing kit is intended for children aged 8+, but is so fascinating that even teenagers and adults will enjoy watching how the crystals get bigger each day. Compared to other crystal kits out there, this one is somewhat more expensive, but it does come with the quality assurance of NatGeo as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
For more specific kits, we got you covered on our guide on the best chemistry sets for kids.
Choosing the Right Science Experiment Kits for your Children
As you can see, there are plenty of options for these science sets that you can get for your kids. It is sometimes hard to decide whether is best to get them tools related to chemistry, biology, physics, robotics, etc.
But in my opinion, is ver y difficult to go wrong with any of those! Kids are still growing, always learning new things. They don’t need to focus on any field in particular just yet, not even close!
A perfectly fine balanced option is always the Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids, and another more oriented towards robotics-programming, the awesome LEGO Toolbox: Robot Building and Programming Set.
So, our best recommendation is for you to get the science kit that looks like the most fun for both you and your children.
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