12 Best Science Kits for Kids in 2020 | Reviews and Recommendations

I Best Science Kits for Kids Aged 3 – 7

In this category, we included the best science kits for kids that make excellent education and learning tools for kindergarten and school children as confirmed by parents and educators.

Looking like toys perhaps, these science kits for kids have great educational value, low boredom factor, and represent great starter packs for young inventors to find their own path and their favorite science field.

You may find one or two science kits we already listed when we presented you with the best science gifts for kids, but that only means that some of these items are so amazing, no one can ignore!

In this section dedicated to science kits for kids ages 3 to 7 you will find the following

• Automobile Engineering Science Kit for Kids;
• Chemistry Scientific Set;
• Electronics Science Experiment Kit for Kids. In case your child shows a passion for electronics and programming, take a look at our refined selection of best Arduino starter kits for beginners and advanced technical savvy children and teens;
• Biology Kids Science Kit that teaches children about ecosystems, biology, and botany. Take advantage of this kit to start teaching children about fun animal facts;
• A microscope for kids. If you are looking for more options in microscopes for kids, here are our top choices in kids microscopes that promote science experiments, learning, and discovery.

1 Thames & Kosmos First Automobile Engineering Science Kit for Kids

If your children at home or in the classroom love to build things, show an interest in how/why things work, have an appetite for stories and quests, then this vehicle engineering set is probably one of the best science kits for kids in kindergarten! Let’s see more about this product!

Why choose the Thames & Kosmos Automobile Science Kit for Kids?

Karlie and Ty Omega, two curious and smart kids, build simple models of the vehicles they encounter on their amusing trip to the supermarket with their father. Your child will follow the journey and build the vehicles to solve tasks and complete quests. But besides the fun and inquisitive side of this kit, let’s see other features:

• The kit contains 70 colorful and chunky building pieces, perfect for your child’s little hands;
• It features storage carrying case and simple assembly instructions for 10 different vehicle models;
• It helps develop fine motor skills, science and math skills, visual-spatial skills, and reasoning and concept development skills.

Verdict

The first installment on this best science gifts for kids list is an excellent educational tool to help kids develop cognitive skills and have some fun while building vehicles and solving problems. The enthusiast reviews and the good price makes this science kit for kids a great item to have around and use at its maximum potential. As science kits for kids goes, this is one of the best to star with if you want to spark the passion for science in your small children.

2 Learning Resources Primary Lab Science Kits for Kids

While you will have to take care of the supplies to keep the experimentation going, this product offers all the tools to make science for kids a breeze. Colorful and engaging, this set will keep preK kids curious for years!

Why choose the Learning Resources Primary Lab Science Kit for Kids?

If your child shows an interest in experiments – with household items for instance – and asks a lot of questions about how things work and what they do, then this is the best science kit for kids you can buy for this age range. Let’s see a few features we are sure you will enjoy:

• It comes full of useful tools, from beaker to magnifying glass, and a pack of ten activity cards to prompt learning and discovery.
• Starting from this set, you can grow a kid’s curiosity towards hard sciences.
• The product comes in a brown corrugated box that is easy to recycle and great for the environment – one more reason to teach sustainability at home through a first-hand experience.

Verdict

As a starter tool kit for very young children, this primary lab set does a good job. The accessories are sturdy, good looking, and fun & easy to use. It is true that you should have some ingredients around to make things work, but given the price and kids’ enthusiasm regarding the set, you should definitely give it a try. As kids science kits go, you can count on this product to help your children understand chemistry – a skill they will benefit from later on in the school years.

3 Snap Circuits Beginner Electronics Science Kits for Kids

Young kids and circuits don’t seem to work together very well, but given the enthusiast reviews and the excellent price of this product, you have nothing to lose. This beginner’s electronics set is a great introduction to problem-solving, following directions, and the satisfaction of a job well done. If you have a young engineer at home, this one is the best science kits for kids in the circuitry understanding department.

Why choose the Snap Circuits Science Kit for Kids?

