Top 5 compared
The best kids' science kits
Fizzing potions, glowing circuits and tricks to baffle the grown-ups, for curious kids who keep asking why.
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The top 5 at a glance
A science kit packs a run of experiments into one box, with the parts and a guide that explains what’s going on. Chemistry kits fizz, bubble and change color, and some dress the experiments up as magic tricks to perform; electronics kits snap parts together into working circuits that light up and make sounds.
First kits of volcanoes and oobleck start at 4, with a grown-up following the steps alongside; the chemistry, magic and electronics kits here are for 8 and up. Most need a grown-up nearby, some experiments use things from the kitchen pantry, and the electronics kits run on AA batteries that aren’t in the box.
What matters
- Goggles for anything that fizzes or splashes.
- Clear, illustrated steps a child can mostly follow alone.
- Everything in the box, or only a short list from home.
#1Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Kit (100+ projects)
$30–$50
Numbered, color-coded parts snap onto a plastic grid to make more than 100 working projects, from a flying saucer that lifts off the base to alarms, lights and sound effects, with no soldering or tools. The full-color manual starts simple, so many children can build the first circuits on their own.
What owners say: Instructions are easy to follow, and children can build the first projects right away with no help. It holds their interest well, so the learning keeps going.
A closer look: It needs two AA batteries, which aren’t in the box, so buy them with it. The parts work with Elenco’s bigger Snap Circuits sets, so a child who gets hooked can add one later rather than starting again.
- Flying saucer that lifts off
- No soldering or tools
- Numbered, color-coded parts
- Works with other Snap Circuits
- 2 AA batteries not included
Best for: Budding engineers
- Ages
- 8+
- Experiments
- 100+ projects
- Science
- Electronics and circuits
#2Snap Circuits Arcade SCA-200 Electronics Kit (200+ projects)
$30–$50
The next step up from the Jr.: snap-together parts plus a pre-programmed chip that runs more than 20 games with sounds and lights, a word fan you program to spell out messages in the air, a tri-color light orb and a dual LED display. Over 200 projects, still with no soldering or tools.
What owners say: The projects climb from simple to quite involved, each easy to follow in the book, and some children go on to design circuits of their own. Not everything works the first time, though: some owners find a number of projects that won’t run.
A closer look: Three AA batteries power it and don’t come in the box. When a project stays silent, check them first and press every snap fully home before suspecting a part, then let them program the word fan with their own name and watch it appear in the air.
- Programmable word fan spells messages
- Tri-color light orb
- Dual LED display
- No soldering or tools
- 3 AA batteries not included
Best for: Kids ready for more than the Jr.
- Ages
- 8+
- Experiments
- 200+ projects
- Science
- Electronics, games and programming
#3National Geographic Magic Chemistry Set (10 tricks)
$10–$20
Ten experiments performed as magic tricks, from floating a coin to making snow appear, with a wand and white gloves so they can put on a real show. Everything needed is in the box, and the illustrated guide explains the science behind each trick.
What owners say: Children stay busy for hours, and parents like finding everything in the box with clear instructions; for one family it was a favorite. On value, opinions split.
A closer look: Ten tricks go quickly, so it suits a weekend more than a long run of experiments. The guide explains why each one works, so once the applause dies down, have them explain the science back to you; it sticks far better that way.
- Wand and white gloves
- Tricks like floating a coin
- Everything needed in the box
- Illustrated guide explains the science
Best for: Young magicians
- Ages
- 8–12
- Experiments
- 10 tricks
- Science
- Chemistry, as magic tricks
#4National Geographic Science Magic Kit (100+ experiments)
$20–$30
Science dressed up as a magic show: the box holds everything for 20 experiments performed as tricks, such as a test tube that vanishes and a hidden message, and a booklet adds 85 more. Each trick comes with the science behind it, from light bending to acids and bases.
What owners say: Hours of entertainment, by most accounts, with two books of experiments that get children solving problems and thinking creatively. A few experiments don’t work as expected.
A closer look: Let them run through each trick once on their own, then put on a show for the family: there’s enough in the box for a practice run and a performance. Some of the bonus experiments need things from the kitchen pantry, so check the booklet first.
- Vanishing test tube trick
- Hidden message trick
- Science behind every trick explained
- Enough for practice and performance
Best for: Putting on a family show
- Ages
- 8+
- Experiments
- 20, plus 85+ in a booklet
- Science
- Chemistry and physics, as magic tricks
#5Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit (50+ experiments)
$20–$30
A first chemistry set for ages 4 and up, built around the messy wins small children love: oobleck, a fizzing volcano, dinosaur squishies, exploding colors and a scented face mask. The illustrated, step-by-step manual is laid out so a grown-up and a child can follow it together.
What owners say: Parents say it keeps preschoolers happily occupied, with clear steps a grown-up and child can follow together. Most of what’s needed is included, and they like how it gets small children thinking things through.
A closer look: Work on the tray that comes in the kit with an old towel underneath: oobleck and the volcanoes get everywhere, which is half the fun. Baking soda, cornstarch and food coloring are kitchen staples, so they’re easy to replace when the kit’s own supply runs low.
- Oobleck, volcanoes and dinosaur squishies
- Work tray in the kit
- Beaker, test tube and funnel
- Illustrated step-by-step manual
- Scented face mask to make
Best for: Preschoolers’ first experiments
- Ages
- 4+
- Experiments
- 50+ experiments
- Science
- Kitchen chemistry
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1Snap Circuits Jr. | #2Snap Circuits Arcade | #3Nat Geo Magic Chemistry | #4Nat Geo Science Magic | #5Doctor Jupiter My First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | Best for younger kids | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Price | $30–$50 | $30–$50 | $10–$20 | $20–$30 | $20–$30 |
| Ages | 8+ | 8+ | 8–12 | 8+ | 4+ |
| Experiments | 100+ projects | 200+ projects | 10 tricks | 20, plus 85+ in a booklet | 50+ experiments |
| Science | Electronics and circuits | Electronics, games and programming | Chemistry, as magic tricks | Chemistry and physics, as magic tricks | Kitchen chemistry |
| Best for | Budding engineers | Kids ready for more than the Jr. | Young magicians | Putting on a family show | Preschoolers’ first experiments |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Photos are illustrative, some computer-generated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How we pick · How this works.
