The 7 Best Science Kits for Kids and Teens
Scientific inquiry and fun are baked into these science kits that cover STEM, physics, and the natural world.
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Science kits are a great way to get kids curious about our world and beyond. After all, these kits have the power to captivate, teach STEM skills, and entertain all at once. If your child is already excited about things like robotics, space exploration, or how machines work, science kits can bolster those curiosities. But the truth is, for every great option, there are countless others that end up being duds, whether it’s from confusing directions, poor quality instruments, or unexciting experiments.
To save you from selecting one that ends up forgotten under your kid’s bed, we drew from our own experiences and consulted with experts in the field to find the very best science kits for kids. Ahead, we offer advice on how to choose the right science kit for your kid followed by our recommendations.
What to Consider
Age and Skill Level
You might wonder whether your child is old enough to be gifted a science kit, but according to Shelsea Ochoa, who was an educator performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science when we spoke to her for this interview, kids can enjoy science kits at any age—though some might need assistance. “For younger kids, adults will need to be present and attentive throughout the experiment,” she says.
Consider how much time you’ll have to spend with the child and their kit. You know the child best, and whereas some older kids can complete activities on their own, others might need some guidance—especially when using certain materials. Slime and volcano experiments are fun but not when the contents end up getting all over your couch or rug.
Fun Factor
You’ll also want to factor in a child’s attention span. “Science kits are a space where kids are meant to develop a love for learning about science, so it is a great opportunity to not force a child to sit through the process but allow them to go at a pace that feels enjoyable,” says Ochoa, who recommends taking breaks between steps for longer experiments. “Even if it takes multiple days, if the child walks away with a positive feeling about science, then the kit was successful.” In short, if it isn’t fun, it won’t be effective.
How We Selected
Many of the science kits on this list feature the authenticated trustmark of STEM.org, a privately held, multinational STEM research and credentialing organization. This badge means the kit has been evaluated by a leader in STEM education to make sure it’s educational, age-appropriate, and genuinely helping kids grow an interest in STEM fields. We also scoured the web for products that received high, verified reviews across various retailers.
The original author of this piece, Priscilla Blossom, is a parent to a science-loving child, so she took into consideration some of the products she’s tested in her own home and reached out to other parents and educators for their recommendations on science kits that stood the test of time (and boredom). We also made sure to keep in mind varying budgets, different age groups, and a variety of fields of science to appeal to different interests.
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
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