You may think that engineering and circuitry are a bit much for kids aged 5, but according to parents, this set is an amazing way to introduce the little ones to STEM sciences. You may have a prodigy programmer in the house or a future engineer to make the world a better place. Let’s see a few features of this product!

• It is a great introduction to problem-solving, following directions, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
• With over 20 possible projects to build, the set builds the foundation of how circuits work, developing a child’s understanding of laws, effects, algorithms, and more.
• The set uses circuit-safe fuse technology, a patented feature, so you do not have anything to worry about.

Verdict

You may have young brilliant engineers in the house but you have to discover them first. The purpose of this kit is to ignite curiosity and develop a handful of hard skills and transferable skills – and from this point of view, it does a wonderful job. The price is incredible for the tech specs also! For older children, we also recommend you take a look at our best picks in Arduino starter kits. They might be more suitable for older children, but this particular science kit is a good start.

4 MiniExplorer Light Up Terrarium Science Kits for Kids

This innovative LED Light-Up Terrarium Kit provides parents and educators with a quick & easy way to educate the kids on the wonders of science, nature, and the beauty of life. They can customize the terrarium any way they like and then when the sun sets, they can hit the switch to observe and admire the bright and radiant LED light that turns their terrarium into a thing of wonder. But let’s look at some other details, shall we?

Why choose the Mini Explorer Terrarium Science Kit for Kids?

A miniature garden within a container that simulates a natural environment that your child can customize and watch grow? Yes, please! This miniature ecosystem grows by the day and glows by night, fascinating children and offering them a rich educational and experimental thrill. Parents and teachers love the product, and kids have a blast with it. But let’s see other tech specs and features!

• The product provides young children with that essential hands-on experience they need to understand science and life;
• While assembling their terrarium, customizing it to their liking, and proceeding to care for and nurture the mini-ecosystem inside, you expose your kids to a new world of education, discipline, and responsibility.
• It makes an awesome science gift for kids, as the terrarium encourages teamwork and endless fun and bonding!

Verdict

A full garden to care for and watch grow? Checked! An innovative way to illuminate the terrarium at night? Also checked? A tool with huge educational potential? By all means! The price is right, the specs are amazing, so there is really no discussion here whether to buy it or not!

5 Little World Microscope Science Kits for Kids

You surely remember this product from our recent list of the top ten best microscopes for kids. The Little World microscope science set includes everything your child needs to start discovering the micro-world! It looks like a toy but it does not act like one at all, as it is perfectly able to open the path to chemistry, biology, and physics in a fun, engaging manner!

Microscopes allow kids to discover the micro-cosmos of our world and of all things around us. If your kid ever said she wanted to be a doctor or a biologist when she grew up, then a microscope is the best way to start. 

II Best Science Kits for Kids Aged 8+

You will find many items in this section, as STEM is part of the curricula and you have plenty of options to teach science for kids in a fun, engaging manner.

Some products in this category may look like toys but they are not. In fact, many of them function as tools for teaching and learning at home or in the classroom. The little scientists of tomorrow will love them and put them to good use! 

In this section, you will find the following items and science kits for kids aged 8 and older

• A scientific set containing 25+ STEM physics experiments;
• Mechanical-oriented science kit promoting inventions and creativity;
• Geology scientific set teaching kids about geode and crystals’ formation;
• A kit containing safe experiments investigating magnetic fields, forces, and easy circuit assembling;
• An advanced chemistry set;
• Slime making kit for both educational and entertainment purposes. For more options when it comes to making slime, check out our slime making kits selection for kids and teens!
• Telescope. As you know, we have a passion for telescopes around here, so we recommend you to check out our top picks of telescopes for kids, the best telescopes for beginners (including teens and the entire family for that matter), a refined selection of Orion telescopes, and also a very refined selection of the best Celestron telescopes on the market today. While telescopes are not science kits per se, many models come with astronomy software and courses, so your kids will have the best start possible if they show an interest for astronomy, astrophysics, and connected sciences.

6 Playz Kaboom Explosive Combustion Science Kits for Kids

With 25+ STEM experiments to keep your little mad scientists busy, the Playz Kaboom set is one of the best science kits for kids in this age category – especially for those with a keen sense of chemical reactions and STEM sciences. More than that, it is one of the best science experiment kits for kids in this category and for this age range. The fun is endless!

Why choose the Playz Kaboom Science Kit for Kids?

Explosions – in a controlled, scientific environment – keep kids and students in awe. Who doesn’t want to make rockets from a chemical reaction or a balloon, fizzy bombs, a fun explosive bag, or create a color explosion? This is one of the best science kits for kids when it comes to combustion, physics, chemistry, math, and more! But let’s see other features, shall we?

• Offers hands-on science learning and teaching with fun and educational experiments;
• It comes with a fact-filled colorful lab guide that contains pictures and information to make science easy and fun.
• The set comes with impressively enthusiastic reviews.

Verdict

Explosions and chemical reactions make a young school child learn by doing and enjoy every second of the science at hand. We have a lot of faith that this product will deliver exactly what it promises and much more!

7 Playz Ridiculous Inventions Science Kits for Kids

When it comes to science for kids, the best science experiment kits for kids, and the best science kits for kids in general, it is hard to beat Playz Ridiculous Inventions set. Dedicated to LEGO lovers with an inventor’s passion for discovery and novelty, this kit made a guest appearance on this website – on our top best science gifts for kids list – and we put it again here because it is amazing for children, parents, and teachers alike!

8 National Geographic Geodes Science Kits for Kids

Earth sciences are critical for children to understand how the world works. National Geographic’s Geodes kit is an excellent education tool that allows kids to discover mechanics of crystal formation, have something to keep them challenged and engaged and give them the reward of a job well done. Once they crack open the geodes and discover the crystals, the little ones can also put them on display! Now, this is an excellent science project!

Why choose the National Geographic Geodes Science Kit for Kids?

When kids break open rocks to find crystals inside things get interesting pretty soon. Considering the reputation of National Geographic, you know this science kit for kids will deliver and then some! Let’s see some features, shall we?

• Fine hand-selected geodes for interesting, vibrant crystals;
• 16-page full-color learning guide describing how geodes are formed and detailing the variety found in nature;
• 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Verdict

The only drawback of this science kit for kids is that the discovery and mystery end when they break the last geode. But, just as the parents say, you will probably buy a new set for new crystals if the child shows a real interest and passion for this field. This is one of the best science gifts for kids to try this year, so do not hesitate! When it comes to kids science kits, crystals make unparalleled crowd favorites!

9 Thames & Kosmos Electricity & Magnetism Science Kits for Kids

With 62 safe experiments investigating magnetic fields & forces and easy circuit assembling, this one of the best science experiment kits for kids involving STEM learning. A tool to build cognitive skills, reasoning, critical thinking, and other abilities, the kit is the best money can buy if you want your child to understand physics through experimentation and fun!

Why choose the Thames & Kosmos Electricity & Magnetism Science Kit for Kids?

The investigation of the relationship between electricity and magnetism is important for a child’s education, but instead of following the curriculum, you can light up your young engineer with this amazing product. Let’s see some of its specs!

• Kids can explore electricity with easy snap-together block and experiment with a motor and electromagnet;
• The electrical blocks fit together with plug-and-socket connectors. The blocks are brightly colored and have unique shapes, so it is easy to follow the assembly diagrams to construct functional devices.
• Ages 8 and up can safely and easily experiment with electric currents and magnetic fields.

Verdict

This set is one of the best science kits for kids in the electricity/magnetism department. While some kids will want more, once they get the hang of it, the set will surely lay the foundation for true love for scientific experimentation and discovery.

10 Discovery Extreme Chemistry Science Kits for Kids

Dedicated to kids 12 and older, this Discovery Extreme Chemistry Kit includes over 40 experiments with a lot of fun and engagement to them. Your child can try all sorts of crazy chemical reactions and enjoy the results, which range from slime to crystals. It is last on our list, but this does not mean it is not one of the best science kits for kids in school!

Why choose the Discovery Extreme Chemistry Science Kit for Kids?

One of our last entries on the list of best science kits for kids is a chemistry set dedicated to kids 12 and older so they can explore 40 fun experiments and simple chemical reactions with the inclusion of household materials. An excellent choice for science fairs, school projects, and the understanding of Chemistry, the kit is a crowd favorite among parents, teachers, and children. Exploring science beyond the lab in an informal, yet formative environment is the best way to nurture a future generation of scientists ready to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues and unanswered questions. But let’s see some features:

• The kit allows children to create temperature reactions, test their taste buds, extinguish fires with gas, create liquid ice, work through color-changing litmus experiments, create creepy, crawly, slimy worms and more;
• Kids, parents, and teachers love this chemistry set;
• Award winner – National Parenting Center.

Verdict

The Discovery Extreme chemistry science kit for kids is an amazing educational tool to keep kids happy for a long time. Whether you enjoy having your little scientist turn the kitchen into a lab or you want a cool kit for a science project for school, this one is the best money can buy in the age range!

11 Best Science Kit for Kids: Slime Making Set

Making slime is science and fun at their best! The first bonus on our list of science kits for kids is Lilly and Lee’s Craft Accessories slime making kit, a true piece of wonder containing a free downloadable e-book teaching kids how to make over 15 different types of slime and enough ingredients and accessories for kids to make over 25 types of slime! We discussed the product on our list of best slime making kits of the year, but we considered you deserved a recap, as this set is indeed amazing!

12 Best Science Kits for Kids: A Telescope

Surely you figured out by now you would also find a telescope on our list of best science kits for kids. For today’s selection, while we do love plenty of telescope for kids, we chose the Celestron AstroMaster telescope for kids that we reviewed not so long ago. We picked it because of its enormous scientific and educational value, unbeatable warranty and excellent technical customer support! For more suggestions and recommendations, we encourage you to take a look over the following guides and do your homework well before you buy any type of telescope for a child, a teenager, or an adult:

• Best Celestron Telescopes Reviews and Buying Guide;
• Best Orion Telescopes and Buying Guide;
• Best Telescopes for Beginners;
• Types of Telescopes Explained;
• Optical Concepts Explained: How Telescopes Work.

How We Chose the Best Science Kits for Kids on this List

Choosing the best science kits for kids was easy this time because we already had the criteria we used for reviewing the best science gifts for kids. For this list, we also took into account the educational value of each product, its instructional intrinsic power.

We are happy to report that all the items on this list have high educational and fun levels. 

Read the criteria we put together to select the 12 best science kits for kids for this list!

How do You Buy the Best Science Gifts for Kids?

As a parent/teacher wanting to cultivate the young scientists in the house/classroom, finding the best science kits for kids may not be as easy as one thinks. Besides considering the budget, science is a vast and ever-changing landscape. You have to get some sets for chemistry and completely different ones for astronomy! So here are a few tips on how to buy science kits for your children and teens:

• The kit has to address the child’s interest and passions. If she loves animals and want to learn more about them, a physics scientific set might not be right up her alley;
• The science kit should be age appropriate but give the kid enough room to grow, gain knowledge, and refine skills without becoming boring. On the other hand, do not get complex scientific experiment kits for children who barely learn to speak;
• Any science kit for kids should also come with an entertainment value and keep the little one curious and engaged. Serious homework from school are enough, you don’t need to pump up the frustration volume;
• All science kits for kids should build on transferable cognitive skills, leave room for the imagination and creativity, allow sharing and collaboration, and teach patience, resilience, and determination more than just teaching a school subject.

We hope we helped you make educated choices regarding science for kids in general. If you do have experience with such matters, tell us, how do you pick the best science experiment kits for kids? What makes the best science gifts for kids in your opinion?